Justin Smoak Collects Three Hits In Win

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak had a massive breakout season in 2017; whether or not he could carry that over to 2018 was a much debated topic over the winter. So far, so good for Smoak. Against starting pitcher CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees, Smoak finished 3-for-4 two RBI and a […]

Ian Desmond Goes Yard

Friday night, Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder Ian Desmond knocked one out of the park for the first time in 2018. Desmond is coming off a lost season due to injury, but he looks to be fully healthy so far this year as he's already smacked three hits in his first two games. While top prospects […]

Miguel Cabrera Reaches Three Times, Drives In Two

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera had a good day at the plate on Opening Day Friday. The veteran slugger notched a pair of base hits and a walk while driving in two runs for the Tigers, who eventually fell in extra innings to the Pirates. Cabrera is coming off his worst year at the […]

Rhys Hoskins Goes Yard In Win

Former rookie phenom Rhys Hoskins has carried his 2017 form into the new season with the Philadelphia Phillies. The 25-year-old picked up a pair of doubles in yesterday’s extra inning defeat against Atlanta and drilled a solo home run to left for the first run of the game. Hoskins had one more hit for a […]

Carlos Santana Stars In Phillies Victory

Free agent acquisition Carlos Santana played his first major role in a victory for the Philadelphia Phillies today against the Atlanta Braves. Coming off an extra-inning loss on Thursday. He first drove in his club’s second run of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. After the Braves took the lead in […]

Ji-Man Choi Optioned To Triple-A

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Ji-Man Choi was optioned to the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, as the Brewers plan to use newly-acquired relief pitcher Dan Jennings in the bullpen. Choi undoubtedly has a lot of hitting potential, however, the Brewers are also crammed at first base with Ryan Braun, Jesus Aguilar and Eric […]

J.D. Davis To Get Start At First Base Saturday

Houston Astros rising talent J.D. Davis will get the start at first base on Saturday, per MLB.com. Davis absolutely torched spring pitching, hitting .385 with three doubles and five home runs in 65 preseason at-bats. Davis is just another promising hitter to come through the Astros pipeline and will get a chance to carry his […]

Josh Bell Racks Up Three Opening Day Hits

Expectations are high for Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell after finishing third in National League Rookie of the Year voting last year, and his first game of 2018 didn't disappoint. The switch-hitting slugger went 3-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored in his team's extra-inning win on Friday. He looked locked in after […]

Jose Martinez (1B/OF, STL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 22% of leagues ANALYSIS: Martinez looks like he could be the next late bloomer to turn into a power stud after tallying a .309/.379/.518 triple slash in 307 big-league PAs for St. Louis. I’m sure you’ve heard about his wild 2017 and his 90.4 MPH average exit velocity, […]

Yonder Alonso (1B, CLE) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10-12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 42% of leagues ANALYSIS: Damn, y’all are fickle. Remember when Alonso made the American League All-Star squad last year with an awesome first half? Or are you really that burned by the second half that you’re just out on the guy? Even if I grant you that he’s […]

Matt Davidson (1B/3B) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10-12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 40% of leagues ANALYSIS: Davidson hit three home runs on Opening Day, in case you missed that. He is a poor defender and has some pretty crummy contact skills, leading some to want Yolmer Sanchez playing third for the South Siders instead (sorry, I wrongfully called them the […]

Neil Walker (1B/2B, NYY) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues OWNED IN: 16% of leagues ANALYSIS: We’ll dig a bit deeper here to speak on Walker, who was mercifully plucked from the free-agent pool already by the Yankees. When a guy gets into the Yankees starting lineup, then you probably want to pluck them from the FA pool as well. […]

Freddie Freeman Hits Two-Run Blast In Opening Day Win

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman showed why we love him so much on Opening Day. He hit a two-run homer on Thursday. He went 1-for-2 on the day thanks to three walks -- opposing pitchers don't love him that much. He's likely going to get another crack at the Phillies on Friday night.

Lucas Duda Homers In First KC At-Bat

Newly acquired Kansas City Royals first baseman Lucas Duda showed off his pop on Opening Day by homering in his very first at-bat with the team. The shot allowed the Royals to jump out to an early lead, but that would eventually be left in the dust as the team lost 14-7. Duda would finish […]

Matt Olson Hits HR On Birthday

Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Olson went 1-for-5 on Opening Day, which was also his birthday. Olson's one hit was apart of back-to-back homers with Khris Davis in the fifth against Garrett Richards. Olson hit 24 homers in only 59 games in 2017. Expect Olson to reach nearly 30 home runs in 2018, but it might […]

Paul Goldschmidt Walks Three Times On Opening Day

Diamondbacks star Paul Goldschmidt went 0-for-2 with three walks and a run scored in Arizona’s 8-2 win over the Rockies. As per usual, Goldschmidt’s excellent on base skills helped owners despite the hitless day. It wasn’t a banner day for Goldy, but getting on base three times in five at-bats is a good day for […]

Matt Davidson Connects For Three Home Runs

Chicago White Sox designated hitter Matt Davidson connected for three home runs on Thursday and finished 3-for-4 with a walk. Davidson has always had a powerful bat, but aside from home runs, Davidson doesn’t offer much else. He is a worth a look for owners who are looking for power and stomach his career .224 […]

Jose Abreu Hits First Home Run

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu connected for his first home run of the season on Thursday. Abreu finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. He remains one of the best power threats in the game and there should be plenty of more home runs in his future.

Eric Hosmer Finishes 0-For-4 in Padres Debut

In his San Diego Padres debut, first baseman Eric Hosmer went 0-for-4 with a walk in the Opening Day matchup against Milwaukee. Outside of the 11th-inning walk, Hosmer had two groundouts — one for a double play — and two strikeouts in the win. While it wasn't the way owners would have liked for Hosmer […]

Jose Martinez Gets 2018 Off to a Strong Start

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Jose Martinez got off to a great start on Opening Day, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Martinez smashed a home run in the sixth inning and had a pair of singles to go with it. Most importantly, Matt Carpenter started at third base, giving Martinez a […]

Anthony Rizzo Hits Home Run Thursday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a home run in the top of the third inning on Thursday. Rizzo finished the game 1-for-4 with two runs scored. He remains one of the more consistent fantasy players for this season.

Cleveland Reassigns Mike Napoli to Minor League Camp

The Cleveland Indians reassigned first baseman Mike Napoli to minor league camp. Napoli was released by Cleveland but quickly re-signed once he accepted the fact that he would need to start the season at Triple-A Columbus. He'll serve as depth and should be up on the Cleveland roster sooner or later. It looks like Napoli's […]

Mets Place Dominic Smith On Disabled List

New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with a quadriceps injury. It’s been a disastrous start to 2018 for Smith, who many thought would seamlessly take over the first base gig full time to start the year. Unfortunately, the Mets went out and signed first baseman […]

Chris Davis Batting Leadoff On Opening Day

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will bat first on Opening Day. Yes, it's unconventional, but manager Buck Showalter likes to challenge the norm. The stakes aren't as high for Thursday, but it's still a different look. Davis, who struggled in '17, might be more focused in this spot. It's not permanent yet, though. It'll be […]

Joey Gallo to Bat Second in Opener

Texas Rangers corner infielder Joey Gallo will open the season as the starting first baseman after spending the majority of the spring working at the position. More interesting is that he'll supplant shortstop Elvis Andrus as the No. 2 hitter. It raised eyebrows in the spring that the three true outcomes slugger was taking at-bats […]

Champ or Chump - Luis Castillo and Miguel Sano

Most fantasy owners have already drafted their squads by this point in March, but there are a handful of leagues that wait until after the season has started to populate their rosters. It seems bizarre, but we're not judging. This column will continue with its current format (citing ADP data) until a few weeks into […]

Bill Dubiel's 10 Bold Predictions for 2018

These bold predictions usually go one of two ways--I'm either spot on or I look like a clown. Still rubbing off the white makeup from my face after last year. It's funny, because I'm pretty good when it comes to rankings, but these shots in the dark, not so much. But this year will be […]

Week 1 Waiver Wire: 25-50% Owned Pickups

First, winter was here and the night was truly dark and full of terrors. But now, now it's Opening Day and the ills of the world are all invited to screw off. I love you all, what a great day! In light of this, let's give that free agent pool one last look over before […]

Top 30 Impact Rookies for Fantasy Leagues (Preseason)

Hello everyone, and welcome to my weekly Top-30 Fantasy Rankings for Impact Rookies! In this series, I will be going over the top prospects in baseball and discussing which ones figure to have an impact for the rest of this fantasy baseball season. This might be one of the most star studded prospect lists to […]

Carlos Santana Enters New World Today

After a World Series appearance in 2016 and historic winning streak last season, Carlos Santana bid farewell to the Cleveland Indians and signed with the upstart Philadelphia Phillies. It’d be quite the story if the Phillies reach that level, as they’re viewed to be rebuilding this year. Santana will be surrounded by younger players, making […]