Deeper First Base Sleepers - Undervalued ADPs

We are gathered here today to discuss everyone’s favorite fantasy buzzword, the “sleepers”. Not only that, but we’re tabbing these guys as deeper sleepers with a focus on the first base position. That means no Jose Martinez cop-out blurbs because that dude has already woken up and then some! With draft season officially underway, it's […]

Bud Black Isn't Concerned About Ian Desmond's Wretched Spring Training

Colorado Rockies outfielder and first baseman Ian Desmond struck out three times in three plate appearances in the 8-7 win against the Seattle Mariners. Concerns are beginning to become legitimate with Desmond's awful spring training, as he's now currently at a .071 batting average (2-for-28) and also has 14 strikeouts. However, Rockies manager Bud Black […]

Freddie Freeman Has Perfect Day At Plate In Loss To Blue Jays

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is just going about his business and having a great spring training and then undoubtedly another stellar regular season. On Tuesday, all he did was go 3-for-3 with a homer, his first, to raise his average to .321. It wasn't anywhere near enough, since Toronto bludgeoned Atlanta, 13-6. Freeman […]

Dominic Smith Unsure Of Return Date

New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith has been out of action with a strained quadriceps, and as of Tuesday afternoon, there doesn’t seem to be any update on that. Smith told the media he doesn’t know when he will get in a game, but also stated his last remaining step is running bases without […]

Chris Davis Taking Two-Handed Swings

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (forearm) is taking more steps towards resuming regular playing. He's taking two-handed swings Tuesday to see how his tight forearm feels. If all goes well, he'll be back on the field over the weekend. It'll be likely that he's rusty in any game action for a couple of days, so don't […]

Ronald Guzman Optioned to Triple-A

The Texas Rangers sent first baseman Ronald Guzman down to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday. The 23-year old had a poor showing in spring training, hitting just .125/.258/.208 with a 2/3 BB/K rate. Guzman was a long shot to make the roster to start the year, but his poor performance definitely is cause for concern […]

Champ or Chump - Robbie Ray and Rhys Hoskins

This column usually places a strong emphasis on regression, or why you shouldn't expect last year's production from a given player. Sometimes a player breaks out in a sustainable manner, however, making them a good investment even if you need to pay a premium based on the previous year's performance. Robbie Ray provides an excellent […]

Post Hype First Basemen Set to Breakout in 2018

A true breakout isn’t hard to predict. Luckily for us, the breakout formula is rather simple: opportunity + talent + efficiency = breakout. The first basemen listed below are players who I think will have top-100 draft stock in 2019 drafts, or, at the very least, will be drafted higher next year because they check […]

Phillies Designate Tommy Joseph For Assignment

Following the signing of former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, the Philadelphia Phillies designated first baseman Tommy Joseph for assignment to make room on the roster. The 26-year-old former starter has been on a steady decline following an abysmal 2017 season. The club’s acquisition of Carlos Santana meant Joseph had lost his job as a […]

Danny Espinosa Released By Yankees

Signed during the offseason to battle for one of the New York Yankees voided infield spots, second baseman Danny Espinosa has been released by the club. The 30-year-old’s chances of earning one of those spots gradually slimmed with the rises of Miguel Andujar and Tyler Wade, alongside the acquisitions of Brandon Drury and Neil Walker. In […]

Ian Desmond's Abysmal Spring Training Could Lead To Less At-Bats

Colorado Rockies first baseman and outfielder Ian Desmond has had an abysmal spring training, as he collected only his second hit in 25 at-bats with a double against the Diamondbacks. Not only is Desmond's on-base percentage exactly the same as his batting average at .080, but he has also racked up 11 strikeouts. One of […]

Christian Villanueva Fine After Cutting Arm

San Diego Padres third baseman Christian Villanueva (arm) is fine after cutting his non-throwing arm. He missed Sunday's game but is expected back on Monday. Villanueva has hit well this spring, going 10-for-26 (.385) with three home runs and 11 RBI. If he makes the team, Villanueva will back up third baseman Chase Headley but […]

Matt Carpenter's Back Feels "Perfect"

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said his injured back felt "perfect" after playing an intrasquad game on Sunday. He'll make his 2018 Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday as a designated hitter. At this point, unless he suffers some other setback, it looks like Carpenter should be ready for Opening Day. Aside from his back, […]

Steve Pearce Could Play By Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays utilityman Steve Pearce has been on the shelf with a calf sprain this spring but it sounds as if his return could be right around the corner. Pearce started running on Sunday and will continue to do so on Monday. If that goes well, he could be playing by Thursday. After looking […]

Lucas Duda Starts Getting Some Looks

New Kansas City Royals first baseman Lucas Duda is in camp and has started getting some chances at the plate this week. Coming off a 30-homer campaign in 2017, Duda will be expected to provide the pop in lieu of recently-departed Eric Hosmer. Duda's batting average will never be mistaken for Hosmer's, but he has […]

Ian Desmond Continues To Struggle

Colorado Rockies outfielder/first baseman Ian Desmond continues to have an abysmal spring after he went 0-for-3 against the Dodgers on Sunday. Colorado's coup of the 2017 free-agent class is now 1-for-17 this spring. Desmond's terrible opening frame likely won't cost him playing time, but it's certainly not an encouraging sign to fantasy owners after he […]

Matt Olson (1B/OF, OAK) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~95 CURRENT ADP:  123 ANALYSIS: Prior to Matt Olson’s 2017 debut, Fangraphs slapped a 40 hit tool and a 45 game power tool (with 50 potential) on Olson. He proceeded to make them and just about every other prospect ranking site look absolutely silly. In only 216 PA, Olson triple-slashed .259/.352/.651 with 24 HR! […]

Jose Abreu Off To A Slow Start This Spring

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu has come out of the gate cold so far in spring training. Over his first 28 at-bats, the slugger has only five hits. The good news is that three of his five hits have gone for extra bases and he has scored six runs. There isn't much to […]

Matt Olson Has Productive Day At The Plate

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson went 2-for-3 against the Cubs on Sunday. He also pitched in an RBI and a run. To date, Olson is batting .310 with two home runs and six runs batted in this spring. He has also struck out seven times in his 29 at-bats. Olson will provide plenty of […]

Trey Mancini (1B/OF, BAL) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~142 CURRENT ADP: 151 ANALYSIS: Baltimore Orioles 1B/OF Trey Mancini turned heads last season by hitting .293 with 24 HR, 78 RBI, and 65 R. Still only 25-years-old, Mancini is poised to take his game to the next level in 2018. Sporting a ground ball-heavy profile, Mancini still managed to pop 24 […]

Hanley Ramirez Has Multi-Hit Game Against Orioles

Boston Red Sox designated hitter/first baseman Hanley Ramirez was 2-for-3 in Sunday's game against the Orioles. Ramirez has made some bold proclamations this spring. While a 30-30 season might not be a reasonable expectation, Ramirez can still recover some value in an improved lineup. Ramirez is expected to bat third and will see plenty of […]

Tommy Joseph Doing All He Can At The Plate

After almost leaving for Asia during the offseason, first baseman Tommy Joseph arrived at spring training with his role for the Philadelphia Phillies not exactly defined. After all, the club signed Carlos Santana to take over first base duties, and Joseph has even seen time in an already packed outfield in a bid for playing time. […]

Carlos Santana Still Adjusting To Phillies

The new first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies, Carlos Santana, appears to be set at the second spot of the lineup. Manager Gabe Kapler appears intent on having him bat there when the season begins, having hit second in eight of his 10 games played this spring. During this spring, the 31-year-old has hit .208, […]

Joey Votto Having Slow Spring

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto is off to a slow start this spring. The star first baseman is hitting .056 in 18 at-bats, notching just one hit while scoring three runs and driving in one. Despite the slow spring, there's no reason to get concerned about Votto. He got off to an extremely slow […]

Chris Davis Feeling Better But Orioles Being Cautious

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (forearm) says he feels much better after his cortisone shot, but the timetable dictates he rests for 72 hours after receiving it. The club is not so much worried about his spring training at-bats, but they want him up and ready for the regular season.

Logan Morrison Will Return To Lineup Tuesday

According to reports, Minnesota Twins designated hitter Logan Morrison (gluteus) is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday. Morrison has been out since last Wednesday after straining his glute on a hard slide into home plate. Morrison's expected return to the lineup shows that his injury was never considered serious. Morrison will play his […]

Greg Bird Struggling Mightily At The Plate

Last season, New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird enjoyed a monstrous Spring Training, hitting .451 with eight home runs and 15 RBI in 51 plate appearances. He appeared set for a terrific season with the Yankees, but he actually suffered a terrible opening month of the season before losing most of the year with […]

First Base H2H Points Rankings - March Update

Welcome back RotoBallers. With the MLB season just a few short weeks a way, it's time to update our rankings and analysis to account for injuries, free agent signings, spring training risers/fallers and more. We kick off our updated March rankings today with the first base position. Bill Dubiel breaks down each tier and provides analysis […]

Ryan Braun Not Comfortable At First Base

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, who was playing left field in spring training Saturday, said he's "not remotely comfortable" playing at first base yet. Given Milwaukee's plethora of outfielders in 2018, the team would like Braun to move to first base and share time with Eric Thames. Injuries always remain a concern for Braun, too, […]

Trey Mancini Drives In Two Runs In Laugher Over Pirates

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini, who was playing first in place of the injured Chris Davis, had an excellent day on Saturday. He went 1-for-2 while driving in two runs. He also hit a solo homer during an inning that saw three Orioles go deep. Mancini now has three homers and is hitting a respectable […]