Freddie Freeman Homers, Collects Two RBI In Spring Training Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman went 1-for-2 with a homer, sacrifice fly, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 4-1 Cactus League win over the Padres. Freeman was batting in his usual second spot in the order and picking right where he left off last season. He ambushed the first pitch he […]

Top 200 Infield Fantasy Baseball Rankings (February Updates)

Howdy RotoBallers! Baseball is officially back! Spring training games are being played, and in about 30 days, the 2024 baseball season will begin. We are back with more fantasy baseball rankings to help crush your league. We have recently published rankings articles for each position, including middle and corner infielders. Some league formats don't require […]

Cody Bellinger Signs With The Cubs - Fantasy Impact

One of the best available free agents this offseason finally signed with a team. Cody Bellinger's three-year deal with the Chicago Cubs shouldn't have come as a surprise, other than how long it took for the parties to agree to a reunion. Last year with the Cubs, Bellinger had his best season since winning the […]

Max Muncy In Better Shape

Los Angeles Dodgers corner infielder Max Muncy appears to be in improved physical condition at spring training this year. Both manager Dave Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes gave credit to Muncy for taking on the challenge to improve himself in the offseason. "Our hitting guys are raving about him," Gomes said. The 33-year-old veteran […]

First Base Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Tiers, Analysis - Roto Leagues (2024)

Spring training is finally here, so there is no better time than now to prep for your fantasy draft. First base has long been relied on to contribute more than their fair share to a team’s statistics. This year, the field is loaded at the top, but there is some great value to be found […]

5 Bounce-Back Infield Candidates for Fantasy Baseball Drafts (2024)

Baseball is a game where a player can underperform for a day, month, year, or even longer and still eventually return to form. That’s just the nature of it. But how do we separate the players who are likely to find their game again from those who have fallen off completely? Many signs can distinguish […]

Barrels and Brls/BBE: Using Sabermetrics For 2024 Fantasy Baseball

Previously, we looked at how exit velocity is only one piece of the fantasy baseball analysis puzzle. Baseball broadcasts commonly cite Launch Angle (LA) to complement their EV figures, but it is given in terms of degrees. Are we trying to find the hypotenuse of an isosceles triangle? Launch angle is basically a fancy way […]

Top 50 Second Base Fantasy Baseball Rankings (February Updates)

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to more fantasy baseball rankings! Pitchers and catchers are reporting while Opening Day is right around the corner. It's an exciting time for fantasy managers, with an entire baseball season ahead. We are here to help you build those league-winning rosters with our MLB team's updated 2024 fantasy baseball second base rankings, […]

Alec Bohm, Rafael Marchan Sidelined For Start Of Grapefruit League Play

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (neck) and catcher Rafael Marchan (back) are both being held out of action due to their respective injuries, manager Rob Thomson told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Bohm is dealing with neck spasms and won't play this weekend. It doesn't sound like this injury is too serious, and the […]

Mike Ford Inks Minor-League Deal With Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have signed free-agent first baseman Mike Ford to a minor-league deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The deal includes an invitation to spring training, as well as additional opt-out clauses that would presumably come into effect if Ford doesn't make the big-league squad. Heyman notes that Ford would […]

Kyle Manzardo Likely To Start At Triple-A

The Athletic's Jason Lloyd writes that Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo will probably start the 2024 season at Triple-A Columbus. Guardians officials reiterated this offseason the difficulty of hitting in Cleveland in April and how a slow start can bury young hitters. The 23-year-old grew up in Idaho, so he probably knows a thing […]

Vinnie Pasquantino Starting Cactus League Opener

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (shoulder) is playing first base and batting second in the team's Cactus League opener on Friday versus the Texas Rangers. It's good news after Pasquantino had season-ending shoulder surgery last June. The power-hitting left-hander played in only 61 games in his second year in the majors due to […]

Jake Cronenworth Homers In Spring Opener

San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth went 1-for-2 with a solo homer during Thursday's Spring Training opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres fell behind early and never came back, dropping the first game of Cactus League play by a score of 14-1. Cronenworth took a step back offensively in 2023 with a […]

Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Hitters - Updates for Manny Machado, Willson Contreras, Noelvi Marte, Tommy Edman, more

The 2024 baseball season is just over a month away, but fantasy draft season has already begun. As always, injuries will mightily affect the 2024 campaign and fantasy lineup or draft decisions. Let's take a look at injured hitters Manny Machado, Willson Contreras, Noelvi Marte, Tommy Edman, and more. This is our weekly edition of […]

Exit Velocity (EV): Using Sabermetrics For 2024 Fantasy Baseball

If you've watched a baseball broadcast in the Statcast era, you have undoubtedly noticed the broadcasters commenting on a batted ball's exit velocity or EV. Many have taken to using stats like Hard% and Soft% to forecast how a player should be performing, expecting larger Hard% rates to produce larger BABIP and HR/FB figures. There […]

Eric Hosmer Announces Retirement

First baseman Eric Hosmer announced his retirement from professional baseball on social media on Wednesday. Hosmer never latched on with another team after he was released by the Chicago Cubs last May. The 34-year-old left-handed hitter played in just 31 games in 2023 and went 22-for-94 (.234) with two homers and 14 RBI before getting […]

Red Sox Interested In Gio Urshela

The Boston Red Sox are among the teams interested in adding free-agent infielder Gio Urshela, according to a source. In addition to Boston, the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, and Miami Marlins have been looking at Urshela. His market has been slow to develop this offseason. The 32-year-old veteran is best […]

Ty France Added Bat Speed This Offseason

Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France met with the media on Wednesday and explained how he added 3.5 mph of bat speed to his swing. He mentioned it was 'crazy' to see how bad his swing was, so he decided to clean up his mechanics, apparently successfully. The 29-year-old indeed took a step back at […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Feeling Great

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said he "feels great" at camp this spring and is sporting a leaner physique after putting in hard work to get his body right in the offseason. The 24-year-old arrived this week at camp looking noticeably slimmer and stronger. "He looks great," manager John Schneider said of […]

Kings Of Candy: Biggest Sweet Spot Risers for Fantasy Baseball Year-Over-Year (Swt-Spt%)

We recently looked at hitters who increased their BB% the most year-over-year, but now we want to look at hitters whose sweet spot percentage increased the most. Why this metric? Well, by looking at who has increased their sweet spot percentage, you might find hitters who may be hitting the ball at a better angle, […]

NL-Only Fantasy Baseball Sleepers and Late-Round Draft Fliers (2024)

No fantasy league is won in the draft, but they can be lost. That's even truer when it comes to NL-only leagues. They are incredibly challenging. They will really test your knowledge and fantasy skills. They could also cause you to question why you play this game! But that's just part of the fun. The […]

Ryan O'Hearn To See Reps In Corner Outfield

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that first baseman Ryan O'Hearn will be getting reps in the corner outfield at spring training. O'Hearn could see an occasional start in the outfield this year, but most of his playing time figures to come at first base and designated hitter. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger was in the […]

Dominic Smith, Cubs Agree On Minor-League Deal

Free-agent first baseman Dominic Smith (hand) and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a minor-league deal on Monday, according to a source familiar with the deal. The contract includes incentives and can max out at $3.5 million. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter had hamate-bone surgery in early January but should be full-go by the end of spring […]

Alex Kirilloff Faces Live Pitching Monday

Minnesota Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) was scheduled to face live pitching at spring training on Monday at Hammond Stadium. It's a notable development for Kirilloff after he had surgery last October to fix the labrum in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger doesn't appear to be limited at all at camp and […]

Cubs Haven't Had Real Negotiations With Cody Bellinger Yet

Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said there have been "some discussions," but they haven't become a "negotiation" yet to re-sign outfielder Cody Bellinger. "We're just waiting, waiting for whenever he and his agent are going to engage. And it could be anytime now, or it could be a few weeks, we'll just see where it […]

Mets Agree On Minors Deal With Luke Voit

The New York Mets agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training on Monday with free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit. The 33-year-old right-handed slugger will return to the Mets after finishing the 2023 campaign playing for Triple-A Syracuse, where he had a strong 1.058 OPS with 14 home […]

Livan Soto Claimed Off Waivers By The Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have claimed infielder Livan Soto off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Soto was designated for assignment by the Angels last month before being claimed by the O's, who subsequently DFA'd him again. He ends up back with the Angels and will likely just serve as infield depth for the big league […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In Better Shape?

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been working out with personal trainer Nicole Gabriel for much of the winter, and by the looks of images and videos posted to her Instagram account, Guerrero's results are impressive, according to the Toronto Sun's Rob Longley. "I think there will be some impressed eyes in […]

Pablo Sandoval Signs With Giants, Earns Camp Invite

The San Francisco Giants have signed veteran Pablo Sandoval to a minor league contract, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. Sandoval's deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. The 37-year-old has been out of Major League Baseball since 2021, and he was most recently a member of Dubai's Abu Dhabi Falcons after […]

First Base: Overvalued/Undervalued for Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues

Teams have already reported to spring training, which means the MLB season is right around the corner. The first regular season series of the year will take place between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres on March 20-21 in Seoul, South Korea. That means if you are in a fantasy baseball league, now […]