Javier Baez Feels 110 Percent
Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (hamstring) said that he is feeling 110 percent when asked about his hamstring. Baez went down earlier in the week after hurting his hamstring rounding first base on a double. Baez hasn’t played the rest of the week, but it’s great news that he is feeling better. The Cubs will […]
Starlin Castro Enjoying Quality Spring
Miami Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro is having a solid Spring as the former New York Yankee inches closer to his Marlins regular season debut. After coming to Miami via the Giancarlo Stanton trade, Castro made headlines for saying he wanted to be traded. He has since changed his tune, and the Marlins will need […]
Jonathan Schoop Homers Against Bucs In O's Win
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop is doing his best to put those bursitis concerns behind him. He went 2-for-4 on Saturday with a solo homer. Schoop also scored two runs and is hitting a robust .333 this spring. He's going to be an excellent grab for whoever picks him during their draft.
Javier Baez Expected To Play Next Week
Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (hamstring) had an MRI on Saturday and received good news. The damage on his hamstring was minimal and he is expected to play next week. Baez is set to play every day in 2018 and will offer above-average power at both middle infield positions.
Daniel Murphy Takes First Spring Batting Practice
Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (knee) took batting practice on the field for the first time all spring on Saturday. The slugger is about to turn 33 on April 1 and is coming back slowly from an offseason microfracture procedure on the cartilage in his left knee. While seeing him hit is a good […]
Best Ball Sleepers and Late Round Targets for Fantasy Baseball
Best ball leagues are one of the latest variations of fantasy baseball that are quickly growing in popularity. Draft day is the only day of the year where owners will have control over their roster. There is no waiver wire and there are no trades. Owners won't even set daily lineups, as they will instead […]
Willy Adames On The Outside For Second Base Job
Tampa Bay Rays middle infielder Willy Adames is not favored to win the second base job coming out of the spring. Manager Kevin Cash said that Adames was on "the outside looking in" in regards to the second base starting job. In the long term it seems likely that Adames will find his home at […]
Gordon Beckham Making Case To Make Mariners Roster
Seattle Mariners infielder Gordon Beckham is doing all he can to make the Opening Day roster and is currently hitting everything in sight. Through 19 preseason at-bats, Beckham has 10 hits with four extra-base hits and is slashing .526/.625/.842. The once highly-touted prospect is looking to make the team on the merits of his defense […]
Jose Altuve Already Picking Up Where He Left Off In 2017
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is hitting .412 through 17 at-bats with a couple weeks left in Spring Training. It doesn't matter whether it's the preseason, regular season, postseason or a game on Mars. Altuve will hit no matter where he is it seems. The Astros regulars are beginning to get more at-bats now […]
Adalberto Mondesi, Bubba Starling Still Sidelined
Kansas City Royals second baseman Adalberto Mondesi (shoulder) and outfielder Bubba Starling (oblique) both remain sidelined in camp. Mondesi will not throw for the next five days, while Starling will be out for a while and is a candidate to open the year on the disabled list, according to manager Ned Yost. Neither player really […]
Starlin Castro Looks To Be Favorite For Three-Hole
Miami Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro has mostly been hitting in the three spot in the batting order this spring, and manager Don Mattingly plans on mainly using Castro in the third spot during the season. The 27-year-old will hit in front of cleanup hitter Justin Bour. Castro has posted a career slash line of […]
Matt Carpenter Begins Fielding and Batting Practice
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back, shoulder) began hitting and fielding drills this week. The team is reportedly concerned about both Carpenter's back and his shoulder, which may lead them to sticking him at first base. Originally, Carpenter was being looked at as a super-utility infielder who could play almost any infield position. For […]
Javier Baez Still Bothered By Hamstring
Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (hamstring) is still feeling bothered by hamstring tightness. Baez suffered the injury while he was running to second base on a double. Baez will not play Saturday and the team will see how he feels from there. Baez may slip a few rounds due to the injury, but if […]
Eduardo Nunez Hitless in Debut
Boston Red Sox super-utility man Eduardo Nunez (knee) had no hits in two at-bats in four innings of play on Wednesday. Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reported that following the fourth inning, Nunez began a more intensive workout session. Nunez pulled a sled loaded with weights back and forth, followed by more conditioning work. Nunez […]
Points League Primer - Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy
When discussing fantasy baseball, an often neglected but entertaining format is the points league. These exist in both season-long cumulative and weekly head-to-head leagues. While existential debates about scoring categories and their true depiction of player worth are endless, points leagues arguably get closest to the objective of sabermetrics. Points leagues attempt to define a […]
Ian Kinsler with a Strong Start in Spring
Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler is off to a strong start this spring. The 35-year-old is 4-for-11 with five walks so far with the Angels. Kinsler was traded to the Angels from the Tigers back in December for a pair of prospects. The veteran posted a career-low .236 batting average last season, but […]
Dustin Pedroia Still Has Long Recovery
Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) still has a lengthy process ahead of him before he is ready to get back on the field in games, according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. Manager Alex Cora said it was unlikely Pedroia would even be ready for a minor league game before camp […]
Javier Baez Expects To Play Saturday
Updating a previous report, after leaving Thursday’s contest with a hamstring injury, Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez said he is “100 percent.” It’s certainly good news, but the Cubs are likely to be cautious with Baez. Baez will sit out on Friday but wants to play Saturday. Hamstring injuries can linger, so the Cubs […]
Javier Baez Sidelined With Left Hamstring Tightness
Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (hamstring) left Thursday’s game with tightness in his left hamstring. There is no word on how long Baez is expected to be out and if his chances of playing Opening Day are in doubt. Infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist will assume the second base job in the meantime with infielder Tommy […]
Jason Kipnis Is Putting On a Show This Spring
Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis has gotten off to an excellent start in Cactus League play this spring. Kipnis is slashing .450/.450/1.350 with six home runs, 12 RBI, and only three strikeouts. After what was mostly a lost 2017 due to injuries and prolonged slumps, Kipnis is looking to come out of the gates […]
Javier Baez Suffers Hamstring Injury
Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez left Thursday’s game early with a hamstring injury. Baez appeared to suffer the injury rounding first base on a double. Baez grabbed his hamstring and left immediately. There is no update on the severity of the injury, but hamstring injuries tend to be tricky. If Baez isn’t ready to […]
Eduardo Nunez Makes Spring Debut Thursday
Boston Red Sox super-utility man Eduardo Nunez will be making his spring debut at second base Thursday. Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe has reported Nunez is in the lineup and is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as well. Nunez will start the season at second base in place of the injured Dustin Pedroia (knee). […]
Dustin Pedroia Unlikely To Play In Spring Games
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated it is unlikely that second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) would get into even a minor league game this spring. Pedroia is still recovering from offseason knee surgery. As with the plan for all their players, the Red Sox are being very methodical in gradually bringing players along. Even […]
Carlos Asuaje And Cory Spangenberg Fighting For Roster Spot
San Diego Padres manager Andy Green hinted the loser of the second base battle between Carlos Asuaje and Cory Spangenberg may not make the final roster. Due to crowded outfield and pitching situations, the Padres likely do not have room for two left-handed hitting second basemen. Additionally, right-handed Jose Pirela, who can play outfield and […]
Eduardo Nunez Has First Appearance In Spring Delayed
Boston Red Sox super-utility player Eduardo Nunez will not start Wednesday as previously expected, reported Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. Nunez is fine, but the team is just being cautious because the grass is wet due to rain. He is expected to start Thursday. Nunez hit .321 with eight home runs and six stolen bases […]
Best-Ball Draft Strategy Overview for Fantasy Baseball
It's finally March, which can only mean two things: Spring Training and fantasy drafts. All the effort spent on rankings and draft prep finally come to fruition. Once your draft is completed, you then get to spend every day of the rest of the season analyzing player performances, scouring waiver wires and setting the best […]
Brian Dozier, Twins Not Talking Extension
The Minnesota Twins and star second baseman Brian Dozier have not discussed a contract extension. Dozier will earn $9 million this season in what is the final year of his contract. He told the media in late January that he wanted to sign a long-term deal with the Twins but nothing has come of those […]
Ketel Marte To Be Everyday Second Baseman
Arizona middle infielder Ketel Marte is currently the favorite to be the Diamondbacks everyday second baseman. The D'Backs seem to be emphasizing defense this season, as evidenced by their roster moves. Marte played plus defense at shortstop last season, so there's no reason to think it won't carry over to second base. Marte's biggest asset […]
Jason Kipnis (2B/OF, CLE) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values
BALLER MOVE: Target ~185 CURRENT ADP: 259 ANALYSIS: Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis had a forgettable 2017, batting just .232/.291/.414 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI in 90 games. Kipnis' 2017 was riddled with injuries, limiting him to the fewest games played in a season in his career by a significant margin. He also bounced […]
Braves Trade For Ryan Schimpf
The Atlanta Braves traded with the Tampa Bay Rays for second baseman Ryan Schimpf in exchange for a player to be named later. What's so intriguing about a soon-to-be 30-year-old with only two years of major league experience? Well, in those two years, he's amassed 34 homers in 527 plate appearances. Yes, he's only hit .195 […]