Avisail Garcia Showing Off Power This Spring

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder and designated hitter Avisail Garcia hit his third bomb of the spring off pitcher Jerad Eickhoff of the Philadelphia Phillies. Through 23 spring training at-bats, Garcia is hitting .304/.370/.739 with the three home runs, a double and 10 RBI. In 2017 and 2018 his power came when facing right-handed pitchers, however, […]

Predicting the Top 10 Finishers for RBI in 2019

If you so much as mention the acronym "RBI" in the wrong baseball circles these days, you run the risk of being ridiculed. Because RBI is such an opportunity-driven statistic, it is no longer viewed as an accurate measurement of a player's overall value. J.T. Realmuto didn't have any control over the on-base percentages of […]

Shohei Ohtani Progressing In Throwing Program

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) moved up to 55 throws from up to 50 feet on Wednesday as he progresses with his throwing program that he started last Friday. He didn't take any swings on Wednesday, but he'll ease his hitting drills the days he throws. Ohtani is doing soft toss […]

Shohei Ohtani Throwing On Friday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is throwing on Friday, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Ohtani will be brought along slowly after having Tommy John surgery last October and won't pitch at all in 2019. The Angels are hoping he can still be their primary DH, though, beginning sometime in May. He […]

Shohei Ohtani To Resume Throwing Soon

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will soon be medically cleared to start his rehab as a pitcher, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Ohtani hasn't thrown since having Tommy John surgery Oct. 1 of last year. Ausmus said Ohtani's workload as a hitter will be scaled back when he is cleared to […]

Shohei Ohtani Hitting In Cages

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) took soft tosses in the indoor cages again on Wednesday for the fifth time. The soft-toss regimen will continue for a while, and the plan beyond that has yet to be revealed. The Japanese two-way star won't pitch at all this year after having Tommy John surgery, […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Nelson Cruz and Shohei Ohtani

For fantasy managers, a player with only DH or Utility eligibility can be difficult to own because he creates lineup issues that limit flexibility. For the last decade, Nelson Cruz has been one of the most prolific hitters, and he’s shown few signs of slowing down, except for his shrinking defensive capability. Similarly, Shohei Ohtani […]

Nelson Cruz Likely To Make Spring Debut Soon

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz has recently begun taking live batting practice for his new team. According to manager Rocco Baldelli, Cruz should make his spring debut with his new team soon after their Wednesday off day. Cruz, who spent the past four seasons in Seattle, projects to hit in the middle of what […]

Khris Davis Able To Swing The Bat On Sunday

Oakland Athletics designated hitter/outfielder Khris Davis (calf) was able to take more at-bats at the team's minor-league camp on Sunday. He is making his way back from a strained left calf, and might be able to start playing in Cactus League spring games later this week. Davis has been one of the most consistent power […]

Is it Legit? Tyler White's Breakout Season

We're back with another edition of "Is It Legit?" to discuss another surprising breakout performer from the 2018 MLB season in order to assess his value heading into 2019. With so many players seemingly becoming fantasy baseball darlings overnight, it can be challenging to sift through the multiple hype trains and determine which players are […]

Shohei Ohtani To Hit Off Tee Friday

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is scheduled to hit off a tee for the first time on Friday. It's good news for the Japanese two-way star, but he won't be ready for game action until sometime in May and will not pitch at all in 2019 after having Tommy John surgery on […]

Bruce Bochy To Retire At End Of Season

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy will retire at the end of the 2019 season. Bochy will turn 64 in April and will be in the Hall of Fame eventually. He enters this season with a career managerial record of 1,926-1,944 with the Padres and Giants. He won three World Series rings with San Fran […]

Albert Pujols Will Be Ready For Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols (knee) said his knee is healthy and that he'll be ready for Opening Day. He is unsure if he will play in Cactus League games right away, but he'll be fine for the start of the regular season. The 39-year-old was limited to just 465 at-bats last […]

Shohei Ohtani Hopes To Hit Off Tee Next Week

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is hoping he can move to hitting off a tee in the next week. Ohtani is a two-way star that won American League Rookie of the Year in 2018, but he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and won't pitch at all in 2019. […]

Undervalued Draft Targets - Staff Rankings vs. ADP

Here at RotoBaller, we've been producing fantasy baseball analysis all offseason. As part of that, our awesome MLB team has written up detailed 2019 fantasy baseball outlooks for 400+ players. These player outlooks include RotoBaller's analysis on how we expect a player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting […]

The National League Could Use a DH Right About Now

Ken Rosenthal, followed by Jeff Passan, Joel Sherman, and Jayson Stark, recently reported on negotiations between MLB and the Player's Association, especially regarding the rulebook. One of the most provocative pieces in the overarching story has been the possibility of the designated hitter coming to the National League as soon as this coming season. *cue sad trombone […]

Albert Pujols Cleared For All Activities

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (elbow, knee) is in camp already and is cleared for all activities, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Pujols had multiple surgeries last year and is quickly declining at the plate as he enters his age-39 season. The future Hall of Famer still has some pop (19 homers last […]

Angels Targeting May For Shohei Ohtani's Return

Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus said that designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow) doesn't have a set timetable, but "we're thinking May." He'll miss at least the first month of the season and possibly more, but Ohtani can still be a difference maker at a reduced cost with his bat after hitting .285/.361/.564 with […]

Edwin Encarnacion Expected To Report To Camp

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is expected to report to spring training this week on Saturday, according to a source. The Mariners have made it known that they'd like to flip Encarnacion after acquiring him from the Indians this offseason, but trade talks haven't advanced in recent days. The veteran's appeal is mostly limited […]

Brendan McKay To Be Limited To DH Duties

The Tampa Bay Rays will limit two-way prospect Brendan McKay to designated hitter duties this spring as they try to maximize his development as a two-way star. The Rays feel McKay's pregame schedule will be simplified if he doesn't have to worry about first base duties. It should also keep him healthier after he has […]

Mariners Still Intend To Trade Edwin Encarnacion

The Seattle Mariners have told designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion about their plans to flip him after acquiring him from the Indians earlier in the offseason. He could even be traded before position players report to spring training this Friday, and the Mariners are willing to eat a sizable portion of the $25 million owed to […]

Shohei Ohtani Can Be Game-Changer At DH

Even though Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) won't pitch at all in 2019 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, he could be a game-changer for fantasy owners in a DH spot. Ohtani joined Babe Ruth as the only players to hit 20 home runs and make 10 pitching outings […]

Matt Davidson Agrees With Rangers

The Texas Rangers agreed on a minor league deal with free-agent third baseman Matt Davidson on Friday, according to league sources. He will be used as an infielder and could also pitch. With Asdrubal Cabrera likely to man the hot corner most days, Davidson will also be an option at first base and designated hitter […]

Shohei Ohtani Won't Be Ready For Opening Day

While Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani's (elbow) checkup with Dr. Neal ElAttrache went well, general manager Billy Eppler said the star two-way player won't be ready for Opening Day. Ohtani has been cleared for "full strengthening" rehab but has yet to swing a bat. Dry swings will be his next step. Ohtani's […]

Torey Lovullo Receives Extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed manager Torey Lovullo to an undisclosed extension on Tuesday. Lovullo's current deal was set to expire after the 2019 season. He was named the 2017 National League manager of the year after he led the team to a 93-69 record and playoff berth, but the D-Backs fell to 82-80 in 2018 […]

Shohei Ohtani To Have Follow-Up Appointment Soon

Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler said designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will have his next follow-up appointment soon. Ohtani is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but they are unsure beyond that on his timetable for hitting. Ohtani, the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year, won't pitch at all in 2019, […]

Is it Legit? C.J. Cron's Breakout

We continue with our next edition of "Is It Legit?" to discuss another surprising breakout performer from the 2018 MLB season in order to assess his value heading into 2019. With so many players seemingly becoming fantasy baseball darlings overnight, it can be challenging to sift through the multiple hype trains and determine which players […]

Nelson Cruz Agrees To Terms With Twins

Designated hitter Nelson Cruz has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Twins. Cruz, 38, will earn $14 million in year one of his new contract with a $12 million team option that includes a $300,000 buyout. Cruz is aging, but remains one of the better power hitters in the game. Cruz hit .256 with 37 […]

Astros Considering Nelson Cruz

The Houston Astros are considering free-agent designated hitter Nelson Cruz, as they remain open to trading outfielder Josh Reddick, according to major league sources. Reddick turns 32 in February and is owed $13 million in each of the next two seasons. He dropped from a career-high .847 OPS in 2017 to a .718 OPS in […]

Carlos Santana and Edwin Encarnacion Swapped - Fantasy Impact

For Cleveland fans, last year was an odd viewing experience, as for the first time in eight years Carlos Santana was not suiting up for the team. Well, those days are over, as Santana is returning to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario as part of a three-team deal. At the time of writing, Carlos […]