MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/8) - Darvish Deals, Gallo Still Mashing

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're officially through the first week of spring training games […]

Value Based Drafting Primer: WPC+

Learn how to take the next step in fantasy baseball draft strategy by creating custom values for your player rankings. Pierre Camus and Nicklaus Gaut explain how with examples from their TGFBI (The Great Fantasy Baseball Invitational) drafts. Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch […]

Yohan Ramirez Arrives In Camp

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Yohan Ramirez has reported to camp after being out due to COVID-19 protocols. Ramirez is expected to be on the big league club when the season begins, having putting up a 164 ERA+ and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate in a strong 2020 season. He should make his first game appearance […]

Joe Kelly Not A Lock To Be Healthy By Opening Day

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder) remains engaged in a throwing program, but he is reportedly not close to returning to game action, which shrouds his availability for Opening Day in doubt. Kelly battled right shoulder inflammation (which landed him on the IL) last year, although he finished the year with just three […]

Domingo Tapia Out With Strained Oblique

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Domingo Tapia (oblique) has been shut down. Tapia, claimed off of waivers during the offseason from the Boston Red Sox, was expected to battle for a bullpen role this spring. Tapia made his major league debut in 2020, pitching four and a third innings of one run ball, while striking out […]

Andrew Miller Has A Short Outing On Monday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Andrew Miller didn't pitch well in his relief appearance during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins. He lasted just 2/3 of an inning, allowing two runs on two walks while striking out one. Miller tossed 22 pitches, just 13 strikes. Miller is sporting a 27.00 ERA in the […]

Trevor Rosenthal Battles Groin Strain During Camp

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (groin) has yet to appear in a Cactus League game during 2021 and it was announced Monday that it's been due to a groin strain. Manager Bob Melvin noted that the team will ease Rosenthal back into the mix, but the hope is that the ailment is minor. Rosenthal […]

Ross Detwiler Coughs Up Four Runs In One Inning

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Ross Detwiler had a rough outing in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. Detwiler threw one inning, allowing four runs on three hits and a walk. He was in for the fifth inning in the game and threw 24 pitches, 15 for strikes. Detwiler has experience as both a starter […]

Pittsburgh Pirates Closer Role Up in the Air, Could be Split

The Athletic's Rob Biertempful reports that there is uncertainty on the Pittsburgh Pirates as to who will serve as the full time closer, or if there will even be one full time closer or if save opportunities are divided up. According to Biertempful, manager Derek Shelton said the decision on the closer would likely not […]

Scott Oberg Will Throw Live BP Session On Monday

Colorado Rockies reliever Scott Oberg will throw a live batting practice session on Monday. The 30-year-old has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game this spring as he's been recovering from surgeries that he underwent last September due to blood clotting issues in his throwing arm. He will be evaluated by coaches, training, and […]

Yimi Garcia (RP, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 350 CURRENT ADP: ~372 overall ANALYSIS:  The 30-year-old has been incredibly solid the last two seasons and was dominant in the shortened 2020 campaign, pitching to a 0.60 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP with an 11.40 K/9 and 23.3 K-BB% across 15 innings. While 15 innings wasn't enough to qualify […]

Emmanuel Clase (RP, CLE) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 410 CURRENT ADP: ~444 overall ANALYSIS: Emmanuel Clase came over to Cleveland in the trade which sent Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers in 2019. Clase then got popped with an 80-game suspension in May of 2020 for using PEDs. Due to the shortened 2020 schedule, Clase’s suspension will bleed over into […]

Relievers Set to Break Out in 2021

As the calendar flips to February and more leagues start drafting, it's time to dive into everybody's favorite topic: breakouts. For now, we'll ignore the increasingly common facial breakouts from pandemic-related stress and focus on relief. Relief pitching, that is. When looking for draft targets at relief pitcher, almost everybody just turns their eyes to […]

Sean Doolittle Gives Up Three Runs In Spring Debut

Cincinnati Reds reliever Sean Doolittle allowed three runs in his lone inning of work in a 9-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants in Cactus League action on Sunday. Doolittle struggled to keep the ball in the yard, serving up two homers in his lone inning pitched. The veteran reliever signed as a free-agent with […]

Carson Fulmer Designated For Assignment Sunday

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Carson Fulmer was designated for assignment on Sunday following the Pirates' acquisition of reliever Duane Underwood Jr reports Jake Crouse of MLB.com. Fulmer had just earned a win on Saturday against the Yankees after allowing one hit with three strikeouts over two scoreless innings of work. The Pirates have made several […]

Dylan Floro Dealing With Arm Soreness

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Dylan Floro (arm) has been dealing with some arm soreness and has not yet made his first Grapefruit League appearance. Floro was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason and should play a prominent role in the Marlins bullpen as long as he's healthy. His throwing program has been […]

Joakim Soria Makes Diamondbacks Debut with Scoreless Inning of Work Sunday

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Joakim Soria made his debut with the team on Sunday, allowing one walk with no strikeouts while pitching a scoreless fourth inning in the 5-4 victory over the Cubs. Soria allowed a five-pitch walk to start off the inning, but he kept the Cubs off the board with a flyout and […]

Alex Colome Much Sharper In Second Outing

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Alex Colome was much better in his second outing of the spring on Sunday against the Rays. Colome pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit while striking out two batters. The 32-year-old reliever had a rough outing his first time out but has still displayed the best tool in his arsenal, […]

Yimi Garcia Coughs Up Three Runs On Sunday

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Yimi Garcia struggled in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Garcia came in to pitch the fourth inning and allowed three runs on two hits while striking out one. Garcia is competing for the closer's role in the Marlins bullpen, and even though he has more upside and […]

David Bednar Looks Sharp Again Sunday Against Orioles

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar recorded his third straight scoreless appearance on Sunday afternoon, allowing one walk while striking out two in one inning of work. A two-out walk marked the first baserunner Bednar has allowed all spring, as he has now struck out seven over three innings of work. Bednar was one of […]

Richard Rodriguez Strikes Out Two in Spring Debut

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez made his spring debut on Sunday afternoon, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two in the Pirates' 13-1 victory. After surrendering a leadoff single followed by a wild pitch that advanced the runner to second, Rodriguez got back-to-back swinging strikeouts before a single to left drove […]

Duane Underwood Jr. Acquired by Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up hurler Duane Underwood Jr. from the Chicago Cubs on Sunday in exchange for minor league first baseman Shendrik Apostel. The pitcher had recently been designated for assignment by the Cubs. A former second-round pick out of high school, Underwood Jr. never realized his full potential with the Cubs and spent […]

Third Base Preview: Fantasy Baseball 2021 ADP Analysis

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller discusses 2021 fantasy baseball third base rankings and 3B draft sleepers who can be sneaky later-round picks. He breaks down and compares the ADPs of five different MLB players at the third base position. Fantasy players should consider picking up these players for their drafts this MLB Season. Be sure to […]

2021 Relief Pitcher Rankings - 5x5 Mixed Leagues

We continue to move past the chaos of 2020 and onto a new baseball season full of promise. For fantasy baseball managers, draft season is already upon us. RotoBaller's rankers, Pierre Camus, Big Pick Nick Mariano, Ariel Cohen and I have updated our 2021 Mixed League rankings as we now move on to evaluate the […]

Carson Fulmer Looks Sharp, Earns Win Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Carson Fulmer allowed only one hit over two scoreless innings while striking out three on Saturday to earn the win over the Yankees. After surrendering two runs in one inning during his first spring appearance, Fulmer has now allowed only one baserunner and no runs while striking out four in his last […]

Daniel Bard Works Scoreless Inning On Friday

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard pitched a scoreless inning on Friday vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. He had one strikeout and one walk over his inning of work. Bard won the NL Comeback Player of the year award in 2020 after returning to the majors after a seven-year absence. He finished the season with a […]

Jose Alvarez Joins Giants Bullpen Mix

Left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2022 campaign. Alvarez has combined to produce a 3.32 ERA over the past six seasons, which he has spent with the Angels and Phillies. Utilized primarily as a left-handed specialist, he has held same-side […]

Jose De Leon Strikes Out Four

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jose De Leon allowed two runs over three innings in a 5-3 Cactus League loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. De Leon struck out four and walked one in the outing, his second of the spring. The former top prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers impressively forced seven swinging strikes in […]

Randy Dobnak Looks Good In Spring Debut

Minnesota Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak looked impressive in his spring debut on Friday against the Braves. Dobnak tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out two batters. The 26-year-old pitched to a 4.05 ERA in 46 2/3 innings of work during the shortened 2020 season, posting a 62.1 percent groundball rate, which […]

Stefan Crichton Strikes Out Two in Scoreless Inning of Work

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Stefan Crichton made his spring debut on Friday night, tossing a scoreless seventh inning in which he allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two. A two-out infield single loaded the bases for the Reds, but Crichton was able to get a fly out to retire the side and strand […]