MLB Season Won't Start On April 9
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Monday that the regular season will not start on April 9. Owners are still hopeful that there will be a full schedule of games in 2020. Teams are limiting informal workouts but aren't locking spring camps in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It's unknown when exactly the […]
2020 Fantasy Baseball ADP Analysis: Late Round Relievers to Dominate Ratios
Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2020 fantasy baseball season and keeps you updated with all the latest news and analysis. Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning between 6-7 AM ET, every weekday afternoon from 1-2 PM ET and Saturday nights from 9-11 PM […]
Jamie Steed's Bold Predictions for 2020
Bold predictions can be the key to fantasy seasons. Predicting players who will outperform or underperform expectations by extreme amounts can win leagues. Bold predictions can also be entirely unhelpful, speculative thoughts that are just fun to consider. With that in mind, I do think that each of these predictions has a legitimate chance of occurring […]
MLB Season Could Be Pushed Back To Memorial Day
There's a possibility that the 2020 Major League Baseball season could be delayed until Memorial Day weekend or even longer due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, according to two MLB executives. Players, executives and coaching staffs have started to head home from their respective spring training facilities. It's unlikely that a full 162-game schedule […]
Nationals Release Hunter Strickland
The Washington Nationals released relief pitcher Hunter Strickland on Saturday. Reliever David Hernandez was also unconditionally released, and the team optioned Jake Noll, Ben Braymer, Aaron Barrett and Kyle McGowin to Triple-A. Strickland, 31, appeared in 24 regular season games but none in the playoffs after coming over from Seattle in a trade last season. […]
Sean Doolittle (RP, WAS) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~140 CURRENT ADP: ~160 overall ANALYSIS: Doolittle had a tumultuous 2019, proving effective but suffering from overuse before rebounding in the playoffs. Doolittle had a 2.72 ERA with a 51/11 K/BB ratio over 43 innings through July 24, when he notched the save in each game of a doubleheader. That speaks […]
Late-Round Relievers - Targets and Avoids in 2020
Once you reach the middle-to-late rounds of drafts, it would be smart to consider drafting some upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. You can take a risk or two on a variety of different players, including a prospect, forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even players with skills but have […]
Joey Lucchesi's Starting Hopes Taking A Hit
San Diego Padres pitcher Joey Lucchesi has seen his starting hopes dim as spring training progresses. The 26-year-old has only lasted 4 2/3 innings combined in three starts with a poor 11.57 ERA output. Entering camp as the projected fifth starter, Lucchesi is locked in a battle with teammate Cal Quantrill, who has impressed with […]
Michael Lorenzen Will Keep Working Out
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen plans to continue to work out, despite MLB shutting down Spring Training earlier in the week thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. While the Reds closed down their spring facility on Friday for cleaning, Lorenzen told reporters that he will treat the break as "an extended offseason." The right-hander has been […]
JB's Bold Predictions for 2020
I'm going to let you in on a little secret... JB stands for "JUST BOLDNESS". Okay that's a lie... it's actually not a secret because I use that every year in my bold predictions intro. Nevertheless welcome to the latest rendition of RotoBaller's 2020 Bold Predictions. You have now come to the stop where you […]
Brad Boxberger (RP, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~380 CURRENT ADP: ~470 overall ANALYSIS: Boxberger hasn't been good since 2017 and hasn't been great since '14. He was particularly bad in '19 with the Kansas City Royals, putting up a 5.40 ERA that was backed up by his 5.45 xFIP. The Marlins were able to sign him to a […]
Sam Chinitz's 10 Bold Predictions for 2020
Bold predictions can be the key to fantasy seasons. Predicting players who will outperform or underperform expectations by extreme amounts can win leagues. Bold predictions can also be entirely unhelpful, speculative thoughts that are just fun to consider. With that in mind, I do think that each of these predictions has a legitimate chance of […]
Zach Britton Healthy Enough To Pitch
New York Yankees reliever Zach Britton (wrist) reported that he would have been able to pitch on Saturday if spring training hadn’t been canceled. Britton took a line drive off of his right wrist during live batting practice on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a bruise after undergoing a CT scan and X-rays, both of […]
ADP Reflections: Edwin Diaz and Jose Leclerc
Opening Day may be delayed, but fantasy baseball draft season is still in full swing. We’re now at the point where draft data is shaping draft strategies, as owners look for value relative to ADP. The sample of ADP available from early NFBC drafts has given us a good basis to ascertain if certain players […]
10 Deeper Prospect Sleepers for Dynasty Baseball Leagues
We are inching closer and closer to Opening Day for the 2020 MLB season. That means that the Minor League season is also just around the corner. With that comes exciting new breakout prospects, as they rise up from both likely, and unlikely, places. In the past few years, I’ve recommended a number of key […]
Opening Day Delayed Two Weeks
With Major League Baseball officially canceling the rest of spring training due to concerns about the coronavirus, the start of the regular season will be delayed at least two weeks. Thursday will be the final day of spring training action. Players trying to rehab injuries will be forced to work out in bullpen sessions, simulated […]
MLB Suspending Spring Training
Major League Baseball will suspend spring training games, beginning on Friday, due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. The NBA and NHL have also put their seasons on pause due to concerns about the spread of the virus. It remains to be seen how long the spring season will be delayed, which is also likely to […]
Zach Britton Unlikely To Be Shut Down
New York Yankees reliever Zach Britton (wrist) took a comebacker off of his right wrist on Wednesday but is unlikely to miss much time. A CT scan and X-rays came back negative on Britton’s wrist, and Britton said on Thursday that the ball didn’t hit bone. As a result, Britton reported that the injury shouldn’t […]
Cal Quantrill Almost Perfect In Latest Tune-Up
San Diego Padres pitcher Cal Quantrill was almost perfect in a three-inning start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. Facing a big league lineup, Quantrill’s only baserunner was yielded via error as he struck out three. The 25-year-old is battling with fellow starter Joey Lucchesi for the final rotation slot and has answered the pressure, owning a […]
MLB Spring Training Notebook - Risers, Fallers, and Injuries (3/12/20)
Welcome to the Spring Training Notebook for March 12, 2020, where we'll dive into a few of the bigger stories around Major League Baseball's Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. We're in the deep of spring training, and while there is so much uncertainty surrounding the rest of camp and even the beginning of the regular season […]
Spring Training Bullpens: Where The Stats Are Made Up and Saves Don't Matter
Spring training stats, traditionally, don't matter. Teams that look like powerhouses in March will lose 100 games in the regular season. Teams that can't even win against split-squad opponents in March will win their divisions in September. Hitters who hit .100 with 0 home runs will be in the MVP race. Pitchers who can't finish […]
ADP Analysis: Second Year Sleeper Hitters
Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2020 fantasy baseball season and keeps you updated with all the latest news and analysis. Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning between 6-7 AM ET, every weekday afternoon from 1-2 PM ET and Saturday nights from 9-11 PM […]
Riley Mrack's 10 Bold Predictions for 2020
Who doesn't love a good set of bold predictions? There's nothing like some biased analysis to persuade you to target or avoid the players that are featured in this specific article series. While I will present some factual data, I must admit my personal rooting interest has had some influence on a few of these […]
Yahoo ADP Comparison - Overpriced / Underpriced Players
Average Draft Position (ADP) is a must-have piece of information when it comes to drafting. While every league is different and may have a particularly aggressive or conservative group of owners when it comes to certain players, it’s the best tool we have when analyzing players’ value. Now, instead of just talking about total ADP […]
Cody Allen Gives Up Two Runs On Wednesday
Texas Rangers reliever Cody Allen gave up two runs and two hits in one inning of relief on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. He has an 11.25 ERA through four innings this spring, and it's not what Allen or the Rangers were hoping for when they invited him to camp. The nine-year veteran battled […]
Jeff Mathis Injured, Jesse Chavez To Miss Opening Day
There's a chance that Texas Rangers catcher Jeff Mathis (hamstring) won't be ready for Opening Day, alongside relief pitcher Jesse Chavez (elbow, shoulder). Mathis, 36, pulled his left hamstring in the game on Tuesday and was sent for an MRI exam. With Jose Trevino (finger) sidelined with a hairline fracture on his right index finger, it […]
Adrian Morejon Sent Packing
San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon was optioned to minor league camp on Wednesday. The move isn’t entirely surprising after the 21-year-old had allowed 10 earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings this spring (38.57 ERA). The Friars No. 6 prospect endured a brief MLB debut in 2019, scuffling to a 10.13 ERA in eight […]
Colten Brewer Being Stretched Out
Boston Red Sox pitcher Colten Brewer is being stretched out in camp to potentially fill an opener role. The 27-year-old tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Tuesday and allowed only one hit while striking out three. Manager Ron Roenicke said that Brewer could "be a big piece of that" if the team […]
Dellin Betances Bounces Back
New York Mets relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder, Achilles) made his second Grapefruit League appearance on Wednesday against the Cardinals, with much better results than his first outing on Saturday. In one inning pitched, Betances allowed no hits and just one walk, inducing three flyouts. Of note, however, Betances' fastball sat at only 91 mph, […]
Andrew Miller Has a "Better Feel" After a Battery of Tests
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Andrew Miller (arm) underwent a battery of tests, including blood tests and an MRI of his head, in an attempt to determine why he was losing feeling in his fingers. He threw a bullpen session and reportedly had a "better feel" for the ball. He said he hopes to "push" […]