WPC+ Videocast: Using xPA to Find Value

Pierre Camus and Nicklaus Gaut evaluate xPA (expected plate appearances) to determine how much lineup spot and team context matters for fantasy baseball. Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as well! Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on […]

Emmanuel Clase Suspended 80 Games

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. Clase came over from the Rangers in the trade involving starting pitcher Corey Kluber over the winter. The 22-year-old tested positive for Boldenone, which is an anabolic steroid. Clase's suspension won't […]

Ryan Borucki Throwing Side Sessions

Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker stated on Friday that reliever Ryan Borucki (elbow) is now throwing side sessions and "feels great," putting him on track to be fully healthy whenever the season starts. Walker also noted that if there is a season, "he should be right in the mix and a big part […]

MLB Targeting Early July For Start Of Season

There remains optimism that there will be a Major League Baseball season played in 2020, and early July remains the target for the start of the season. However, health remains the overriding factor and the plans for a season depend on having ample and reliable testing for the coronavirus. Spring training would likely be around […]

Andrew Miller Back To Normal

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Andrew Miller (fingers) has been able to get past all of the concerns he had during the early part of spring training and is back to a normal throwing program. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Miller is on a "normal program" and is "no longer an injury update." Miller […]

Brett Cecil Almost Ready For Mound Work

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Brett Cecil (hamstring) will reportedly be ready to begin throwing off a mound within the next week or two. Cecil is recovering from a severe hamstring injury and has been progressing through his rehab slowly. His throwing program will progress as the team learns more about when the baseball season […]

Jordan Hicks Throwing Bullpen Sessions

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks (elbow) has progressed in his rehab from Tommy John surgery to the point where he has started throwing bullpen sessions. Cardinals president John Mozeliak says Hicks is throwing at "moderate intensity" and that everything has gone well. Hicks had surgery last June and was originally expected to be […]

WPC+ Videocast: Finding xOPS Underachievers and Overachievers

Pierre Camus and Nicklaus Gaut use Statcast to find the top underachievers and overachievers for xOPS (expected on-base plus slugging). These players could be fantasy baseball draft sleepers or busts based on ADP. Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio […]

Electronic Strike Zone: Who Benefits and Who Doesn't

Among the more high-profile MLB rule changes expected to take effect over the next few years is the usage of an electronic strike zone. The electronic strike zone was used in the Atlantic League in 2019, and the MLB Umpires Association has cleared the way for its introduction to the major leagues at some point […]

How a Revamped MLB Season will Impact Fantasy Baseball

No matter how this MLB season plays out it will look like something we have never seen before. Not only is the start of the season already delayed, but there is no definitive end in sight. If we do see baseball this season, the game is going to look very different. First, there will be […]

Jose Bautista Not Expecting To Come Back As Pitcher

Retired outfielder Jose Bautista quieted rumors about him coming back as a pitcher in an interview with Sirius MLB Network Radio. Earlier in the week, it was reported that Bautista was working out with Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman with intentions of coming back as a two-way player. While it is unlikely to see Bautista on […]

Ron Roenicke Sheds Interim Tag

The Boston Red Sox are removing the interim tag from manager Ron Roenicke's status as manager on Wednesday. This comes after the Red Sox were punished by Major League Baseball for their part in sign-stealing during the 2018 season. Then-manager Alex Cora is suspended for all of the 2020 season, but it was for his […]

Red Sox Disciplined Amid Sign-Stealing Investigation

Commissioner Rob Manfred disciplined the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday after an investigation of sign-stealing from the 2018 season. J.T. Watkins, the team's video replay system operator will be suspended for the 2020 season and playoffs, and he'll be prohibited from serving as a replay room operator during all of 2021. Boston will forfeit their […]

Adrian Houser (SP/RP, MIL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~205 CURRENT ADP: ~225 overall ANALYSIS: While nasty pitches and high amounts of strikeouts are fun, sometimes the pitchers who know how to get it done can help you the most. Adrian Houser can be your boring but productive pitcher for the 2020 season. In 2019, Houser posted solid numbers with a 3.72 ERA, […]

Fantasy Baseball ADP Reflections - Relief Pitchers

We’re still awaiting concrete news on how a 2020 baseball season will look like (if it does exist). Different possibilities have surfaced in recent days which includes an option of multiple doubleheaders being played every week. It’s still far too early to tell how serious or plausible this is but should it come to fruition, […]

Man vs. Machine: Nick Mariano and ATC's Over/Undervalued Players

Welcome to Round 2 of Man vs. Machine, where one fantasy analyst goes toe-to-toe with one projection system for ranking supremacy. We here at RotoBaller are fortunate enough to have FantasyPros’ Most Accurate Fantasy Baseball Draft Ranker from both 2018 and 2019 on our roster in Nick Mariano and Ariel Cohen, respectively. Ariel also created […]

JB's Bullpen Method - Building Aces out of Relief Pitchers

If you read my Top 10 Draft Tips piece, you got a preview of the method I have been using for many years in fantasy baseball. It's really less of a method or strategy, and more a state of mind. The Bullpen Method is a lifestyle! I always speak about the importance of balance on […]

Emmanuel Clase Making Good Progress

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (back) is progressing well with his recovery, according to manager Terry Francona. Francona did not provide details regarding Clase's rehab progress but just said he's been doing throwing sessions in the Dominican Republic. The 21-year-old was the main prize the Indians received in the deal that sent Corey Kluber […]

Ryan Borucki Recovering Without Setbacks

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo updated the status of reliever Ryan Borucki (elbow) in a conference call on Thursday, stating he "feels great ... no setbacks." The left-hander missed the majority of the 2019 campaign with an elbow injury and underwent surgery last August to remove bone spurs from his throwing arm. After experiencing […]

MLB Optimistic That Games Will Be Played In 2020

Executive director of the MLB Players Association Tony Clark is optimistic that games will be played at some point in 2020, but how and when that comes about is still up in the air. "We don’t have the answers," Clark said, "and we don’t expect those to come anytime soon." Players would be willing to […]

Relief Pitchers Set to Break Out in 2020

We continue to wait on a start date for the 2020 MLB season. The extra time we have allows us to dig deeper into the player pool, looking for breakout players. We have seen the relief pitching position evolve over recent seasons, allowing for more and more draftable players. In this article, we will take […]

Ty Buttrey Throws Bullpen Tuesday

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ty Buttrey (intercostal) said he threw a 20-pitch bullpen session in Florida on Tuesday and has been training seven days a week during the coronavirus shutdown. Buttrey continues to practice social distancing and has no health concerns with him or his family. The right-handed reliever tweaked his intercostal muscle in […]

Austin Adams Has A Chance To Be Ready

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that relief pitcher Austin Adams (knee) is progressing well from knee surgery and has a chance to be ready whenever the 2020 season starts. Adams developed into a real late-inning threat for the M's bullpen in 2019 before he tore ligaments in his left knee on a play […]

Closers Due for Regression in 2020

Finding reliable closers is always a challenge. There is a high turnover rate in the role every season, and in today's game, a lot of teams are going to a closer-by-committee approach, which adds a layer of confusion to the saves category. In each of the last three seasons, exactly 11 relievers have saved 30 […]

WPC+ Videocast: Danny Santana Ranking Debate

Pierre Camus and Nicklaus Gaut debate Danny Santana's ranking for the 2020 fantasy baseball season. Is the Texas Rangers outfielder and utility man a breakout candidate or potential bust at his current ADP? Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as […]

Points League Strategies: Starting Pitchers, Relief Pitchers & Streaming

What's up RotoBallers! Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) and Mike Simione (@SPStreamer) discuss starting pitcher and relief pitcher strategies in fantasy baseball points league formats, and how to address pitchers with the shortened season. Subscribe to the Bases Loaded podcast, part of RotoBaller Radio's Podcast Network. Like and Subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest […]

Jeff Brigham Working on a Throwing Program

Miami Marlins pitcher Jeff Brigham (biceps) has started a throwing program in Miami. He was ticketed for the injured list to start the season, but with everything delayed, he seems likely to be ready to go once the season gets started. Brigham showed the ability to miss some bats in limited innings last season, and […]

Can Freddy Peralta Succeed as a Starter?

There is some uncertainty at the back of the Milwaukee rotation heading into 2020, with three candidates likely battling it out for one spot. Brandon Woodruff and Adrian Houser are locked into the starting five, while newcomers Brett Anderson and Josh Lindblom appear to have an inside track at two of the remaining spots. Given […]

Rangers Slowing Down Jesse Chavez

The Texas Rangers have slowed down pitcher Jesse Chavez (elbow, shoulder) as he recovers from offseason surgery on his right elbow while also trying to rebuild strength in his right shoulder. The suspension of the 2020 season has allowed Chavez to take his time in his rehab to build up his arm. The veteran right-hander […]

Break the League: Fantrax Points League Ranker

I never thought I'd ever say this but it looks like I'm going vegetarian for this article because there's no real beef here. Those that have been reading along with this series know that I've had some harsh words for ESPN, Yahoo, and CBS, as I think they often do a disservice to their points […]