Carlos Correa Looking Healthy For 2024

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (foot) played with a lot of pain throughout the season after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in May. Correa stated that the injury would have kept him out as the pain increased in the summer, but he chose not to go on the injured list with the Twins contending. Finally, […]

Pull%: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

We have previously determined that fantasy managers generally prefer batters to hit the ball into the air to have a chance at a home run. Yet, all fly balls are not equal for this purpose. A player can maximize his power production by pulling the ball in the air. One way to illustrate this is […]

Five Fantasy Baseball Hitters To Target In Mid-to-Late Rounds of 2024 Drafts

We are still a ways away from the thick of fantasy baseball draft season, but enough drafts have been completed to start getting an idea as to when players are being drafted. It is never too early to start strategizing for your drafts. While there are many different draft strategies and tactics, it is generally […]

Top Fantasy Baseball Hitter Prospects - 2024 Draft Targets and Sleepers

If you’re playing in a non-dynasty/keeper fantasy baseball league, it’s imperative to draft players who will make an immediate impact on your squad. Everybody in your league will have a win-now mindset; in order to dominate draft day, you must prepare a list of breakout candidates at each position. Sometimes, these gems aren’t new to […]

Jordan Westburg Not A Lock For Opening Day Roster

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg said he doesn't think he's a lock to make the team's Opening Day roster, so he will come to spring training ready to compete for a spot this year. "100%. I don't think I solidified anything in my role. I'd love to win a job," Westburg said. He's probably right […]

Trevor Story Looking Primed For Big Season?

Boston Red Sox hitting coach Peter Fatse has liked what he's seen out of shortstop Trevor Story this offseason. "He looks great," Fatse said. "He's moving well, and those are the signs you want to see at this point. He's explosive, I think his offseason program was really good and it's the first time in […]

Shortstop Fantasy Baseball Rankings and Tiers - Roto Leagues (January Updates)

Hey, RotoBallers! Opening Day is a few months away, and it's never too early to prepare for your upcoming fantasy baseball drafts. Spring Training will start soon, and at RotoBaller, we are here to guide you through your drafts, crush, and win your fantasy leagues with our MLB team's early 2024 fantasy baseball shortstop rankings […]

Five Infielders To Target In 2024 Fantasy Baseball OBP Leagues

Many rotisserie or category fantasy baseball scoring formats have switched out batting average (AVG) for on-base percentage (OBP) or have simply included it as an additional category. While on the surface, it may not significantly affect your pre-draft ranking, several players should be moved a bit higher up your board. If you are new to […]

Christian Arroyo Signs Minors Pact With Brewers

Free-agent infielder Christian Arroyo has signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The deal is worth $1.5 million, plus incentives, if Arroyo is able to crack the big-league roster. The 28-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the Red Sox, most recently hitting .241 with three home runs, one stolen base, and a […]

Jeter Downs, Oscar Gonzalez Staying With Yankees

The New York Yankees outrighted infielder Jeter Downs and outfielder Oscar Gonzalez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Downs and Gonzalez are now off the team's 40-man roster with spring training quickly approaching. Both players were claimed off waivers by the Yankees this offseason and will provide organizational depth for the 2024 campaign. Downs, 25, only […]

2024 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings, Tiers, Analysis - Roto League Drafts

MLB shortstops, often considered the defensive captains of the infield, play a crucial role in baseball's dynamics. Renowned for their exceptional fielding skills and quick reflexes, shortstops prevent hits and turn crucial double plays. These players are typically versatile athletes who showcase a combination of speed, agility, and arm strength. Offensively, many modern shortstops are […]

Yankees Claim Diego Castillo Off Waivers, DFA Jeter Downs

The New York Yankees claimed infielder/outfielder Diego Castillo off waivers from the New York Mets on Friday and designated infielder Jeter Downs for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster. Castillo has been passed around from the Arizona Diamondbacks, to the Mets, and now the Yankees in a matter of […]

Fantasy Baseball Top 100 Prospects for 2024 First-Year Player Drafts (January 2024 Update)

A number of the top international players that are being posted this offseason have signed, with a few more yet to come. Rankings for players have adjusted, some due to their destination, and a few MLB draft prospects are moving due to some additional viewing of tape and underlying metrics on those players. Otherwise, there […]

Is Oneil Cruz Healthy Or Injured? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

Other than some flashes of the power stroke and some fine defensive play, Oneil Cruz's start to his MLB career was somewhat unremarkable. Through August 2022, his stat line was .202-11-35-26-6 with a wOBA of .286 and wRC+ of 81 in 230 PA. It wasn't until late 2022 that he started to display his full […]

Plate Discipline: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

No matter how high a particular player's BABIP may be, his average will be mediocre at best if he strikes out too much. This is why fantasy managers have known for years that players like Joey Gallo are potential drains on a fantasy team's batting average. Furthermore, players who whiff a lot tend to continue […]

Marcelo Mayer Healthy Heading Into Spring Training

Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer (shoulder), who is listed as the No. 11 overall prospect heading into the 2024 season, is fully healthy and expected to be a full-go for spring training after injuring his left shoulder in May of last year. The 21-year-old said he's been hitting off a tee and will […]

Vinesh Kanthan Announced As Marlins' Director Of Baseball Operations

The Miami Marlins officially announced Vinesh Kanthan as the team's director of baseball operations Tuesday. Kanthan spent the past five seasons with the Texas Rangers, most recently as assistant director of baseball operations for the reigning World Series champions. He also held roles in sports science and analytics during his tenure. Kanthan was previously in […]

Taylor Walls "Unlikely" To Be Ready For Opening Day

Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said it's "unlikely" shortstop Taylor Walls (hip) will be ready for Opening Day after having right-hip surgery this offseason. The Rays don't know what will happen with Wander Franco, who remains under investigation in the Dominican Republic. Jose Caballero, who was acquired in a trade with […]

Dusty Baker To Join Giants As Special Assistant

Former Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is expected to join the San Francisco Giants as a special assistant to the front office, per MLB.com's Maria Guardado. The 74-year-old, who managed the Giants from 1993 through 2002, also served as a special adviser to CEO Larry Baer from 2018-19. His storied playing and managing career will […]

Mariners Sign Shortstop Prospect Dawel Joseph

The Seattle Mariners reportedly have signed one of the top shortstops in this year's international class, Dawel Joseph, to a $3 million signing bonus, according to MLB Pipeline. Joseph stands at 6-foot-2 and has a smooth swing and plus speed while also offering defensive upside at a premium position. The M's are also reportedly signing […]

A's Spreading Out Their International Money

The Oakland Athletics are spreading around their international bonus-pool money this year, bringing in a deep class that includes four prospects on Baseball America's top-100 international prospect list -- shortstop Edgar Montero, outfielder Jose Ramos, right-hander Erick Matos and outfielder Sebastian Rojas. The A's have seen the switch-hitting Dominican Montero blossom from a skinny kid […]

Twins Sign Shortstop Daiber De Los Santos

The Minnesota Twins' most notable first-day international signings on Monday are shortstop Daiber De Los Santos and outfielder Eduardo Beltre, both from the Dominican Republic. De Los Santos ranked eighth on MLB Pipeline's top-50 international prospect list, while Beltre ranked 39th. "Tooled-out shortstop. Deluxe body/frame and plenty of athleticism. Real shortstop, plus run, plus-plus arm. […]

Mets Sign International Catcher Yovanny Rodriguez

The New York Mets agreed to terms with catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, shortstop Jensy Rivas and outfielder Edward Lantigua on Monday to kick off the 2024 international signing period. According to MLB Pipeline, Rodriguez is the No. 6 overall international prospect, with Rivas ranking 31st and Lantigua at No. 41. Rodriguez is expected to sign for […]

Reds Ink Outfielder Adolfo Sanchez

The Cincinnati Reds agreed to terms with outfielder Adolfo Sanchez (MLB.com's No. 5 international prospect) and shortstop Naibel Mariano (No. 42) to open the 2024 international signing period on Monday, according to an industry source. Sanchez's deal is for $2.7 million, while Mariano will receive $1.65 million. Sanchez is one of the best overall hitters […]

Cubs Give Fernando Cruz $4 Million

The Chicago Cubs have signed international shortstop prospect Fernando Cruz to a $4 million signing bonus on Monday. It's one of the top signing bonuses in this year's international class, even though the 17-year-old hasn't stood out quite as much as the other shortstop prospects in his class. Cruz has a very strong glove up […]

Dodgers Bringing In Dominican Shortstop Emil Morales

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly agreed to a contract with Dominican shortstop Emil Morales, who will be the headliner of their international class this year. Morales has a 6-foot-3 frame that has him rated highly among public evaluators. The Dodgers were in the lower third of the sport in terms of international signing-bonus allotments […]

Braves To Sign Jose Perdomo

The Atlanta Braves are expected to announce the signing of 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Jose Perdomo to a $5 million signing bonus, which is a team-record bonus and is expected to be the largest bonus given to a prospect during the international signing period that began on Monday. Perdomo has highly-rated bat-to-ball skills and a short […]

Padres Sign International Shortstop Leodalis De Vries

A year after signing catcher Ethan Salas for $5.6 million, the San Diego Padres signed switch-hitting shortstop Leodalis De Vries, another player widely considered the top prospect in his international class. De Vries has good speed and the upside to hit 20-plus home runs. He received a $4.2 million signing bonus and has modeled parts […]

Tommy Edman Could Be Delayed Heading Into Camp

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Tommy Edman (wrist) said that he might be slightly delayed on the hitting side heading into spring training. He's going through a progression and expects to be ready for Opening Day, but he hasn't had any bat-to-ball contact this winter other than wiffle balls in his rehab. Edman had arthroscopic […]

Hitter Batted Ball Distribution: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

Fly balls can turn into home runs. Ground balls never do. It would seem as though fantasy baseball managers want their batters to hit nothing but flies, yet this is not always the case. Why would this be? The answer, of course, comes down to batted ball distribution. The league average batted ball distribution in […]