Holds Leagues: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds for Week 1

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some elite setup men. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your […]

Caleb Joseph (C, BAL) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper 2 Catcher Leagues / Draft Target Late OWNED IN: 2% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: The O’s fascinating ability to turn replacement-level waiver wire flotsam into key contributors is unparalleled. In the wake of Matt Wieters setback with his elbow, coming off Tommy John surgery, Joseph could be ticketed for a solid amount of […]

Chris Davis (1B/3B, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft ~70th Overall for Huge Power Upside ANALYSIS: Chris Davis is one of the safest power hitters to target in the middle rounds of your 2015 draft. His low average and high strikeout rate make him too risky to grab in the early rounds, but his power potential is undeniable. Davis burst onto the scene […]

Top 10 Redraft Pitching Prospects for 2015: Eye on the Minors

The Magical Top 10 Today we bring you the ten pitching prospects most likely to make a fantasy impact this season. Previously we covered 50-41, 41-30, 30-21, and 20-11. Keep in mind that there are plenty of stud future MLBers in the lower levels of the minors that won’t crack even the top 50 – […]

Matt Wieters (C, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft in Later Rounds / Stash in All Leagues ANALYSIS: Matt Wieters had finally turned the corner to his bright career hitting a cool .308 with 5 HR and 18 RBI in 26 games during the 2014 season. Then he was shut down for the season opting for Tommy John surgery on his […]

Hardy, Brown, Pence, Verlander, Werth To Start 2015 Season on DL

With opening day only days away, many teams will start their season without some important names in the lineup. Every game counts. Even the games in April. Here's a look at some players who will start the season on the DL.   Baltimore Orioles J.J. Hardy: According to the Baltimore Sun, Hardy will miss the […]

Five Starting Pitchers Due for Regression in 2015

Each year, starters emerge from out of the woodwork to put together a phenomenal season. Pitchers like Jake Arrieta and Jacob deGrom who, from out of nowhere, become both the ace of an MLB pitching staff and turned out to be fantasy waiver wire gold. It is not that rare for a pitcher to have a breakout year, […]

Hidden Shortstop Draft Gems and ADP Value Picks

  What's up RotoBallers. I'm here today to try and unearth some shortstops that you can get later in your drafts, and will also provide similar value to other shortstops who are being drafted earlier on average.   If you’re looking to make a splash on draft day, you should give RotoBaller’s ADP Draft Sleepers […]

Dynasty / Keeper Deeper Dive: Dylan Bundy

Pitching is so deep these days I'm not sure why anyone in the fantasy community is focusing on the prospects to be honest. Sure, you may be lucky and catch the next Jose Fernandez. However, there's a reason Fernandez is so special. It's not often prospects pan out as well as he has, and even […]

Zach Britton (RP, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target Mid-to-Late Rounds in All Leagues ANALYSIS: Big time talent Zach Britton transitioned from elite starting pitching prospect to full time closer last season, and boy did that work out for the Orioles. Britton finished his first season in that role with 37 saves and a 1.65 ERA. The only thing holding Britton back […]

Three Third Basemen Who Will Outperform Their 2015 ADP

  Third Base Is Deeper Than You Think Going into 2015, the third base position projects to provide solid depth. Fantasy owners should be cautious about using an early selection to fill the slot. In no way am I recommending owners to pass on Adrian Beltre or Anthony Rendon should they come at a nice value, but there […]

Four Best Draft Strategies for Points Leagues

  Winning Points Leagues on Draft Day Most of the analysis you'll find in the fantasy community tends to be geared towards roto or 5x5 formats. This is done for two main reasons. First, category formats are easily the more popular of the two options. Analysts write to be read, so it makes sense to […]

Three Deeper Pitchers Who Will Outperform Their 2015 ADP: Rankings Analysis

Where Have All The Pitchers Gone? It is widely believed that the enlightened fantasy baseball drafter can find plenty of talent in the later rounds of the draft. So you finish up the outfield, pick up the all-important backup catcher and then - BAM! - where did all the pitchers go? Have no fear. There are […]

Top 5 Hitters In Their Prime Set for A Breakout Season

Mining for Draft Day Gems Players like Todd Frazier and Michael Brantley in 2014, players who provide value far greater than their ADPs, emerge every fantasy season. The challenge is finding those players before everyone else does. The players below are guys who just might enter their prime this year, catapulting their value. Some are more of […]

5 AL Players Whose New Teams Will Impact Their Performance

Who Will Be Helped or Hurt by a Change of Scenery? J.A. Happ, Seattle Mariners Let’s be honest: Happ did not post Cy Young-caliber numbers in his most recent campaign. A 4.22 ERA and lackluster 7.6 K/9 IP made Happ one of many problems for the Blue Jays in 2014. That’s exactly why a transition […]

Three 3B Who Will Underperform Their ADP: Rankings Analysis

  Avoid Paying Gold for Coal I have already discussed three 3B who I believe will outperform their ADPs here. In this segment I want to focus on the guys who won’t live up to expectations and are likely to disappoint fantasy owners in 2015. Third base should be an area of depth in 2015, […]

Fantasy Baseball Spring Stock Watch: Semien, Norris, Betts, Davis

  Welcome to the Stock Watch First of all, welcome to the RotoBaller fantasy baseball “Stock Watch”. This will be a recurring weekly column which attempts to gauge the value of certain hitters and pitchers who are trending in the right and wrong direction. The goal is to help you make more informed decisions with […]

Three Closers (RPs) Who Will Underperform Their 2015 ADP

Don't Pay For These Saves You hear it every year: Don't pay for saves. A simple, effective strategy if you're an active and intelligent owner. Which, if you're reading this, you are. And handsome to boot! Have you lost weight? Sometimes, though, that strategy can be a bit of a boondoggle. I changed closers more […]

Three First Basemen Who Will Underperform Their 2015 ADP

  The First Base Busts List There are few things that can derail a season faster than drafting a big name bust. You know that guy who took Albert Pujols during his first year with the Angels? No one wants to be that guy. Hopefully this article will help steer you in the right direction. […]

MLB Closer Breakdown: AL East Edition - 2015 Fantasy Baseball

  New York Yankees This is going to be one of the most closely monitored closer competitions in the spring of 2015. The Yankees are currently examining two gigantic (literally) options for the closer spot, in the forms of lefty Andrew Miller and righty Dellin Betances, both of whom throw absolute smoke. Both did plenty […]

Orioles Ink Cabrera; Find Value in Implicated PED Users

After being non-tendered by the San Diego Padres earlier in the offseason, Everth Cabrera has finally found a new home with the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles signed Cabrera, who was given a 50 game suspension last season due to PED use, to a low risk one year deal worth $2.4MM guaranteed with another $600K in […]

Travis Snider (OF, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target as OF5 ANALYSIS: Travis Snider's role on his new team, the Orioles, remains unknown, but he should get his chances. The lefty hitter may platoon to begin with, but he can still hit most days, thanks to his pinch-hitting skills. Snider was tied for fifth in all of baseball with 13 hits as […]

Travis Snider: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Outfield Sleeper

  With More ABs in Baltimore, 2015 Could Be Travis Snider's Year As a die-hard Pittsburgh Pirates fan, I hated hearing the news of outfielder Travis Snider's trade to the Baltimore Orioles. The guy made some spectacular catches, had a bunch of clutch at-bats, and turned out to be the perfect complementary mentor, backup, and […]

J.J. Hardy (SS, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target as SS2 or MI ANALYSIS: When identifying a fantasy baseball draft sleeper, I like the guy to be “under the radar,” but I also need there to be proof that there’s potential upside. J.J. Hardy is entering his age 32 season and his fifth with the Orioles, but is coming off a season in […]

Conspiracy Theories and the "D" in R.O.I.D.S.

  Conspire With ROIDS As we begin cycling off our first official ROIDS program, I want to direct your attention away from fantasy baseball for a moment. A popular Katy Perry song goes: “So you wanna play with magic? Boy, you should know what you’re falling for. Baby, do you dare to do this? 'Cause I’m coming at […]

Jonathan Schoop (2B, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target Late in Deep Leagues ANALYSIS: Set to be the starting second baseman for the Orioles, Jonathan Schoop has the potential to be an everyday fantasy starter in 2015.  In 2014, he hit .209 with 16 HR, 45 RBI and only 13 walks in 481 plate appearances, which indicates a free-swinger. Schoop will undoubtedly work […]

J.J. Hardy: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Sleeper

Hardy's Track Record Makes Him a Late-Round Sleeper When identifying a fantasy baseball draft sleeper, I like the guy to fit a few different criteria. First among those is being “under the radar,” but also I need there to be some proof that there’s potential upside when looking beneath the surface. In our 2015 shortstop […]

Kevin Gausman (SP, BAL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target in Mid to Late Rounds ANALYSIS: Kevin Gausman, chosen fourth overall in 2012, has replaced Dylan Bundy as the most hyped young pitcher in the Orioles' organization. Gausman pitched out of the bullpen in 2013, striking out over a batter per inning and boasting a 3.77 K/BB ratio, but allowing a ton of […]

Jonathan Schoop: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Sleeper

  Can Offseason Adjustments Unlock Potential? Set to be the starting second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, Jonathan Schoop definitely has the potential to be an everyday fantasy starter in 2015. I don’t believe that 2014 was a good indicator of his entire skill set, as he hit .209 with 16 homers, 45 RBIs, and […]

Kevin Gausman: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Sleeper Candidate

  Is Kevin Gausman A Starting Pitcher Sleeper? The sudden emergence of the Baltimore Orioles after a decade and a half as the doormat of the AL East is one of the more surprising recent developments in baseball. Most expected Dylan Bundy to be a linchpin for them by now after being selected with the fourth […]