Dexter Fowler (OF, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues OWNED IN: 63% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: Dexter Fowler won the game for his new team yesterday, hitting a two-run shot off of LaTroy Hawkinsin the ninth. He hasn’t gotten much of the ample press bestowed on the Cubs over the last couple of months. It’s easy to see why when […]

Waiver Wire Pickups At Second Base And Shortstop For Week Two

And we’re back! The 2015 season is just getting underway, but it’s never too early to start trying to improve your team. Over the course of the season I’ll be giving you two players at second base and shortstop per week who I think can help your team. These players are usually widely available in […]

Kris Bryant Called Up, Joins Cubs Friday

The Chicago Cubs called up top MLB prospect Kris Bryant from the minors on Friday, according to an ESPN Chicago report. In 14 spring training games over 40 at bats, the 23-year-old nailed nine homers, 15 RBI, 17 hits and four walks. Cubbie fans didn't like knowing that Bryant's amazing spring wasn't going to be good […]

Top Five Dynasty / Keeper Shortstops for 2015

Winning in a dynasty league requires bold strategy, smart trades and a ton of luck. This past season in a keeper league, I lost in the semifinals on account of a Carlos Santana stolen base. That was Santana’s fifth SB of the year and served as the tiebreaker that ended my season. You just can't […]

Five Outfield Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

The first week of the season is in the books. There likely hasn't been too much roster upheaval in your league unless you play with some Chicken Little owners. Remember, folks: It's a long season. Resist the urge to mash the panic button. But by all means, tinker on the margins. That's what we're here to […]

Holds Leagues: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds For Week 2

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we'll highlight today include some elite setup men. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Based on […]

Top Five Dynasty / Keeper Third Basemen

In a surprising turn of events, no veteran third basemen made the Top Five Dynasty/Keeper list. Veterans like Evan Longoria, Chris Davis, Todd Frazier and Josh Donaldson are too old to crack my top five. Much respect to those guys, but a new generation of third basemen has arrived. Let's take a look.   The Fantasy Future […]

Cardinals vs. Cubs - MLB Season Opener Preview (April 5, 2015)

Baseball is finally here! The first game is tonight, April 5, with the Chicago Cubs hosting the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Here are a few notes about the 2015 season opener. I'll be providing more information about the other 28 MLB teams in action on Monday morning.   MLB Opening Day News & Notes […]

Kyle Hendricks (SP, CHC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Draft Target in Late Rounds / Waiver Wire Pickup in All Leagues OWNED IN: 23% of Fleaflicker Leagues ANALYSIS: Kyle Hendricks will slot into the Cubs fourth starter spot this year after last season's fantastic rookie performance, finishing 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA and 47:15 K:BB ratio in 80 innings. The 25-year-old shouldn't be counted on […]

Five Undervalued Corner Infielders for 2015

The term sleeper is overused and commonly confused in fantasy sports. Too many people confuse the concept of a player being undervalued (i.e. a player getting drafted in the seventh round that is going to return fifth round value) versus a player being a true sleeper.   In a 12 team, 5x5 league that is […]

Four Starting Pitcher Breakout Candidates for 2015

In order to stay relevant and competitive in MLB baseball, a team must have a constant flow of rising young pitching. Without this key element a team might as well yell over their PA system to their fans, "Expect fireworks before, during and after tonight's game. Direct your eyes upwards at all costs."   The […]

Jorge Soler (OF, CHC) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target ~120 Overall ANALYSIS: Jorge Soler is a pure power hitter with great bat speed and patience to make opposing pitchers work. He doesn’t strike out as much as the typical slugger, and he’s not afraid to take a walk. Even though Soler spent a productive 24 games with the Cubs late last season, he […]

Top Five Dynasty / Keeper Second Basemen

Last week, I completed my first ever slow draft. Instead of a typical 60 seconds to make your pick, slow draft gives up to 8 hours to make a pick. This style of drafting could possibly take a couple weeks rather than the standard couple of hours. Needless to say, slow draft completely took over […]

Jason Hammel (SP, CHC) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft Target Late in All Leagues ANALYSIS: As you probably remember, Jason Hammel was part of the blockbuster deal that sent him and Jeff Samardzija to the Oakland A’s last year. Well, the Chicago Cubs went out and signed Hammel again this offseason. Are they seeing something we’re not? Well, Hammel did pitch very […]

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 […]

Top Five Second Base Sleepers for 2015: Hitters Who Will Outperform Their ADP

  Five Undervalued Second Basemen for 2015 You've got the strongest pitching staff in your league. Your outfield is stacked. You make sure to pick up a catcher early, pick up a hard-hitting first baseman, and - oh no - all of the decent second basemen are gone. It's common knowledge that one must focus […]

Top 5 Middle Infielders: MLB Prospects and Impact Rookies for 2015

  A Bleak Landscape In 2001, ten middle infielders hit at least 20 home runs. Rich Aurilia, with 37, would have been tied for second in baseball with Giancarlo Stanton and Chris Carter last year. That year? He was tied for second...among middle infielders, with Bret Boone. Alex Rodriguez's 52 bombs, which paced the American […]

MLB Closer Breakdown: NL Central Edition - 2015 Fantasy Baseball

  We previously looked at the closer and bullpen situations in the AL East, AL Central, AL West, and NL East. Today we chck out the NL Central. Make sure to also bookmark our MLB Closer Depth Charts, which are updated every day for your viewing pleasure.   Chicago Cubs Head Honcho – Hector Rondon; Next in line – […]

Arismendy Alcantara (2B/SS/OF, CHI) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target Late in Deep, NL-Only Leagues ANALYSIS: As of early March, Arismendy Alcantara hasn’t won any of the starting nine field positions but is listed second on Chicago’s depth chart at both second base and center field. However, with Joe Madden now in Chicago, plenty of opportunity for at bats in a utility role […]

Five Rookies / Prospects You Should Draft in 2015

MLB Rookies & Prospects to Make Fantasy Impacts Whether you are a 5 year old opening your presents on your birthday or a 40 year old getting a new fancy car during your mid-life crisis, everybody loves new toys. Rookies and prospects are the new cars of the MLB and untapped potential is their fuel. […]

The Value of Veterans: A Howie Kendrick Story

Veteran Value What is Howie Kendrick worth? It's hardly the most exciting question, but if you're in the business of winning, it's one you ought to consider. Veteran players like Kendrick offer fantasy owners two things which can be worth their weight in gold during a long season: playing time and stable production. If veterans […]

Kyle Hendricks (SP, CHC) - Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target Late in Deep Mixed and NL-Only Leagues ANALYSIS: Kyle Hendricks posted a 2.46 ERA in 80.1 innings with the Cubs last season, despite a fastball that averages 89.2 mph and a strikeout rate of 14.6%. Hendricks has always had outstanding control, decent ground ball numbers and a tendency to limit home runs, […]

Five Players Whose New 2015 Team Will Impact Their Performance (NL Edition)

  The Newbies Spring Training is finally underway, and while some players are still looking for new homes, the dust has mostly settled from the offseason. Odds are that your favorite team is probably not a contender, even with whatever moves they made over the winter, but what about your fantasy team?     Here […]

Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, One-Two Punch

When you sign a $155 million contract over the next 6 years, you are expected to have an immediate impact for your ball club. In a completely expected move, new Chicago Cubs manager Joe Madden announced on March 2nd that the wealthy Jon Lester would be the opening day pitching starter on April 5th. Immediate […]

Save Prospecting: Top Five Non-Closing NL Relief Pitchers

  Every year in fantasy baseball leagues about one third of all the opening day closers lose their jobs due to injury or poor performance. It's just the nature of the game. Below are five NL relievers to watch closely in 2015 who could have significant fantasy baseball value if the closer on their team were to […]

Jon Lester (SP, CHC) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings Analysis

CURRENT ADP: 48 RANKINGS STATUS: Undervalued  Analysis: When a dominant, veteran left handed pitcher makes the jump from American League to National League it is always an intriguing endeavor. That is the case this year for the new ace of the Chicago Cubs Jon Lester. Lester has been masterful in the American League throughout his career […]

Kris Bryant to Play Some Outfield in Spring Training

It’s no secret that Chicago Cubs mega prospect Kris Bryant could be on the verge of superstardom, especially after being the 2014 Minor League Player of the Year last season. That doesn’t mean he’s content. In fact, it looks like the 22-year-old is open to expanding his game, having recently said he would be willing […]

Miguel Montero (C, ARI) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target as Low-End CA1 ANALYSIS: Miguel Montero is coming off a season in which he fell short of his career averages in HR, R, AVG, OBP and SLG. In the first half, he hit 11 HR, drove in 52 runs and earned his second All-Star appearance, but hit just .212 with 22 RBI and two HR […]

Jorge Soler (OF, CHC) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target as OF3 ANALYSIS: With all of the hype surrounding the Cubs heading into 2015, one name that has nearly been lost in the shuffle is Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler. At 6’4”, 215 pounds, Soler is an impressive physical specimen with five-tool talent. He hit .340 with 15 HR and 57 RBI in […]

Kris Bryant (3B/OF, CHC) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target as 3B1 ANALYSIS: The Chicago Cubs may choose to wait two weeks to bring up Kris Bryant, giving themselves control over their top prospect through 2021. Bryant was Baseball America’s 2014 Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .325 with 43 HR and 110 RBI. Translating that success to the big league level is hard […]