Gio Gonzalez Throws Bullpen Thursday

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Thursday, his first of the spring. Gonzalez is behind the other pitchers in camp, so it's unknown if he'll have enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season. The 34-year-old left-hander had a 3.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP […]

Elite Starters and Pitching Trends Revisited

Last year I wrote a series [Part 1, Part 2, Part 3] on whether we were properly valuing elite starting pitchers. The basic premise was that we were likely to see fantasy-relevant starters (not openers) throw fewer innings again in 2019. I hypothesized that if there were fewer and fewer starting pitchers providing 200 innings […]

Evaluating OAA for Pitchers Changing Teams (12-Team Leagues)

Last week, I looked at Statcast’s new Outs Above Average (OAA) leaderboard, which they’ve used to identify the best defensive infielders in the league. My initial exploration of the metric was designed to identify pitchers who might have been lucky or unlucky last year as a way of mining for bounceback value or avoiding potential […]

Edwin Encarnacion Could Return In A Couple Of Days

Chicago White Sox first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (back) was removed prior to Thursday’s contest with back tightness. Manager Rick Renteria said that the removal of Encarnacion was precautionary and that he should be expected back in a couple of days. Encarnacion will be in the middle of a good offensive lineup and should help […]

Edwin Encarnacion Dealing With Back Stiffness

Chicago White Sox first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (back) has been scratched from Thursday’s game with back tightness. More should be known on the sluggers status as the day goes on and he should be considered day-to-day for now. Encarnacion is aging, but will be in the middle of a good White Sox lineup and […]

Gio Gonzalez Not Ready For Mound Work

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (shoulder) is not ready for a bullpen session yet, but has been throwing long toss and building strength in his shoulder. Gonzalez has been dealing with discomfort in his left shoulder and it remains to be seen if he will be ready for Opening Day. Gonzalez is more […]

Engel's Angles: ADP Insights, Perspectives on Aaron Judge and Ketel Marte (Premium Content)

Spring training exhibition play has just opened and expert draft season is here. The trends are being firmly established on how to draft, and where to draft certain players. We all know pure ace top starters are going to be taken very early, and there will be a high emphasis on garnering top speed merchants. […]

RotoBaller Friends & Family Industry Mock Draft: What the Experts Were Thinking

The RotoBaller Friends & Family Mock Draft has become an annual tradition where we gather some of the biggest names from the fantasy baseball world and put together a mock draft just as spring training has commenced. Thanks to RT Sports for once again hosting and providing a custom draft site where readers could follow […]

2020 Catcher Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Leagues

Spring Training is upon us! Pitchers and catchers have reported and we finally have some box scores to desperately over-analyze. The catcher position can really be a headache for dynasty owners trying to plan for the future. Needless to say, it is not a position that many MLB teams count on for offense, leaving fantasy players […]

2020 Keeper Value Rankings - Shortstop

If you're keeping up with the Keeper Value Rankings, you know we've already covered First Base, Second Base, and Third Base. Today, we will address Shortstop. These rankings are intended for Keeper Leagues in which a fantasy owner must forfeit a designated draft pick in order to keep a player into the upcoming season. These rankings are based […]

Lucas Giolito Throws Bullpen Session On Tuesday

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (chest) threw sliders and curveballs on Tuesday during a bullpen session. Giolito suffered a chest muscle strain at the beginning of spring training, but is showing positive signs of returning for Opening Day. Giolito will throw another bullpen session on Friday. Giolito is coming off of his first […]

Lucas Giolito To Throw Another Bullpen Tuesday

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (chest) has another bullpen session scheduled for Tuesday, and he seems to be coming along fine after dealing with a strained chest muscle early in camp. Giolito broke out in 2019 by going 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 228 strikeouts in 176 2/3 innings over […]

Yasmani Grandal Out Another 7-10 Games

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria estimates that catcher Yasmani Grandal (calf) will miss another seven to 10 spring training games in the Cactus League. Grandal has been hitting and catching and was scheduled to do some sprints on Monday, so they are just being cautious with their big free-agent acquisition. Barring any setbacks, he […]

2020 Outfield Rankings - H2H Points Leagues

We've been breaking down rankings for points leagues over the last couple of weeks in order to prepare fantasy owners for draft day. To check out previous analysis articles by position, click the following links: first base, second base, third base, shortstop, catcher, starting pitcher, relief pitcher. Outfield is obviously the deepest of all positions […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Luis Robert vs Kyle Tucker

With spring training games officially underway, excitement around the fantasy baseball season simultaneously hits a new peak. As batting orders begin to map out and pitching rotations start to take shape, a lot of movement happens on ADP lists. Prospects tend to gain the most helium around this time of year because we have a […]

Gio Gonzalez Showing Progress

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (shoulder) threw long toss and curveballs on Sunday. Gonzalez has made “big time progress” and has no doubts that he will be ready for Opening Day and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday. The lefty went 3-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 17 starts and […]

2020 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers – Jo Adell

The most coveted type of player in fantasy baseball is the batter who can hit home runs, steal bases and hit for contact. Stolen bases are harder to find, as more big-league teams are opting to take a cautious approach to baserunning. Additionally, batting average has declined because hitters are striking out more often, as […]

Austin Hays (OF, BAL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Target ~240s CURRENT ADP: ~268 overall ANALYSIS: Austin Hays has been a name on fantasy players’ radars since he had a brief debut with the Orioles in 2017, but, despite the major league club not being relatively competitive, the organization chose to delay his call-up after injuries waylaid his ‘18 and ‘19 campaigns. […]

Dylan Cease (SP, CHW) - Fantasy Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~250 (around Adrian Houser, Anthony DeSclafani, Sandy Alcantara) CURRENT ADP: ~283 overall ANALYSIS: The White Sox have a few young arms of intrigue in Cease, Michael Kopech and Reynaldo Lopez. However, Cease may have the most upside for 2020. He has elite stuff, with a curveball that seemed electric last season and, according to […]

Lucas Giolito Throws On Saturday

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (chest) felt 100% after throwing on Saturday. Giolito is recovering from a strained chest muscle and seems to be overcoming the injury. Giolito is coming off of a breakout season and should once again post strong numbers for the White Sox in 2020.

Leury Garcia And White Sox Come To Terms

The Chicago White Sox and infielder/outfield Leury Garcia have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with a team option for $3.5 million in 2021. Garcia hit a respectable .279 with eight home runs, 40 RBI, 93 runs scored and 15 stolen bases over 140 games. Garcia plays all over the diamond, but is likely […]

White Sox Extend Aaron Bummer

The Chicago White Sox have signed relief pitcher Aaron Bummer to a five-year, $16 million contract extension. The extension also has two club options and can reach $31 million. Bummer was very useful out of the White Sox bullpen last year and threw to a 2.13 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings. Bummer […]

Bases Loaded Podcast - All Things Fantasy Baseball w/ Nick Pollack (@PitcherList)

Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) is  joined by Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) and they discuss all things fantasy baseball! 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 podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as well! Be sure to also tune […]

Luis Robert Leading Off Saturday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert will be leading off on Saturday. Robert is arguably the best prospect in the game and has sky high potential heading into 2020. White Sox manager Rick Renteria recently said that third baseman Yoan Moncada and shortstop Tim Anderson would bat first and second when the season starts, but […]

Michael Kopech Throwing Well In Spring Training

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech (elbow) showed “electric” stuff, according to White Sox catcher Seby Zavala. Kopech was once one of the best pitching prospects in the game and a key piece back in the Chris Sale deal, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 and missed all of 2019. Kopech has unlimited […]

Lucas Giolito To Throw On Saturday

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (chest) is scheduled to throw on Saturday. Giolito was sidelined early in spring training with a strained chest muscle, but appears to be making progress. Giolito is coming off a breakout campaign in 2019 and RotoBaller has him as the number 16 starting pitcher entering 2020. Giolito pitches […]

Finding Combo-Player Values Using Z-Scores and ATC Projections

Towards the end of last season, I asked the question – “Draft Speed or Pound the Power?” Loaded in this seemingly simple query are two contradictory approaches – one for power and one for speed. Power Approach 1: Home run totals are dramatically up in baseball these days. Therefore, there are many power bats available […]

2020 Keeper Value Rankings - Third Base

Keeper Value Rankings are intended for Keeper Leagues in which a fantasy owner must forfeit a designated draft pick in order to keep a player into the upcoming season. These rankings are based on Keeper "Values". In the marketing world, Value can be defined as the extent to which a good or service (player) is […]

Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada To Hit At Top Of Lineup

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria said he's leaning towards shortstop Tim Anderson and second baseman/third baseman Yoan Moncada hitting in the first two spots in the lineup. Anderson hit a career-high .335 while slamming 18 home runs, driving in 56 and stealing 17 bases in 123 games. Moncada also had an excellent season, slashing […]

Dane Dunning To Throw Live Batting Practice Next Week

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Dane Dunning (elbow) will throw his first live batting practice of the spring a week from this Friday. Dunning, who finished as the team's No. 5 prospect at the end of last season, missed all of 2019 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old right-hander had a 2.71 ERA, […]