Mike Moustakas Homers Thursday

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas went 2-for-3 with a solo homer in a 7-4 Cactus League win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. The homer came off of Chicago starter Reynaldo Lopez in the third inning and was the first of the spring for Moustakas. The veteran infielder has gotten off to a […]

Amir Garrett Throws Bullpen Session On Thursday

Cincinnati Reds reliever Amir Garrett (forearm) threw a pain-free bullpen session on Thursday prior to his team's 7-4 Cactus League win over the Chicago White Sox. Garrett has been dealing with a sore left forearm since camp opened, but he sounded optimistic in talking to reporters on Thursday, saying, "You always have … these little nagging […]

Wade Miley Injures Hamstring On Thursday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Wade Miley (hamstring) made his Cactus League debut on Thursday, but it did not go as planned for the veteran. Miley looked sharp upon entering the game in the third inning and wound up going 1 1/3 scoreless frames before leaving early with an injured left hamstring. It is a familiar story for […]

Tyler Mahle Solid On Thursday

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle pitched well in his spring debut on Thursday. Mahle threw two scoreless innings in a 7-4 Cactus League win over the Chicago White Sox, striking out three and allowing just one hit. Mahle is expected to hold down a spot in the starting rotation for the Reds when the regular […]

2021 Outfielder Rankings - 5x5 Mixed Leagues

We now move on to the outfielder position in our mixed-league rankings analysis series. If you missed them, here is our review of Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Third Base and Shortstop. RotoBaller's rankers, JB Branson, Pierre Camus, Nick Mariano, and Ariel Cohen have updated our 2021 Mixed League rankings once more based on early spring training action. […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/11) - Hiura Endures Spring Struggles

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're officially through the first week of spring training games […]

Finding Over/Undervalued Second Basemen Using Expected Draft Values

Welcome to the FSWA-nominated Expected Draft Values series, where we look at historical data to identify both over and undervalued players of all types. Whether you're targeting power, speed, power+speed, batting average+power, and so on, we've got you covered. We now head to second base as we make our way around the diamond for 2021. […]

Later-Round Outfielders - Targets and Avoids in 2021

Once you reach the middle-to-late rounds of drafts, everyone wants to draft some upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. You can take a risk or two on a variety of different players, including a prospect, forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even players with skills but have playing time concerns. […]

High Stakes Heat Joins the Cionel and the Captain - Draft Champions Podcast

In today's episode, Dave McDonald (@RunDMcD) and Jake Halusker (@thedustmite) join @shrimpboatcpn and Zack (@zackroto) to his Draft Champions podcast (@draftchampagne). They discuss roster construction and pockets of value in DCs, Post 500 league winners, methodical approach to DCs. Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday […]

Jose De Leon Strikes Out Eight In Spring Appearance

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jose De Leon turned in a solid performance in a 9-3 Cactus League loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. De Leon came on in relief and struck out eight batters in three innings of work while allowing two runs. He walked three and allowed two homers in the outing. De […]

Michael Lorenzen Strikes Out Three In Loss

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen allowed three runs over 2 1/3 innings of work in a 9-3 Cactus League loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Lorenzen struck out three and didn't issue a walk in the outing, his second appearance of the spring. The right-hander has now allowed six earned runs in his […]

Top 10 Shortstops - Dynasty Prospects Rankings

The shortstop position is a bountiful one for fantasy players. In a 12-team league, most fantasy managers should have the opportunity to be happy with their starter at the position thanks to the depth and variety of skills available. In 2019, 16 shortstops that had at least 350 plate appearances produced a 100 wRC+ or […]

Joey Votto Tests Positive For COVID-19

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has tested positive for COVID-19, according to C. Trent Rosencrans of The Athletic. The Reds had announced earlier in the day that Votto was being placed on the injured list with an undisclosed ailment, but Rosencrans reports that Votto has allowed the team to announce his diagnosis through official […]

Jonathan India Eyes Big League Arrival In 2021

Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India has been heralded as one of the organization's top prospects ever since he was chosen with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. Even with the oddity of the 2020 season behind him, India is inching closer to making his Major League debut, something that could happen later […]

Cincinnati Scratches Sonny Gray Tuesday, Injury Not A Factor

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray had initially been slated to start Tuesday's Cactus League outing versus the Dodgers, but the team opted to have him throw a side session instead. From Gray himself, there was no injury-related reason for the decision, it appears that he merely just wanted to do further side work to […]

Jonathan India Gets on Base Three Times

Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Jonathan India walked twice, singled, and stole home plate on Monday against the Colorado Rockies. He's now 3-for-9 with a BB-K of 3-4 through seven games this spring. Also of note, the former first-round pick as a third baseman started the game at second base. India has actually spent more time […]

Spring Training Lineup Takeaways: Recapping Week 1 - Bases Loaded Podcast

It is never too early to dive into lineups, news and notes from Spring Training. Join us as we dive right into the action! 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 […]

Jeff Hoffman Strikes Out Four In Outing

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Jeff Hoffman looked good in a Cactus League outing against the Colorado Rockies on Monday. Hoffman tossed three scoreless innings, striking out four and scattering three hits in the appearance against his former team. Hoffman is trying to beat out Michael Lorenzen, Tejay Antone, and Jose De Leon for the fifth spot […]

Tejay Antone Throws Three Scoreless Innings

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tejay Antone threw three scoreless innings in a 6-4 Cactus League win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday. Antone struck out three while allowing just two hits in the outing. The 27-year-old is one of the Reds pitchers fighting for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, battling with Michael Lorenzen, Jose […]

Luis Castillo Faces Live Hitters Monday

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Luis Castillo faced live hitters for the first time this spring when he threw batting practice to teammates on Monday. He wound up throwing 34 pitches in the session. Castillo arrived at camp late after running into travel issues getting to the United States from the Dominican Republic. Castillo told reporters, "I […]

JB's Bullpen Method Redux - Building FrankenAces

Last year, I finally published an article breaking down my favorite fantasy baseball strategy I have been using for years. It's really less of a strategy and more a state of mind. No, the Bullpen Method is a lifestyle. I always speak about the importance of balance on a fantasy team. For your pitching staff, I […]

Top 10 Third Basemen - Dynasty Prospect Rankings

Third base is traditionally a place to find offense. It can be a goldmine for fantasy managers in need of some power. Third basemen are also known for providing strong on-base numbers and, in some cases, batting average. The 2019 season met the offensive expectations with 28 hitters managing a 100 wRC+ or better (350 […]

Tout Wars 12-Team Mixed Draft Recap

The 2021 Tout Wars season kicked off this week with the 15-team Draft and Hold starting on Monday and then the NEW 12-team Mixed draft on Tuesday. The Draft and Hold is a slow draft, while the 12 team Mixed was live and rocking. I was fortunate enough to take part in the 12-team draft.  […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/8) - Darvish Deals, Gallo Still Mashing

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're officially through the first week of spring training games […]

Relievers Set to Break Out in 2021

As the calendar flips to February and more leagues start drafting, it's time to dive into everybody's favorite topic: breakouts. For now, we'll ignore the increasingly common facial breakouts from pandemic-related stress and focus on relief. Relief pitching, that is. When looking for draft targets at relief pitcher, almost everybody just turns their eyes to […]

All Things Reds With Charlie Goldsmith - Draft Champions Podcast

In today's episode, Zack (@zackroto) brings onCharlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) as a guest to his Draft Champions podcast (@draftchampagne). They discuss all things related to the Cincinnati Reds including position battles, closers, prospects and more. Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning between 6-7 AM ET, and […]

Sean Doolittle Gives Up Three Runs In Spring Debut

Cincinnati Reds reliever Sean Doolittle allowed three runs in his lone inning of work in a 9-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants in Cactus League action on Sunday. Doolittle struggled to keep the ball in the yard, serving up two homers in his lone inning pitched. The veteran reliever signed as a free-agent with […]

Joey Votto Doubles On Sunday

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 2-for-3 with a double and a run in a 9-4 Cactus League loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Votto is off to a nice start this spring, picking up four hits in nine at-bats with two runs and an RBI. The veteran first baseman has been […]

Michael Lorenzen In Good Position To Win Rotation Spot

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen struggled in his Cactus League debut on Friday but the team doesn't appear to be too concerned over it. Manager David Bell told reporters that Lorenzen is "in a good position to earn a starting spot, but we have a long way to go." The veteran right-hander has been in […]

Lineup Takeaways - Week 1 Spring Training Lineups

Well, after a recent article highlighting the idea of what I was wanting to do with this Spring Training series, here is a first look at my Lineup Takeaway series I will be bringing you the rest of the 2021 season. We are focusing 100% on lineups, news and quotes - strictly about lineups and […]