RADIO
Justin Upton Likely To Start On Injured List
Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler said that outfielder Justin Upton (toe) is "probably" going to start the year on the injured list. The team is still awaiting more information on how long Upton will be out after he hurt his big toe running into the outfield wall on Sunday. Upton also missed spring […]
Angels Trade For Chris Stratton
The Los Angeles Angels acquired pitcher Chris Stratton from the San Francisco Giants on Monday night in exchange for left-hander Williams Jerez. Stratton will prove much-needed rotation depth for the Angels, who won't have Andrew Heaney (elbow) to begin the year. The 28-year-old right-hander went 10-10 with a 5.09 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 112 strikeouts […]
Justin Upton's Outlook For Opening Day Is Grim
It's looking more likely that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton (toe) won't be ready for Opening Day on Thursday after he had an MRI exam on his big left toe on Monday. "We're waiting for multiple opinions," manager Brad Ausmus said. "We should know more tomorrow. He's not moving real good right now." It's […]
Updated Shortstop Rankings - H2H Points Leagues
The RotoBaller Head-to-Head rankings review series continues with a view of shortstop through the lens of our three-man expert panel of fantasy accuracy champ Nick Mariano and premier staffers JB Branson and Bill Dubiel. The position is well-stocked with useful starters, but as you get deeper, the H2H negatives will get exposed more. Near the […]
Updated Starting Pitcher Rankings - H2H Points Leagues
We are continuing our updated analysis of points league tiered rankings with a final look at starting pitchers. In H2H points leagues, starting pitchers are the lifeblood of a fantasy team. The more innings and strikeouts a starter can rack up, the further it carries your team toward a championship. There is a solid core […]
Why You Should Target Injury-Prone Pitchers (Sometimes)
To some fantasy owners, there’s nothing more frustrating than the good but oft-injured starting pitcher. It makes owners just want to wash their hands entirely of pitchers like Rich Hill, James Paxton, and Stephen Strasburg in favor of sub-par innings-eaters and often pushes these fragile hurlers down draft boards. However, in certain league formats, targeting these […]
Where Are The Elite Starters? Looking for 2019’s deGrom
Researching elite starters has taught me a number of things about pitcher development. One of the most valuable has been the reminder that progress is never linear. Blake Snell and Justin Verlander present recent examples of that. Verlander has been in “obvious decline” on two occasions now, and both times he’s bounced back. 2016 Blake […]
Tyler Skaggs In Line To Start Saturday
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs (forearm) allowed a hit while striking out seven and walking none in 5 1/3 innings of a minor league game on Monday. He's now in line to start the third game of the season against the A's on Saturday. The left-hander went 8-10 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.33 […]
Shohei Ohtani Throws and Hits Monday
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) hit in the cage and threw from up to 50 feet on flat ground on Monday. Ohtani continues to go through his progression after undergoing Tommy John surgery last October. He will not pitch at all in 2019, but the Angels and fantasy owners are hoping to […]
Justin Upton To Miss Opening Day?
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton (toe) is undergoing an MRI exam on his left big toe on Monday. X-rays came back negative on Sunday night, but Upton wasn't feeling any better on Monday. There's an increasing chance that Upton won't be ready to suit up for Opening Day on Thursday, but he shouldn't be […]
Andrew Heaney Throws Off Mound Monday
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (elbow) made meaningful progress by throwing 20 pitches off a mound on Monday. The Angels don't believe Heaney's arm issues are too serious, so he might only wind up missing a few regular season starts. The 27-year-old southpaw went 9-10 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 180 […]
David Fletcher Sits Over The Weekend
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim infielder David Fletcher (hamstring) was scratched from the lineup Saturday and he did not play in Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to tightness in his hamstring. However, manager Brad Ausmus didn't sounds terribly worried about Fletcher's status for the opener. "He's fine," Ausmus said. "It's still spring […]
Felix Pena Features Sick Changeup In Freeway Series Start
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starting pitcher Felix Pena worked just 3 1/3 innings in his final spring tune-up against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. However, he allowed just one run while posting nine strikeouts. He credited his hard work on improving his changeup during the spring. "I've been working on (the changeup) since […]
Daniel Hudson Goes From Halos To The Jays
The Los Angeles Angels released pitcher Daniel Hudson and he has quickly caught on with the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager Charlie Montoyo said on Monday that a deal for Hudson is done, and that he will be included on the Opening Day roster. Infielder Devon Travis (knee) was placed on the 60-day injured list to […]
Justin Upton Now Dealing With Sprained Toe
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Justin Upton (toe) suffered a sprained left big toe in the first inning of Sunday's Freeway Series exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was injured in the first inning and he left the game. He said he was injured when he collided with the outfield wall while […]
Updated Third Base Rankings - H2H Points Leagues
We are continuing our updated analysis of points league tiered rankings with the hot corner. Third base has a treasure trove of fantasy stars in the making, if things break right of course. If you are relatively new to points leagues, you need to pay close attention to the difference between these rankings and that […]
Updated Outfield Rankings - H2H Points Leagues
As we enter the final stretch for drafting it is time to take a look at the latest iteration of points leagues rankings from our amazing hard working rankings staff. Starting with the outfield is always fun because there is so much depth at the position, especially if you only require three of them, as […]
March ADP Musings - Overvalued / Undervalued Shortstops
It's full steam ahead for fantasy baseball draft season before Opening Day hits. Depending on how many leagues you are in, you may already have a pretty good handle on what to expect as far as where and when certain players or position groups are going in drafts. On the other hand, maybe you're only […]
Updated Starting Pitcher Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)
We're back up on the bump for this edition of our mixed rankings analysis, and not a moment too soon. The 2019 baseball season is already here! RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel want to make sure you are prepared for last-minute drafts, so they have given their […]
Updated Second Base Rankings - H2H Points Leagues
Continuing on our points league tiered rankings analysis we move over to the keystone position. Second base has the deepest talent pool that it's seen in recent years as it’s full of elite bats at the top and high-upside youngsters in the lower tiers. With two games in the regular season already in the books, […]
Pitchers Who Changed Scenes - Preseason Risers and Fallers
Several impact hitters switched teams for 2019, but other than Patrick Corbin, not so many pitchers, especially as we await the fates of Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel. And, if Milwaukee signs Kimbrel in light of Corey Knebel's elbow, it shouldn't be that different an experience for his shareholders than Boston was last season given […]
Domingo Santana (OF, SEA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values
BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190 CURRENT ADP: ~240 overall ANALYSIS: The second Santana was dealt to the Mariners this off-season, I boarded the hype train. He wasn't going to get the necessary amount of PA in Milwaukee's crowded outfield and is too talented to be sitting on the pine as a reserve. Last season […]
Bill Dubiel's 10 Bold Predictions
Oh yeah. You knew @Roto_Dubs was closing this bad boy. After all that soft cheddar you gotta bring that Jordan Hicks FIRE in the ninth! I kid, my colleagues are MOSTLY terrific (*sideways glance at Kyle*). Love doing these every year, no matter how tragic the final results are. This series is a chance to take our […]
Justin Upton, Zack Cozart Should Be Ready
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton (knee) and third baseman Zack Cozart (calf) will continue to get extra playing time over the next few days in camp so that they are ready for the season opener next Thursday against the A's. Manager Brad Ausmus thinks both players will avoid the injured list, but the team […]
Shohei Ohtani Completes Final Spring Workout
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) took part in his final spring workout on Friday and will head to Anaheim on Saturday to continue his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The Japanese two-way star threw 55 times on flat ground, including 35 throws from 50 feet, and he also took 10 swings […]
Andrelton Simmons Suffering Through Dismal Spring
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons will try and shake off a horrible spring training at the plate when the season begins next weekend. After a fantastic season in 2017, Simmons is only 4-for-34 (.121) this spring with zero extra-base hits. Simmons hit a career-high .292 last season while also posting a .306 batting average […]
Peter Bourjos Having Stellar Spring
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Peter Bourjos is earning a spot on the Opening Day roster, slashing .304/.347/.609 with one triple, three doubles, three home runs and 10 runs batted in through 46 exhibition at-bats. The formerly highly-touted speedster has bounced around the league the past several seasons and is looking to earn a role in […]
Angels Hope Justin Bour Bounces Back In '19
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Justin Bour is hitting the ball with authority in spring training, leading the team with three home runs despite hitting only .235 through 34 exhibition at-bats. Bour was acquired over the winter to bring a run-producing presence to the lineup and provide some thump from the left side in the […]
Albert Pujols Looking At Reduced Role In '19
Los Angeles Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols is trending towards a reduced role in 2019 despite slugging .571 this spring. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer racked up 465 at-bats last season, slashing only .245/.289/.411 with 19 home runs. Foot injuries have sapped any kind of movement on the bases and his availability at […]
Can Jonathan Lucroy Rebound In 2019?
Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy heads into the final week of spring training hitting .324 in 37 spring at-bats. This is a pivotal season for the 32-year-old, who is two years removed from being an All-Star in 2016. Lucroy's declining value forced him to sign a one-year deal with the Angels but will head […]
