ADP Rankings Debate - Cody Bellinger vs. Freddie Freeman

As with a number of ADP debates, Cody Bellinger and Freddie Freeman both offer the skills for success in 2018. Each first baseman is going in the first two or three rounds of fantasy baseball drafts, but chances are you'll only be able to snag one. Which young slugger will deliver better value in 2018? […]

2018 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values - Second Base

Putting my personal hangups over the term "sleeper" aside, we can all agree that what we're after in our fantasy drafts is value. Finding the most valuable players leads to winning leagues, obviously, but it's also just awesome to get something good for way below what you should've had to pay. Over the next several days, […]

Deeper Second Base Sleepers - Undervalued ADPs

We are gathered here today to discuss everyone’s favorite fantasy buzzword, the “sleepers”. Not only that, but we’re tabbing these guys as deeper sleepers with a focus on the second base position. The keystone position is an exciting one these days, and while many folks are scurrying to score Ian Happ, Jonathan Villar or Ian […]

Andrelton Simmons Back in the Lineup

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is back in the lineup for a spring training game on Thursday. Simmons missed about a week with a shoulder strain, but is back and 100% healthy. The shortstop slugged 14 home runs and stole 19 bases last season. He is a fine middle infield option in the […]

Albert Pujols Blasts Two Doubles

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols hit two doubles on Monday, his first two extra-base hits of spring training. He drove in a run on each. Pujols is now 6-for-27 (.222) in the spring. However, he has only struck out once, an encouraging sign after he tied a career high with 93 strikeouts last […]

Updated Relief Pitcher Rankings - 2018 Fantasy Baseball

One final time before regular season baseball returns and our lives are, at last, complete, RotoBaller's staff writers are updating their 2018 fantasy baseball rankings. Today, we'll be taking a look at one of the shallower positions - relief pitcher. As usual, there are a few elite options at the top, and it gets much […]

Andrelton Simmons Expected to Play Thursday

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is expected to play on Thursday. Simmons has missed about a week with a shoulder strain suffered back on March 6. The injury was never considered serious, and Simmons should be fine by opening day. The shorstop slugged 14 home runs and stole 19 bases last season. He […]

Chris Young Returns to Game Action

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Chris Young (calf) saw some action in an intrasquad scrimmage on Tuesday. He went 2-for-8 with two doubles. Young had not seen game action in a while, as he was recovering from a calf strain. The 34-year-old is expected to serve as LA's fourth outfielder next season and will not hold […]

Deeper First Base Sleepers - Undervalued ADPs

We are gathered here today to discuss everyone’s favorite fantasy buzzword, the “sleepers”. Not only that, but we’re tabbing these guys as deeper sleepers with a focus on the first base position. That means no Jose Martinez cop-out blurbs because that dude has already woken up and then some! With draft season officially underway, it's […]

Updated Shortstop Rankings - 2018 Fantasy Baseball

With the regular season only a few weeks away, the esteemed RotoBaller staff has updated their rankings one last time. We continue our review of the March update with a look at the glorious shortstop position. There's a bevy of talented bats ready to be penciled in at the "6" this season, but the sure things draw […]

Mike Trout to Wear Face Guard

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout, who was hit in the helmet by a pitch on Sunday, is planning to wear a face guard with his helmet going forward. “I was thinking about it before, but that sealed the deal,” Trout said. This doesn't project to have any impact on his fantasy value, other […]

Chris Young Shines, Luis Perdomo Stumbles Again

Two San Diego Padres pitchers contending for starting gigs are moving in opposite directions. Starting Sunday, pitcher Luis Perdomo scuffled, allowing five earned runs and a 3.00 WHIP in three innings against the San Francisco Giants. Coming in relief, pitcher Chris Young fired four innings of shutout ball, retiring five via strikeout. Perdomo's edge heading […]

Garrett Richards to Use Curveball More in 2018

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards intends to use his curveball more often going forward. Up to this point, Richards has only used his curve about 3 to 6 percent of the time, relying much more on his fastball/slider combo. Richards has thrown nine masterful innings in spring training, giving up two runs on […]

Chris Taylor Rankings Debate - Comparing RotoBaller's Rankers

We continue our long-running series of articles debating fantasy rankings with a super-utility player that suddenly became a fantasy force in 2017. The question remains: is it repeatable? RotoBaller's expert writers have come up with our consensus rankings for mixed leagues, but that doesn't mean we agreed on everything. In this space, we'll hear from […]

Jim Johnson, Blake Parker will be Setup Guys

Both Los Angeles Angels relief pitchers Jim Johnson and Blake Parker are expected to start the season in setup roles, with Cam Bedrosian serving as the closer for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Bedrosian began last season as the closer as well, but injuries kept him off the field and allowed veteran Bud Norris to […]

Matt Shoemaker Enduring Rough Spring

Los Angeles Angels starter Matt Shoemaker is locked into a spot in LA's six-man rotation, despite his struggles so far in spring training. Through three starts, Shoemaker has an ugly 10.80 ERA and has surrendered a staggering five home runs in just 8 1/3 innings. Still, Shoemaker will find himself on the hill every sixth […]

Justin Upton Off to a Hot Start

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Justin Upton is looking to build off his strong 2017 season in his first full year with the Angels. The slugger posted career highs in home runs (35) and RBI (109) last year, split between the Tigers and the Angels. He is off to a hot start this spring, hitting […]

Zack Cozart to Play Shortstop in Andrelton Simmons' Absence

Los Angeles Angels new third baseman Zack Cozart will start at shortstop in place of Andrelton Simmons, who is nursing a sore shoulder. Cozart will be entering familiar territory, as he spent his time with the Reds at shortstop. The Angels signed the infielder to play third base, however, a position he has been working to learn. […]

Ottoneu Draft Strategy

Ottoneu is a format that only the fantasy baseball obsessed know about. For years I’ve been eyeing an Ottoneu league but was hesitant to take the plunge; the massive rosters, complex scoring system and year-round commitment were overwhelming, to say the least. But this year I’m ready to make the leap, having signed on with […]

First Base H2H Points Rankings - March Update

Welcome back RotoBallers. With the MLB season just a few short weeks a way, it's time to update our rankings and analysis to account for injuries, free agent signings, spring training risers/fallers and more. We kick off our updated March rankings today with the first base position. Bill Dubiel breaks down each tier and provides analysis […]

Mike Trout Goes 3-for-3 with Home Run

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout broke out of his spring training slump on Saturday. After starting 1-for-14, Trout hit two line drive singles and a home run on Saturday. While there is obviously no doubt about taking Trout with the first or second pick in all fantasy formats, it is nice to see […]

Best Ball Sleepers and Late Round Targets for Fantasy Baseball

Best ball leagues are one of the latest variations of fantasy baseball that are quickly growing in popularity. Draft day is the only day of the year where owners will have control over their roster. There is no waiver wire and there are no trades. Owners won't even set daily lineups, as they will instead […]

Updated Third Base Rankings - 2018 Fantasy Baseball

With the regular season blessedly just a few weeks away, it's time for the RotoBaller staff to update our rankings one last time. We continue our review of the March update with a look at the third base position. There's a ton of talent at the hot corner this season, with the usual elites at […]

Kole Calhoun to Benefit from Ballpark Change

The Los Angeles Angels are lowering the yellow home run line in right field from 18 feet to eight feet. That will benefit the left-handed swinging Kole Calhoun, while also changing how he plays the position considerably. StatCast estimates that this change would have added 17 more home runs last season, with 11 of them […]

Shohei Ohtani Roughed up

Los Angeles Angels starter Shohei Ohtani was roughed up in a spring training start on Friday. He surrendered six runs in three innings, striking out six but also hitting two batters and walking one. His fastball sat between 92-95 mph but was erratic. He was facing the Tijuana Toros, a Mexican League team with only […]

Cam Bedrosian Expected to Close in LA

Los Angeles Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian is considered the favorite to start the season as the closer, reports Jon Heyman of Fan Rag sports. Bedrosian was the favorite last year, but an injury limited him and ended up giving Bud Norris and Keynan Middleton opportunities to close out games. Bedrosian finished the year with six […]

Top First Base Prospect Rankings - 2018 Impact Rookies for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back, RotoBallers. I'll be breaking down impact prospects by position. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 first basemen - MLB prospect rankings for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. First base is always a challenging position to find rookie stars. It’s not every year a Cody Bellinger and Rhys Hoskins reach the majors. Most […]

Ian Kinsler with a Strong Start in Spring

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler is off to a strong start this spring. The 35-year-old is 4-for-11 with five walks so far with the Angels. Kinsler was traded to the Angels from the Tigers back in December for a pair of prospects. The veteran posted a career-low .236 batting average last season, but […]

Tyler Skaggs Developing a Changeup

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs is working on adding a consistent changeup to his repertoire during spring training. “I can be a two-pitch pitcher, but I can only go so far doing that,” Skaggs said. “I need to make a cognizant effort to throw it, even if I’m not throwing it for a strike." […]

Andrelton Simmons Suffers Strained Left Shoulder

The MRI on Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons showed a strained left shoulder. He is considered day-to-day. Simmons left Thursday's spring training game after diving for a baseball. He was examined by the medical team on the field and had an MRI scheduled, although the expectation was that it was not that serious. That […]