Starting Pitcher - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
Fantasy experts are placing a bigger emphasis on drafting elite starters early this year. It is apparent this strategy is making its way across the fantasy community, as the high-end starters are being valued higher than before. In points leagues, this is a wise methodology, as an ace can serve as the backbone of a […]
Scooter Gennett - 2019 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper
Sleepers typically have one or more of some certain characteristics that make them seem undesirable. That may include playing for a bad team, old age, lack of the “big name” or “big prospect,” or the “too good to be true” factor. Scooter Gennett is safely in his prime at age 28, but he plays for […]
Didi Gregorius Cleared To Begin Throwing Program
New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (elbow), who will miss the first half of the season after having Tommy John surgery, has been cleared to begin a throwing program, according to manager Aaron Boone. Gregorius was one of the most valuable fantasy shortstops in 2018, hitting .268/.335/.494 with a career-high 27 home runs, 86 RBI, […]
Relief Pitcher - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
It’s never too early to start looking toward the fantasy baseball season, and I’m here to continue RotoBaller’s position-by-position rankings analysis series for points league and head-to-head (H2H) formats with the ever-volatile relief pitcher position. The "closer carousel" seems to spin faster and faster every year, and there are very few names in the 'set […]
Manny Machado Prefers Yankees?
Free-agent shortstop Manny Machado isn't thrilled with his current offers and may still have long-shot hopes to land with his preference, the New York Yankees, according to sources. The Phillies, White Sox and Padres are the only other known teams to have interest, but they apparently aren't willing to give Machado the type of contract […]
Top 130 Prospect Rankings for 2019 Fantasy Baseball Redraft Leagues
Prospects. For fantasy baseball enthusiasts, we are always looking to know about the next wave of prospects, rookies and call-ups. More than most other sports, baseball gives us a fresh influx of rookie talent every single year. Impact prospects are called-up both before and during the MLB season. Knowing about the right prospect, and drafting/adding him […]
Shortstop - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
It’s never too early to start looking toward the fantasy baseball season, so I’m here to carry on RotoBaller’s position-by-position rankings analysis series for points league and head-to-head (H2H) formats with the stars of the infield, the shortstops. The position is star-studded, and in roto leagues, I think I'd be comfortable with any of the […]
Outfield - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
It’s never too early to start looking toward the fantasy baseball season, so I’m here to continue RotoBaller’s position-by-position rankings analysis series for points league and head-to-head (H2H) formats with the incredibly deep outfield position. There is a seemingly neverending stream of useful bats, but there are still clear chokepoints where the risk portfolio thickens. […]
2019 Bullpen Outlooks - American League East
With the National League already taken care of, it's time to jump into the bullpens of the American League and take a look at what we can expect for the 2019 season. After a slow offseason, it seems like relief pitchers are finally coming off the free agent board and signing with the teams they'll […]
ADP Champ or Chump - J.T. Realmuto and Wilson Ramos
This week I am turning my attention to the position that gives most fantasy owners the biggest concerns, the catcher position. Every year there is at least one catcher who rises to the top of the position and ends up being drafted clearly ahead of the others. This season that catcher is J.T. Realmuto, who is […]
Catcher - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
It’s never too early to start looking toward the fantasy baseball season, and I’m here to continue RotoBaller’s position-by-position rankings analysis series for points league and head-to-head (H2H) formats with the increasingly scant catcher position. Traditionally a thin position to begin with, catcher seems to be growing thinner every year as far as fantasy production […]
Third Base - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
The hot corner is stacked like never before, especially with the anticipated arrival of mega-prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Waiting on a third baseman won't hurt given the relative depth of the position. With the multi-position eligibility of several players on this list, one could easily grab several of these names within the first few rounds […]
Second Base - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
It’s never too early to start looking toward the fantasy baseball season, so I’m here to carry on RotoBaller’s position-by-position rankings analysis series for points league and head-to-head (H2H) formats with the keystone position. Traditionally a scarce position in fantasy, second base has truly risen over the past few years, and truthfully I'd be happy […]
First Base - Early Points League Rankings and Tiers
It’s never too early to start looking toward the fantasy baseball season, so I’m here to kick off RotoBaller’s position-by-position rankings analysis series for points league and head-to-head (H2H) formats with the hard-hitting first base position. Traditionally a power haven, first base has a fairly clear top three tiers and then the floor starts to […]
Is Punting Steals a Viable Draft Strategy in 2019?
For readers who tune in to watch MLB games regularly, the phrase “small ball is dead” is becoming more and more the cliche. Managers do not feel the need to run as much, there is a decreasing rate of sacrifice bunts, and above all, no more hit-and-run as a primary offensive tactic. While many factors […]
ADP Champ or Chump - Danny Jansen and Ozzie Albies
With fewer data points to go off of, younger players have always been more challenging to project than their more veteran counterparts. Unfortunately, the game is getting younger. Fantasy owners need to roster at least a few young studs if they hope to compete. Danny Jansen may not have impressed in his brief MLB debut […]
Yankees Offer To Manny Machado Is Low
While an exact years/dollar amount hasn't been confirmed, the New York Yankees offer to free-agent shortstop Manny Machado is "low," according to sources. Machado initially was asking for 10 years and at least $300 million at the start of free agency, but it appears no team is willing to that high in both years and […]
2019 Bullpen Outlooks - National League West
The East and Central have already been covered, so let's head out west. It's time to see what's going on in the bullpens of the National League West division. There are still too many significant relief pitchers on the free agent market to believe that any bullpen is "set" for Opening Day, but there are […]
ADP Champ or Chump - Tommy Pham and Avisail Garcia
My main mantra when it comes to fantasy baseball is "value, value, value." I will often try and set myself up in the first two or three rounds in such a way that I have the flexibility to take advantage of value later in the draft. One of the best ways I have found to […]
RotoBaller MLB Radio - Fantasy Baseball Rankings and News with Brian Kenny
RotoBaller fantasy baseball experts Mike the Roto Cop, Anthony Aniano, and Danny Baseball take a look at the at latest fantasy baseball free agent news, and dig deep into second and third base rankings with MLB's Brian Kenny. In this podcast you will hear about: Manny Machado, Jose Altuve Adam Ottavino, Whit Merrifield Javier Baez, Matt […]
Mike Zunino - 2019 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers
There are three distinct tiers at the catcher position entering 2019. Gary Sanchez and J.T. Realmuto stand alone as one and two. Behind them in no particular order are, Salvador Perez, Wilson Ramos, Willson Contreras, Buster Posey, and Yasmani Grandal. However, by season's end Mike Zunino may find himself in that discussion as the 12th […]
Jed Lowrie Signing Pushes Mets Prospects Aside (For Now)
The New York Mets recently added Jed Lowrie to their already-packed infield. In his age 33 and 34 seasons, he impressed with slash lines of .277/.360/.448 and .267/.353/.448, respectively. He also added a career-high 23 home runs in 2018, his first career All-Star season. Lowrie did show some regression in the second half of 2018 […]
2019 Points League Draft Strategy - Fantasy Baseball
When discussing fantasy baseball. An often neglected-but-entertaining format is the points league. These exist in both cumulative season-long and weekly head-to-head formats. While existential debates about scoring categories and their true depiction of player worth are endless, points leagues arguably get closest to the objective of sabermetrics. Points leagues attempt to define a player’s contribution […]
Sonny Gray Signs Extension With Reds
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray, who was traded from the New York Yankees on Monday in exchange for second base prospect Shed Long and a competitive-balance draft pick, agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep him under contract through the 2022 season. He will be paid $30.5 million over three years with […]
Reds Acquire Sonny Gray
The Cincinnati Reds officially acquired starting pitcher Sonny Gray from the New York Yankees on Monday in exchange for second base prospect Shed Long, according to league sources. The deal could also include the Reds sending a draft pick to the Yankees, and Cincy could be finalizing an extension for Gray as part of the […]
Top 420: Points Leagues Tiered Staff Rankings (January)
Welcome back RotoBallers. Today we are here to start looking at points leagues and head-to-head (H2H) formats. In this column, you will find our staff's preliminary 2019 fantasy baseball points league rankings for January and the top 420 players. Over the next few days, we will also be publishing individual tiered rankings analysis columns for each […]
Reds Finalizing Deal For Sonny Gray
The Cincinnati Reds are finalizing a deal for New York Yankees starting pitcher Sonny Gray on Sunday. Infield prospect Shed Long and a draft pick are expected to be sent to the Yankees, with a possible third piece also involved. Gray struggled mightily in his two seasons with the Yankees and was demoted to the […]
Nick Mariano's 2019 Early-Round Overvalued List (Premium Content)
All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Fantasy baseball drafts (and their articles) are almost all about finding the next superstar and unearthing talent late, but we can't forget that surrendering value by over-drafting can be just as crucial. In order to evaluate overvalued players here, we're going to utilize Average […]
Reds Making Progress In Sonny Gray Talks
The Cincinnati Reds are making progress in trade talks for New York Yankees starting pitcher Sonny Gray, according to insider Jon Heyman. The Reds are considering dealing two prospects and a draft pick to acquire Gray. The Braves, Brewers and Giants are also thought to be considering a trade for Gray. If Gray were to […]
Yankees Closing In On Adam Ottavino
The New York Yankees are closing in on free-agent relief pitcher Adam Ottavino on Thursday, according to sources. If the agreement is completed, the deal is expected to be in the three-year, $25 million range. Ottavino had an excellent year in 2018 and was Colorado's best reliever, posting a 2.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, six saves […]