2018 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values - Third Base

Sleeper, draft value, bargain, flier, lotto ticket...whatever your preferred nomenclature, we can all agree that what we're after in our fantasy drafts is value. Obviously, finding the most valuable players leads to winning leagues, but it's also just incredibly satisfying to snag a guy anyone else could've had for a song before he blows up. As […]

Jharel Cotton Getting Second Opinion

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jharel Cotton (elbow) is getting a second opinion in Dallas on Friday, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Cotton says he remains optimistic he will get good news, as he feels his elbow has full strength. Cotton was removed from his start on Monday and an MRI revealed on […]

Paul Blackburn Makes Case For Rotation Spot

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn pitched four scoreless innings of two-hit ball on Thursday against the Mariners. He also struck out six and walked one in the outing. Blackburn is making manager Bob Melvin have a tough decision tough for filling out the starting rotation. The rotation options are not filled with excellent choices […]

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 […]

A.J. Puk Starts Strong, Pulled in Third

Oakland Athletics pitching prospect A.J. Puk had a rough night against the Mariners on Thursday. He pitched 2 2/3 innings, striking out one batter, but he allowed four earned runs and three walks. The first two innings went well, but Puk was just overworked in the third inning, throwing nearly 40 pitches. Puk is in […]

Jharel Cotton Diagnosed With Strained UCL And Flexor

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jharel Cotton (elbow) has a strained UCL and a strained flexor muscle, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Cotton will be getting a second opinion. This is terrible news, as Cotton was fighting to rebound from a subpar 2017 season. Thus far in spring training, Cotton had a […]

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 […]

Deeper Third Base Sleepers - Undervalued ADPs

Hooray! Another sleeper article! The RotoBaller team recently updated our third base rankings and commented on the depth of third base this year. Today, we'll go deeper, and deeper into the well. Waaaayy, way down. No argument, there's plenty to like about the upper crop of third basemen. If you're in standard-sized leagues, you should […]

ADP Busts - 2017 Infield Breakouts to Avoid in 2018

Earlier this week, I took a look at four outfielders whose disappointing 2017 performances made them potential draft bargains for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. Today, we’re taking the opposite tack. Overpaying for last year’s breakout is one of the easiest – and costliest – mistakes a fantasy owner can make, and we’ve all fallen […]

Top Second 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 second basemen - MLB prospect rankings for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. Second base is not a particularly strong position for prospects. It suffers from the same issue as first base: it is used as the position […]

Third Base H2H Points Rankings - March Update

We are getting closer and closer to the first pitch of the 2018 MLB season. Spring training is in full swing which means we are right in the thick of draft season. If you have a draft coming up soon, make sure to use our rankings for all league types. Regardless of the platform or […]

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 […]

Undervalued: 2017 Outfield Busts to Target

Nobody likes having their heart broken, especially if money is involved. So when a player we reach for in our drafts doesn’t live up to expectations, it’s not always easy to trust him again in the future. You may not have been burned by the specific players we’re going to cover today, but if you […]

Post Hype First Basemen Set to Breakout in 2018

A true breakout isn’t hard to predict. Luckily for us, the breakout formula is rather simple: opportunity + talent + efficiency = breakout. The first basemen listed below are players who I think will have top-100 draft stock in 2019 drafts, or, at the very least, will be drafted higher next year because they check […]

Updated Catcher 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 the shallowest position - catcher. As usual, after the few elite options are off the board, it's probably best to leave filling this […]

Matt Olson (1B/OF, OAK) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~95 CURRENT ADP:  123 ANALYSIS: Prior to Matt Olson’s 2017 debut, Fangraphs slapped a 40 hit tool and a 45 game power tool (with 50 potential) on Olson. He proceeded to make them and just about every other prospect ranking site look absolutely silly. In only 216 PA, Olson triple-slashed .259/.352/.651 with 24 HR! […]

Kendall Graveman's Spring Is Not Ace-Like

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Kendall Graveman is regarded as the best pitcher in the staff. However, he is not having a spring resembling a front-of-the-rotation starter. In six innings, Graveman has allowed eight runs and struck out five. There are other pitchers in the Oakland rotation that are worth taking in fantasy drafts. Graveman should not […]

Stephen Piscotty Struggling in Spring

Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty is batting .190 with one home run this spring. He was acquired this offseason in a trade from the Cardinals. The Athletics are hoping Piscotty can improve upon his .235 batting average in 2017. Piscotty surely wants to wipe the slate clean once the season starts. Piscotty is still a […]

Matt Olson Has Productive Day At The Plate

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson went 2-for-3 against the Cubs on Sunday. He also pitched in an RBI and a run. To date, Olson is batting .310 with two home runs and six runs batted in this spring. He has also struck out seven times in his 29 at-bats. Olson will provide plenty of […]

Jed Lowrie Picking Up Pace In Spring

Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie has picked up the pace this spring and raised his average to .278 with one home run. Lowrie is already 33 years old and is rarely healthy for a full season. The hope is that he can repeat his 2017 season of 86 runs with 14 home runs and […]

Marcus Semien Is A Power-Speed Option At Top Of Lineup

Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien, who is hitting .407 this spring, will likely open the season as the leadoff hitter. It is surprising, as Semien has average on-base skills (.325). Semien's goal this season will be to demonstrate that last season's power fall-off was purely because of his wrist injury. Last season, he hit 10 […]

Renato Nunez Still Not Playing, A's Must Decide His Fate

Oakland Athletics outfielder/designated hitter Renato Nuñez (hamstring) is still unable to play in spring training games. According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Athletics are not sure if Nunez will get enough time to be ready for the season. He is currently doing some work, including hitting and taking grounders. Nunez is […]

Matt Joyce To DH In Lieu Of Field Sunday

Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce (elbow) will serve as the designated hitter Sunday against the Cubs, according to Jon Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Joyce has been dealing with a sore right elbow, so he will need another week before he is able to play in the outfield. Additionally, he will start a throwing program Sunday to […]

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 […]

Daniel Mengden Roughed Up On Saturday

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Daniel Mengden gave up six runs in four innings against the Rangers. Mengden came on in relief on Saturday and was not effective at all. He did strike out four batters and walked one. Mengden is almost assured of a starting spot in the rotation after his performance at the end […]

Jonathan Lucroy's Contract Worth $6.5 Million

Updating a previous report on the signing, free-agent catcher Jonathan Lucroy's contract with the Oakland Athletics is for $6.5 million for one year, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. There does not seem to be any incentives at all in that deal. At 31 years old, Lucroy is hoping for a more […]

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 […]

Eric Hosmer Rankings Debate - Comparing RotoBaller's Rankers

We continue our long-running series of articles debating fantasy rankings with a player that has ignited a good amount of debate over the last few months within our rankers. 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 […]

Khris Davis' Power Still On Display

Oakland Athletics outfielder Khris Davis hit his third home run of the spring on Friday against the Brewers. He was 1-for-3 in the game with two RBI. Davis is an example of consistency with two straight seasons of 40 home runs and three consecutive seasons of a .247 average. Take it for what he is. […]

A.J. Puk's Solid Game Adds To Opening Day Intrigue

Oakland Athletics top pitching prospect A.J. Puk had a very good spring training game Friday against the Brewers. He pitched three clean innings and struck out two but also gave away two free passes. John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that when asked if Puk would be on the season-opening roster, manager Bob Melvin […]