ATC Projections Volatility for Multi-Category Players
One year ago, I penned my very first article on RotoBaller. I am truly honored that the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) awarded the piece as the 2020 Baseball Article of the Year. “Finding Combo-Player Values Using Z-Scores and ATC Projections” provided a new perspective on how to find helpful multi-category players to fill out […]
2021 ATC Projections: Hitter Surprises
By their nature, projection systems don’t typically offer many big surprises. Outside of Lucas Giolito’s ZiPS projection, there aren’t many player projections that jump off of the page this season. Still, even seemingly small surprises can have significant fantasy implications, and it’s worth exploring those surprises. To add an element of objectivity to this analysis, […]
Matt Bush, Ian Kennedy Make 26-Man Roster
Texas Rangers pitchers Matt Bush and Ian Kennedy have been informed that they've made the opening day roster "provided no unforeseen circumstance" occurs. Texas has been inundated with injuries to the bullpen and has lost a long list of relievers including Jose Leclerc, Jonathan Hernandez, Brett Martin, and Joely Rodriguez. Bush, who hasn't pitched in […]
Nate Lowe Named Starting First Baseman For Texas
Texas Rangers first baseman Nate Lowe was informed on Saturday that he would be the primary starter for the Rangers this year, beating out 2020 starter Ronald Guzman, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Lowe was acquired from Tampa Bay this offseason in a six-player trade, as he comes off a 2020 campaign […]
Leody Taveras, Eli White Make OD Roster
Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras and utility player Eli White have both made the club's opening day roster. The switch-hitting Dominican is expected to be the regular centerfielder. He has produced a .736 OPS but with a modest BB-K of 1-9 in 13 spring games. Last season in the majors, Taveras had a 93 wRC+ […]
Must-Have Hitters for 2021: WPC+
Pierre Camus and Nicklaus Gaut name the hitters they are targeting most in 2021 fantasy baseball drafts and explain why they could break out. Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as well! Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio […]
RotoBaller Friends & Family Industry Mock Draft Recap
The 2021 RotoBaller Friends & Family Mock Draft is the continuation of an annual tradition where we gather some of the biggest names from the fantasy baseball world and put together a mock draft just as spring training has commenced. Thanks to RT Sports for once again hosting and providing a custom draft site where […]
Jonah Heim Wins Opening Day Role With Texas
Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim was informed on Wednesday that he had made the club's opening day roster. The move likely ensures the club's top catching prospect Sam Huff will open the year at the alternate training site. Heim will share the backstop role with Jose Trevino. This spring, the rookie catcher hit .105 (2-for-19) […]
Kolby Allard, Joe Palumbo Optioned To Minors
Texas Rangers pitchers Kolby Allard and Joe Palumbo were optioned to the alternate training site on Wednesday. Both players entered the spring with solid opportunities to win opening day roles with the club. Allard was actually leading the club in innings pitched this spring with 11.2. He had a 3.86 ERA with a K-BB of […]
Taylor Hearn, Wes Benjamin, John King Make Rangers Roster
Texas Rangers pitchers Taylor Hearn, Wes Benjamin, and John King have successfully made the club's opening day roster. Roles for the three pitchers were not announced but all three have started games in recent seasons. Hearn appeared in 14 games out of the bullpen for the Rangers in 2020 with a 3.63 ERA. Benjamin, a […]
Dane Dunning Makes Rangers Roster
Texas Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning has made the club's opening day roster. The 26-year-old rookie's role is yet to be announced but it's expected that he'll work as a tandem starter for the club. So far this spring, he's allowed just two runs in 8.1 innings (2.16 ERA) with a K-BB of 5-3. Acquired from […]
Brock Holt Makes Rangers Opening Day Roster
Texas Rangers utility player Brock Holt learned on Wednesday that he would be on the club's opening day roster. The move will give the Rangers added versatility as the veteran player handled third base, first base, and the outfield in 2020. Just two years ago, he also filled in at second base and shortstop. Holt […]
Khris Davis Out 3-4 Weeks With Quad Injury
Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels provided an update on Khris Davis' (quad) injury and said it would keep the designated hitter out for three to four weeks. The Grade 2 left quad injury means that he won't be available for opening day. The club is also without Willie Calhoun (groin) due to injury and […]
Correlating Statcast to Outcomes: Why You Should Pay Attention to Barrels
Barrels are the keeper of life’s finer things. Beer, pickles, monkeys, the list is endless. Barrels don’t just hold fermented vegetables and unruly simians these days, barrels may also hold the key to identifying the game’s best hitters and struggling hitters who may be due for brighter days. In my mission to find just how […]
JB's Bold Predictions for 2021
I'm going to let you in on a little secret... JB stands for "JUST BOLDNESS". Okay that's a lie... it's actually not a secret because I use that every year in my bold predictions intro (three years in a row now, sure saves time on writing a new intro though). Nevertheless, welcome to the latest […]
2021 Points League Ranks - First Base
Draft season is in full gear as we're only less than two weeks from Opening Day baseball. And here at RotoBaller, we're about more than just roto leagues. We're here to cover your whole fantasy spectrum. So let's do some point ranks, shall we? If you've forgotten from last year, I have strong opinions on […]
Khris Davis Suffers Strained Left Quadriceps
Texas Rangers designated hitter Khris Davis (quadriceps) suffered a strained left quadriceps while running out a bunt single in a Cactus League game on Tuesday and could start the season on the injured list. Manager Chris Woodward said that the extent of the injury was unknown and that an injured list stint was possible. Willie […]
Jordan Lyles Wins Tandem Starter Role
Texas Rangers pitcher Jordan Lyles will open the 2021 season as one of the club's tandem starters. The veteran right-hander continued his solid spring with four innings of one-run ball on Tuesday. So far this spring, Lyles has allowed just two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings of work. He has […]
KC Bubba's 10 Bold Predictions for 2021
The 2021 season is so close to starting, which means it is time for some bold predictions. It appears the season will still be a complete 162 games, with no NL DH and a standard playoff format. The bouncy ball will supposedly be replaced with a ball designed to limit power, fun times like usual from […]
Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: Barrels
We've previously looked at how exit velocity (or EV) is only one piece of the fantasy analysis puzzle. Baseball broadcasts will commonly cite Launch Angle (LA) to complement their EV figures, but it is given in terms of degrees. Am I evaluating a baseball player or trying to find the hypotenuse of an isosceles triangle? […]
Frank Ammirante's 10 Bold Predictions for 2021
Making bold predictions is one of my favorite topics to write about. There's no better feeling as a writer than when you tout an overlooked player and it hits. Hitting on your bold prediction can really help you win your fantasy leagues. To secure a championship, you need your top players to approach their ceilings and […]
2021 Keeper Value Rankings - Shortstop
Many many years ago, I noticed the managers in my long-time keeper league were consistently making terrible keeper decisions year after year. Instead of taking their money every year thought I would help them out and find a good set of Keeper League Rankings to share with them. What I found was quite disturbing. There […]
Nick Solak Stays Hot, Homers Again
Texas Rangers second baseman Nick Solak went 2-for-4 with a solo home run on Monday. Over his last four games, he's hitting 6-for-14 (.429) with two home runs. Overall, Solak is 12-for-37 (.324) with four home runs but has an uninspired BB-K of 1-13. He hit 32 home runs in 2019 between triple-A and the […]
Non-Roster Matt Bush Strikes Out Two Batters
Texas Rangers non-roster pitcher Matt Bush struck out two batters in a perfect inning of work on Monday just hours after it was announced that reliever Jose Leclerc would miss significant time with an elbow injury. The club will now be without its two top relievers — Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez — for an extended […]
David Dahl Departs Early Due To Knee Ailment
Texas Rangers outfielder David Dahl (knee) was lifted from Monday's Cactus League contest against Colorado after fouling a pitch off of his right knee. After the game, manager Chris Woodward indicated that Dahl was fine moving forward and that he would have stuck with the outfielder if the ailment had happened during the regular season. […]
Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Standouts with Max Greenfield - Benched with Bubba (Episode 353)
Bubba (@bdentrek) is joined by Max Greenfield (@GreenfieldMax18) of PitcherList. The guys will go over recent fantasy baseball news, talk about some specific players of interest (Gleyber Torres, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Domingo German, Max Scherzer), go over some Spring Training standouts (Joey Gallo, Joc Pederson, Bobby Dalbec, Shohei Ohtani, Willi Castro, Bobby Witt Jr.), and […]
Jose Leclerc Sent For Tests On Injured Elbow
Texas Rangers pitcher and potential closer Jose Leclerc (elbow) has been sent for additional tests on his ailing elbow. General manager Chris Young is expecting to be without the high-leverage reliever for an extended period of time. The club is also without Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) for a lengthy time — as well as Joely Rodriguez […]
AL-Only Starting Pitchers: Late-Round Draft Fliers
This year more than ever, starting pitchers are a sought-after position in fantasy drafts. Understandably, with uncertainty about innings limits in 2021, fantasy managers are keen to bolster their rotations with the defacto top-tier starting pitchers available. As important as it is for your top starting pitchers to perform at an elite level, success in […]
Eli White Strikes Out Four Times
Texas Rangers utility player Eli White struck out four times in as many at-bats on Sunday. He was also playing first base for the first time this spring while the club attempted to increase his versatility with an eye towards carrying him on the 26-man roster. Predominantly an outfielder, he has also seen a little […]
MLB Sophomores: Who Will Improve, Who Will Stumble?
We all expect excellent rookie seasons from the most hyped prospects in baseball. But the reality is that some players just don’t hit their strides for a year or two. Other prospects start off strong but then fade away. If we look back at 2015, Corey Seager, Miguel Sano, Carlos Correa, and Kris Bryant had […]