ADP Champ or Chump - Justin Turner and Max Muncy

We're heading to the sunny destination of Los Angeles. The Dodgers are coming off back-to-back World Series defeats and are not short of big names in their ranks. However, the success of their hitters is often overshadowed by their pitching. Last year the Dodgers went all-in and had a massive excess of hitting talent across […]

Cliff Pennington Signs Minor-League Deal With A's

The Oakland Athletics signed infielder Cliff Pennington to a minor-league deal on Friday. The former first-round pick by the A's in 2005 spent five years with the organization before bouncing around with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Cincinnati Reds. He appeared in just 16 games last season with […]

Three Up, Three Down for Prospects - Starting Pitchers

A starter, a starter! My fantasy league for a starter! We're still three months away from the start of the season, but now is the perfect time to take a look at some starting pitcher prospects on the rise and some that need to turn things around. Last season saw several pitchers make their highly […]

2019 Bullpen Outlooks - American League West

Last up in our coverage of the bullpens in each division is the American League West. The AL West has some solid bullpens and some huge question marks. Two teams feature closers who are brand new to their team and the other three will have relievers returning to their roles. There are both high-upside and […]

Mid-Round Shortstops - Fantasy Baseball Outlooks

Here at RotoBaller, we've been producing fantasy baseball analysis all offseason. As part of that, our awesome MLB team has written up detailed 2019 fantasy baseball outlooks for 400+ players. These player outlooks include RotoBaller's analysis on how we expect player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting stats […]

Mike Minor The Favorite To Start On Opening Day

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward hasn't officially announced the team's Opening Day starter, but he made it clear that starting pitcher Mike Minor is the favorite. "He is our best pitcher," Woodward said. Texas will be facing the dangerous Cubs at home in the opener, so Minor won't be an attractive streamer for that one […]

Mid-Round Third Basemen - Fantasy Baseball Outlooks

Here at RotoBaller, we've been producing fantasy baseball analysis all offseason. As part of that, our awesome MLB team has written up detailed 2019 fantasy baseball outlooks for 400+ players. These player outlooks include RotoBaller's analysis on how we expect player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting stats […]

Three Up, Three Down for Prospects - Second Base

Continuing the RotoBaller dynasty preview series, this article shifts the attention to second base prospects that owners should target in dynasty leagues and drafts. The keystone is one of this writer's favorite spots, as it offers the most comprehensive mix of player types. For as fun as the outfield is to rank, there are basically two […]

Mid-Round Outfielders - Fantasy Baseball Outlooks

Here at RotoBaller, we've been producing fantasy baseball analysis all offseason. As part of that, our awesome MLB team has written up detailed 2019 fantasy baseball outlooks for 400+ players. These player outlooks include RotoBaller's analysis on how we expect player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting stats […]

Willie Calhoun Has Chance To Earn Spot

Texas Rangers infielder/outfielder Willie Calhoun has a real shot to earn an Opening Day roster spot if he proves himself in spring training. "I’d mention Willie Calhoun as a guy that we’re definitely excited to see how it’s going to play out," general manager Jon Daniels said. "I’ve seen the work that he’s put in. […]

Rangers Sign Hunter Pence

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent outfielder Hunter Pence to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Thursday. An Arlington, Texas, native, Pence hit just .226/.258/.332 with four home runs, 24 RBI and five stolen bases in 235 at-bats in his final season in San Fran and missed a lot of the […]

Ronald Guzman (1B, TEX) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 325 CURRENT ADP: ~390 overall ANALYSIS:Texas Rangers first baseman Ronald Guzman was regarded as another one of the powerful young lefty bats in Texas (see: Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara), even though he had never hit more than 16 home runs in the minors (2016 in Double-A/Triple-A). While the power […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

John Andreoli Claimed By Giants, Derek Law DFA'd

The San Francisco Giants claimed outfielder John Andreoli off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Friday and they designated relief pitcher Derek Law for assignment. Andreoli will be among a group of players jockeying for two starting spots. The Giants also have nothing locked in on their bench, so Andreoli lands in a very favorable […]

Matt Davidson Agrees With Rangers

The Texas Rangers agreed on a minor league deal with free-agent third baseman Matt Davidson on Friday, according to league sources. He will be used as an infielder and could also pitch. With Asdrubal Cabrera likely to man the hot corner most days, Davidson will also be an option at first base and designated hitter […]

Madison Bumgarner - No Longer Among the Fantasy Elite?

The San Fransisco Giants have benefitted from the spoils that come with having, arguably, the best pitcher of this decade. Since Madison Bumgarner’s rookie season in 2010, the Giants were a dominant team for the majority of his first seven seasons. Backed by Bumgarner's clutch postseason play, the Giants won three World Series in 2010,’12, […]

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 […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Eduardo Escobar and Paul DeJong

In the past two years, baseball has seen an explosion in the number of shortstops with legitimate home run power. Everyone from Francisco Lindor to Tim Anderson seems capable of belting 20 dingers on an annual basis. Most of those players are being drafted in the first 10 rounds or so, but both of our […]

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 […]

Rangers Agree With Shawn Kelley

The Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with free-agent relief pitcher Shawn Kelley on Monday, according to sources familiar with the deal. Including the buyout and the club option, the deal could be worth $2.75 million. Kelley will turn 35 in April and has injury concerns at his age, but he was […]

No Way, Jose? What To Expect After Jose Leclerc's Breakout

There are two schools of thought regarding what to do with the reliever position in fantasy baseball. The first mentality is to grab an elite arm early, guaranteeing you elite ratios and a safe save source. The other method of thinking, that’s becoming increasingly popular, is to wait until the later rounds or to find […]

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 […]

Jose Leclerc Will Be Rangers Closer

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward said on Friday that relief pitcher Jose Leclerc will open the 2019 season as the closer. Leclerc was one of the best relievers in baseball last year (1.56 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 12 saves, 13.3 K/9), so he certainly has earned it. He's ranked by RotoBaller as the No. 15 fantasy […]

Rangers Agree With Asdrubal Cabrera

The Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent infielder Asdrubal Cabrera on Tuesday, according to sources. The deal will be for less than $5 million and he will be the team's third baseman. With Adrian Beltre a free agent, the Rangers needed to find a third baseman, so Cabrera will fill in at […]