X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Top Fantasy Baseball Stories Of The Week - Blanco's No-No, Orioles Prospects Mashing

Ronel Blanco - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Waiver Wire Pickups, Draft Sleepers

Dan looks at big fantasy baseball stories from the second week of the 2024 MLB season including Ronel Blanco's no-hitter, Orioles prospects mashing and more.

The first two weeks of the new season are in the book and already we have seen some thrilling highs. Week 2 was ushered in by the first no-hitter of the season. Wednesday night saw the stars of the Triple-A Norfolk Tides shine in a 26-run explosion, begging the question of how much longer can the Orioles wait until they call up their prized prospects.

As the week drew on the news cycle turned sour. The latest details of the Athletics’ relocation saga were announced. The maligned franchise will be departing Oakland in 2025 after all, but before they shuffle off to Las Vegas, their new home for the next three years will be a minor league stadium in West Sacramento.

In this series on RotoBaller, I take a look at the news from the week that was and offer some thoughts on how it might affect fantasy baseball going forward. You can also keep tabs on the latest happenings in Major League Baseball as it happens at our fantasy baseball news feed. Without further ado, let's get into the news from Week 2 of the MLB season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Ronel Blanco No-No

On April 1, Ronel Blanco made good on the opportunity given him in the wake of injuries that thinned the Astros’ rotation coming into the season. In just his eighth start in the majors, the 30-year-old spun the first no-hitter of 2024 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Blanco threw 105 pitches that night and induced 20 swings and misses.

Blanco got the news that he would be part of the rotation only a week prior. On March 26, just hours after the birth of his daughter, the right-hander took the mound one last time before the regular season got underway. Blanco struck out 10 in 4 1/3 innings and when manager Joe Espada came out to relieve him, he delivered the news that the career minor leaguer would be on the Astros’ opening roster as a starter.

Fantasy Impact:

Naturally, Blanco became one of the most added players in fantasy baseball overnight. My initial draft beseeched managers to remember there's no credit given for past accomplishments and Monday's performance was the high-water mark of his season. So of course Blanco followed up by taking a no-hit bid into the sixth inning on Sunday night against the Rangers before finally allowing a single to Adonis Garcia. So is Blanco for real? Interested parties should add if they still have a chance.

Per the RotoBaller Pitcher Planner tool, Blanco is lined up for another start against Texas and then one against Atlanta. Finding further success against those outstanding offenses will prove his worth but by then he will not be available on the waiver wire. Those with shares in Blanco also need to keep tabs on Justin Verlander and Jose Urquidy, both of whom could come off the injured list in the next few weeks and threaten Blanco's place in Houston's rotation.

 

Rising Tides

On Wednesday night, the Triple-A Norfolk Tides had a record-setting game, recording the most runs and hits in team history. The Orioles’ affiliate scored 26 runs on 29 hits in their win over the Charlotte Knights.

Outfielder Kyle Stowers hit three home runs and a double in the game, racking up seven RBI. Heston Kjerstad plated 10 runs of his own on five hits. And leadoff man Jackson Holliday went 4-for-6 with two walks, with a team-high five runs scored.

While the production in this game was absurd, it was not far from the course already charted by the phenomenal group of prospects this season. The Tides have had double-digit run totals in six of their first seven wins, scored nine in the other, and even managed to put up seven runs in one of their two losses thus far. Through the first nine games of their season, the Tides have scored 100 runs and have a team OPS of 1.104.

Fantasy Impact:

The early successes of the Orioles’ top prospects have increased pressure on the club to call up their rising stars. Complicating matters is the fact that the parent club already has a deep squad and wouldn't have an immediate opening for anyone brought up. If a promotion was made, the ensuing logjam would mean more platoon options and reduced productivity for all involved.

However, the players at the cusp of being called up have nothing left to prove in the minors. At some point, the O's will have to move some veterans to make space for their budding talent. Hopefully, they can work something out and we will be treated to a youth movement in Baltimore a la Cincinnati’s 2023 pivot to letting the kids play. It would be wise to keep track of their transactions as any promotion would be pounced upon by managers in need of a boost on offense.

 

Oakland Triple-A’s

On April 4 press gathered at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the announcement by Athletics’ top brass that the team would be moving to the Triple-A venue next season. After failing to reach an agreement with the city that would extend their lease at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the A’s will be leaving their home of the last 57 years.

The plan is that the Athletics will spend the next three seasons at the home of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats with an option to stay in 2028. If owner John Fisher is to be believed, the move will allow for a new stadium to be built in Las Vegas before the A’s complete that relocation. By staying within the region the team should retain most of the TV rights fees they were counting on in the coming years.

Fantasy Impact:

None, for now, so I’m going to use this space to join the chorus of those decrying the move and the ownership group in general. Fisher has been negotiating in bad faith for years. Pulling up stakes for a stopover in Sacramento on the way to Las Vegas underscores the already conspicuous cash grab he is attempting.

I grew up in the Bay Area and while I don’t count myself as an A’s fan I have fond memories of the team and its stadium. My first baseball game was at the Coliseum and Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco were among my first favorite players. It is strange and sad to think of the Coliseum sitting empty alongside I-880, absent its team and their raucous home crowd. When news started coming out on Thursday morning it felt like a punch in the gut. I can't imagine how Athletics fans must feel right now.

The fans in Oakland and the people whose livelihoods depend on the A’s being in Oakland deserve better. Fisher spent years running his team into the ground and neglecting the Coliseum while still participating in revenue sharing. To now ditch Oakland for a 10,000-seat minor league stadium is beyond the pale. Hopefully, MLB wakes up and forces a sale before any of this can come to pass and we never hear from Fisher or team president Dave Kaval ever again.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout With Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr. Declining Player Option
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Toronto Raptors

Garrett Temple Returning to Toronto
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
Collin Morikawa

is The Headliner This Week in Detroit For Good Reason
Si Woo Kim

Back in Competition After Last Week's Withdrawal
PGA

Alex Noren Finishes Tied For 30th at Travelers Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Misses The Cut at RBC Canadian Open
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF