Mookie Betts Primed To Defend MVP Award

Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts cleaned up at the end of last season, winning a World Series, American League MVP, Silver Slugger, the AL batting title, and a Gold Glove. At age 26, Betts is in the heart of his prime and is one of the premier players MLB has to offer. In […]

Lonnie Chisenhall’s Opening Day Status In Question

Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (hand) isn't available in the team's final spring training game against the Astros on Tuesday. He was hit by a pitch in Monday's contest and was immediately pulled from the game for precaution. Chisenhall had a history of injuries in his time with the Indians but was brought to […]

Rick Porcello Hit In Head During Start, Remains In Game

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello was struck in the head with a Willson Contreras line drive on Monday but was able to get up immediately and remained in the game. It was reported that all concussion tests came back negative. He finished four complete innings, allowing two earned runs, while striking out three, […]

Andrew Benintendi Ready For Leadoff Role

Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi has gone six for his last 12, including two home runs over his last three games. With Opening Day around the corner, the 24-year-old is shifting into the leadoff role for the Sox this year. In 2018, Benintendi had a slash line of .322/.381/.598 from the leadoff spot, […]

Dustin Pedroia Set To Play On Tuesday

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) will appear in the team's final spring training game against the Cubs on Tuesday. Pedroia will start the year on the IL to get back to full strength at extended Spring Training. However, the 35-year-old has played in six Grapefruit League games so far. He's tallied five […]

David Price Eyeing Opening Weekend Start

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price will toe the rubber for one more spring appearance on Tuesday against the Cubs. Price hasn't pitched in a spring training game since March 12 after coming down with a norovirus; however, he has thrown bullpens on the side. How Price feels on Tuesday will determine if and […]

Steve Pearce's Opening Day Status Up In The Air

Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce (calf) may or may not be with the team come Opening Day on Thursday. When asked if the veteran would be ready for the season's opener, manager Alex Cora said "hoping so." The 35-year-old has two home runs in 17 at-bats this spring but hasn't appeared in a […]

Sandy Leon Placed On Waivers

Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon has been placed on waivers, while fellow catchers Blake Swihart and Christian Vazquez have made the Opening Day roster. It's been an interesting three-way battle through the spring between Swihart, Leon, and Vazquez to see who the Sox would carry to Beantown with them. Out of minor-league options, it's […]

Blake Swihart Named to Opening Day Roster

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart has made the Opening Day roster, according to Evan Drellich of WEEI. Subsequently, catcher Sandy Leon has been placed on waivers. He and Christian Vazquez will break camp as the teams' backstops to start the season. The 26-year-old has taken full advantage of his chance at the plate this […]

Colten Brewer, Hector Velazquez Round Out Red Sox Bullpen

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed on Saturday that relief pitchers Colten Brewer and Hector Velazquez will make the Opening Day roster as members of the Sox's bullpen. The 25-year-old Brewer was acquired from the Padres in November and threw 10 innings this spring, scattering nine hits, allowing four earned runs, while fanning 10 […]

Chris Sale Fans Six in Final Spring Outing

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale went five innings, while allowing two hits, one walk, and striking out six in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Pirates. As the Opening Day starter for the Red Sox, this was the southpaw's final tuneup of spring training. He comes fresh-off signing a five-year, $145 million extension. Sale […]

Gregory Polanco Close To Returning

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) could play in minor league games as early as next week, according to Todd Tomczyk, the team's director of sports medicine. The 27-year-old had his 2018 season cut short due to surgery on his throwing shoulder. Despite playing in just 130 games, he set career highs of 23 HR, […]

Felipe Vazquez Locked In On The Mound

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez appears to be in midseason form as spring training begins to wind down. During an appearance against the Tigers on Tuesday, the southpaw retired all four hitters he faced, including striking out the side in the fifth. Adam Berry of MLB.com noted that Vazquez hit 101 mph on the stadium […]

Blake Swihart Showing Up In Spring Training

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart has appeared in 10 games this spring and has been taking advantage of his chance to win the starting job in Beantown. A slash line of .360/.385/.480 with five RBI over 25 at-bats is far-and-away the best at the position, whereas Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon are known more […]

Jung Ho Kang Named Opening Day Third Baseman

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang will man the hot corner for the club on Opening Day, beating out Colin Moran, the club announced on Monday. Kang's big league career has been a roller coaster due to injuries and legal issues in Korea but he seems poised to make good on his past. This […]

Dustin Pedroia Will Begin Season in Extended Spring Training

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) will not be with the team on Opening Day, announced manager Alex Cora on Monday. However, the skipper also noted that there have been no setbacks with the 35-year-old but he just needs some more reps once major league camp breaks to build back up to game […]

Adam Frazier on a Tear in Spring Training

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier has been mashing his way through his first full week of spring training. Over just 16 at-bats, the 27-year-old has five hits, including two doubles and two home runs, while driving in five and scoring three times. It's expected that he will be the lead-off hitter for the Pirates […]

Joe Musgrove Set to Make Spring Debut on Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (abdomen) is set to pitch in his first Grapefruit League game of the spring on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander threw three innings in a simulated game last Saturday but this will be his first live game action. Slated to be the Pirates number four […]

Rafael Devers Continues Strong Spring

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers finished 2-for-3 and scored once in Thursday's 4-4 tie with the Tigers. So far this spring, the 22-year-old leads his team with 13 hits in 11 games, including a home run, two doubles, and a triple, while also driving in four. However, the most important number is that […]

Steve Pearce Homers Twice on Thursday

Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce broke an 0-for-11 spring training streak in a strong way by mashing two home runs in a 4-4 tie with the Tigers on Thursday. Despite his 2018 postseason heroics, today's showing is a direct example of what to expect from Pearce. Periods of ineffectiveness at the plate are […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Fans Eight On Thursday

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez worked five innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while striking out eight and walking two against the Detroit Tigers. It was a solid day all around for the 25-year-old but a three-run second put a damper on the outing. The Sox are hoping to stretch out the […]

Chris Sale Throws in Simulated Game Monday

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale completed three innings of work against the organization's minor leaguers in a simulated game on Monday. He fanned five hitters, walked one, allowed three hits, and also hit a batter in the outing. The most important note is that his fastball sat between 91-93 mph as he continues […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Jameson Taillon vs Steven Matz

Value is everyone’s favorite word come draft season in fantasy sports. Here at Rotoballer, we put a big emphasis on comparisons to make sure you have the right information to assemble the best team in your league. In this edition of Early ADP Analysis, we’ll focus on two young starting pitchers who have dealt with […]

Jung Ho Kang (3B, PIT) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 400 CURRENT ADP: ~460 overall ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang is the pure definition of a sleeper. After missing the entire 2017 season due to legal issues in his home country of South Korea, Kang re-obtained his work visa in April of 2018 and shortly returned to the organization […]

Biggest Breakouts of 2018 - Running Back

As volatile as running backs are on the real-life gridiron, they’re equally as volatile for us fantasy owners. Injuries, suspensions, and contract holdouts have recently plagued some of the bigger names in the NFL, allowing lesser-known entities to step into the limelight. These “breakout” players are what makes fantasy so rewarding because these are the […]

Jung Ho Kang - 2019 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

Is there a better feeling in fantasy sports than drafting or claiming a guy that no one else even sniffs, but he pans out to be a valuable contributor to your roster? Aside from winning your league, finding that stud sleeper is what makes your countless hours of research and prep time well worth it. […]

Matthew Stafford Tosses Two Touchdowns in Week 17

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 20 of 32 for 266 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 31-0 win over the Green Bay Packers. This was one of Stafford's most complete games of the season, all missing his top target wide receiver Kenny Golladay. He instead targeted Brandon Powell and Andy Jones a combined 21 […]

Kenny Golladay Targeted 15 Times On Sunday

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay caught six of his 15 targets for 58 yards in the 27-9 loss to the Vikings on Sunday. This marks the second game this year that Golladay has garnered 15 targets and his fourth double-digit target game of the season. This kind of volume usually leads to insane fantasy […]

Theo Riddick Silenced Against Vikings

Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick received just three carries for two yards, while also catching four passes for a measly seven yards. This was one of the worst games of the season for the pass-catching back but it doesn't help his case that the offense has been down right awful recently. He typically has […]

Zach Zenner Leads Team With 45 Rushing Yards

Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner toted the ball eight times for 45 yards in Sunday's 27-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He also caught two passes for 22 yards in the loss. Zenner has been very active since Kerryon Johnson got injured a few weeks back, and has been splitting carries with LeGarrette Blount. […]