Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Roundup (3/10)

Spring training is a wild time for fantasy baseball players, as we see considerable overreactions to tiny sample sizes, changes in player value due to velocity jumps or drops and other big swings. As we head toward the start of the season, we aim to examine notable news, value changes or other valuable nuggets. We’ve got you covered.

Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Roundup (3/10)

AL East

Baltimore Orioles: Grayson Rodriguez (SP, ADP 121)

After dealing with a lat issue last year and other prior injuries, G-Rod is dealing with the injury bug again. He is getting a PRP injection in his elbow and will see where things are in a few weeks. Given his prior injury history, my optimism for Grayson is far lower than how I feel with George Kirby, another hurt arm who will be discussed below. 

Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers (3B, 38)

After a tumultuous offseason, Devers has still yet to debut in spring. He has been dealing with shoulder issues, and in all honesty, is crossed off my list. He could post a great 2025 campaign, but there are enough big red flags that I don’t want this headache on my team, as his risk has increased. 

New York Yankees: Austin Wells (C, 203), Ben Rice (1B, 474), Gerrit Cole (P, 64), Will Warren (P, 496)

Wells is a backstop who has fully emerged as a solution for the Yankees, which is key given his cost-controlled status and ability to get on base. Wells is a factor who could be the leadoff hitter for New York. I believe Wells has been underdrafted all offseason, and he could crush a lot of homers over the short RF porch. 

Ben Rice has massive power and could benefit from Giancarlo Stanton’s absence. Rice was a catcher coming up, but he moonlit as a 1B option when Anthony Rizzo wasn’t delivering last year. Rice could have a hybrid role in 2025, where he is a strong-side DH who is a backup catcher to Austin Wells. Teams are loath to DH their catchers, as they will lose the DH if they needed to do a double-switch, but Rice is a clear riser based on injury concerns and his massive power upside.

One of MLB’s premier workhorses, Gerrit Cole has been recommended for TJS, which is a very sad development. He is seeking a second opinion, but at this point he must come off all draft boards and is likely full zero until 2026. 

Cole’s absence opens up a spot for Will Warren, a kitchen-sink approach pitching prospect who fits the Yanks’ mold as a sinker-slider guy similar to Clarke Schmidt and Michael King. He is rising up ADP boards swiftly, so don’t be afraid to pay up if you want Warren.

Toronto Blue Jays: Max Scherzer (P, 290)

Watching one of the greats of our generation is enjoyable, and Scherzer has been vintage this spring as a 40-year-old arm. Mad Max has posted a 14:0 strikeout:walk ratio over nine frames this spring. Look for him to climb up ADP boards, and follow him up those board if you want a chance at cheap upside from a HoFer. 

AL Central

Cleveland Guardians: Brayan Rocchio (SS, 453)

Decidedly a Draft Champions or AL-only pick, Rocchio has balled out this spring with an ultra-loud 1.126 OPS in 21 PAs, to go along with his big October last year. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Rocchio become an adequate MI in 15 teamers, but his lack of punch (22.3% hard hit rate) caps his ceiling. A .260 AVG with 10 homers seems like his upside early in his career, until we see more growth. A solid real-life player who doesn’t deliver in fantasy. 

Kansas City Royals: Carlos Estévez (RP, 184)

Estévez is recovering from a barking back, and will hurl a live BP Sunday, and is slated to make his spring debut Friday. He is seemingly dialed in to be the Royals’ closer, but Lucas Erceg is projected to be a better arm, so I love buying the dip on him if you are hunting for cheap saves. Estévez could be ineffective, or Erceg could force Matt Quatraro’s hand if he dominates. 

AL West

Houston Astros: Lance McCullers Jr. (SP, 644)

On a mission to get back to the mound and mixed-league relevance, McCullers will be taking the ball one more time in a live BP and then progress to a Grapefruit League game. McCullers has immense health risk, but if he is taking turns for the ‘Stros, and his premium breaking balls can vault him up to even 12-team must-roster status. I love taking a chance on him, despite the poor health outcomes lately. He is working hard to get back on the field and I can’t wait to see it. 

Los Angeles Angels: Zach Neto (SS, 188), Luis Rengifo (2B/3B, 158)

Neto is working his way back from a shoulder injury. He is progressing in his fielding drills and should debut in April, which is a positive outlook given he dealt with a major shoulder injury.

Rengifo has had myriad injuries throughout his career, but he is dealing with a barking hammy, and his status for Opening Day is in major doubt. This is key to note, as the market has not lowered his cost. 

Seattle Mariners: George Kirby (SP, 49)

A modern workhorse, Kirby is hurt, proving that no pitcher is truly “safe.” Kirby has been dealing with shoulder inflammation, but his MRI was as clean as a whistle. He will probably miss a few weeks and be inserted back into that elite Seattle rotation. I like him if he slips past pick 150. I would be willing to draft him, knowing he will likely miss a few weeks, but this could also become a worse outlook.

Texas Rangers: Wyatt Langford (OF, 46)

In case drafters wanted reassurance that Langford was deemed healthy, he made his spring debut, so that box has been checked. Langford has been very healthy as a pro, so I don’t have any medical red flags here.

NL East

Atlanta Braves: Jurickson Profar (OF, 187), Spencer Strider (SP, 119)

Fantasy managers lucked out here, as Profar seemed to be in major pain when he went down Saturday, but he was diagnosed with a bone bruise and will theoretically be ready on Opening Day. I do believe bone bruises are tricky and would drop his projection down partially, as players dealing with wrist issues can underperform until they feel “normal” again.

A pitcher with legendary upside, Strider is nearing game action soon, and he could buck the trend of pitchers who have not been their normal selves after two TJS surgeries. Strider is laser focused, and if we have positive reports, expect the cost to go to the moon at live events. 

Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (SP, 144) 

A former elite workhorse, Alcantara, is returning from TJ and appears dialed in with a big spring. He was not informed of any workload restrictions, but there were also some reports that came out that Miami may slowly bring Sandy along in order to save second-half and playoff innings in his arm in case he was dealt. I think it will be hard to accurately predict how to treat Alcantara, but if you like him at a 160-170 inning projection, you can keep that optimism. Miami could have stated he will be highly restricted, and they didn’t state that. 

New York Mets: Francisco Alvarez (C, 155), Brandon Nimmo (OF, 191) 

Alvarez missed time last year with hand issues, and will be out 6-8 weeks with a broken hamate bone in his left hand. This missed development time is tough for Alvarez, as he was a catcher with power upside, but he could return to play in late-April, more likely May, but look for him to fall precipitously in ADP. 

Despite having multiple small injuries, Nimmo is still seeming to be pacing for Opening Day. Risk-averse people or those who do not treasure Nimmo can pass on him, but his skillset is extremely stable and I will still snag him as he knows his body well and is prepping for the long 162-game season. I believe he can return major value this year, as the Mets’ lineup has improved in a major way with Juan Soto in the fold. 

NL Central

Cincinnati Reds: Spencer Steer (1B/OF, 141), Christian Encarnacion-Strand (1B, 233)

It has been very quiet with Steer, as he is trying to get his cranky shoulder right again. There has been no news, but I implore you to fade him well past his max pick in DCs of 179. He could miss Opening Day, his skillset is not loud, and the shoulder could be barking all season. He would need to fall after pick 250 and maybe closer to pick 300 for me to click Steer. 

Health concerns were a factor with CES and he is looking great so far. In terms of loud power upside, he has it in spades. 

Pittsburgh Pirates: Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B, 383)

Horwitz is making progress in his rehab and makes for an intriguing super late-round dart, as many fantasy managers have written him off. 

Despite the fact he is very boring fantasy-wise, Horwitz could emerge as a Jake Cronenworth type where he just sneakily produces value.

St. Louis Cardinals: Jordan Walker (OF, 277)

Walker is slated to be re-evaluated Monday and is dealing with a minor knee issue. I absolutely love him as a power flyer, given the fact he has flashed upside and should have a good opportunity on a rebuilding STL club. 

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks: A.J. Puk (RP, 252)

The key is to be where the Puk is going, not where it has been, and A.J. Puk has been very, very good as a reliever. His 21.8% K-BB (since 2022) is elite and he might be ahead of Justin Martinez in the pecking order as D’Backs closer. Yes, he is a lefty who can be used against tough LHBs in different stages of the game, but he projects as the best bullpen arm for the contending D’Backs and could lead this club in saves. He also could post 100 strikeouts if his talent ticks up at all. 

San Francisco Giants: Kyle Harrison (SP, 378), Landon Roupp (SP, 510)

Roupp has officially passed Harrison in the theoretical peaking order as the Giants’ fifth starter, based on a good spring with 8.1 frames of 11:1 strikeouts to walks. I love the potential of Roupp in that spacious park, especially considering the dirt-cheap cost! Harrison would be left out of the rotation if Roupp makes it, but given the attrition of pitching injuries, we will see plenty of Harrison in 2025, and I like him as a post-hype arm.