Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Roundup (2/20)

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 cover notable news, value changes or other valuable nuggets. We’ve got you covered.

Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Roundup (2/20)

AL East

Baltimore Orioles: Jackson Holliday (2B), Félix Bautista (RP)

Holliday is a former elite prospect entering his age-21 year and is reportedly hoping to steal a bunch of bases this year. Prospect growth isn’t linear, so taking a chance on Holliday could be fruitful. 

The Mountain, Félix Bautista, is reportedly going to be ready by Opening Day, but things could be taken a bit slow. Bautista is coming off Tommy John surgery, so Baltimore is operating under abundant caution. 

Boston Red Sox: Boston INF, Liam Hendriks (RP)

Rafael Devers is currently building up shoulder strength, an issue he has been battling since last year. This is a major red flag for me. Devers also stated that he is unwilling to DH, and if he gets his wishes to stay at 3B, Alex Bregman could shift to 2B and block top prospect Kristian Campbell in the process. This is a hairy mess.

Regarding the closer role, Hendriks likely has the leg up on Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten if Liam looks good in ST. Garrett Whitlock is in the mix as well. Watch the velocity readings here.

New York Yankees: Austin Wells (C), Giancarlo Stanton (UT)

Young backstop Austin Wells is being slow-rolled this spring, as he is not swinging a bat and will not make his Grapefruit League debut until March 1. This concerns me slightly, but the Yankees say it’s workload management. 

Statcast Crusher Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with double elbow issues and has no timetable to return to play, which is a major concern. Stanton is off my board unless he falls to the last pick or so in a draft.

Tampa Bay Rays: Ha-Seong Kim (SS), Shane McClanahan (SP)

After signing a two-year, $29 million contract with the cheap Tampa Bay Rays, Kim is not projected to rejoin the big club until late May, as he is rehabbing his shoulder. Kim is more of a DC player, and a stash in FAAB leagues is not recommended for NFBC formats. 

Shane McClanahan was named the Opening Day starter and is currently penciled in for 150 innings, a mark that would likely be a best-case scenario coming off TJS. I still like McClanahan, as he is elite when he is on, but the price is not cheap. 

Toronto Blue Jays: Daulton Varsho (OF)

Shoulder injuries are typically very bad for baseball players, but Varsho seems ahead in his recovery effort, as he is already hitting and throwing. I don’t mind stashing Varsho in a 15-team FAAB league since he looks close to returning to the field quickly.

AL West

Houston Astros: Jose Altuve (2B)

In an attempt to provide more versatility, Altuve has picked up an OF glove. Altuve has been getting reps in LF and gives the Astros a different look as he tries to help the team win, and fantasy managers could be getting a 2B/OF option in their back pocket if this experiment takes.

Los Angeles Angels: Zach Neto (SS), Christian Moore (2B)

In shocking news for early drafters, Neto underwent shoulder surgery in the nascent stage of the offseason. It is still unclear what surgery he had, but Neto has begun a throwing progression, which is good. We’ll have a better read on his timetable in the coming weeks.

Christian Moore is a player to watch in the spring, as I believe he could win the 2B job out of spring if he has a big camp. Moore has major power, and LAA loves to fast-track its prospects. 

Texas Rangers: Evan Carter (OF), Jacob deGrom (SP)

We all know back issues are very troubling for baseball players, and Carter is dealing with his own back troubles. We will have to monitor him this spring to see how things progress. That injury risk and the fact he will sit against lefties takes him off my board.

DeGrom has had a great start to spring training and looks very crisp. If he continues to put together strong outings, look for drafters’ confidence to continue to rise! A major rise up draft boards cannot be ruled out for the uber-talent thrower. 

NL East

Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF), Spencer Strider (SP), Grant Holmes (SP)

Acuña has an uncertain timetable for returning to the field, with some reports saying it will be April and others less optimistic. Some recent quotes say that Acuña could steal fewer bases, something to monitor, but it is in Acuña’s DNA to steal bags.

As an elite arm, Strider is being drafted with upside in mind, and he will appear in a Grapefruit League game soon. Strider has thrown multiple bullpens and looks good, so more positive news will skyrocket Strider up boards. 

Holmes is out of options and posted a strong season in 2023, so the 28-year-old arm looks like the favorite to enter the mix as the Braves No. 5 starter. Holmes is a wide-awake sleeper who will have a ton of helium.

New York Mets: Brandon Nimmo (OF), Frankie Montas (SP)

The Steady Eddie, Brandon Nimmo, is reportedly feeling good again after rehabbing from plantar fasciitis this winter. Nimmo also ran at 90% of his max capacity, which is a good sign. I love him for the solid production at an affordable price.

In a disappointing development, Frankie Montas suffered a lat injury and will be shut down for a period of time and hopes to throw in 4-6 weeks. Montas was a great sleeper, as Mets pitchers have become undervalued and he had a good second half last year, adding more velocity to all his pitches. 

Philadelphia Phillies: Trea Turner (SS), Kyle Schwarber (UT)

There have been discussions of moving around the lineup in Philly, and in this configuration, Schwarber would go to the third or fourth spot, and Turner could hit leadoff. Turner would get more runs and SB chances, and Schwarber could hit for more RBIs. It won’t materially change these players’ values, but it’s something to watch.

NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers: Christian Yelich (OF), Brandon Woodruff (SP) 

Brewers start Christian Yelich underwent back surgery and is looking to be ready for Opening Day. It was reported that he may not be ready for the opener, which was shocking news to Yelich. I like the price, as Yelich is a premium OF option when healthy, and he plays more than most think.

After undergoing major shoulder surgery and going down a long road, Woodruff has already faced hitters and will potentially start a spring training game soon. I like the price on Woodruff, as he has elite upside when he is healthy and could pull a Chris Sale if he is right. 

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers: Freddie Freeman (1B), Dodger Bullpen

Freeman had ankle surgery this offseason and is yet to begin running, but he is swinging a bat. He looks like he will still be ready for the Tokyo Series, but this is a situation to monitor. Freeman is as steady as they come, and I am not concerned about this situation.

We have gotten word that Dave Roberts plans to give the brunt of the saves to Tanner Scott to begin the year. However, this is a fluid situation in my eyes. Roberts picked his words carefully, so he was not boxed into this commitment to Scott. Tread lightly, with eyes wide open in this ‘pen.