Best NBA Bets Today – Sunday, February 23, 2025
FTN Staff
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 (2/24)
AL East
Baltimore Orioles: Félix Bautista (RP)
The Mountain, Félix Bautista, has taken a major step forward in his progression back from Tommy John surgery, as he threw live batting practice against real hitters. He appears on track to be available to pitch for Baltimore on Opening Day. I have been targeting him confidently at his ADP of 60.8 in DCs over the last two weeks, though he will be available in the 70-85 overall range in FAAB/managed leagues.
Boston Red Sox: Wilyer Abreu (OF), Kutter Crawford (SP), Brayan Bello (SP)
Abreu is a solid outfielder, but a minor illness has paused his spring, and he hasn’t been cleared to play yet. Keep tabs on this situation, as Abreu has been falling in NFBC ADP, most recently available in the 20th round (285-300) in 15-team formats.
Kutter Crawford is still dealing with a knee issue he managed last year, which hasn’t been resolved yet. Players often think a full winter of rest will resolve their problems, but sometimes they can linger. This development concerns me, though he threw a bullpen session recently. I will be moving him down my board with this recurring issue.
After being briefly shut down with a sore shoulder, Bello is long-tossing and appears ready to progress toward normal spring training. I do not mind buying the dip (from ADP 320 to 350 over the last two weeks), as this injury issue is just a slight scare.
New York Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton (UT)
Stanton is still dealing with a double tennis elbow and does not have a timeline to return. His Opening Day status is very much in limbo, and he is off my board entirely.
Tampa Bay Rays: Chandler Simpson (OF)
Chandler Simpson is a major fan favorite and will electrify stadiums when he gets on the basepaths. Simpson stole over 100 bags last year in the minors and is good friends with fellow speed demon Victor Scott II If he has a strong spring, that could expedite his pathway to the big club, even if it’s later on in the season.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox: Prelander Berroa (RP)
The fireballer Berroa was diagnosed with a Grade 1 elbow strain and probably won’t pitch again this spring in my estimation. This makes the CWS closer role even more wide open. Berroa is an exciting flier, but this delayed beginning of the season is problematic.
Minnesota Twins: David Festa (SP), Zebby Matthews (SP)
The Twins rotation has some soft spots, notably Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson, players who Zebby Matthews and David Festa could usurp. Matthews and Festa have already impressed with strong spring training outings this weekend. For both Matthews and Festa to be in the rotation, SWR must be optioned and Paddack must go to the bullpen. Festa and/or Matthews could force their way into the rotation, but don’t dismiss either outright if they have strong springs and start the year in the minors. Monitor this situation closely.
Kansas City Royals: Noah Cameron (SP)
Noah Cameron is an interesting 25-year-old starting pitcher in the Kansas City system who is vying for an opportunity to open the season in the rotation. Cameron had 62 strikeouts to 11 walks in 54.1 innings in AAA last year and is a polished arm. He is worth a speculative pick in all NFBC formats and recently entered our top 500 rankings.
AL West
Los Angeles Angels: Rotation Battle
Former first-round draft pick Reid Detmers (2020) and third-rounder Jack Kochanowicz (2019) both pitched this weekend as they battle for the fifth spot in this rotation behind Opening Day starter Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano and 35-year-old veterans Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks. Kochanowicz pitched two innings on Saturday (2 H – 1 ER – 1 BB – 3 K), while Detmers pitched two innings on Sunday (3 H – 2 ER – 0 BB – 1 K). Detmers would need to have a poor spring to lose this opportunity. His ADP is in the mid-300s, while Kochanowicz’s is 637 as strictly a 50-round Draft and Hold play. Even if Kochanowicz wins the job, he likely won’t be targeted in the reserve rounds of NFBC Main Events.
Sacramento Athletics: Esteury Ruiz (OF)
The former AL stolen base champ (67 in 2023) only appeared in 29 games last season due to injuries (wrist/knee surgery) and is vying for a spot on the Opening Day roster. A strong spring could help him land the role, as he is mostly competing against 24-year-old power hitter Colby Thomas for an outfield spot. Locked in are JJ Bleday, Lawrence Butler, Seth Brown and Miguel Andujar. Offensive MVP Brent Rooker is rumored to earn some work in the outfield as well.
Texas Rangers: Wyatt Langford (OF)
Wyatt Langford’s meteoric ADP rise has been slightly stunted, and we hope this recent injury is a minor issue.
NL East
Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale (SP), Spencer Strider (SP)
After much consternation about injury risk, Sale pitched two perfect innings on Saturday and continued with his new regiment that allowed him to win the Cy Young in 2024. The only question with Sale is health, so with each spring outing, drafters will only grow more confident in clicking him.
Strider is the ultimate wild card on the pitching side and appears to be advancing well in his Tommy John surgery recovery, as he is throwing his curveball against live hitters (though they are not swinging). Strider is a maniacal worker, so he could debut quicker than many anticipate. I would be willing to draft him sooner with more good reports, unlike Sale, where I remain firm in my fear of injury for the 36-year-old hurler.
Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (SP)
New York Mets: Clay Holmes (SP), Brandon Sproat (SP)
Clay Holmes often triggered Yankees fans, but he has been a good pitcher for a while now. He will become a starting pitcher after being a closer for the last three campaigns. Holmes is adding new pitches this spring and had three perfect frames against the Astros on Saturday. He is likely to be a major helium riser come the Las Vegas NFBC drafts, and I recommend going after him at his current ADP of 278.6 in DCs over the last two weeks.
Sproat is one of my favorite late-pitching targets this season, as he was dominant in AA last year before scuffling at AAA. Sproat is in a perfect situation, and there is an opportunity in the Mets’ rotation. Their pitching program is very strong, and he has good talent. Sproat is working on a sinker, and the Mets have had great success with pitch design and optimization.
Washington Nationals: James Wood (OF), DJ Herz (SP)
Washington has gone the quantity-over-quality route with SPs this winter, which could force Herz to open the year in the minor leagues, but he has been working on his craft all offseason. Herz is working to optimize his mechanics, which could improve his control. Herz already has premium stuff, so this update is interesting. Track his spring numbers closely.
NL Central
Pittsburgh Pirates: Jared Jones (SP)
Coming off a productive rookie campaign, Jones wants to add more pitches and has been working on a two-seam fastball this winter. He plans to use it in spring games to see how it plays up. This only increases his upside, and he just needs another solid offering to hit paydirt. I think Jones is very underpriced at his current cost, considering the ceiling outcomes are very loud.
St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Helsley (RP)
Helsley is not satisfied after posting a legendary 49 saves in 2024, as he is developing a nasty cutter. Helsley can use this as a weapon to saw off left-handed batters, and this new pitch could increase his upside. However, I wouldn’t overreact too much to this news. He is a strong RP1, but I wouldn’t move him up to my top reliever.
