Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Roundup (3/11)

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.

So as we head toward the start of the 2024 MLB season, we’re going to go around all the news from baseball to analyze what matters for fantasy. We aim to cover notable news, value changes or other valuable nuggets. We’ve got you covered.

2024 Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Roundup (3/11)

AL East

Boston Red Sox: Brayan Bello (SP), Kenley Jansen (RP)

Red Sox starter Brayan Bello cashed in on his upside, and the Red Sox got some cost certainty and extra team control as Bello inked a nice extension. 

Veteran and potential Hall of Famer Kenley Jansen aims to make his spring training debut March 15, as he is behind with a lat issue. Jansen’s ratios have been iffy over the last few years as he has lost a little velocity and spunk, but he still can deliver 25-plus saves, assuming health. I still trust him to gather up saves if you are in a pinch. 

Tampa Bay Rays: Jonny DeLuca (OF)

In a development that kills his chances of opening up the year with the big club, Jonny DeLuca was hit by a pitch that broke his hand. This potentially opens up playing time for one of Curtis Mead, Amed Rosario, Jonathan Aranda or potentially more at-bats for Harold Ramírez. 

New York Yankees: Austin Wells (C)

Unfortunately, not related to Yankees legend David Wells, Austin Wells has a big bat that is perfectly suited for Yankee Stadium. Specifically, the short, lefty porch where Wells can launch homers out that direction. 

My issue with Wells has been his defensive issues. However, he has been improving drastically on that side, according to Bryan Hoch. If Wells can be a solid defender, he will be a big offensive boost over Jose Trevino.

Toronto Blue Jays: Alek Manoah (SP)

Alek Manoah is trying to right the wrong of a poor 2023 campaign by getting into much better shape and focusing on his craft. That said, Manoah is still bothered by a shoulder issue, a shoulder he got a PRP injection on last fall. This is a concern for me, and not knowing how to project Manoah moving forward, I was fading him and his uncertainty from the outset of draft season. 

AL Central

Cleveland Guardians: Triston McKenzie (SP), Gavin Williams (SP)

Sticks (Triston McKenzie) flashed an excellent start in his spring training debut. That is promising for a player with severe injury risk, given his prior history. If he continues to be productive in spring, expect him to move up the board. However, it is wise to keep his innings projection in check, given his durability issues. 

Gavin Williams, a future impact SP for Cleveland, reportedly felt discomfort in his elbow after making an awkward throw. Skipper Stephen Vogt noted that his start was skipped due to an abundance of caution. I will not be drafting Gavin Williams until more information comes to light, with how risky elbow injuries are. 

AL West

Texas Rangers: Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Corey Seager (SS), Josh Jung (3B)

First baseman Nathaniel Lowe is sidelined for multiple weeks with a right oblique strain, a touch-and-go injury in a rotational sport. I would not expect him to be in the Opening Day lineup card, as players like Jared Walsh and Justin Foscue vie for that position. Walsh is not on the 40-man, but the Rangers could do some finagling to bring him aboard. 

Superstar bat Corey Seager is playing catch and fielding grounders as he slowly ramps up his activity. I would not anticipate him being on the Opening Day roster, as he is not only recovering from injury but needs to get the necessary reps to compete at the highest level. 

Neither positive nor negative news, Josh Jung has not been cleared for a running program. Jung will be monitored closely, and if he can begin a running program soon, he could still be in line for Opening Day. The Rangers could use his bat as their lineup deals with multiple injury issues. 

NL East

Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuña (OF)

Nothing but positive news has come out of the Braves camp since the superstar outfielder was cleared by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Skipper Brian Snitker said Ronald Acuña is not expected to slow down on the stolen base front. I have very little concern with Acuña moving forward and would aim for the 1.1 pick in all my drafts, as I only have a few shares of Acuña thus far. 

Miami Marlins: Trevor Rogers (SP), Edward Cabrera (SP)

In a similar case to Triston McKenzie, Trevor Rogers has been shelved for a while with injury issues, and he flashed a solid start in the Grapefruit League. This is a positive development for the oft-injured hurler. Rogers gets a comfortable home venue to make half his starts in the spacious LoanDepot Park.

Young Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera was removed early from Sunday’s game due to right shoulder tightness. This is not a great development for a player with a lengthy injury history. Keep tabs on this before drafting Cabrera. 

New York Mets: Brandon Nimmo (OF), Kodai Senga (SP)

President of Baseball Operations David Stearns has discussed the possibility of moving Brandon Nimmo toward the middle of the lineup as his power appears as he enters his 30s. Nimmo cranked 24 homers last year, and having ducks on the pond when he comes up could improve his RBI chances but cut his volume down slightly.

Kodai Senga is currently progressing well in his recovery progress. This is excellent news and encourages me to take a stash on him in the last few picks of a draft if he is there, but I do not want to pay much more than that, given the risks of shoulder injuries. 

NL Central

Cincinnati Reds: Noelvi Marte (3B), Nick Lodolo (SP)

Noelvi Marte was suspended for 80 games for PEDs. Marte will lose development time, and this absence shows why MLB teams covet depth, even if it costs our fantasy players volume. Marte’s absence further frees up an opportunity for Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario and more solidified PT for Spencer Steer, Will Benson and Jake Fraley. This one was a shocker. 

Nick Lodolo will simply pitch through his leg injury, a somewhat positive development, but it concerns me for his ability to take the ball 30-plus times for the Reds. Lodolo dealt with this leg injury last year, and it still flares up on him at times, but he will attempt to grit through it. 

St. Louis Cardinals: Tommy Edman (2B/SS/OF), Lars Nootbaar (OF), Victor Scott II (OF), Sonny Gray (SP)

Swiss-army knife Tommy Edman had encouraging news regarding his wrist, learning that his surgically repaired right wrist is “inflammation than structural.” Edman will likely begin the year on the IL so that I wouldn’t be banking on him in fantasy in the first few weeks, but I think he could represent a value if he slips past pick 240 or so. 

Lars Nootbaar has been diagnosed with two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage — a concerning development for the multi-faceted OF. Noot has not yet been ruled out of Opening Day, but I wouldn’t count on it. A short IL stint to ensure he is ready seems like a wiser move. 

Elite stolen base maven Victor Scott II has had his chances of making the Opening Day roster shot down by GM John Mozeliak, as he has yet to reach AAA. Scott stole 95 bases in the minors last year and is a potential SB game-changer once the STL brass decides he is ready. 

In some positive news: Sonny Gray has progressed to throwing from 120 feet and participating in agility drills. Sonny Gray had a right hamstring strain at the end of 2022, so he didn’t have that injury flare up on him in 2023. Gray will never provide a full year of innings and will miss the Dodgers due to this injury, so it isn’t a horrendous development. 

Chicago Cubs: Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF), Jameson Taillon (SP)

After being sent back to AAA, Pete Crow-Armstrong is no longer draftable in NFBC formats in my book. Re-signing Cody Bellinger gave the Cubs a solid centerfield option and increased the risk that PCA would be sent back to Iowa for more seasoning. I will be cutting my only share of PCA in FAAB leagues. 

Veteran arm Jameson Taillon was scratched Saturday with a back issue. The Cubs hoped for better progress Sunday, and Taillon will underdog medical imaging to evaluate the situation. Starting pitcher depth is precious, in fantasy and in reality. 
Milwaukee Brewers: Devin Williams (RP)

Star closer Devin Williams is currently heading in for a second opinion from a spine specialist after he has dealt with a cranky back. This is very concerning for me. Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe both get a big boost until we hear further information from Milwaukee. Let’s hope for the best. 

Pittsburgh Pirates: David Bednar (RP)

David Bednar is working his way back from some lat tightness. Keep an eye on him, but he has elite upside when he’s ready.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers: Mookie Betts (2B/OF), Gavin Lux (2B/OF), Emmet Sheehan (SP) 

In a move that demonstrates the elite athleticism of Mookie Betts, the 31-year-old will be moving to shortstop, defying all laws of aging and the defensive spectrum. It is a fascinating move by LA and one likely to work. 

Gavin Lux will move to second base, a position he has played before. If he struggles, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Miguel Vargas pick up and start at second to maximize that position for LA. 

Young hurler Emmet Sheehan will begin the season on the IL, as he is managing general soreness and is not ready to start the year with the big club. I still like Sheehan as a stash since his arm is electric. It is likely a move made with abundant caution. Once Sheehan returns to the mound, he will have elite team context on the Dodgers, given their potent offense and bullpen to help him win games. 

San Francisco Giants: J.D. Davis (3B) 

After signing third baseman Matt Chapman, the Giants have placed J.D. Davis on waivers to attempt to clear his $6.9 million salary. I do not envision a club spending that full freight on Davis, but someone will scoop him up and utilize him in some fashion. Monitor his landing spot, as I see Seattle as a good fit, as well as Washington or Oakland.