Daulton Varsho, OF (TOR)
Varsho hit his first home run of the spring on Tuesday, which would seem disappointing if not for his 3/8 strikeout-to-walk ratio and six spring stolen bases. Varsho's numbers declined in his first season in Toronto, but he did exhibit better plate discipline and above-average speed. That only led to 16 stolen bases, but based on the results in the Grapefruit League, it's reasonable to anticipate crossing the 20-steal threshold for the first time in his career. Even though he hit 27 home runs with the Diamondbacks in 2022, his power is completely reliant on pulling the ball, and opposing pitchers can adjust to less disciplined hitters focusing on hitting to one side of the field. It's now Varsho's turn to readjust and either commit to going the other way or turn on more pitches that aren't directed that way. That means he needs to develop more than a 84-mph average exit velocity against non-fastballs. Until then, his overall fantasy profile deserves skepticism.
Jose Urquidy, SP (HOU)
At this point, Jose Urquidy should be completely avoided in all fantasy drafts. The veteran pitcher has been dealing with a forearm strain for more than a week and now the Astros are saying he won't pitch for a while. Forearm strains are ominous and not pitching for awhile is ominous. Houston's starting rotation is ravaged by injuries, but eventually Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers Jr. are expected to return and that could push any chance of Urquidy joining the starting ranks out of range. He shifted between the rotation and the bullpen last year, amassing 63 mostly unimpressive innings. He was particularly bad as a reliever though as his versatile arsenal profiles for more lengthy outings. However, if he can't make it in the rotation it may be best he languishes in the minors as organizational depth. Regardless, his fantasy relevance is a long way away as of now.
Michael Massey, 2B (KC)
As we approach the final week of spring training, some minor injuries are creeping up on players ahead of the start of the regular season. Michael Massey was scratched from Tuesday's Cactus League contest with back tightness. It doesn't appear to be anything serious, but when it's this close to Opening Day, it's certainly worth monitoring. Massey is 7-for-30 this spring, but five of those seven hits have gone for extra bases, including two home runs. Massey hasn't walked yet this spring, although he isn't striking out very much either. The Royals second baseman offers budding power from the keystone position, but the biggest question is playing time. All 15 of his home runs in 2023 came against right-handed pitching and the Royals could turn to the right-handed hitting Garrett Hampson against southpaws. Massey's value lies in accumulating stats and because his lineup spot and availability is in question, it's hard to endorse him as a reliable player at a relatively thin position. If he develops even more pop and earns more playing time, he is certainly worth watching if available in your leagues.
Jordan Westburg, SS (BAL)
Westburg left Tuesday's game after getting hit on the elbow by a pitch, but the Orioles are downplaying the injury as nothing to be concerned about. What fantasy owners should be concerned about is where Westburg plays and how many at-bats he gets. The loaded offense has multi-positional players capable of unseating him at any point. The expectation is Westburg will start the season near the bottom of the lineup while manning third base, but veterans Jorge Mateo and Ramon Urias could seize bigger roles, as could youngsters Colton Cowser, Connor Norby, Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo. Don't forget the ongoing development of Kyle Stowers. It makes Westburg's situation very tenuous. Westburg has flashed power upside at AAA, hitting 18 home runs in less than a full season's worth of at-bats in both 2022 and 2023. He doesn't have elite speed but can nab 10 or so bases. There are enough tools here to see some encouraging long-term development, but the way to get better is to play, and that's what's uncertain. He's worth a late-round flier that can be dropped if other Orioles players are featured early in the season.
See all of our Undervalued players in our Fantistics Fantasy Baseball Draft Advisor. Click here to register today!
Kyle Gibson, SP (STL)
Still trying to make sense of the Cardinals' aging rotation, notably why they brought in a 36-year-old Kyle Gibson after two seasons with an ERA near 5.00. It hasn't looked pretty for Gibson this spring. The veteran right-hander allowed eight runs - five earned - in five innings on Tuesday, and his spring ERA sits at an ugly 10.80. Furthermore, his fastball velocity is about two miles per hour lower than last year. Opposing hitters have progressively hit Gibson harder and harder as his stuff declines, but he continues to pound the strike zone, for better or worse. Mostly worse. I want no part of him this season and wouldn't be surprised if the Cardinals choose to move on sooner rather than later.
Luis Rengifo, SS (LAA)
Rengifo, who dealt with hamstring tightness earlier in the spring, left Tuesday's game with more issues in his left hamstring. Two incidents within a couple weeks is dubious and could force the Angels to begin the season without the utility man. Rengifo was trending towards opening as the Angels' primary leadoff man, but Tuesday's injury puts that in question and could lead to Mickey Moniak moving up and possibly Brandon Drury seeing time at second base. This is all speculative as we await more news on Rengifo's hamstring, but even if he's available, it's reasonable to wonder whether he will be running often on the bases. Rengifo has average speed, but the undermanned Angels will need to manufacture runs and that could mean double-digit attempts for their leadoff man. If he's healthy. Besides the steals, Rengifo is capable of hitting 15-20 home runs while offering a mediocre batting average.
Matt McLain, 2B (CIN)
Matt McLain owners have to be concerned as the regular season approaches, but the Reds maintain optimism with their young infielder. He was scratched from Monday's lineup with shoulder soreness after missing a good portion of spring training with an oblique issue. Nonetheless, manager David Bell said the plan is for McLain to return to the lineup on Wednesday. If he gets a few games under his belt, he should be good to go for the start of the regular season, but these lingering issues are worth monitoring. McLain has been a popular pick to fill the 2nd base spot on fantasy rosters after an impressive rookie season where he hit .290 with 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases. If you add his AAA stats from 2023, he finished with 28 homers and 24 stolen bases. A full major league season has 20/20 written all over it, but he has to establish health first. If he's able to go, he should be a mainstay in Cincinnati's talented lineup.
Alex Wood, SP (OAK)
Alex Wood was among a number of pitchers named Opening Day starters on Tuesday. It is the veteran's first Opening Day nod of his career. He spent half of last season in the Giants bullpen, but he signed with the A's to provide a bit of veteran leadership in their inexperienced rotation. In three spring training starts, Wood has struck out 13 batters while only walking one. Don't expect the K's to translate to the offseason, but he should get a reasonable number of starts in a pitcher-friendly atmosphere. Unfortunately his win totals will be limited until he inevitably gets traded midseason, at which point he could slot back into some team's bullpen. He's worth a late-round flier in deep leagues where you're quickly ready to drop him for better streaming options.
Patrick Sandoval, SP (LAA)
Sandoval hasn't looked particularly good in spring training, but he will get the Opening Day nod for the Angels on Mar. 28 against Baltimore. That certainly isn't a start worth streaming, but at the very least, the team is expressing confidence in its 27-year-old hurler. Walks have become an issue for the lefty, who struggled to a 4.11 ERA (4.61 xFIP) last season and has given up nine runs in 11.1 innings during Cactus League play. Strikeouts also declined dramatically in 2023, which all but zaps his fantasy value. There isn't much to suggest a big rebound this year, but he is only two years removed from posting a sub-3.00 ERA in 27 starts.
Kenley Jansen, RP (BOS)
The number of reliable closers is dwindling. Jansen is the latest shrouded in doubt heading towards Opening Day. The veteran is dealing with back tightness and wasn't able to pitch on Tuesday. The Red Sox are hoping he's able to get on the mound on Wednesday, but the continued uncertainty is an issue with Opening Day a week away. The Red Sox would seemingly turn to veteran Chris Martin if Jansen can't go, but Martin is dealing with an injury himself. If both players aren't available, 25-year-old Josh Winckowski is a possibility to close. Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck are both in Boston's rotation, but each has experience in late innings. As for Jansen, he's a risky fantasy selection after struggling mightily in the preseason following the worst season of his career. The widespread injury bug among closers makes the healthy, top-end stoppers more and more valuable.
Jose Berrios, SP (TOR)
Berrios was named Toronto's Opening Day starter on Tuesday. He will get a chance to toe the rubber against the Rays on Mar. 28. It's an acknowledgement of Kevin Gausman's lingering shoulder injury but also a nod to Berrios' strong 2023 performance. After a rough 2022 season, Berrios rebounded with 11 wins in 32 starts along with a 3.65 ERA. He has posted strong numbers this spring amid other questions throughout the Blue Jays rotation. Berrios doesn't offer a ton of upside, but has built a career of stability and reliability.
Jordan Romano, RP (TOR)
The closer nightmares continue. Romano, one of the remaining standing closers, is now dealing with elbow inflammation that requires an injection. The Blue Jays aren't expressing too much concern, but it's a notable development so close to the start of the regular season. With Jhoan Duran, David Bednar, Devin Williams and Kenley Jansen battling various injuries, Romano had progressed into a top-six RP option, but if his injury is the slightest bit serious, the closer rankings will continue to shuffle. Yimi Garcia has closing experience and would most likely earn the most save opportunities if Romano misses time.
Brayan Bello, SP (BOS)
Fresh off signing a six-year contract with the Red Sox, Bello has been named the team's Opening Day starter. More than anything, it's a reflection of Boston's young and uncertain rotation (Nick Pivetta is the only starter over 30 years old), but Bello probably has the most upside of any other pitcher on the team. He threw 157 innings last year, and while he hasn't demonstrated the strikeout numbers he had in the minors, he has limited walks and elicits so many ground balls he can typically avoid big damaging innings. It will be interesting to see how Bello does in his first season with a settled role and a settled contract. He can be drafted late and stands out among a tier of starting pitchers with intriguing upside.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B (LAA)
Schanuel is dealing with a back injury that doesn't appear serious, but the vagueness of the injury is a bit concerning. Apparently he felt tightness while stretching and that led to him missing the past couple Cactus League games. Schanuel was hitting .244 with a home run and stolen base prior to the injury. The 22-year-old is once again expected to hit near the top of the Angels lineup, most likely in front of Mike Trout. That means he should see a lot of pitches in the zone. Schanuel's power development is a real question. He only hit one home run in just over 100 at-bats as a rookie. If he doesn't develop double-digit home run power, his fantasy value, outside of OBP leagues, is nearly non-existent.
Zach Eflin, SP (TB)
A year after signing a surprising long-term contract with the Rays, Eflin has earned the Opening Day start. Yes, it's a byproduct of injuries to numerous Tampa Bay starters, but it's also recognition of his career year in 2023. Eflin won 16 games while posting a 3.50 ERA (3.12 xFIP). He struck out a career-high 186 batters and finished with a career-low 3.4% walk rate. His miserable spring numbers (12 runs allowed in 5.2 innings) shouldn't cause too much concern. His stuff is reportedly fine and he has had to battle through some poor fielding behind him. There is rarely comfort in starting pitching, but Eflin is one of the more stable pitchers that can be had after the top arms go off the board.
