My passion for fantasy baseball began to grow in 1992. After Sid Bream slid (allegedly) safely into home, sending my Pirates into a decades' long run of futility, I went into a deep-middle school depression. I couldn't even play kickball for months. I also was left without a relevant MLB team to cheer. Over the years, I naturally gravitated towards the fantasy game. And while taking statistics courses in Texas as I worked on my PhD, I lost my mind for statistical applications to baseball, and have no desire to get it back. I've competed in all types of formats and find myself intrigued by spotting value, especially when it comes to prospects and up-and-coming major leaguers. There's nothing quite like signing Craig Kimbrel and Mike Trout the year before they rose to superstardom, and watching your buy-low investments soar in value.
Kris Bryant (3B-CHC): Widely expected to go with an arm, the Chicago Cubs surprised many by selecting Kris Bryant with the #2 pick in yesterday's MLB Draft. The University of San Diego junior leads the nation with 31 homers this...
C.C. Sabathia (SP-NYY): C.C. Sabathia turned in his strongest performance of the season last night to lead the Yankees over Jon Lester and the Red Sox. Sabathia tossed 7 and 1/3 innings of 1 earned run, 6 hit, 0 walk,...
Jim Henderson (RP-MIL): The Brewers' closer was pulled with 2 outs in the 9th and a 1-run lead against the Pirates with an apparent hamstring injury. Francisco Rodriguez (the reliever formerly known as K-Rod) recorded the final out to pick...
Kevin Gausman (SP-BAL): Kevin Gausman produced mix-results in his major league debut last night against the Blue Jays. The highly touted prospect allowed 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings, adding in 5 strikeouts. The...
Matt Cain (SP-SF): Matt Cain struggled through 6 1/3 innings against the Rockies, but the Giants offense bailed him out for the win. The righty allowed 6 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6 to...
Jeff Samardzija (SP-CHC): Jeff Samardzija struggled through 5 innings yesterday against the Nationals, allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. While he added 5 strikeouts, the Cubs ace is now 1-5 on the year with a 3.70...
Scott Kazmir (SP-CLE): Scott Kazmir turned back the clock last night, tossing an absolute gem against the Athletics. The lefty allowed only 1 earned run on 5 hits in 6 innings of work, impressively striking out 10 without walking a...
Jake Peavy (SP-CHW): The White Sox have scratched Jake Peavy from today's start, his 2nd consecutive start missed due to back spasms. The club had hoped Peavy's back would respond to treatment, but it looks increasingly likely that Peavy...
Bryce Harper (OF-WAS): After leaving the game in the late innings on Wednesday, Bryce Harper returned on Thursday after X-Rays on his left side came back negative. He went 0 for 4 with a walk against the Braves and...
Roy Halladay (SP-PHI): The Indians' absolutely torched Roy Halladay yesterday to the tune of 8 earned runs on 9 hits and 2 walks in 3 and 2/3 innings, pushing his season ERA back to 6.75. Despite averaging 91 MPH...
Kyle Seager (3B-SEA). Kyle Seager continued his hot-hitting ways yesterday, going 3 for 4 with homer and 3 RBI. In his last 7 games, Seager is 13 for 25 with 3 homers, 7 RBI, 3 runs scored, and a...
David Ortiz (DH-BOS): David Ortiz (heel) returned to the Red Sox lineup on Saturday, going 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 powerful f-bomb in his pre-game speech. John Farrell didn't hesitate in putting Ortiz back in the...
Yovani Gallardo (SP-MIL). In his first start since his DUI arrest, Yovani Gallardo pitched 6 strong innings to pick up the win against the Giants on Thursday. He allowed 1 earned run on 5 hits and 1 walk with...
Mark Reynolds (1B/DH-CLE): Reynolds hit his 5th homer of the year on Saturday, going 2 for 4 with a run scored, 5 RBI, and a stolen base against the White Sox. The grand slam gives the streaky righty 13...
Zack Greinke (SP-LAD): Greinke broke his left collarbone during a benches clearing brawl Thursday night and is returning to LA for tests this morning. He could miss anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on the nature and...
Jose Bautista (OF-TOR): Bautista (ankle) sat for a second straight game on Saturday and continues to be day-to-day as the Jays are taking a cautious approach with the slugger. This is quite frustrating for fantasy owners, as Bautista looked...
Jose Valverde (RP-DET): Valverde signed a minor league contract with the Tigers yesterday afternoon. The contract reportedly has no major league commitment and will have him report to extended spring training before moving to AAA Toledo. Also, if Valverde...
Chris Davis (1B-BAL): Davis had a monster game on Wednesday, going 4 for 4 with a home run, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored. He has homered in back-to-back games to start the season and is looking primed to...
David Ortiz (DH-BOS): Reports out of Red Sox camp indicate that Big Papi's rehab of his sore Achilles heels is progressing favorably. If all continues to move in the right direction Ortiz could play in a few minor league...
Angels Health Update #1: Tommy Hanson Tightness in his right triceps forced him to leave before the start of the 4th inning in Wednesday's spring training game. Please excuse me when I'm not too encouraged by this, even after...
Storylines Out of Angels' Camp Trout's Extra Weight Leading to Extra Concerns? The short answer: hecks no! Reports out of Angels' camp have Trout at 241 lbs., 15 more than where he was for most of last year. What...
The Pirates Outfield So we know Andrew McCutchen is a fantasy beast. And then? Many are assuming that Starling Marte is going to start in LF and Travis Snyder in RF for the Bucs in 2013. While it sure...