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Brooks Baldwin  • 2B  •  White Sox

Brooks Baldwin An Option At Shortstop For White Sox

In addition to prospect Colson Montgomery, Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz mentioned Brooks Baldwin, Chase Meidroth and Josh Rojas as options to play shortstop in 2025. Baldwin made his big-league debut in 2024 for the Pale Hose and went 24-for-114 (.211) with two homers, eight RBI and four steals in only 33 games. The 24-year-old also has plenty of experience at second base and could be used in the outfield in a pinch. Rojas has played 44 career games at the 6, 282 at third base and 150 at the keystone. Baldwin hit .330 with eight homers and 17 steals in 82 games at Double-A and Triple-A last year before being called up to Chicago. In addition to suffering a wrist injury, he looked overmatched at the plate in his first taste of the Show. He could open the year as the team's starting shortstop, but he'd just be keeping the spot warm for Montgomery.
0 hour ago   
Jacob Melton  • CF  •  Astros

Jacob Melton Has Opportunity To Make Impact For Astros

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart mentions outfielders Jacob Melton and Zach Dezenzo as having real opportunities to make an impact at the major-league level in 2025 for the Houston Astros. Per MLB Pipeline, Melton is the club's No. 2 prospect, while Dezenzo checks in at No. 6. Melton could push to make the team out of spring training, while Dezenzo will compete to make the team this spring, primarily as a left fielder. The 24-year-old Melton made it up to Triple-A Sugar Land in 2024 and hit a combined .253/.310/.426 with 15 homers, 54 RBI and 30 stolen bases combined at Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi in 105 total games. He has intriguing power/speed skills and could become a fantasy asset sooner than later, but Dezenzo has a much better shot at playing time early in the year after making his MLB debut in 2024 and playing in 19 games.
1 hour ago   
Hayden Wesneski  • SP  •  Astros

Hayden Wesneski Penciled In As No. 5 Starter

Houston Astros pitchers Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti -- each of whom made at least 28 starts in 2024 -- are locked into the starting rotation. Right-hander Hayden Wesneski, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs this offseason in the deal that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago, is penciled in as the No. 5 starter, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. With Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. all rehabbing injuries, prospect Colton Gordon and Ryan Gusto will also compete for a rotation spot this spring. The 27-year-old Wesneski has only 22 starts in 68 MLB outings over the last three years with the Cubs. He's posted a 4.21 ERA and 14.8 K-BB% of his 109 innings as a starter, though. He should open up his first year in Houston in a starting role, but it may not last for long.
2 hours ago   
Samuel Basallo  • C  •  Orioles

Orioles Invite Samuel Basallo To Spring Training

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Thursday that catching prospect Samuel Basallo will be a non-roster invite at major-league spring training this year. Per MLB Pipeline, Basallo is the No. 13 prospect in all of baseball for the 2025 season. In addition to Basallo, outfield prospects Enrique Bradfield and Dylan Beavers will be at spring training. If Basallo, 20, sticks with the O's long term, he's likely going to have to move to first base or designated hitter with Adley Rutschman blocking him at catcher. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Dominican backstop is considered the top catching prospect in all of baseball. He slashed .278/.341/.449 with a .790 OPS, 19 homers, 65 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 127 games for Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk in 2024. The left-handed hitter has power to all fields and limits his strikeouts. Basallo is projected to make his MLB debut at some point later this year.
2 hours ago   
Osleivis Basabe  • SS  •  Giants

Giants Acquire Osleivis Basabe From Rays

The San Francisco Giants acquired infielder Osleivis Basabe from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Basabe had been designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week. Basabe played in only 78 games in the minors in 2024 due to a fractured wrist and hit .248 (65-for-262) with five home runs, 29 RBI and four stolen bases in 66 games with Triple-A Durham. The 24-year-old Venezuelan has hit over .300 in his career in the minors but went 19-for-87 (.218) with a homer and 25 strikeouts in 94 plate appearances in 31 games in 2023 in his major-league debut. Basabe can play multiple positions on the infield and will now head to spring training with the Giants hoping to carve out a utility role on the big-league roster. He will most likely open the year at Triple-A Sacramento.
2 hours ago   
Pierce Johnson  • RP  •  Braves

Pierce Johnson Will Have Bigger Role In 2025

Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson will be relied on even more in 2025 with Joe Jimenez (knee) expected to miss most of the season after having knee surgery last October. Johnson split primary setup duties in Atlanta's bullpen last year with Jimenez, but he should be the primary late-inning setup man in front of closer Raisel Iglesias now. The 33-year-old has a mid-90s fastball but leans heavily on his curveball -- 72 percent of his offerings in 2024 were curves, the highest rate in baseball among pitchers with 10 or more outings. The former first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs went 6-6 last year in his first full season with Atlanta, posting a 3.67 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, two saves, 67 strikeouts and 25 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched. Johnson's stock will rise in deep holds leagues.
2 hours ago   
Daysbel Hernández  • RP  •  Braves

Daysbel Hernandez Could Fill Key Setup Role For Atlanta

The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that Atlanta Braves right-hander Daysbel Hernandez will get a chance to fill a key setup role in the bullpen that opened up when Joe Jimenez had knee surgery in October. As a result, Jimenez is expected to be out for most of the 2025 season. The 28-year-old Hernandez mostly pitched at Triple-A Gwinnett last year but had a 2.50 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 10 walks in 18 innings over 16 appearances at the MLB level. He held righty hitters to a .105 average (4-for-38) with 14 strikeouts, so he can definitely be a late-inning weapon for the Braves this year. In addition to those numbers, Hernandez totaled three wins and a hold. Pierce Johnson will likely be the top setup man in front of closer Raisel Iglesias, but Hernandez could be a nice sleeper for fantasy managers in deep leagues that count holds.
2 hours ago   
Aaron Bummer  • RP  •  Braves

Braves May Lean On Aaron Bummer More In High-Leverage Situations

The Athletic's David O'Brien suggests that the Atlanta Braves will need left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer more in high-leverage situations in 2025 with A.J. Minter gone to the division-rival New York Mets in free agency. Bummer had 69 strikeouts and 18 walks in 55 1/3 innings in his first year with Atlanta in 2024, and his 33.1 percent hard-hit rate was a career-best. However, his .277 opponents' average was almost 40 points higher than in 2023, and his 58.1 percent ground-ball rate was his lowest since his rookie campaign in 2017 with the Chicago White Sox. He's due to make $3.5 million this year after signing a new two-year, $13 million contract with the Braves last November. Overall, Bummer had a 3.58 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 2024 in 55 1/3 innings pitched.
2 hours ago   
Chadwick Tromp  • C  •  Braves

Chadwick Tromp Expected To Be Backup Catcher

Atlanta Braves catcher Chadwick Tromp is expected to open the 2025 season as Sean Murphy's backup now that Travis d'Arnaud is with the Angels, which likely means he'll receive a start or two per week. Tromp had a similar role last year when Murphy missed two months with an injury, and again when d'Arnaud missed a little bit of time. He's merely serviceable offensively and is more known for his game-calling skills and solid defense behind the dish. The 29-year-old Aruban catcher has played in just 26 games in the last three seasons in Atlanta and has hit .250 (18-for-72) with no homers, 10 RBI, four runs scored and 24 strikeouts in 74 plate appearances. Tromp could open the year as the Opening Day backup catcher for Atlanta, but top prospect Drake Baldwin could make his MLB debut sooner than later and push Tromp out of the picture.
2 hours ago   
Mark Vientos  • 3B  •  Mets

Mark Vientos To Stay At Third Base In 2025

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos will stick at the hot corner for the Mets in 2025 after the team re-signed first baseman Pete Alonso on Wednesday night. Before the move to reunite with Alonso, Vientos was set to slide across the diamond to serve as New York's primary first baseman. The return of Alonso will now push Luisangel Acuna and Brett Baty either to the bench or to the minors to start the season. Vientos won the third base gig last year with a breakout season in which he slashed .266/.322/.516 with an .837 OPS, 27 home runs, 71 RBI and 58 runs scored in 111 games played. MLB.com's Anthony DiComo has Vientos projected to hit fifth in the batting order behind a strong top of the lineup for the Mets. He should have elite RBI opportunities with the addition of superstar outfielder Juan Soto. RotoBaller has Vientos in the fourth tier of fantasy third baseman as the No. 7 option.
3 hours ago   
Tommy Pham  • CF  •  Pirates

Tommy Pham Signs One-Year Deal With Pittsburgh

According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, outfielder Tommy Pham signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates worth $4 million. Pham opened the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox and was eventually shipped to St. Louis and then concluded the season in Kansas City. Across 116 contests, Pham held a .248/.305/.368 line. He tallied 20 doubles, nine home runs, and seven stolen bases. Under the hood, the 36-year-old generated a solid .263 xBA and a .407 xSLG, suggesting he should see some positive regression in 2025. Pham also generated a 42.7 percent hard-hit rate, which was above the average mark. At the plate, Pham held a 7.3 percent walk and a 22.2 percent strikeout rate which were both just below the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Pham to compete for starts in right field with Nick Yorke as a platoon bat or see time as a designated hitter alongside Andrew McCutchen.
7 hours ago   
Jonny DeLuca  • RF  •  Rays

Jonny DeLuca Expected To Start In Center Field

According to Adam Berry of MLB.com, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny DeLuca is expected to begin the season as the team's starting center fielder. Last summer, Jose Siri was the everyday center fielder in Tampa Bay, but he was traded to the New York Mets during the offseason. As a result, DeLuca stands at the top of the depth chart and is expected to open the season as the top option. Across 107 games in Tampa Bay last summer, the Oregon product held a .217/.278/.331 line with 12 doubles, six home runs, and 16 stolen bases. While he did not generate elite hitting metrics, he was a top defender with speed. He placed in the 93rd percentile in outs above average and the 98th percentile in sprint speed. Richie Palacios will likely open the season as the No. 2 option behind DeLuca. If DeLuca has a successful spring training, he could be worth a look in deeper category formats as he has flashed elite speed.
8 hours ago   
Jake Rogers  • C  •  Tigers  |  Dillon Dingler  • C  •  Tigers

Jake Rogers, Dillon Dingler Set To Split Catching Duties

According to Evan Woodbery of MassLive.com, the Detroit Tigers catchers Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler are expected to split duties during the 2025 season. Rogers spent the entire 2024 season with Detroit and held a .197/.255/.352 line with 16 doubles and 10 home runs. He was graded as an elite defender as he tallied eight blocks above average and was placed in the 91st percentile in framing. Dingler made his MLB debut late in the season and joined the Tigers during their postseason run. Across 27 games, the Ohio State product held a .167/.195/.310 line with one home run. However, at Triple-A, the former second-round selection posted a strong .308/.379/.559 slash line with 15 doubles, 17 long balls, and 52 RBI. While Rogers will likely operate as the No. 1 option, Dingler could be worth a look in deeper AL-only formats as he flashed elite hitting upside at the top level of the minor leagues. If he has a successful spring training, he could even begin to earn a larger share of the starts early into the season.
8 hours ago   
Allan Winans  • SP

Allan Winans Designated For Assignment

According to the team, the New York Yankees have designated right-handed pitcher Allan Winans for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for right-handed pitcher Owen White, who the team claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees claimed Winans earlier in January, but he will now return to waivers. Last season, Winans logged seven 2/3 innings at the MLB level with the Atlanta Braves. He allowed 13 earned runs and tallied just four punchouts. Across 32 1/3 innings with Atlanta in 2023, Winans held a 5.29 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. Across 114 2/3 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett last summer, the 29-year-old posted a 3.30 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Winans to open the season at the Triple-A level, given his lack of MLB success.
8 hours ago   
Griffin Conine  • RF  •  Marlins  |  Kyle Stowers  • LF  •  Marlins

Kyle Stowers, Griffin Conine Competing For Left Field Job

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine will compete for the left-field job during spring training. Jackson noted that the team is hopeful Stowers can "recapture some of the promise he showed with the Orioles." Before being traded to Miami, the outfielder held a strong .306 AVG. However, once he joined the Marlins, Stowers saw his AVG drop to .186 and held a poor .262 OBP. He also hit just two home runs across 50 games. Despite the drop in production, Stowers still generated a 51.3 percent hard-hit rate, which is a positive sign. Conine made his MLB debut last season and had a .268/.326/.451 line across 30 contests. He tallied four doubles and three home runs with 12 RBI. Both outfielders will only have value in deeper formats as they have yet to have much extended success at the MLB level.
8 hours ago   
Victor Mesa Jr.  • CF  •  Marlins

Victor Mesa Jr. Could Crack Opening Day Roster

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins outfield prospect Victor Mesa Jr. will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster during spring training. Jackson noted that the prospect will likely compete alongside Derek Hill and Dane Myers for the job in center field. Mesa spent the entire season at the Triple-A level. Across 80 games, the 23-year-old posted a .259/.319/.430 slash line with 13 home runs and five stolen bases. This was a solid improvement compared to the .242/.308/.412 line he carried across 123 games at the Double-A level during the 2023 season. Mesa missed the final two of the season with a back injury but is expected to be a full-go for spring training. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could be worth a look in NL-only formats if he makes an early MLB debut.
9 hours ago   
Pete Alonso  • 1B  •  Mets

Pete Alonso Returning To Mets On Two-Year Deal

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Mets are re-signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a two-year deal worth $54 million. The contract contains an opt-out after the first season. Alonso has been in discussions with several teams during the offseason but will return to the Mets. The Blue Jays and Angels were among the teams that showed interest. During the offseason, the Mets signed superstar outfield Juan Soto to a record-breaking contract and will now bring back their first baseman as they pursue a championship. Alonso broke out at the MLB level during his first season and led the National League in home runs (53) en route to winning NL Rookie of the Year. This past season, Alonso had a down year by his standards and hit just 34 home runs with a .240/.329/.459 slash line. However, he generated a strong .461 xSLG, 13.2 percent barrel rate, and a 46.4 percent hard-hit rate, which suggests he should be poised to bounce back. Batting behind Francisco Lindor, Soto, and Brandon Nimmo should provide Alonso with elite RBI opportunities all season. He should be viewed as a top first baseman when looking for power and RBI upside.
18 hours ago   
Ben Gamel  • RF  •  Astros

Ben Gamel, Astros Agree On One-Year Deal

Free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel (leg) and the Houston Astros agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal on Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gamel's deal includes a $200,000 signing bonus, with the remaining $1 million being non-guaranteed. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder began the 2024 season with the New York Mets and played in only 18 games before eventually joining Houston to close out the year. Gamel played in only 20 games with the Astros and finished the year on the 60-day injured list due to a fibula injury. In total, he appeared in only 38 big-league games and went 20-for-81 (.247) with a homer, four RBI and one stolen base. In spring training this year, Gamel will merely be trying to win an Opening Day roster spot as outfield depth behind the likes of Yordan Alvarez, Mauricio Dubon, Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers, among others.
20 hours ago   
Derek Hill  • CF  •  Marlins  |  Dane Myers  • RF  •  Marlins

Dane Myers, Derek Hill Competing For Center Field Job

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers and Derek Hill are set to compete for the starting center field job during spring training. Jackson also noted that Victor Mesa Jr. could also be in the mix. Last season, Myers held a .263/.333/.442 line with six doubles and two home runs across 44 games in the majors. He generated a strong 47.5 percent hard-hit and 11.5 percent barrel rates. However, he held a hefty 33.3 percent strikeout rate. Hill spent time with the Rangers and Giants before moving to Miami to end his campaign. He posted a .234/.259/.402 line with seven home runs and six stolen bases. He showed elite speed as he placed in the 95th percentile but held an underwhelming .294 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their progress during spring training as the eventual starter could have value in deeper NL-only formats.
21 hours ago   
Agustin Ramirez  • C  •  Marlins

Agustin Ramirez Could Contend For Starting Job

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins catching prospect Agustin Ramirez will be in the mix for the starting catching job during spring training. Jackson noted that Ramirez may need more development in the minor leagues but could make a case to open the season in the majors, depending on his performance during spring training. Ramirez was acquired by the Marlins during the 2024 season in a trade that sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Bronx. If he were to open the season in the minors, Nick Fortes would slot in as the everyday backstop, with Liam Hicks or Rob Brantly slotting in as the No. 2 option. Ramirez is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Miami system on MLB Pipeline. Last summer, the 23-year-old opened the season with Double-A and held a .224/.328/.570 line. He was then moved up to Triple-A, where he posted a .246/.345/.411 slash line. If he can crack the Opening Day roster, he carries sneaky power upside in NL-only formats.
21 hours ago   
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