Labeling a player injury prone does not account for bad luck, but part of the reason Giancarlo Stanton lasted until the fourth or fifth round in preseason drafts to this point despite his power upside resides in his checkered injury past: 

When news broke about Stanton suffering a Grade 1 strain of his calf, it aligns with the timeline for Francisco Lindor last year. Lindor opened the season on the injured list and made his debut on April 20th last year. This could be an appropriate target date for Stanton, but Lindor’s a bit more flexible and owns a smaller frame to support. There comes a point where Stanton’s stock could fall enough to make him a bargain, but it depends on how much risk can be built into a roster. As for the Yankees, it clouds the playing time picture if Stanton needs to ease his way back into the lineup as the full-time designated hitter. One development to track: 

https://www.mlb.com/news/miguel-andujar-debuts-in-left-field-for-yankees

Not to mention Mike Tauchman , Clint Frazier and speedster Zack Granite . However, if Miguel Andújar could handle left-field, things get interesting. Andujarl’s one year removed from 27 home runs with a .297/.328/.527 slash line in 149 games. Stay tuned and also keep tabs on how Aaron Judge progresses with his shoulder. Staying with New York, Luis Severino will undergo Tommy John surgery, so suddenly the interest in starting pitchers opens up with two spots in the rotation up for grabs. This includes: Jordan Montgomery , Jonathan Loaisiga , Michael King , Deivi Garcia and Nick Nelson. Montgomery owns the inside track for the fourth starter spot but the list behind him remains wide open. Here’s the rest of the situations of note around the majors. 

 

San Diego Padres

Rumors of Wil Myers being moved remain kindled but could he be a terrific buy low candidate in deeper formats at a time when stolen bases remain in decline? For the truthers: 

Myers turned in one of the worst seasons for a regular player in 2019 but still hit 18 home runs with 16 stolen bases over 490 plate appearances. This could be more important than people think: 

Entering camp with second base crowded, the team added Brian Dozier to the team and Jake Cronenworth to the fray. It’s still Jurickson Profar ’s job to lose but it’s worth monitoring. 

 

Boston Red Sox

Rumored trade partner with the Padres, not much going in the way of positional battles yet. However, Michael Chavis launched his first home run of spring: 

Those speculating on Chris Sale could be in for a strong rebound, but this article hints he could open the year on the injured list: 

https://www.mlb.com/news/martin-perez-learning-from-hero-pedro-martinez

Other tidbits also included do not give any clear path to playing time for José Peraza , but track how he’s used in spring games going forward. 

 

Atlanta Braves

Not great news so far in camp for Freddie Freeman : 

Most wish to know who will start at third base for the Braves between Johan Camargo and Austin Riley . It’s much too soon to call, but Camargo’s ability to play multiple positions could lead to prospect Riley taking the role. However, Riley could also get some seasoning in Triple-A at the start of the season. 

As for the rotation, a nice debut by Félix Hernández could lead to a spot in it with a consistent spring. Sean Newcomb could win a starting role while Cole Hamels remains sidelined. But, this could be a seat-warmer spot so do not pay full retail. Kyle Wright may open the year at Triple-A but the Braves do not want to move him up and down. If he starts strong and Atlanta needs innings, Wright may be the first in line for a promotion and could run with the role making him a deep league stash target. 

 

New York Mets

What a difference a day makes, right? J.D. Davis hurt his shoulder diving for a ground ball on Tuesday but received good news for now: 

There’s no timeline on his rehab schedule. In other news: 

Do not forget, Brandon Nimmo logged only 69 games last season. 

 

St. Louis Cardinals 

With innings up for grabs, and Carlos Martínez hoping to return to a starting role, here’s two tidbits of note from camp in St. Louis: 

Kwang-Hyun Kim fired two clean innings with three strikeouts in his debut. It feels like Alex Reyes proves to be a continual fantasy tease, but his curveball tantalizes. Check out the keys to his spring and future role: 

https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/reyes-electric-stuff-enchants-cardinals-but-his-command-will-decide/article_e0d70eb3-ec67-50ec-961c-39588454384f.html

 

Cleveland Indians

Remember last year when everyone knew Cody Allen could not close for the Angels and Ty Buttrey went before Hansel Robles in drafts? If the Indians decide to move Brad Hand during the season, and it’s a big if, most will stash Emmanuel Clase as the closer of the future but could history repeat itself? Do not forget this kid: 

While Yasiel Puig remains a free agent, Jordan Luplow could be this team’s starting right fielder. Let this sink in for a moment. 

 

Chicago White Sox

First and foremost, it could be a breakout year for a certain young arm in Chicago: 

Cease worked in the off-season on his delivery and fastball. If he puts things together, an intriguing late round target for sure. Plus, for the future saves seekers: 

Pretty, pretty good.

 

Toronto Blue Jays

Spring statistics do not matter. For those in keeper leagues and deep league formats, a name to remember later on will be this one, even though he’s overshadowed by the “Baby Jays” bats: 

There’s not timetable for his arrival, but a clear path to the majors exists with a shaky group ahead of him for now. 

 

Milwaukee Brewers

While most focus on how the playing time in the infield will shake out, perhaps Freddy Peralta will be a post-hype breakout to target? Armed with a new slider and contract: 

While the debate rages on if Brandon Woodruff could be this year’s Nick Pivetta : 

 

 

Washington Nationals

Focused on the fifth starting spot for the defending champions, Joe Ross battles upstart and a favorite late round flier of mine: 

On the Carter Kieboom front, this will need to improve if he’s going to start at third base: 

There’s time for him to improve and the projection systems could be too low on Kieboom if he breaks camp with the team, but his defense will need to improve. 

 

Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s official Julio Urías will begin the season in the rotation. Alex Wood ’s throwing his fastball between 92-to-93 MPH as well. So good news on two fronts. However, for the Dustin May crowd, he’s on track to start in Triple-A plus: 

Joc Pederson currently nurses a sore hip so he’s not working out and sort of sitting in limbo after his trade to the Angels fell through. Ross Stripling seems like a natural target for the Yankees, right? 

 

 

Los Angeles Angels

As a Jo Adell truther, this article seems like propaganda for him to start the year in the minors to keep him under team control: 

https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/jo-adell-eyes-angels-big-league-roster

He’s an uber-talented player with 20 home run and stolen base upside this year, but how many games he accrues determines his fantasy upside. 

Last, but certainly not least, an article from a player speculating on how the baseball feels so far in spring: 

Coming off a season during which multiple home run records fell across baseball, could the baseball used in the regular season be closer to the one from the play-offs last year? This article suggests it’s true. 

Be sure to stay with Fantasy Alarm to stay ahead of the competition across all fantasy formats.

 

Statistical Credits:

Fangraphs.com

MLB.com