The start of the 2022 fantasy baseball season inches closer and closer each day. MLB spring training is in full-swing, 2022 fantasy baseball rankings are being adjusted regularly, fantasy baseball mock drafts are happening every day and if you haven’t had your league’s fantasy baseball draft yet, it’s going to be here before you know it. How’s your prep work going?

Adam Ronis and I were talking about our player rankings adjustments on the most recent episode of the Ante Up Podcast. We’ve both made significant adjustments to our rankings over the past few days as MLB injuries pile up and the news out of spring training comes in. Jim has done the same. I have also made change to the Ultimate Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet as well, so if your draft is here, you should download the latest PDF before heading into your war room.

Now let’s get to the action.

 

 

MLB Trades:

 

Colorado Rockies Acquire OF Randal Grichuk from the Toronto Blue Jays for OF Raimel Tapia and INF Adrian Pinto

 

 

 

 

An interesting deal both in reality and fantasy. The Blue Jays get another left-handed bat with some speed to handle the fourth-outfielder job while also opening up some space for Alejandro Kirk to work as the team’s primary DH. The Rockies add a 25-homer bat to play right field, Sam Hilliard stays in center and Charlie Blackmon gets to spend more time as the Rockies DH. Grichuk, Kirk and maybe Hilliard get the bump in fantasy value while Tapia and Rockies 1B/OF Connor Joe take the hit. Grichuk is the only one I’ve bumped up in my rankings but it’s not a big jump. Tapia will still maintain some value as he can steal some bases, but overall, he’s not seeing regular at-bats unless there’s an injury.   

 

 

MLB Spring Training Updates:

 

Eloy Jiménez Hits First Home Run for the Chicago White Sox

 

 

I don’t normally add stuff like this because it’s usually fluff, but seeing everyone sleep on Jimenez in their drafts is hurting my head. People, please! Stop selling this guy short! You’re going to regret it. Last year, he was a third-round pick in most fantasy drafts but a torn pectoral muscle kept him out for most of the year. He was supposed to miss the whole season but he came back in late July. Forget the weak-looking stats from an injury-plagued year and watch the player! He’s going to be in the conversation for AL MVP and everyone who bypassed him in drafts is going to feel like a fool.

Carlos Rodón Looks Dominant in Debut for San Francisco Giants

 

 

Nothing better than showing your new team why two years for $44M was completely worth it, amirite? Rodon faced his former team in his Cactus League debut and struck out four over 2.2 innings of work. His only blemish was the home run by the aforementioned Eloy Jiménez, so I’m good with that. Obviously, the shoulder is the sticking point for those looking to draft Rodon, but in the essence of “scared money don’t make money,” I’m still a big believer in this kid and will continue to take the risk and draft him. If he stays healthy, you’ve got a Cy Young candidate here. That’s upside worth having.

Logan Gilbert Continues to Shine for the Seattle Mariners

 

 

If you listened to the interview with Mariners President of Baseball Operations, Jerry Dipoto, on the Fantasy Alarm Show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, then you already knew how high Jim Bowden, Dipoto and I are on Logan Gilbert. The 24-year-old ace-in-the-making posted a 128:28 K:BB last year over just 119.1 innings and we all expect him to take another step forward. His Cactus League debut Thursday did not disappoint as he fanned six batters over three innings and the only damage was a solo home run from some reserve outfielder for Cleveland. The typical path for young strikeout artists is to pull back on the whiffs in Year-Two and focus more on the control and command. The ratios drop with the strikeouts but the overall product is still first-rate. But we may not even see that with Gilbert who has the mound poise of a seasoned veteran. We actually expect him to improve on last year’s ratios while maintaining his tasty K-rate. When he does, expect his name to fall into the mix for end-of-season awards. Draft with confidence. I’ve already moved him up my boards.

Boston Red Sox to Platoon J.D. Martinez and Jackie Bradley Jr. in Right Field

 

 

 

 

When you see the word ‘platoon,’ it’s an immediate cringe, however, Martinez will remain the team’s primary DH so have no fear. If anything, it’s a boost for Martinez in the long-run as he will likely maintain his outfield eligibility for next season, something that was, for a moment, in question. But Bradley, as good as he can be defensively at time, still struggles against left-handed pitching and Martinez handling work in right field, will allow the Red Sox to give Christian Vázquez some time off behind the plate while still keeping his bat in the lineup. Of course, this is also a premonition to the arrival of first base prospect Triston Casas. Seeing Martinez in right field more will allow the team to eventually bring Casas up to the majors while Bobby Dalbec’s bat stays in the lineup at DH. Something to consider for the future.

Detroit Tigers RHP Casey Mize Strikes Out Six Over Three Innings

 

 

If you’re looking for late-round arms to round out your fantasy rotation, then keep Mize on your radar. He posted a strikeout rate below 20-percent last season which turns off a number of fantasy owners, but he’s really been working on his slider and splitter during the offseason and changed up his pitch mix some to start out-thinking hitters. If his performance Thursday is any indication of what’s to come, be sure to add Mize to your late-round watch list.

 

 

MLB Injuries:

 

Minnesota Twins Reliever Jorge Alcala Still Dealing with Finger Injury

 

 

While many expect Taylor Rogers to remain the closer for the Twins, Alcala, a hard-throwing righty, could find himself in the mix for saves at some point and that time may not even be too far off. Rogers has been manager Rocco Baldelli’s go-to guy, but he’s also been the team’s most reliable lefty. Given Alcala’s skill-set – high-90s fastball with a deceptive change and wipeout slider – it’s very possible he falls into the mix in the ninth should Baldelli need a southpaw in the seventh or eighth inning. At the moment, Alcala is dealing with a torn nail on the middle finger of his throwing hand and hasn’t appeared in any Grapefruit league games yet, but the club does not think he’ll miss Opening Day. Monitor the situation and consider Alcala a late-round flier in deeper leagues. 

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