Preseason Prep – March 11, 2025
Francisco Alvarez (C – Mets)
The Mets introduced Alvarez will miss 6-8 weeks after present process hamate surgical procedure. It is a large blow for homeowners who’ve already drafted as Alvarez has slugged 36 dwelling runs over the previous 2 seasons and is seen as one of many higher younger hitting catchers in baseball. This does proceed an damage development for him tho as he performed in simply 110 video games a 12 months in the past as he was damage in early April. For groups that have not drafted, the damage is not the worst factor on this planet and I’d say Alvarez is an effective draft goal slightly later within the draft than regular. I like stashing injured gamers early on my IL; lets check out a couple of late spherical catcher targets for homeowners who need Alvarez for later within the season.
Hunter Goodman (C/OF – Rockies)
Being drafted outdoors the Prime 30 catchers, Goodman makes a high-risk, high-reward possibility in your squad. He’s having a great spring slashing .375/.500/.563 with extra walks than strikeouts. He provided some pop for the Rockies final 12 months with 9 doubles and 13 dwelling runs in 70 video games regardless of a .190 common. The ability is undeniably there as he hit 36 dwelling runs within the minors in 2022 and 34 in 2023. Relying on the league you play in Goodman additionally might open the season with twin C and Of eligibility, one more reason to snag him late if you happen to want a catcher with some upside early.
Endy Rodriguez (C- Pirates)
Rodriguez continues to be battling for a roster spot however has had a powerful spring with a .389 avg and 1.111 OPS over 9 video games. With Joey Bart locked in because the opening day catcher there’s a battle with Henry Davis for the backup spot. Rodriguez is attention-grabbing in that he might find yourself taking part in some first base and likewise performed 2B and the OF earlier in his minor league days. As soon as a prime price prospect, elbow surgical procedure took away most of 2024 as he performed a handful of video games in AA final season. Rodriguez hit for energy and common whereas drawing walks within the decrease minor leagues and if his spring continues its doable he breaks camp with the staff as a backup.
Bo Naylor (C-Guardians)
Naylor stands a bit larger on the catcher rankings and carries a .828 OPS with 2 HR this spring. With the defensive minded Austin Hedges on the roster Naylor figures to see the majority of the taking part in time and can look to enhance on his .201/.264/.350 line from a 12 months in the past. Naylor hit higher in 2023 however final 12 months his stroll price dropped 6% and his Ok price rose 8% by no means unusual as pitchers adjusted to him. Naylor is amongst a bunch of younger catchers who could possibly be in retailer for a breakout and a 20 homer 10 steal season can be a great counting stat mark for homeowners to shoot for ceiling clever right here.
Miguel Amaya (C-Cubs)
Amaya has been white scorching this spring with 11 hits in 21 at bats. The 26 12 months previous needs to be the first catcher with Carson Kelly spelling him once in a while. At this level Amaya has appeared in 170 main league video games over the previous 2 seasons and has produced under league common outcomes with a profession .658 OPS. Amaya hasn’t confirmed a lot pop within the minors however as he Ok price has come down he could possibly be a plug and play C if you wish to go cheaper in the direction of the top of your draft.
Austin Wells (C-Yankees)
For these on the lookout for a barely larger finish catching possibility Austin Wells could also be a play. Wells has been hitting leadoff all through spring coaching after hitting 13 dwelling runs with a 11% stroll price a 12 months in the past. The .229 batting common could appear a bit low however his mixture of energy and plate self-discipline makes him an intriguing catching possibility. I believe with Wells I might see him getting his batting order up barely however count on round a .250 ceiling. Effectively has been going between catcher 13-15 which is true across the spot Alvarez was going which could possibly be a great fallback if you wish to prioritize stability at catcher.
Across the League
Cam Smith (3B- Astros)
Smith obtained the beginning at 3B Monday and went 1 for 4. Smith has excelled this spring going 8-13 with 2 dwelling runs and 5 walks vs 3 strikeouts. It will positively be a shock if Smith made the roster out of spring coaching as Smith performed simply 5 video games at AA final 12 months however he may power the Astros hand particularly with the Christian Walker damage. He did hit 7 homers with a 1.004 OPS throughout three ranges for the Cubs final 12 months. Smith provides a excessive upside on energy and the precise hander could possibly be harmful hitting within the brief porch in Houston for half his video games.
Jake Bloss (SP – Blue Jays)
Bloss has had a troublesome spring surrendering 8 ER over 5 innings whereas strolling 5 and giving up 3 HR. Bloss additionally obtained off to a tough begin final 12 months in AAA after being acquired by Toronto with a 6.91 ERA and 4.9 BB/9. That being Bloss is a part of a powerful itemizing of Blue Jays pitching prospects and with the signing of Max Scherzer he figures to be a primary name up if Toronto suffers a spring coaching damage. His 2025 outlook could also be unsure however Bloss encompasses a strong 5 pitch arsenal and needs to be a strong pitching possibility in 2026 and past if you happen to play in a dynasty league.
Joe Boyle (SP – Rays)
Boyle allowed 2 ER over 3 innings whereas putting out 4 Monday. Boyle had a 6.42 ERA and walked 40 batters in 47 innings final 12 months. Apart from the walks I believe there may be nonetheless upside right here. He held batters to a .235 batting common in opposition to with a strong 24% Ok price; his 4.68 tells a barely higher story. Boyle has all the time struggled slightly together with his command however entered Monday’s begin issuing simply 1 stroll over 4 innings. A small pattern dimension in fact however Boyle might finally work his approach into the rotation or a protracted reduction function for Tampa.
Matt Olson (1B – Braves)
Olson had a letdown of a season in 2023 as his 29 dwelling runs, 98 RBIs and 78 runs scored paled compared to the 54/139/127 line in these classes he put up the season earlier than. Final seasons efforts had been nonetheless robust – however he noticed a 5 mph drop in max exit velo, 2mph drop in total exit velo and eight% drop in laborious hit price. Olson settled for extra double final 12 months then the earlier 12 months and it is conceivable one thing nagging sapped a little bit of his energy. 41 dwelling runs this 12 months would give Olson 300 for his profession; his 54 dwelling runs season is a little bit of an outlier – I’d count on 35 dwelling runs to be a great wager for the Prime-5 Fantasy 1B.
Spencer Torkelson (1B- Tigers)
With the Tigers shifting Colt Keith to 1B this 12 months Torkelson might discover at bats a bit tricker to return by. The primary total choose in 2020 he flashed promise with 31 dwelling runs in 2023 however got here crashing again to earth final 12 months as all his underlying energy numbers dropped off and he was relegated to the minor leagues for a part of the season. Specifically his batting common vs fastballs drops 40 factors from 2023 to 2024 – however his strikeout charges stayed comparable indicating his laborious and productive contact dropped. He has hit three dwelling runs this spring and he ought to get some run at each DH and 1B; but when the bat continues to stall he has 1 minor league possibility remaining.
Michael Harris (OF – Braves)
Harris is somebody I’ve my eye on as a “breakout” performer of 2025. In the event you look via the numbers there was a drop off yearly since he debuted in 2022 nevertheless. After successful ROY in 2022 with a .853 OPS that quantity has steadily fallen to a .722 clip final 12 months. Harris did have a powerful end to final 12 months hitting .316 with 8 HR and 18 RBIs. Harris battled accidents early final 12 months and I like the best way he ended along with his underlying metrics. Whereas his slash strains have gone the fallacious approach his exit velocities have risen and he has pulled anticipated batting within the prime 6% the previous 2 years. A wholesome Harris has a 20/20 flooring in my view with a shot to push these numbers a bit larger whereas contributing to your counts stats too.
Pablo Lopez (SP – Twins)
Lopez had one other tough outing Monday permitting 4 ER on 7 hits over 2 innings. Lopez entered the outing with 5 ER over 5 innings with 4 walks and added to the robust spring begin. The Twins ace’s spring quantity per traditional will be taken with a grain of salt however the walks are one thing to observe as Lopez has historically not walked loads of guys. The strikeouts are nonetheless there and Lopez has been a mannequin of consistency make 32 begins 3 seasons in a row. From a fantasy perspective this may be a great time to commerce him out of your dynasty roster if you will discover a comparable bat to accumulate. There may be nothing to say that there’s any kind of situation – I’m only a fan of buying and selling beginning pitching for bats and Lopez even with the tough Spring has robust worth in the meanwhile.
Brice Matthews (SS – Astros)
The Astros second ranked Prospect, Matthews performed each 2B and SS in Mondays recreation and has a .214/.313/.429 line this spring. A primary spherical choose in 2023 Matthews made it to AAA on the finish of final season and he ought to get a refresher there to open the season. He has profiled as an influence velocity man however might want to get his strikeouts so as as he has had bother making contact on pitches within the zone. With Jose Altuve shifting at the very least half time to the outfield there is a chance maybe later this 12 months or subsequent 12 months for Matthews to make the staff particularly is he can deal with a couple of positions properly sufficient.
Matt Mervis (1B – Marlins)
Mervis slugged his second dwelling run of the spring Monday and is slashing .304/.333/.652. Mervis garnered consideration whereas with the Cubs for his energy profile as he hit .309 with 36 dwelling runs in 2022 and .282 with 22 dwelling runs in AAA in 2023. He appeared in MLB video games the previous two years with underwhelming outcomes delivering a .155 common with 3 dwelling runs and 40 Ks in 36 video games. Mervis has the body to hit for lots of energy and may break camp with a job at the very least as a short-side platoon taking part in first and DH. If you wish to gamble with large time energy however with large time strikeouts, Mervis is for you.
