Preseason Prep – March 13, 2025
Max Scherzer, TOR
Scherzer is presently coping with a sore proper thumb and won’t be making his scheduled begin on Thursday. The Blue Jays are hopeful that this can be a brief time problem and that the previous ace will nonetheless be high-quality for the beginning of the season. 2024 was a tough marketing campaign for the 40-year-old, as he solely made begins for the Rangers and posted a 22.6% Ok% that’s effectively under his regular degree. It is honest to query if the veteran has something left within the tank, however he has been phenomenal thus far this spring, permitting 2 ER’s in 9 IP with a 14:0 Ok:BB. His ADP is presently exterior the highest 250 so assuming he is wholesome, he could possibly be value a flier on the finish of drafts.
Brayan Bello, BOS
Bello (shoulder irritation) is not going to be prepared by Opening Day for the Pink Sox, though the staff is hopeful that he’ll solely miss one or two turns within the rotation. Bello has had some robust stretches over the course of his three yr profession, however total, he has compiled a 4.42 ERA and 1.42 WHIP throughout 376.2 IP. His 8.12 Ok/9 and three.25 BB/9 are each middling, though he does have a powerful 53.9% GB%. Bello’s lifetime 3.92 xFIP means that we might see some enchancment coming his manner, however we should not anticipate him changing into a frontline starter.
Lucas Giolito, BOS
Giolito was compelled to go away his first spring coaching begin after one inning on Tuesday as he felt discomfort in his hamstring. The Pink Sox consider that the problem is minor, and that this should not put Giolito in peril of opening the season on the IL. The correct-hander missed all of final season with an elbow damage, and posted an ERA close to 5.00 in every of the prior two seasons, whereas strolling roughly 3.5 batters per 9 innings throughout that stretch. He was dominant for the White Sox from 2019-2021, however he might want to show that he can pitch at that degree once more earlier than fantasy homeowners may give him their belief.
Cooper Criswell, BOS
With Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford anticipated to open the season on the IL, Criswell has a shot to be thought of for the Pink Sox rotation. He pitched in aid on Wednesday and struck out 4 in 3 shutout innings. He solely struck out 6.61 per 9 IP final season so his 8 Ok’s in 6.2 spring innings are a welcome signal. He owns a powerful 49.3% GB% and does not stroll a ton of fellows, so he could possibly be a stable again of the rotation possibility for Boston.
Bobby Witt, KC
Witt was hit within the wrist by a pitch in Wednesday’s sport in opposition to the Mariners, however x-rays got here again destructive and he’s presently coping with a forearm contusion. This information comes as a aid to the Royals and fantasy homeowners who’re relying on Witt to be one of many prime gamers in baseball this yr. Witt is rightfully going as a top-3 participant in fantasy drafts, coming off a season through which he hit .332, and reached the 30-30 mark for the 2nd straight season. He reduce his Ok% to a profession greatest 15.0% whereas elevating his HardHit% to a profession excessive 48.1%. He is more likely to see some BA regression (he had a .354 BABIP like season) however he needs to be nonetheless counted on as a 5 class contributor who ought to as soon as once more discover himself within the MVP dialogue.
MacKenzie Gore, WAS
Gore had a powerful outing in opposition to the Astros on Wednesday, putting out 6 throughout 5.1 shutout IP, whereas permitting 2 hits and strolling 3. By way of his first 2 spring appearances, he is at 8.1 scoreless innings with 10 Ok’s to his title. Strikeouts have by no means been a difficulty for Gore, who has averaged near 10 Ok/9 every of the previous two seasons. However he is had bother placing all of it collectively as he is by no means had a BB/9 under 3.50, and his 3.90 ERA final season was the bottom of his three yr profession. Finally, he is produced simply 22 QS in 72 tries throughout his profession. He has proven flashes of dominance, however till he reveals extra consistency. He can solely be relied upon for Ok’s.
Masyn Winn, STL
Winn went 0-3 in opposition to the Mets on Wednesday, and is now hitting a sluggish .094 (3-32) with no XBH’s and 10 Ok’s throughout 11 spring video games. Winn operated because the Cardinals major leadoff hitter for the ultimate 4 months of 2024 and he seems set to fill the identical function this season assuming he does not play himself out of that function. He was stable however unspectacular final yr, chipping in double-digit HR’s and SB’s to go together with 85 runs and a .267 BA. He struck out at a 17.1% clip final season, and he’ll must hold that quantity low since he does not hit the ball significantly onerous. The quantity needs to be there for a stable ground, however he nonetheless has so much to show.
Bryan De La Cruz, ATL
De La Cruz went 1-2 with 2 BB’s, 2 runs and a SB in opposition to the Orioles on Wednesday as he tries to carve out a job on the Braves roster. He is had a stable spring to date, hitting .333 with 2 doubles and simply 2 Ok’s throughout 24 at bats. De La Cruz has offered some run manufacturing over the previous couple of seasons averaging 20 HR’s and 73 RBI over the previous 2 seasons. However he does not stroll a lot and final yr his Ok% ballooned to 27.3% which hampered his total numbers. The likeliest situation is that De La Cruz opens the season with a part-time function in Atlanta, however that would at all times change resulting from efficiency or accidents.
Bo Naylor, CLE
Naylor homered once more for the Guardians on Wednesday, giving him 3 HR’s by means of his first 10 spring video games. The catcher was horrible offensively final yr, hitting simply .201 with a 31.4% Ok%, though he nonetheless chipped in 13 HR’s and 6 SB’s throughout 123 video games. We would not need to learn an excessive amount of into spring numbers, but when Naylor might reduce his strikeout fee a bit and sustain the facility output he is been exhibiting, he might simply find yourself being a fantasy worthy catcher.
Joc Pederson, TEX
Pederson hit his third HR of the spring in opposition to the Reds on Wednesday and has now pushed in 9 runs in 9 spring video games for the Rangers. Pederson has quietly been fairly productive the previous few seasons compiling a .262/.365/.485 slash line since 2022, together with a .393 OBP final season. The issue is that he hasn’t reached 500 PA’s in any season since 2019. He sometimes sits in opposition to lefties and for good purpose; he owns a profession .630 OPS in opposition to southpaws in comparison with .844 in opposition to righties. He may be helpful fantasy possibility should you can afford to take a seat him when he is out of the lineup.
Joey Cantillo, CLE
Cantillo struck out 9 in 3.2 IP in opposition to the Giants on Wednesday, though he did nonetheless permit 4 ER’s on 6 hits and 1 BB. He’s coming off a rookie season through which he struck out 44 in 38.2 IP for the Guardians, and the strikeout skill continues to be clearly there. He’s battling for a spot in Cleveland’s rotation after posting a 4.89 ERA throughout 9 MLB appearances (8 begins) final season. That got here with a 3.46 xFIP, and he might have essentially the most upside of the Guardians’ rotation hopefuls if he’s certainly capable of crack the opening day rotation.
Kris Bryant, COL
Bryant went 0-4 with 2 Ok’s in opposition to the Padres on Wednesday and is hitting .143 by means of 8 video games this spring. It is simple to overlook that Bryant continues to be an energetic participant, and that simply 4 years in the past, he hit 25 HR’s with an OPS of .834. And that he is really nonetheless simply 33 years outdated. However in three years with the Rockies, he is performed in simply 159 video games, and hit simply 17 HR’s. His Ok% jumped as much as 31.0% final season. We’re hoping that Bryant can lastly have a wholesome season in Colorado however he should not be on the radar in fantasy drafts proper now.
Sean Bouchard, COL
Bouchard continued his scorching spring on Wednesday, going 3-4 with a double, a HR, and three RBI in opposition to the Padres. He’s now hitting .379 with a 1.138 OPS by means of 11 video games this spring. He hasn’t had a ton of success but on the large league degree, however the scorching spring might assist give him extra consideration for the Rockies’ opening day roster.
Bryan Woo, SEA
Woo struck out 5 in 3 IP in opposition to the Royals on Wednesday, permitting 1 unearned run and three hits with no BB. He now has 11 Ok’s in 7 IP this spring and has but to permit an ER. Woo was stable final season with a 2.89 ERA (3.75 xFIP) though accidents restricted him to 121.1 IP. His strikeout numbers had been mediocre, however his 0.96 BB/9 was sensational. He could possibly be a really robust possibility for a pitcher who’s going across the thirteenth spherical.
Julio Rodriguez, SEA
Julio went 2-3 with a HR an 4 RBI in opposition to the Royals on Wednesday giving him 3 HR’s this spring. Rodriguez was a surefire first spherical decide in 2024 fantasy drafts however an off yr final season has him dropping to the 2nd spherical in a lot of this yr’s drafts. He did have a a lot stronger 2nd half in 2024 and continues to be a superb guess to method 30-30 season, so getting him within the 2nd spherical might find yourself being an excellent deal.
