Aaron Altherr hit his fourth homer this spring for the Phillies. The addition of Michael Saunders has pushed Altherr into a reserve role to start the year, and that stinks. However, Saunders isn’t as good as some think, and he’s already dealt with health concerns this spring. Altherr may not have much value, pretty much not draftable in a mixed league at the moment, but it’s pretty easy to see him making an impact in 2017.
Alex Bregman will start the season hitting in the two hole for the Astros. Can’t really be in a better spot as a youngster as he’s set to hit behind George Springer and ahead of Jose Altuve. The longer spring goes, the more excited I’m starting to get with Bregman.
We thought that Nick Castellanos might hit second this season. Turns out that may not be the case. With J.D. Martinez likely to miss April with a foot issue, Castellanos might be needed in the middle of the order. “I would say I haven’t come to a decision as to what I’m going to do,” said manager Brad Ausmus said. “I was scratching lineups out on a piece of paper to see what we’d have and what we’d lose. “I think it’s a little more straight-forward against a left-handed pitcher. It would be less obvious if it’s a right-handed pitcher.” Either way, the low ADP of Castellanos (199 in NFBC) suggests he’s solid addition (see his Player Profile).
Lonnie Chisenhall will begin the year on the DL with a shoulder issue. Abraham Almonte will now make the O.D. roster. He’s worth an add in AL-only leagues if he somehow sneaked through your draft.
Aaron Judge is still batting Aaron Hicks for work in the outfield. Most folks want the mammoth slugger to win the gig. Well, even with a strong spring (.564 SLG) it sounds possible that Judge will still begin the season in the minors. Hopefully you didn’t take the plunge in mixed leagues.
Randal Grichuk was hit by a pitch Wednesday but it sounds like he escaped a serious injury. I’m a fan of the skill set. Check out his Player Profile.
Mitch Haniger is using his hits far too much right now. He leads the majors with 28 hits this spring and his total of 11 doubles is a Mariners’ Cactus League record. I’m still recommending caution despite his wonderful spring.
Steven Moya has been released by the Tigers leaving Tyler Collins/Mikie Mahtook to handle right filed until JDM is back. A former high level power prospect, Moya will latch on with another team in his ongoing attempt to gain a full-time spot in the big leagues.
Gregory Polanco (shoulder) had 10 at-bats Wednesday in a minor-league game. He also made throws from 90 feet. He is set to return to game action Friday. Sounds like Opening Day is a strong possibility at this point for the multi-category threat.
Carlos Santana, coming off his best season, is set to open the year as the Indians leadoff man. He hit leadoff last season in more than half the games, 85 in total.
Corey Seager is set to return to action Saturday. He will have missed more than 25 days of game action with his oblique issue, but the Dodgers still maintain that he is fine. Even if he’s physical close to 100 percent, a slow start wouldn’t be surprising given how much time he’s missed.
Since March 15thRyan Zimmermann has gone 16-for-35 with six extra base hits (including his second homer Wednesday). As long as he’s on the field the bat figures to be productive. Never know how long that will be of course.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 7 PM EDT, Wednesday 8 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.