Fantasy baseball is back! 

Whether you’re in the middle of your fantasy baseball draft right now or you just began your prep, studying our 2022 fantasy baseball rankings and looking for this year’s crop of potential sleepers, the energy is high. We just wrapped up this season’s Tout Wars auction drafts, which will be written up early this week, and everyone here at Fantasy Alarm is getting super-pumped about all the action. 

MLB free agency is still going on, though most of the big names have settled into their new homes, and team rosters are still in flux, but the picture for the 2022 MLB season is becoming clearer and clearer. The Fantasy Baseball Round-Up brings you a look at everything that has happened in the last 24-48 hours to ensure you haven’t missed a thing. So let’s get to it!

 

MLB Free Agency:

 

Trevor Story Signs with the Boston Red Sox to Play Second Base

 

 

The Red Sox finally fought back against the Blue Jays and Rays with a string free agent signing of their own. As first reported on the Fantasy Alarm Show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio by my co-host Jim Bowden, Story has agreed to a deal with Boston and will move off shortstop to play second base. Bowden said he expected the deal to happen over the weekend and Bob Nightengale was the first to report the contract details – six years for $140M. It was a bit surprising to see Story move off his natural position, but playing in Boston gives him a legitimate shot at the playoffs. His home/road splits as a member of the Colorado Rockies weren’t all that delightful, but Fenway Park is definitely hitter-friendly and he should settle in the .260 range while maintaining most of his power and speed. The added 2B eligibility will prove a be a nice bonus once he gets his 15-20 games in there.

Minnesota Twins Ink SS Carlos Correa for Three Years at $105.3M

 

 

For those wondering what the heck the Twins were doing this offseason, this should probably help answer those questions. They unloaded Mitch Garver on the Rangers and Josh Donaldson on the Yankees so they could ink Correa and they also gave the shortstop an opt-out after two years, so it should be interesting to see how backloaded the contract might be. The home park isn’t ideal, but Correa is talented enough to hit wherever he plays. His ADP likely won’t climb, so if you mis out on the top names at the position, you should be more than okay drafting Correa.

 

MLB Injuries:

 

Cincinnati Reds Rookie Jose Barrero to Miss Six Weeks with Hamate Bone Injury

 

 

It’s a tough blow for the 23-year-old rookie shortstop as Barrero (formerly known as Jose Israel Garcia back in Havana, Cuba) was in line to compete for the starting job with Kyle Farmer, but will now be sidelined for at least six weeks. We’ve seen this injury before and the timetable seems about right. The one thing to note is that the recovery becomes more of an issue for power-hitters. It usually takes then an addition couple of weeks for their full power to return. Barrero plays a more balanced game, so worrying about whether he’ll hit 20 home runs isn’t going to be an issue. We just want him to maintain the plate discipline improvements we saw with his move to Double and Triple-A. Just keep him on your fantasy baseball waiver wire watch list for down the road.

Washington Nationals 3B Carter Kieboom Expected to Be Sidelined Four-to-Six Weeks

 

 

Follow-up examinations on Kieboom’s elbow revealed a flexor mass strain and he’s been shut down from all throwing for four weeks. The team will evaluate him then and see if he could miss additional time. He’s struggled to break through at the big-league level and this certainly isn’t going to help. Look for Maikel Franco to open the season as the Nationals starting third baseman and don’t expect to see Kieboom in the majors until closer to the June at the earliest.

 

2022 Spring Training Updates:

 

Miami Marlins Using 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. as Leadoff Hitter

 

 

The biggest criticism of Jazz Chisholm Jr (referred to as Jasrado when his mom gets mad at him) is the strikeouts. A near-30-percent K-rate isn’t going to cut it for long, so the second-year infielder is going to need to hone his plate discipline for sure. Still, the Marlins know he’s got the speed and potential to grow into being a premium leadoff hitter, so expect to see him get the work there throughout the spring. The team has limited leadoff options, so the competition isn’t strong, but Chisholm needs to show growth. Once he does, he’s going to be a fantasy stud.

Ramón Laureano Shining Despite Suspension

 

 

Last season Laureano, was suspended for 80 games due to a positive test for a performing enhanced drug (PED) and served 53 games before the 2021 MLB season came to a close. With 27 games remaining, he won’t be eligible until late May, but that isn’t stopping him from showing off his skills during spring training. He’s got a great power/speed combo and at 27-years-old, he should be able to reach the coveted 20-20 plateau even with the suspension. Don’t ignore him late in your drafts. It might hurt a bit to eat a bench spot while waiting for him, but the juice is worth the squeeze.

Los Angeles Angels Starting Pitcher Reid Detmers is a Strikeout Machine

 

 

Another name to keep on your watch list, since no one knows what he looks like, especially if you’re doing best ball drafts or draft-and-hold leagues. His double-digit K/9 at Double and Triple-A was extremely impressive and while it dropped to just under a strikeout per inning during his 20-inning big-league debut last year, we expect it to sit closer to 10 once he is making regular starts. He may not make the Opening Day roster, but he will be summoned sooner rather than later.

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