Labeling a player injury prone does not account for bad luck, but part of the reason Giancarlo Stanton lasted until the fourth or fifth round in preseason drafts to this point despite his power upside resides in his checkered injury past:
Since the start of 2019, Giancarlo Stanton has missed time with:
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 26, 2020
A strained left biceps
A strained left shoulder
A strained left calf
A strained right PCL
A strained right quad
A strained right calf
When news broke about Stanton suffering a Grade 1 strain of his calf, it aligns with the timeline for Francisco Lindor last year. Lindor opened the season on the injured list and made his debut on April 20th last year. This could be an appropriate target date for Stanton, but Lindor’s a bit more flexible and owns a smaller frame to support. There comes a point where Stanton’s stock could fall enough to make him a bargain, but it depends on how much risk can be built into a roster. As for the Yankees, it clouds the playing time picture if Stanton needs to ease his way back into the lineup as the full-time designated hitter. One development to track:
https://www.mlb.com/news/miguel-andujar-debuts-in-left-field-for-yankees
Not to mention Mike Tauchman , Clint Frazier and speedster Zack Granite . However, if Miguel Andújar could handle left-field, things get interesting. Andujarl’s one year removed from 27 home runs with a .297/.328/.527 slash line in 149 games. Stay tuned and also keep tabs on how Aaron Judge progresses with his shoulder. Staying with New York, Luis Severino will undergo Tommy John surgery, so suddenly the interest in starting pitchers opens up with two spots in the rotation up for grabs. This includes: Jordan Montgomery , Jonathan Loaisiga , Michael King , Deivi Garcia and Nick Nelson. Montgomery owns the inside track for the fourth starter spot but the list behind him remains wide open. Here’s the rest of the situations of note around the majors.
San Diego Padres
Rumors of Wil Myers being moved remain kindled but could he be a terrific buy low candidate in deeper formats at a time when stolen bases remain in decline? For the truthers:
Wil Myers just hit first pitch in bottom of sixth on a line over the wall in RF.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) February 26, 2020
The main significance of his going the other way for his first HR of the spring is that Myers' focus this offseason and in spring has been staying with the ball longer, letting his swing work for him
Myers turned in one of the worst seasons for a regular player in 2019 but still hit 18 home runs with 16 stolen bases over 490 plate appearances. This could be more important than people think:
An update on Tommy Pham, who is dealing with some side soreness but expects to play soon. As for his elbow recovery, Pham seems pretty optimistic.https://t.co/bnxYgZnLMT
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) February 25, 2020
Entering camp with second base crowded, the team added Brian Dozier to the team and Jake Cronenworth to the fray. It’s still Jurickson Profar ’s job to lose but it’s worth monitoring.
Boston Red Sox
Rumored trade partner with the Padres, not much going in the way of positional battles yet. However, Michael Chavis launched his first home run of spring:
Has this ball landed yet?! ???? pic.twitter.com/xSbyTqg6W8
— MLB (@MLB) February 26, 2020
Those speculating on Chris Sale could be in for a strong rebound, but this article hints he could open the year on the injured list:
https://www.mlb.com/news/martin-perez-learning-from-hero-pedro-martinez
Other tidbits also included do not give any clear path to playing time for José Peraza , but track how he’s used in spring games going forward.
Atlanta Braves
Not great news so far in camp for Freddie Freeman :
After scratching Freeman yesterday, Snitker said he was told the current elbow discomfort is likely a product of increased workload https://t.co/AZwXmDSN98
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) February 26, 2020
Most wish to know who will start at third base for the Braves between Johan Camargo and Austin Riley . It’s much too soon to call, but Camargo’s ability to play multiple positions could lead to prospect Riley taking the role. However, Riley could also get some seasoning in Triple-A at the start of the season.
As for the rotation, a nice debut by Félix Hernández could lead to a spot in it with a consistent spring. Sean Newcomb could win a starting role while Cole Hamels remains sidelined. But, this could be a seat-warmer spot so do not pay full retail. Kyle Wright may open the year at Triple-A but the Braves do not want to move him up and down. If he starts strong and Atlanta needs innings, Wright may be the first in line for a promotion and could run with the role making him a deep league stash target.
New York Mets
What a difference a day makes, right? J.D. Davis hurt his shoulder diving for a ground ball on Tuesday but received good news for now:
The MRI on J.D. Davis' left shoulder "didn't show a ton of inflammation" or any "new structural damage," per Brodie Van Wagenen. He'll begin rehabbing today.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 26, 2020
There’s no timeline on his rehab schedule. In other news:
It appears Brandon Nimmo is scratched for this afternoon's game.
— Amazin' Avenue (@AmazinAvenue) February 26, 2020
Do not forget, Brandon Nimmo logged only 69 games last season.
St. Louis Cardinals
With innings up for grabs, and Carlos Martínez hoping to return to a starting role, here’s two tidbits of note from camp in St. Louis:
Kwang-Hyun Kim said he works fast while he's pitching, in part, because he knows it makes the baseball writers happy to be done with the game quicker.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) February 26, 2020
I have to say, he's not wrong.
Kwang-Hyun Kim fired two clean innings with three strikeouts in his debut. It feels like Alex Reyes proves to be a continual fantasy tease, but his curveball tantalizes. Check out the keys to his spring and future role:
Cleveland Indians
Remember last year when everyone knew Cody Allen could not close for the Angels and Ty Buttrey went before Hansel Robles in drafts? If the Indians decide to move Brad Hand during the season, and it’s a big if, most will stash Emmanuel Clase as the closer of the future but could history repeat itself? Do not forget this kid:
James Karinchak is his own hype man. ????
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) February 26, 2020
Check the post strikeout cellys. pic.twitter.com/NIyXnHc6kN
While Yasiel Puig remains a free agent, Jordan Luplow could be this team’s starting right fielder. Let this sink in for a moment.
Chicago White Sox
First and foremost, it could be a breakout year for a certain young arm in Chicago:
Dylan Cease has gone 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, HBP. He was 96-98, t99.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) February 23, 2020
He’s probably done working today, unless you count talking to us as work, as opposed to a source of joy
Cease worked in the off-season on his delivery and fastball. If he puts things together, an intriguing late round target for sure. Plus, for the future saves seekers:
2016 first-rounder Zack Burdi was 95-96 with his heater in a 1-2-3 inning. He said he’s gotten up to 97 mph this spring. His slider was 89-90 and got a pair of swings and misses
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) February 25, 2020
Pretty, pretty good.
Toronto Blue Jays
Spring statistics do not matter. For those in keeper leagues and deep league formats, a name to remember later on will be this one, even though he’s overshadowed by the “Baby Jays” bats:
NASTY NATE ????@big_nate5 struck out the side in his spring debut! pic.twitter.com/sDsz2YQNwg
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 25, 2020
There’s not timetable for his arrival, but a clear path to the majors exists with a shaky group ahead of him for now.
Milwaukee Brewers
While most focus on how the playing time in the infield will shake out, perhaps Freddy Peralta will be a post-hype breakout to target? Armed with a new slider and contract:
Easy peasy so far for #Brewers Freddy Peralta. Mid-90's fastball and good breaking balls are all working. Commanding his pitches so far. Six up, six down. Effortless. Two strikeouts. I like what I've seen. He's working quickly but efficiently.
— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) February 25, 2020
While the debate rages on if Brandon Woodruff could be this year’s Nick Pivetta :
Brandon Woodruff hit 98 on the stadium gun on his first pitch then settled into 95 during his scoreless inning today. Mixed in a curveball, his least used pitch and something he's continued to work on.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) February 24, 2020
Washington Nationals
Focused on the fifth starting spot for the defending champions, Joe Ross battles upstart and a favorite late round flier of mine:
Impressive top of the 1st for Austin Voth. Retired the side on 10 pitches (7 strikes). Struck out both Aledmys Diaz and Yordan Alvarez with 93 mph fastballs.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 23, 2020
On the Carter Kieboom front, this will need to improve if he’s going to start at third base:
I get it’s only spring training but Kieboom shouldn’t be doing this at this level pic.twitter.com/TnusUUpQAW
— OPT (@OnePursuitTakes) February 26, 2020
There’s time for him to improve and the projection systems could be too low on Kieboom if he breaks camp with the team, but his defense will need to improve.
Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s official Julio Urías will begin the season in the rotation. Alex Wood ’s throwing his fastball between 92-to-93 MPH as well. So good news on two fronts. However, for the Dustin May crowd, he’s on track to start in Triple-A plus:
#Dodgers Dustin May has yet to throw off a mound since experiencing soreness in his left side after a bullpen session in first days of camp. Played long toss out to 120 feet but didn't feel great afterwards. Shut down temporarily.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 26, 2020
Joc Pederson currently nurses a sore hip so he’s not working out and sort of sitting in limbo after his trade to the Angels fell through. Ross Stripling seems like a natural target for the Yankees, right?
Los Angeles Angels
As a Jo Adell truther, this article seems like propaganda for him to start the year in the minors to keep him under team control:
https://www.mlb.com/angels/news/jo-adell-eyes-angels-big-league-roster
He’s an uber-talented player with 20 home run and stolen base upside this year, but how many games he accrues determines his fantasy upside.
Last, but certainly not least, an article from a player speculating on how the baseball feels so far in spring:
Zach Eflin noticed a difference in the baseballs since arriving to Clearwater and it has him feeling confident heading into the season.
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 26, 2020
More from @JSalisburyNBCS.https://t.co/BLDHn2JK4x
Coming off a season during which multiple home run records fell across baseball, could the baseball used in the regular season be closer to the one from the play-offs last year? This article suggests it’s true.
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Statistical Credits:
Fangraphs.com
MLB.com