March is a hectic time for sports fans with the NBA and NHL seasons winding down, college basketball heading into March Madness, and the NFL making headlines with trades and signings. Amidst all this, it’s easy to overlook the key spring training storylines that will impact fantasy baseball drafts for 2025. Luckily, this guide can quickly catch any manager up to speed.
Key Injuries:
– Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) should be ready for Opening Day but can be downgraded slightly.
– Mookie Betts (illness) has lost weight and should now be drafted in the middle of the second round.
– Freddie Freeman (rib, ankle) will have his workload managed and should fall to Round 3 in drafts.
– George Kirby (shoulder) will miss the start of the season but could return in mid-April.
– Gerrit Cole (elbow) will miss the entire season due to Tommy John surgery.
– Royce Lewis (hamstring) will miss several weeks and belongs in the second half of drafts.
– And more players with various injuries impacting their draft status.
Rising Rookies:
– Jasson Dominguez (Yankees) will make the team and is appropriately valued at his ADP.
– Matt Shaw (Cubs) has serious upside despite a rough start in Tokyo.
– Kristian Campbell (Red Sox) is close to securing Boston’s second base job.
– Jackson Jobe (Tigers) showed promise in spring training but may start in the minors.
– Roman Anthony (Red Sox) is a top prospect expected to make a major impact.
– And more promising rookies to watch out for in the upcoming season. The season will kick off in Triple-A for these pitchers, but they are expected to join their respective teams’ rotations by the end of May.
Roki Sasaki (Dodgers) struggled in Tokyo, which may impact his draft stock. Unless his current ADP falls significantly, it may be wise to wait before considering him for your team.
Several starting pitchers have emerged as potential fantasy standouts in recent weeks:
– Hayden Birdsong (Giants) boasts an impressive 18:0 K:BB ratio in 12 innings, making him a sleeper pick for many managers.
– Grant Holmes (Braves) has secured a spot in the rotation with a strong spring training performance.
– Kris Bubic (Royals) has seen a rise in draft stock due to his successful transition from reliever to starter.
– Casey Mize (Tigers) has surprised many with improved velocity and strong performances this spring.
– Tylor Megill (Mets) has solidified his spot in the rotation and has shown promise on the mound.
– Michael Soroka (Nationals) may be worth monitoring as the season progresses.
– Jack Leiter (Rangers) has shown flashes of potential and secured a spot in the rotation.
If you have limited roster spots, consider adding Holmes, Birdsong, Bubic, and Megill to your team.
Closer situations for various teams are also evolving:
– Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk are expected to share closing duties.
– Boston Red Sox: Aroldis Chapman may be the first choice for saves, with Liam Hendriks struggling in spring training.
– Detroit Tigers: The closer role is uncertain, with multiple pitchers in contention for saves.
– Kansas City Royals: Carlos Estévez and Lucas Erceg are likely to split save opportunities.
– Los Angeles Dodgers: Tanner Scott is set to receive the bulk of save chances.
– Miami Marlins: Calvin Faucher and Jesús Tinoco are expected to share closing duties.
– Pittsburgh Pirates: The closer role is up for grabs, with David Bednar struggling in spring training.
– Texas Rangers: Chris Martin is the frontrunner for saves on a competitive team.
These developments should help you make informed decisions for your fantasy baseball team. sentence: Please remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room.