Spring training 2022 is like nothing we’ve seen before.
Aside from being shorter than usual, this year’s March calendar was also packed with massive trades and free agent signings. At Yahoo, we’ve done our best to keep managers informed of the most important transactions, and you can find those details HERE.
With so many big stories this month, the usual spring training tidbits are often overlooked. Finally, most managers will fail to keep track of injuries and battles for position when such things occur Freddie Freeman and Carlo Correa change teams.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle over the past few weeks, this article should bring you up to speed quickly.
Tenth Inning Rule
One of the most controversial rule changes in recent seasons was the addition of a base runner at second base during extra innings. Most reporters initially believed baseball would return to a traditional extra-innings format this year, but it appears recent changes will remain and many games will be decided by the extra offense produced in the 10th inning. The fantasy ramifications of this rule are significant, as teams often use heavily staked relievers in the 10th inning, knowing it’s foolish to save them for later frames that are unlikely to occur.
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29 pitchers won seven games in 2021 while making fewer than five starts, and overall wins by talented relievers should be high this year as well. For this reason, I strongly recommend Yahoo managers (particularly those in leagues with daily transactions and/or innings caps) to be on the lookout for qualified setup men early in the campaign.
Checking jars for illegal substances
As if fantasy executives didn’t have enough on their plate, Major League Baseball added another wrinkle to the 2022 season by announcing that umpires would be more diligent in checking pitchers for illegal pitching substances based on the premise that some hurlers returned to their cheating ways sometime last summer. I can’t give you a list of pitchers who cheated on the course last year, but there are a few how Aroldis Chapman who experienced a performance hit immediately after the crackdown and went back to normal a few weeks later.
The story goes on
My best advice for managers is to keep a close eye on spin rate data in April and be prepared to quickly move away from spins that are seeing sharp drops in both spin rate and overall success.
prospects along the way
Perhaps the most positive change in the collective bargaining agreement is that there are some incentives for teams to nurture their top talent early in the season. It remains to be seen whether clubs will actually make these moves, but we’ve heard optimistic timelines from camps across the Royals, Tigers, Reds and Mariners.
In previous seasons, I’d been skeptical about the schedules for notable prospects and believed that anything more than a May debut was optimistic. But now I expect to see Bobby Witt Jr., Hunter Greene, Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene on opening day, with Oneil Cruz and Adley traction man debut in May. In leagues with 10 or 12 teams I would call up Witt, Greenes and Torkelson.
If the spring training signs are correct, we should see Bobby Witt Jr. on Opening Day. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
More puzzles
Many teams went into March with unexplained bullpens, and most have remained so. Here’s a quick rundown of the teams that have recently provided updates on their plans.
-The Nationals would like to see Tanner Rainey run with the role of the closer. The right-hander has the necessary swing-and-miss skills but lacks the control skills to be more than a finals darts in mixed leagues.
-The Cardinals continue to explore other closer options, although they have a great one right under their nose in the form of Giovanni Gallegos. Although the club would like to use Gallegos in a versatile role, the guess here is that they still give the right-hander plenty of save opportunities.
-The Mariners are fully invested in a select committee that currently consists Paul Sewald, Diego Castillo, and Ken Giles and Drew Steckenrider. I expect this team will go several months without a full-time stopper.
-The Giants are expected to open the season Jake McGee (31 saves in 2021) as their bullpen anchor.
-The pirates share the closer role David Bednar and Chris Stratton. Both pitchers are now unattractive options as part-time stoppers on a roster that will only win a few games a week.
– Rangers remain unsettled in the ninth inning despite plenty of fantasy managers dealing Joe Barlow than their closer. In my opinion, Barlow is drafted early in most leagues.
-The Cubs narrowed the field to a three-way race Mychal Givens, David Robertson and Rowan Wick. I would handicap them in the order listed above.
Injuries galore
As expected, several key players are already struggling with injuries. And as expected, most of these players are pitchers. Here’s a quick rundown of the key players that have been added to the injury report over the last few weeks.
–Fernando Tatis Jr. (Wrist) will miss about half of the season and can be considered in the 75-100 pick range.
–Chris Sale (Rib Cage) has no timetable for a return and makes no sense in the top 150 picks.
–Zack Wheeler (shoulder) should return mid-April and may be drafted into Rd. 4.
–Jack Flaherty (Shoulder) will miss a lot of time and is a late round option in mixed leagues.
–Dylan Floro (arm pain) will open the season on the IL and teammates like e.g Anton Bender saves a chance for the preseason. There’s a chance Bender could run for the role.
–Alex Reyes (Shoulder) is already on the 60-day IL and therefore out of the picture for the ninth inning of the cards.
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–Adley traction man (Triceps) is no longer an option for Opening Day and should spend April getting up to speed in Triple-A.
–Luis Urias (Quad) will open the season on the IL before returning in mid-April. He still guarantees a late pick in all leagues.
–Shane Baz (Elbow) will resume throwing in mid-April, making a mid-May return plausible. He can fall for waivers in flat formats.
–Andrew Vaughn (hip) will open the season on the IL and return mid to late April. He is set to open the season on waivers.
–Luke Sims (elbows, back) will not be ready for opening day, putting him behind the other shortlisted candidates in Cincinnati. I’m not interested in drawing him anymore.
–Eva Longoria (Finger) is recovering from surgery, will miss all of April and is not a mixed league draft option.
–Michael Conforto (Shoulder) remains without a contract, recovering from an off-season shoulder injury. He is undraftable in most mixed formats.