Posted By:Bretsky on March 21, 2014

Get ready for your 2014 Fantasy Baseball Draft with our position-by-position and top-300 rankings.

All rankings assume standard 5×5 roto scoring

2014 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on March 21, 2014

Get ready for your 2014 Fantasy Baseball Draft with our position-by-position and top-300 rankings.

All rankings assume standard 5×5 roto scoring

2014 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings

Posted By:Bretsky on March 20, 2014

Wayne Bretsky and Mark Kaplan continue their trip around the diamond by previewing the starting pitcher position heading into the 2014 season. The boys also talk some relief pitcher strategy, catch up on the latest news out of Spring Training and take a dip into the mailbag.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @DaTrueGuru to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Second Base Preview

News and Notes

• Yordano Ventura named the Royals’ fifth starter, Danny Duffy to the ‘pen
• Jenry Mejia to begin the year in the Mets’ bullpen
• Mat Latos and Doug Fister making progress
• Who will step in for Jarrod Parker and Patrick Corbin

Draft Strategy

• Avoiding relief pitchers

Position Preview – Starting Pitcher

• What we learned: a look at 2013’s top-10
• A look ahead: top options for 2014
• Value: Johnny Cueto, James Sheilds
• Bust: Anibal Sanchez, Felix Hernandez
• Digging Deep: Marco Estrada, Matt Harrison, James Paxton, Archie Bradley
• Wildcard: Clay Buchholz

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock

Posted By:Bretsky on March 14, 2014

Wayne Bretsky and Mark Kaplan jumo into draft season on the latest Box Score Baseball podcasts. Each of the hosts discusses the teams they drafted this week as the guys also preview the outfield position heading into the season. The show starts with some news and notes covering the Braves rotation, a couple of calf injuries and our weekly Cole Hamels update. Next the host break down their strategy heading into their first drafts and discuss what they learned. The outfield preview takes a look back at the 2013 top-10 as the guys touch on their top-10 options for the upcoming season. The preview closes with a look at the values, busts, deep league plays and wildcards for in the outfield.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @DaTrueGuru to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Second Base Preview

News and Notes

• Braves rotation is decimated
• Weekly Cole Hamels update
• Grady Sizemore plays in back-to-back games
• Mike Morse suffers a calf injury

Position Preview – Shortstop

• What we learned: a look at 2013’s top-10
• A look ahead: top options for 2014
• Is Mike Trout the clear-cut top option in fantasy?
• Does Carlos Gonzalez deserve consideration as a first round pick
• Values: Austin Jackson, Jayson Werth, Matt Holliday, Hunter Pence
• Busts: Yasiel Puig, Carlos Gonzalez
• Digging Deep: Rajai Davis, Justin Ruggiano, Oswaldo Arcia
• Wildcards: Starling Marte, Wil Myers

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock

Posted By:Bretsky on March 7, 2014

Wayne Bretsky and Mark Kaplan discuss some fantasy baseball draft strategy and preview the third base positions heading into the 2014 season. The guys cover Cole Hamels’ setback, Miguel Sano’s surgery and Matt Kemp’s progress before exploring the benefit of mult-position eligibility for pitchers. The third base preview runs through a list of the top performers of 2014 and the guys reveal their values, busts, and wildcards for the upcoming season.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @DaTrueGuru to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Second Base Preview

News and Notes

• Cole Hamels (shoulder) has a setback
• Bobby Parnell (neck) progressing
• Miguel Sano (elbow) require Tommy John Surgery
• Matt Kemp on the mend

Position Preview – Shortstop

• What we learned: a look at 2013’s top-10
• A look ahead: top options for 2014
• Josh Donaldson: can he repeat?
• Values: Kyle Seager, Aramis Ramirez
• Busts: Matt Carpenter, Adrian Beltre
• Digging Deep: Trevor Plouffe, Nick Castellanos
• Wildcards: Ryan Zimmerman, Mike Moustakas

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock

Posted By:Bretsky on February 28, 2014

Wayne Bretsky and Mark Kaplan tackle the shortstop position heading into the 2014 season. The guys cover the Nelson Cruz signing and some early spring injuries before turning their attention to the shortstops. The debate begins with a look back at the surprising list of top-10 performers from 2013 as the boys reflect on Alexei Ramirez, Elvis Andrus and others. The show continues with a look at the top-10 for 2014 and  and the hosts reveal their value picks, busts, deep-league plays and wildcards. The podcasts closes with a dip into the mailbag.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @DaTrueGuru to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Second Base Preview

News and Notes

• Nelson Cruz signs with Baltimore
• Josh Hamilton (calf) is banged up
• Zack Grienke exits his first start

Position Preview – Shortstop

• What we learned: a look at 2013’s top-10
• A look ahead: top options for 2014
• Alexei Ramirez: can he do it again?
• Injury concern at the top
• Value Picks: Starlin Castro, J.J. Hardy
• Busts: Jose Reyes, Elvis Andrus
• Digging Deep: Jonathan Villar, Jhonny Peralta
• Wildcards:  Jimmy Rollins

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock

Posted By:Bretsky on February 21, 2014

Wayne Bretsky and Mark Kaplan tackle the second base position heading into the 2014 season. The guys discuss the upside of Aaron Hill, the downside of Dustin Pedroia and Matt Carpenter’s chances to repeat as well as providing their values, busts, deep picks and wildcards. Bretsky and Mark also answer take a dip into the mailbag to help out a couple of listeners struggling with keeper league trade decisions.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @DaTrueGuru to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Second Base Preview

News and Notes

• Mat Latos begins throwing just five days after knee surgery
• Continued shoulder discomfort for Jurickson Profar
• Ubaldo Jiminez lands with the Orioles
• The Braves lock down their talent

Position Preview – Second Base

• What we learned: a look at 2013’s top-10
• A look ahead: top options for 2014
• Daniel Murphy: a top-10 guy?
• Ian Kinsler’s potential in Detroit
• Value Picks: Aaron Hill, Jedd Gyorko, Martin Prado
• Busts:Matt Carpenter, Brandon Phillips
• Digging Deep: Dan Uggla, Anthony Rendon
• Wildcards:  Chase Utley, Kelly Johnson

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock

Posted By:Bretsky on February 13, 2014

The Box Score Baseball  welcomes new co-host Mark Kaplan to the show and continue the presason position previews by taking a look at the first past position heading into the 2014 fantasy baseball season. Before diving into the position preview, Bretsky and Mark discuss the A.J. Burnett signing, injury concerns for Cole Hamels and Hisashi Iwakuma, and Derek Jeter’s decision to hang up his cleats after the 2014 season. the show closes with a dip into the mailbag.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @DaTrueGuru to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Catcher Preview

News and Notes

• Phillies ink A.J. Burnett to a 1-year, $16 million deal
• Cole Hamels (shoulder tendinitis) to miss opener
• Hishashi Iwakuma (hand) out 4-6 weeks
• Emilio Bonifacio cut loose
• Derek Jeter to retire

Position Preview – Catcher

• What we learned: a look at 2013’s top-10
• A look ahead: top options for 2014
• Matt Adams: an everyday bat?
• Prince Fielder’s ceiling in Texas
• Value Picks: Albert Pujols, Billy Butler, Brandon Belt
• Busts: Mark Trumbo, Anthony Rizzo
• Digging Deep: Kendrys Morales, Justin Morneau, Darin Ruf
• Wildcards: Jose Abreu

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock

Posted By:Bretsky on January 23, 2014

The Box Score Baseball Offseason Extravaganza turns it’s collective eye on the catcher position heading into the 2014 season. Before diving in to their positional preview, Wayne Bretsky and Michael Pichan discuss Masahiro Tanaka’s deal with the Yankees, Logan Forsythe’s trade to the Rays and Bobby Abreu’s minor league deal. The guys continue the While You Were Drafting segment by looking to Houston’s backstop Jason Castro and name their top-10 catchers for 2014.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @FantasyNomad to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Catcher Preview

News and Notes

• Masahiro Tanaka signs a 7-year $155 million contract with the Yankees
• Logan Forsythe traded to Tampa Bay
• Bobby abreu signs with the Phillies
• Matt Kemp questionable for opener
• Dynasty News: Javier Baez to start the season at 2B for the Cubs’ triple-A affiliate

While You Were Drafting – Jason Castro

• .260-63-18-56-2 in 435 at-bats
• Batted .316 with 5 HR and 17 RBI in 28 games from Aug. 1 to Sept. 7

Position Preview – Catcher

• What we learned: a look at 2013’s top-10
• A look ahead: top options for 2014
• Top story line: Brian McCann’s m0ve to New York
• Value Picks: Salvador Perez, Wilson Ramos
• Busts: Joe Mauer, Evan Gattis
• Digging Deep: Dioner Navarro, Welington Castillo
• Wildcards: Mike Zunino, Yan Gomes

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock

Posted By:Bretsky on January 16, 2014

In Part III of the Box Score Baseball Offseason Extravaganza, Wayne Bretsky and Michael Pichan discuss Clayton Kershaw’s pile-o-cash, Derek Holland’s knee surgery, Pablo Sandoval’s slim waistline and start up the hype-train on Cubs’ prospect Kris Bryant. While You Were Drafting continues with a look at Arizona’s Swiss army knife, Martin Prado and the boys hand out their 2013 Pitcher Superlatives. As always, the show closes with a dip into the mailbag.

Follow the guys on Twitter @BretskyBall and @FantasyNomad to join in on the action!

»Listen

Box Score Baseball Podcast – Offseason Extravaganza Part III

News and Notes

• Clayton Kershaw gets PAID
• Derek Holland goes under the knife
• Pablo Sandoval drops some lbs.
• Josh Hamilton bulks up
• Manny Machado may be cleared son
• Mat Latos begins a throwing program
• Mark Teixeira swings a bat and Brian Roberts looks healthy (for now)
• Kris Bryant to begin in Double-A

While You Were Drafting – Martin Prado

• Batting just .245/.295/.346 on July 1, Prado rallied with a .320/.370/.488 slash the rest of the way
• Ranked third in the league in RBI in August, top-10 in WAR, top-15 in OBP

2013 Pitching Superlatives

• Pitcher who changed your mind: Jarrod Parker, Jordan Zimmermann
• Most surprising player who can keep it rolling: Sonny Gray, Jose Fernandez
• Most surprising player who will be a bust: Jhoulys Chacin, Patrick Corbin
• Most disappointing player who will bounce back: Cole Hamels, Matt Cain
• Most disappointing player who is dead to you: R.A. Dickey, CC Sabathia

Mailbag!

The Box Score Baseball theme is written and performed by William “Wild Bill” Hitchcock