Fantasy Baseball: Monday’s Spring Training Roundup

Here are a few thoughts after reviewing Monday’s spring training boxscores:

Reds pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman left today’s game vs the Rockies with back spasms. Chapman was scheduled to work four innings in relief today. Some scouts have stated that he is the best pitcher on the Reds right now and should make the big league team come Opening Day. His injury may change that.

Cardinals first baseman had an MRI on his back and was given two shots to relieve his pain. This bears watching come draft day.

Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy threw 5 shutout innings vs the Padres, giving up two hits while striking out eight. He could be a sleeper in NL-only leagues on draft day. He average a strikeout per inning in the minors.

Padres starter Clayton Richard threw 6 shutout innings, giving up 6 hits, 2 walks and striking out 3. Richard will be the Padres 4th starter.

The Padres stole another 3 bases with Aaron Cunningham stealing his 6th base. He could be an end game outfielder or utility guy in NL-only leagues.

Yankees starter Phil Hughes, fighting for the 5th rotation spot, gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in 4+ innings on Monday, but he struck out 6 and did not walk a batter in doing so.Three of the hits off Hughes were home runs. Hughes could steal the 5th starter spot from Joba Chamberlain.

Cole Hamels was roughed up by the Yankees, giving up 7 runs on 9 hits in 4 innings on Monday. His ERA rose to 4.91.

Dodgers backup catcher A.J. Ellis was 2-4 with a walk and 2 runs scored on Monday vs the Brewers. He is hitting .308 with a .471 OBP in 26 spring training at bats. There are worse backup catchers in the majors, so he could be a late round snag in 2 catcher leagues.

Rays second baseman Sean Rodriguez was 2-3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored and his 6th HR of the spring. He could push Ben Zobrist to right field to start the season, as he is hitting .425 thus far in spring training.

White Sox starter Jake Peavy gave up 7 runs on 10 hits in 3 innings on Monday. At this point in spring training the pitchers are hitting a lull as they get ready for the start of the season. This bad outing will be long forgotten come mid-April.

Mets pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia gave up 1 hit and a walk in 1+ innings on Monday. Mejia has a very good chance at making the Mets roster and will work in the bullpen.