clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Ronald Acuna, Jason Vargas, Jorge Polanco, more!

Fantasy news from over the weekend.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
  • Ronald Acuna has had a monster spring training. Through 15 spring games, Acuna is slashing .410/.511/.744 with four home runs and four stolen bases. The #1 minor league prospect coming into the season is making as strong a case as possible for the Braves to put him in the Opening Day lineup. Regardless, Acuna is showing game changing potential and should continue to climb up everyone’s fantasy rankings.
  • Jason Vargas will undergo surgery on a hand injury. The timetable for his return unclear but he will miss at least the first turn in the Mets rotation. The news opens the door for Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler to start in Vargas’s place. Both are former top 10 prospects and offer similar career stat lines with ERAs under 4.00 and K/9 above 8.
  • Jorge Polanco was suspended 80 games for the use of PEDs. Polanco hit .256 with 13 home runs and 13 steals last season for the Twins. During the final 55 games, Polanco hit .316 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI, including 7 steals. A potential top 20 shortstop entering 2018, Polanco is now a mere stash in AL only formats and should be avoided in most mixed leagues.

A few more quick hitters:

  • The Astros announced their starting five as Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers Jr., Gerrit Cole, and Charlie Morton.
  • Daniel Murphy is likely to be placed on the disabled list to begin the year.
  • Joey Gallo might bat second in the order for the Rangers in 2018.
  • Gleyber Torres will play both second base and shortstop during his time in the minors.
  • Brewers catcher Stephen Vogt will begin the season on the disabled list.
  • Athletics starter Jharel Cotton will undergo Tommy John surgery.