Author Archive

Ottoneu Cold Right Now: May 8 2025

Apr 30, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) loses his bat during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Field.
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cold Right Now (CRN) is a weekly Ottoneu feature focused on players being dropped or who should be dropped in Ottoneu leagues. In this feature, we will break down players into three sections:

  1. Roster Cuts: Analysis of players who have been cut in a high percentage of leagues.
  2. Recent Injuries: A look at the implications of recent injuries (not all, just some high-profile ones).
  3. Cold Performers: Players with a low P/G or P/IP in recent weeks.

This article will typically run once per week and will help fantasy managers keep track of players that need to be given extra attention to improve rosters.

Read the rest of this entry »


I Strike Out Opposite-Handed Batters Now. Does That Even Matter To You?

May 1, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz (11) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

In 2017, Gerrit Cole struck out opposite-handed batters, lefties, at a 22.8% rate. That mark was above the MLB average, 20.4%, among right-handed starters striking out left-handed hitters. In the first few months of the 2018 season, March, April, and May, Cole’s K% versus left-handed hitters rocketed up to 45.5%.

Here’s how he did it:

Read the rest of this entry »


Ottoneu Cold Right Now: May 1 2025

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) takes the field before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Cold Right Now (CRN) is a weekly Ottoneu feature focused on players being dropped or who should be dropped in Ottoneu leagues. In this feature, we will break down players into three sections:

  1. Roster Cuts: Analysis of players who have been cut in a high percentage of leagues.
  2. Recent Injuries: A look at the implications of recent injuries (not all, just some high-profile ones).
  3. Cold Performers: Players with a low P/G or P/IP in recent weeks.

This article will typically run once per week and will help fantasy managers keep track of players that need to be given extra attention to improve rosters.

Read the rest of this entry »


Hi, I Strikeout Opposite Handed Hitters Now

 

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis L. Ortiz (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Pitchers can change. Pitchers can change. Pitchers can change. If you don’t believe that, read those first three sentences aloud, preferably in a loud voice in a public space. Hopefully, it will be heard by a fellow baseball lover, and boom, you have a new friend to debate the topic with. You can chat about whether changes in the way pitchers approach opposite-handed hitters matter in the grand scheme of the season. In this article, I’ll present five pitchers from each matchup combination who have increased their strikeout rates against opposite-handed hitters.

Read the rest of this entry »


Ottoneu Hot Right Now: April 21, 2025

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (12) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The 2025 version of Hot Right Now will typically include three sections:

  1. Current Auctions: A closer look at players being auctioned at a high rate.
  2. Roster Adds: Analysis of players with high add% changes.
  3. Hot Performers: Players with a high P/G or P/IP in recent weeks.

The FanGraphs Ottoneu team plans to run this feature weekly, updating fantasy managers on the biggest movers in Ottoneu leagues with an analysis of how these players could or could not help your roster.

Read the rest of this entry »


Ottoneu Cold Right Now: Apr 17, 2025

Cincinnati Reds first baseman <a href=

Cold Right Now (CRN) is a weekly Ottoneu feature focused on players being dropped or who should be dropped in Ottoneu leagues. In this feature we will break down players into three sections:

  1. Roster Cuts: Analysis of players who have been cut in a high percentage of leagues.
  2. Recent Injuries: A look at the implications of recent injuries (not all, just some high-profile ones).
  3. Cold Performers: Players with a low P/G or P/IP in recent weeks.

This article will typically run once per week and will help fantasy managers keep track of players that need to be given extra attention to improve rosters.

Read the rest of this entry »


Three Appearance Fastball Velocity Risers and Fallers: April 17th, 2025

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Welcome to another installment of fastball velocity risers and fallers. For reference, here are a few articles that explain both the process and the importance of increased or decreased velocity when predicting future success:

The data for this article reflects games played through April 15th (but may include a Spring Training start for any pitcher who has yet to reach three starts) and only displays Statcast’s four-seam fastball (FF) velocity.
Read the rest of this entry »


Ottoneu Hot Right Now: April 14, 2025

San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (5) reacts after hitting a double
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The 2025 version of Hot Right Now will typically include three sections:

  1. Current Auctions: A closer look at players being auctioned at a high rate.
  2. Roster Adds: Analysis of players with high add% changes.
  3. Hot Performers: Players with a high P/G or P/IP in recent weeks.

The FanGraphs Ottoneu team plans to run this feature weekly, updating fantasy managers on the biggest movers in Ottoneu leagues with an analysis of how these players could or could not help your roster.

Read the rest of this entry »


The Ottoneu “player to be named later” Clause

<a href=
Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Sometimes you have to shake things up, especially when you find yourself rostering four “1B only” players. I updated my trade block and hoped someone out there needed help at the position. “Ding!” went my laptop from across the room a few minutes later, indicating I’d received an email. It had an extra sharp sound to it like it had come straight from Ottoneu’s automated system with intent.

hey, i’d be interested in Vientos. Let me know what you’re looking for or if you see a fit.

Read the rest of this entry »


Third Base 2025 Fantasy Rankings

Boston Red Sox Alex Bregman (2) hits a single during the first inning of their game with the New York Mets
Credit: Chris Tilley-Imagn Images

There’s an interesting smell coming from the kitchen of pre-season 2025 third-base ranks. Some may notice notes of “changing of the guard”, and others may sense stable notes of “nostalgia”. Only the most sensitive whiffers may be able to decipher the sweet from the bitter. If you’re unwilling to take a chance and try something new, you may need to draft at the top and order right away. If you see something in a player profile that you think so clearly indicates a step forward, you can wait for the orders to go around the table. There’s a decent amount of veteran, safe talent at the top and a tremendous amount of upside risk in the middle. The bottom? The bottom seems like a scary place to dine, but then again, perhaps the table will be jealous when the meals come out and you begin to feast.

Read the rest of this entry »