After a bleak Spring Training, these 10 players are seeing their fantasy values fall.
Spring Training is a time of hope for teams and players, but it doesn’t go smoothly for everyone. These 10 players have hurt their cause and fantasy value heading into Opening Day.
Ian Anderson, SP, Atlanta Braves
Back from Tommy John surgery, Anderson was in the fifth starter conversation while the Braves wait on Spencer Strider to return. He still might fill that role temporarily, but the Spring Training results haven’t been pretty. He’s only allowed five earned runs in 17 innings, though Anderson has also walked a whopping 18 batters. The pace is unsustainable for a pitcher who has long had control issues and didn’t look right the last time he pitched in the majors three years ago, with a 5.00 ERA in 2022.
Jordan Beck, OF, Colorado Rockies
A starting job was there for the taking this Spring for Beck, but he’s failed to grasp it. After struggling in his rookie season, Beck has hit only .186 through 16 games. They say you can’t lose a job via injury or Spring Training, but he hasn’t put his best foot forward to earn a starting role while Sean Bouchard, Nick Martini, Zac Veen, and Hunter Goodman have thrived.
David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
Until a scoreless outing on Tuesday, Bednar’s prospects of regaining the closer role looked shaky. The long-time Pirates closer had every reason to produce this Spring after a disappointing 2024 season, yet he began exhibition play allowing nine runs over his first six appearances. The velocity is there, so perhaps we shouldn’t be so concerned. Then again, the Pirates have yet to anoint a closer and Bednar has to be making team brass nervous.
Nolan Gorman, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are clearly playing for 2026 and beyond with their lack of spending and moves in the offseason. That means Gorman will get some leeway this season, but he still needs to do his best to stay on the field. The strides he made against high fastballs in 2023 dwindled last season, and he’s looked rough in Spring Training hitting .196-1-2 with 12 strikeouts in 49 plate appearances. Often streaky, the optimist would say that Gorman is just waiting to turn it on when Opening Day arrives.
Liam Hendriks, RP, Boston Red Sox
Hendriks has taken a long road back from cancer and arm problems to arrive healthy this Spring. Manager Alex Cora has spoken optimistically about his stuff, but the team probably has no choice than to look elsewhere in save chances with the way Hendriks has struggled. The right-hander has been hit around, with 12 hits and six runs allowed in five innings. It’s too early to drop Hendriks if you already drafted him, though his ADP will likely continue to plunge.
DJ Herz, SP, Washington Nationals
Herz was a bright spot in the Nats pitching staff last season, posting a 4.16 ERA and 10.8 K/9 in 19 starts. However, a long history of control issues in the minors with a career 5.9 BB/9 gave reason for pause. The lefty has looked more like the minor league version in March with nine runs and nine walks in 9.2 innings. It’s possible Herz has played himself out of a job and fantasy roster status.
Matt Manning, SP, Detroit Tigers
Manning hasn’t done much for himself in the battle for a rotation spot, even as the team has lost Alex Cobb. After making only five MLB starts last season, Manning has struggled with eight earned runs allowed in six innings. The former top prospect doesn’t appear to be a long-term answer for the Tigers or fantasy managers.
Esteury Ruiz, OF, Athletics
Was Ruiz just a one-year wonder in 2023? It sure is looking that way. After leading the league with 67 steals in 2023, he missed much of last year due to injury and is unlikely to break camp with the team this year. Ruiz was overmatched in Spring Training, hitting only .121 with 1/16 BB/K in 35 plate appearances. Fantasy managers counting on a return this year should probably move on.
Kyle Stowers, OF, Miami Marlins
A late injury to star outfielder Jesus Sanchez might have saved Stowers’ roster spot, but he still had a disappointing Spring Training. The former O’s prospect was outplayed by Griffin Conine, hitting only .148-0-2 in 36 plate appearances. The Marlins have reason to give Stowers more playing time this year as they look toward the future, but he will still have to earn his at-bats and is running short on time at age 27.
Robert Suarez, RP, San Diego Padres
As far as we know, Suarez remains the Padres closer but the leash could be short if his struggles from Spring Training continue. With diminished velocity, Suarez has allowed eight runs over 3.2 innings. Jason Adam has some closing experience behind Suarez, and Jeremiah Estrada has looked like a closer in the making. The presence of those relievers should be considered a major threat if Suarez can’t snap out of his funk.
--Seth Trachtman
You can find fantasy baseball analysis in the 2025 Fantasy Baseball Index Draft Kit and Fantasy Baseball Index magazine.