Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Notebook: Dom Smith, Justin Verlander Looking Good

Another setback for Chris Sale, who won't be ready for Opening Day.

Some encouraging news for Yankees fans:

Luis Severino threw two innings of live BP today. Aaron Boone said that Severino is probably the most ready pitcher in big league camp.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) March 15, 2022

Severino has only pitched 18 innings since 2018–missing time the last few seasons with both a strained lat and Tommy John surgery–but if Severino can return to form, the upside is tremendous. In the 63 games he started between the 2017-2018 season, Severino pitched to a 3.19 ERA while striking out batters at a rate of more than 10 per nine innings. The 28-year-old righty has a lot to play for, as he’s hoping the Yankees will pick up his $15M million option for 2023. At an ADP of 163, if Severino can remain healthy, he should return great value for a 13th-round pick.

Who’s going to be the DH for the Mets?

Some clarity… or maybe not?

Buck Showalter says Dom Smith will play both 1B/OF, Jeff McNeil will receive majority of time at 2B, but will play some OF. Plan is for Robinson Cano to play some 2B this year too, and maybe some 1B, and not be “strictly” a DH

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) March 15, 2022

Looks like Robinson Cano, J.D. Davis and Dom Smith will all get opportunities, but in the early days of camp, it’s Dom Smith who is standing out. In their first sim game of the season, Smith took Max Scherzer deep — twice. Smith himself claims to have set a goal to hit .300 with 25-30 HR this season. Smith is currently going in the 24th round, qualifies at both infield and outfield, and is only one season removed from having an expected slugging rate in the top 6% of the league. He’s worth a flier.

Chris Sale is bitten by the injury bug … again

News out of Red Sox camp: Chris Sale has a stress fracture in his rib cage and will not be ready for the start of the season.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2022

Chris Sale will start the year on IL due to a stress fracture in his ribs. The timetable is unclear for his return, but will likely be weeks rather than days. When healthy, Sale has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. He returned from Tommy John surgery last season and was in good form, but Sale hasn’t pitched more than 158 innings since 2018. Looks like that won’t change this season. His ADP of 50 will be falling quickly.

Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

Justin Verlander looks like…. Justin Verlander

Saying he was "reinvigorated" and "blessed to be here," Justin Verlander was thrilled to be hitting 95, 96 mph today in a live BP.

He also he's a few days behind where he normally is this time of year, but he’s recovered and feels good.

Much more to come pic.twitter.com/ZdqF6lchHI

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 13, 2022

Verlander is a year-and-a-half removed from Tommy John surgery. He considered pitching in the 2021 postseason, but decided to be conservative with his recovery. At an ADP of 105, worst-case scenario you pass on Cody Bellinger and Bellinger has a bounce-back season. Best case: you get a pitcher who has another Cy Young season. I’d rather place a bet on the latter.