Key Updates for Fantasy Baseball Managers: Acuna's Recovery and Skenes' Strategy

Fantasy Baseball Offseason: January Updates

As we dive deeper into January, the fantasy baseball offseason is heating up, even while many sports fans have their eyes glued to the NFL, NBA, and NHL. The attention may predominantly be on those leagues, but significant developments in the MLB are crucial for fantasy managers. Let's break down what you need to know:

Ronald Acuna Jr. Expected to Miss First Month of the Season

In a tough blow for fantasy enthusiasts, Ronald Acuna Jr. is projected to be sidelined for the first month of the 2025 season due to recovery from an ACL reconstruction surgery. Acuna underwent his procedure on June 5, 2024, and while he had shown a remarkable ability to bounce back previously, expectations must be tempered this time. Despite his incredible performance stats over his career, including a .289/.379/.525 batting line, 35 home runs, and 41 stolen bases on average over 162 games, his recent surgery raises concerns.

Having seen a significant drop in sprint speed and stolen base success rates previously, Acuna's ability to impact fantasy leagues has diminished. Nevertheless, he has been drafted as early as 23rd overall in recent drafts, indicating that some managers are still taking a gamble on his potential return to form.

Fantasy Impact: News

Paul Skenes Looks to Adjust His Game Plan

The 2025 season is also a time for young talents like Paul Skenes to make a name for themselves. Speaking with The Athletic, Skenes emphasized his focus on an aggressive pitching strategy, aiming to improve his first-pitch strike rate. The rookie's impressive debut, with a sub-2.00 ERA and a sub-1.00 WHIP over 20 starts, already sets him apart. Skenes' current ADP in fantasy drafts remains exceptionally high.

He acknowledges the need for improvement in several areas, including his overall strike rates. Learning from established stars like Chris Sale, Skenes aims to harness analytics to enhance his game further. While it’s promising to witness such ambition, this type of resolve is common for players as they prepare for the season.

Fantasy Impact: Mostly Noise

Brandon Nimmo's Ongoing Injury Concerns

Finally, outfielder Brandon Nimmo continues to battle plantar fasciitis, an issue that first reared its head during last year’s NLCS matchup against the Dodgers. His ongoing discomfort raises red flags as spring training approaches, possibly explaining the Mets’ recent signings to bolster their outfield. Managers should keep a close watch on Nimmo this spring, as the status of his foot injury could influence his performance and availability.

Fantasy Impact: News

Stay tuned for more exciting news and updates as we gear up for the 2025 fantasy baseball season!