In the quest for a successful fantasy baseball season, identifying players likely to bust is just as crucial as finding the right sleepers. Early-round pitchers come with significant risk, and dropping a high-cost player mid-season can severely hamper your team's chances. Using past examples like Alek Manoah and Bobby Miller, a pitcher bust is typically someone dropped from most fantasy rosters. Key indicators of a potential bust include below-average chase rates on two-strike counts, average balls in play rates, and fluky HR/FB ratios.

This season, potential busts include Bryce Miller and Spencer Schwellenbach, both of whom exhibit concerning metrics. Miller's two-strike chase rate is below average, and Schwellenbach, despite a strong finish last season, faces challenges with his pitch mix and competition for the starting role. Meanwhile, pitchers like Luis Castillo and Framber Valdez, who are experiencing declines, warrant close monitoring despite not meeting all bust criteria. Understanding these dynamics can help fantasy managers avoid costly mistakes.

As the Cleveland Guardians gear up for the Cactus League, the spring training predictions suggest some promising developments. Angel Martinez is in line to secure the second base position, leveraging his past big-league experience and strong batting performance in spring training. Joey Cantillo is expected to impress in his bid for a spot in the rotation, especially if he can refine his fastball to complement his excellent curveball. Additionally, Johnathan Rodriguez, despite a rocky start, is generating buzz for perhaps forcing tough roster decisions with his strong minor league performance.

As Spring Training approaches, the Cleveland Guardians face a significant decision regarding their second base position. With players arriving in Goodyear, Arizona, the competition features Angel Martinez, Daniel Schneemann, Gabriel Arias, Juan Brito, and Tyler Freeman. Gabriel Arias appears to have the edge due to his substantial Major League experience and impressive performance in the minors and Venezuelan Winter League. Last season, Arias posted a .317 batting average with an OPS of .904 in Triple-A and continued to excel by hitting .293 with a .912 OPS in the winter league.

Despite struggles with consistency in the big leagues, particularly after a demotion last July, Arias's recent form suggests he deserves another shot at the Major League level, especially given the Guardians' need for offensive production after trading Andrés Giménez. The Guardians are likely to provide Arias with ample opportunities to solidify his role; however, if he falters, they may quickly turn to Brito, Freeman, or other options. The upcoming Spring Training games starting on February 22 will be critical in determining the team's starting second baseman for Opening Day.