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Is Paul Goldschmidt a Must-Add First Baseman Amid Resurgent Campaign?
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt opened the 2026 season in a part-time role, logging just 33 plate appearances through the end of April. However, a late-April injury to Yankees designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (calf) opened the door for Goldschmidt and Yankees first baseman Ben Rice to both log everyday playing time. The veteran Goldschmidt has taken full advantage of the opportunity, hitting .293/.355/.543 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 27 runs scored, and one stolen base across 203 plate appearances. His barrel rate, which dipped to 7.9% in 2025, is back up to 11.7% this season. He's also remained absolutely dominant against left-handed pitching, posting a 1.222 OPS across 85 plate appearances versus southpaws. Goldschmidt's playing time could take a hit once Stanton is healthy. Still, Stanton is currently without a firm return timeline, and Goldschmidt has been too good for the Yankees to fully remove him from his current role. At least until Stanton returns, Goldschmidt should be viewed as a must-start first baseman by fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
