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Curtis Mead Still an Option Worth Rostering in Deeper Leagues?
Washington Nationals infielder Curtis Mead has seen increased playing time in the nation's capital in the first half of the 2026 season, giving him some deep-league fantasy value for his power stroke from the right side of the plate. The 25-year-old Australian has hit .232/.343/.465 with a career-best .807 OPS, a career-high 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 61 games across 216 plate appearances so far this year in his first year with the Nationals. Before this season, Mead had never played in more than 90 games in the big leagues in his three years in the league after debuting in 2023 with the Tampa Bay Rays. While he has some appeal in deeper leagues for his power, Mead has gone just 11-for-53 (.208) with three home runs, one double, nine RBI, seven runs scored, five walks, and 12 strikeouts in 16 games in June. Mead sits in the 58th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 70th percentile in barrel rate, and the 89th percentile in xwOBA while sporting a .261 expected batting average and .367 xwOBA. The power is real, and with eligibility at second, third, and first base, Mead can help fantasy managers in deeper leagues in need of more pop. He's rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
