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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
Devin Fitz-Gerald Moving to Double-A, Emerging as Must-Roster Dynasty Asset?
The Washington Nationals are promoting shortstop prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators on Monday, according to Milb Central. Fitz-Gerald, who is considered the Nats' No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned the promotion after hitting .267/.373/.530 with a .903 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 42 runs scored in 51 games across 237 plate appearances for High-A Wilmington this year. The 20-year-old was originally a fifth-round selection by the Texas Rangers in 2024 out of a high school in Florida. He stands at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds and is a switch-hitter who has an advanced knowledge of the strike zone for his age. Fitz-Gerald doesn't have a ton of pop, but he is good at lifting the ball into the air and could develop more power as he matures. Defensively, he can play shortstop, third, and second base, but in the long-term, he might profile best at the keystone due to average arm strength. Right now, the Floridian should be considered a stash candidate in deeper dynasty/keeper leagues, with his MLB debut most likely a few years away.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Luis Garcia Jr. Stays Hot With Two Homers on Friday Night
Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. had a big game on Friday night in the team's 14-1 blowout victory at Chase Field against the hosting Arizona Diamondbacks, going 2-for-6 at the plate with two home runs and six RBI to boost his season batting average to .263 and his OPS to .745. Garcia got the Nats going early in the first inning with a two-run blast, and he capped things off later in the ballgame with a grand slam in the sixth inning. It was the 26-year-old's second multi-homer game of the 2026 season. He's not hitting .263/.291/.454 on the year with seven home runs, 37 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 58 games across 203 plate appearances in his seventh year in D.C. Fantasy managers will want to keep riding Garcia as long as he stays hot with the lumber. After his strong performance on Friday night against the D-backs, he is hitting .300 (12-for-40) with four dingers, a double, a triple, 15 RBI, and five runs scored in his last 11 games since May 23. Garcia is currently rostered in only 42% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Curtis Mead Records First Career Multi-Homer Game in Win Over Guardians
Washington Nationals infielder Curtis Mead had a career night on Monday in the team's 10-2 win over the hosting Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, going 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout. It was Mead's first career multi-home run in his fourth year in the big leagues. The 25-year-old Australian came into Monday's series opener in Cleveland with a .234/.351/.441 slash line, .793 OPS, only five home runs, 17 RBI, 20 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 39 games across 131 plate appearances in his first year with the Nats. Mead is hitting a very modest .241/.353/.491 on the season with seven home runs now, but he has been displaying more power of late, going deep three times in the last three games. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Mead to keep it up, as he never had more than three round-trippers in a single season before 2026. He's primarily useful in NL-only leagues, mainly for his eligibility at first, second, and third base. Mead is rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nasim Nunez Emerging as Elite Speed Threat for Nationals
Washington Nationals infielder Nasim Nunez continued his breakout season on the bases Monday, stealing his 20th base of the year and tying Jose Ramirez for the MLB lead. The 25-year-old has been caught stealing just twice and continues to create pressure whenever he reaches base. Nunez owns a 29.8 mph sprint speed, which ranks in the 99th percentile across MLB and highlights the elite speed tool driving his production. While he is slashing just .196/.304/.217 this season, his 13.0 BB% has helped him generate additional opportunities on the base paths. Fantasy managers in need of steals should continue targeting Nunez as he establishes himself as one of baseball's premier stolen base threats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
