March 26, 2026
San Francisco Giants first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge should remain on the fantasy radar in the early part of 2026, as the Giants' top-ranked prospect has some of the biggest power potential in the minors. The 6-foot-7 slugger blasted 25 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last year in just 100 games, and although he was left off the club's Opening Day roster, he'll likely be back in the majors sometime in the first half of the season. The left-handed slugger carries some batting average risk with the amount of swing-and-miss that comes with his power stroke, but managers who are looking for a home-run boost should keep the former first-round draft pick top of mind, and he should be a top stash candidate in deeper leagues as the regular season gets underway.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
March 26, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect
Trey Yesavage (shoulder) was "very effective" in a minor-league game on Wednesday, and his "velocity bumped back up," general manager Ross Atkins told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Toronto was being overly cautious with the 22-year-old's workload this spring, which is why he didn't appear in any Grapefruit League games. Then we learned that he was battling a right-shoulder impingement, which landed him on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 campaign. It's disappointing for Yesavage's fantasy managers, but it's a plus that he's pitching in games and looking good. Still, he is going to need probably a few more minor-league starts on an official rehab assignment before the Jays are comfortable having him rejoin the big-league rotation. When he makes his season debut, expect the Jays to ease him into action early on, limiting his DFS appeal. In year-long fantasy formats, Yesavage is one of the highest-upside young starting pitchers in baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
March 26, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect
Logan Henderson should be a name for fantasy managers to keep an eye on in the early going of the 2026 season. Although the right-hander was optioned to Triple-A earlier this month, he'll surely be one of the first names considered when Milwaukee needs pitching help. The former fourth-round draft pick debuted last year with good results, posting a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and an elite 25.3 percent K-BB% over five starts with the big league club. The 24-year-old looked good again in limited action this spring, allowing just one earned run in six innings pitched (1.50 ERA) with a 0.50 WHIP and a 4:0 K:BB. Fantasy managers with available bench space or even an NA slot should consider stashing the Brewers' seventh-ranked prospect ahead of his eventual call-up. Henderson is available in almost 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
March 26, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Shane Bieber (elbow) will throw off a mound this week, general manager Ross Atkins told Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Bieber still needs a full ramp-up that will simulate spring training, but it's a big step in his return from forearm/elbow fatigue. The 30-year-old veteran was placed on the 15-day injured list to start the 2026 regular season. Up to this point this spring, Bieber has been limited to throwing on flat ground. He didn't make his 2025 debut until August last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. When he returned, Bieber's velocity was up, but he still gave up plenty of hard contact and had a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings over seven regular-season starts. He then went 2-1 in five postseason games (four starts), allowing nine runs (eight earned) while striking out 18 and walking six in 18 2/3 frames. Barring a setback, Bieber could be a back-end rotation arm for fantasy managers at some point in May.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
March 26, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Brandon Sproat had a solid spring showing, posting a 3.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 21.2 percent K-BB% in 13 innings pitched, earning himself a spot in the Brewers' rotation to begin the year. The right-hander began last season at Triple-A, and although the season-long numbers don't jump off the page, in 10 appearances from June 28 through August 30, the former second-round draft pick recorded a 2.44 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched (20.9 percent K-BB%), which prompted his promotion to the big leagues. The 6-foot-5 hurler had a 4.79 ERA (2.80 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, and a much lower 11.9 percent K-BB% in his four starts for the Mets last year, and while a 7.40 K/9 in the majors doesn't grab the attention of many fantasy managers, the 25-year-old will draw a very favorable home matchup against the White Sox on Sunday in his first start of 2026. That should make him a viable waiver target, even if just for streaming purposes, and he could be a sneaky DFS pick in a game that the Brewers will surely be favored to win.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
March 26, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he'd be "foolish" not to consider veteran right-hander
Paul Sewald for save chances this year with both
Justin Martinez (elbow) and
A.J. Puk (elbow) on the injured list to begin the 2026 season, according to 12 News' Cameron Cox. Lovullo mentioned Sewald's experience at the back of the bullpen in his career, as the 35-year-old has 86 saves over his nine major-league seasons with five different teams. He certainly isn't a slam-dunk saves candidate for the D-backs or for fantasy managers, though, as he posted a weak 4.58 ERA (4.66 FIP), a 1.22 WHIP, two saves, 20 strikeouts, and six walks in just 19 2/3 innings in 2025 with the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. Sewald should be the Diamondbacks' first choice for save chances to begin the year, but
Kevin Ginkel and
Ryan Thompson could also be sprinkled in, and this could quickly evolve if Sewald struggles. Fantasy managers are better off staying away.
--Keith HernandezSource: 12 News - Cameron Cox
March 26, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park and is expected to go three innings/50 pitches during his minor-league rehab start on Saturday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports. Wheeler is making good progress in his recovery from surgery last September for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, and this will be his first game action since going under the knife. If everything goes according to plan during his rehab assignment in the minors, Wheeler could come off the IL and make his 2026 season debut in mid-April. The 35-year-old veteran is more of a risk in fantasy baseball going into his 12th season while coming off unique surgery, but Wheeler's high-end upside when healthy is too hard to ignore. He should not be available on any waiver wires to begin the year. The three-time All-Star had a 2.71 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 195:33 K:BB in his 24 starts last year before being shut down.
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Corey Seidman
March 26, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Chandler Simpson will start Opening Day on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals on the bench, according to MLB.com. The Rays will roll with
Ryan Vilade (batting second) in left field,
Cedric Mullins (batting eighth) in center field, and
Jonny DeLuca (batting sixth) in right field against Cardinals left-hander
Matthew Liberatore. Simpson, 25, bats from the left side and will have to wait to make his first start in 2026. In his first year in the big leagues in 2025, Simpson hit .299 (32-for-107) against southpaws, as opposed to a .293 (9-for-307) average versus righties. The former second-rounder in 2022 slashed an impressive .295/.326/.345 with a .671 OPS, no homers, 26 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases in his first 109 big-league games. He gives fantasy managers virtually zero power, and when he is in the lineup, he'll likely be down at the bottom of the order, limiting his counting-stat upside. Still, Simpson is useful in all leagues for his elite speed in Tampa.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Chicago White Sox catcher
Kyle Teel (hamstring) was seen getting in some pre-game work on Thursday before the team's Opening Day contest in Milwaukee against the Brewers, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Teel was placed on the 10-day injured list to start the 2026 season due to a Grade 2 right-hamstring strain that he suffered in mid-March while playing for Italy during the World Baseball Classic. The White Sox expect the 24-year-old backstop to return in four to six weeks. When healthy, Teel should serve as the Pale Hose's primary catcher in 2026, sharing time with
Edgar Quero behind the dish. Until Teel can make his season debut, the White Sox will roll with Quero and
Reese McGuire at the position. Teel doesn't have a crazy-high power ceiling, but he's proven he can get on base frequently, and he even has above-average wheels for a catcher. The former 14th overall pick in 2023 out of Virginia by the Red Sox hit .273/.375/.411 with a .786 OPS, eight homers, and 35 RBI in his first 78 major-league games in Chicago in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
March 26, 2026
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Thursday that infielder
Isaac Paredes will move around at several different positions in 2026, according to Astros beat writer Javier Gonzalez. "He'll get a lot of at-bats. The plan is for him to play 3B, 1B, 2B, and DH," Brown said. Paredes is starting at the hot corner and will bat third on Opening Day on Thursday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and right-hander
Jose Soriano with
Jeremy Pena (finger) out of the lineup.
Carlos Correa is moving to shortstop. The 27-year-old will essentially rotate around the infield when players need a day off or when injuries strike, so Paredes won't be guaranteed regular playing time throughout the year. He was limited to 102 games in 2025 in his first year in Houston due to a serious hamstring injury, but he still managed to reach the 20-homer mark for the third time in his six MLB seasons. Fantasy managers should view Paredes as a mid-tier third baseman, but to reach his true ceiling, he'll likely need an injury to open up more consistent playing time in Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: Javier Gonzalez
March 26, 2026
The Houston Astros are hoping that left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) will be facing hitters "by mid-April," general manager Dana Brown told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader is starting the 2026 season on the 15-day injured list due to left-biceps tendinitis that he dealt with this spring. The good news is that the veteran southpaw has been throwing off the mound since earlier this month. However, with Hader being a couple of weeks out from potentially facing live hitters, fantasy managers might want to expect his 2026 debut to come in early May, at the earliest. Hader should not be floating around on any waiver wires to begin the year, but fantasy managers holding him might not get him back as early as they anticipated, and it remains to be seen if he'll be his normal dominant self when he returns after also dealing with shoulder issues in 2025. In the meantime,
Bryan Abreu figures to get the majority of save opportunities in Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 26, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies rookie outfielder
Justin Crawford is starting in center field and batting ninth for the Phillies in his major-league debut on Thursday on Opening Day against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander
Nathan Eovaldi, according to MLB.com. Crawford earned a spot on the team's Opening Day roster after hitting .250 (13-for-52) with no homers, two RBI, 10 runs scored, three steals, two walks, and 12 strikeouts in 18 Grapefruit League games. The 22-year-old former 17th overall pick in 2022 has the opportunity to become the team's long-term option in center field after slashing .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs and 46 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. There's very little pop to be had here, and Crawford's counting stats might leave a lot to be desired while hitting at the bottom of the batting order, but his plus-plus speed should play as long as he's in the Phillies' lineup regularly.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Miguel Andujar is serving as the designated hitter and will bat fifth for the Padres on Opening Day on Thursday against the visiting Detroit Tigers and left-hander
Tarik Skubal, according to MLB.com. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups will want to avoid Andujar against the reigning American League Cy Young winner. In just two career at-bats against Skubal, Andujar is hitless. At least against lefties, Andujar will be San Diego's primary DH, with veteran
Nick Castellanos starting on the bench on Opening Day. The 31-year-old Dominican has an .807 career OPS against lefties, as opposed to a .734 OPS against right-handers. Andujar hit just .220 (11-for-50) with three home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs scored, and a stolen base in 19 Cactus League games this spring. He brings some pop from the right side, but he hasn't done much in the power department in his nine-year MLB career outside of crushing 27 long balls back in 2018 with the Yankees in just his second MLB season.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Detroit Tigers shortstop prospect
Kevin McGonigle is starting at third base and will bat sixth in his major-league debut on Thursday on Opening Day at Petco Park in San Diego against Padres right-hander
Nick Pivetta, according to MLB.com. The 21-year-old impressed the Tigers enough to win an Opening Day roster spot, but his first start in the big leagues will come at the hot corner instead of at the 6, with
Javier Baez starting at short. The former first-rounder in 2023 hit .250 (11-for-44) with an .888 OPS, two home runs, six RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases in 20 Grapefruit League games in spring training. McGonigle is mature beyond his years, is a complete hitter, and has an excellent command of the strike zone despite his age. He slashed .305/.408/.583 with a .991 OPS, 19 homers, 80 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 88 games at three minor-league levels in 2025. McGonigle's power and speed are developing, but there's no question he is one of the best pure-hitting prospects in the majors in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Minnesota Twins left-handed-hitting outfielder
Matt Wallner is in right field and is batting fifth on Opening Day on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles and left-hander
Trevor Rogers at Camden Yards, according to MLB.com. At least to begin the season, the Twins plan to play Wallner every day, even though he has just a .641 OPS in his career against southpaws. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should probably avoid the 28-year-old, who has never faced Rogers. Wallner had a solid spring training showing, batting .333 (16-for-48) with three home runs, four doubles, six RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 18 Grapefruit League games for the Twins. If Wallner can continue to improve against lefties like he did last season (.790 OPS) and reduce his strikeout rate, there's no reason why he won't continue to play regularly in Minnesota. Last year in a career-high 104 games, he slashed .202/.311/.464 with 22 homers, 40 RBI, 47 runs, and four steals in 392 plate appearances.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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