February 15, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho had a strong season at the plate in 2025, posting new career-highs in various categories. In his third season with the Jays, he slashed .238/.284/.548 with 20 home runs while maintaining a 6.3% walk rate and 28.4% strikeout rate. He also finished the year with a career-high 123 wRC+. Varsho's stats become even more impressive when you consider that he missed roughly half of the regular season due to separate shoulder and hamstring injuries. If he had stayed healthy, he could have pushed for 40 home runs. That didn't happen, but it's something to look forward to in 2026. Varsho projects to bat clean-up for the Jays this year, putting him in position to flash his power and drive in runs. As it stands, he ranks as the #54 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Bryan Reynolds had a subpar season in 2025, but the underlying metrics indicate that he could bounce back in 2026. The veteran outfielder slashed just .245/.318/.402 with 16 home runs, all of which represent his lowest markets since the COVID-impacted 2020 season. He also finished last year with a 8.7% walk rate and a career-worst 26.5% strikeout rate. Most of his swing decision metrics are on par with his career averages, but he did post a 44.2% O-contact rate that indicates he had trouble connecting with pitches out of the zone. Still, the 31-year-old is a prime candidate for positive regression (returning to his pre-2025 form), and his .338 xwOBA from last year suggests that he can take a leap forward in 2026. Beyond the upside, there's also name value here, as Reynolds is a two-time All-Star who previously showed that he can contribute at the plate and in the field. He currently ranks as the #51 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Ramon Laureano found his groove at the plate last season, delivering the best offensive numbers of his eight-year career so far. Laureano was previously known for his terrific defense and had made a name for himself with numerous insane throws in Oakland. However, it was the bat that came to play in 2025 as he posted a career-worst fWAR on defense but a career-high fWAR on offense, as well as a career-high wRC+. Across 132 games split between the Orioles and Padres, Laureano slashed .281/.342/.512 with a career-high 24 home runs, a 7.2% walk rate, a 24.4% strikeout rate, and 138 wRC+. He fared slightly better in Baltimore than in San Diego, but he was still highly effective with both organizations. It was tough to watch his defense hit a low point (-9 OAA and -5 FRV), but managers should be encouraged by his ability to contribute at the plate. As it stands, he ranks as the #60 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Pablo Lopez has repeatedly showcased his dominance over many seasons in MLB, but he's now looking to shake off the injury bug and prove that he can be consistently effective over the course of a full campaign. Lopez made just 14 starts in 2025 -- his lowest mark since the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign -- pitching to a terrific 2.74 ERA with 8.68 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9. He limited pop with just 0.71 K/9, but he induced ground balls at a career-worst 38.5% clip. Staying healthy is Lopez's biggest key to success from both a Twins perspective and a fantasy baseball perspective. He tossed just 75.2 innings last year, essentially missing five months due to a hamstring issue. The good news is that he's now fully healthy and will slot into a Twins rotation looking for some support. He currently projects as the Twins' ace, with
Joe Ryan close behind him in the No. 2 spot. As it stands, he ranks as the #37 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Tatsuya Imai is gearing up for his first MLB season after eight years in the NPB. During his final international season, the right-hander posted a career-best 1.92 ERA and 2.01 FIP along with his 9.79 K/9 and 2.47 BB/9. He demonstrated an elite ability to limit hard contact with his 0.33 HR/9 and 48.3% ground ball rate. Moving stateside will definitely present some adversity for Imai, who likely won't repeat quite the same level of success he had in 2025. However, he clearly still has immense upside ahead of his debut season in the United States. Evidently, the Astros agree, as they were willing to pay him $54 million across three years. He'll be tasked with helping fill the void of ace
Framber Valdez, who departed for the Detroit Tigers.
Hunter Brown and
Cristian Javier will also slot into top-of-the-rotation roles. As it stands, Imai ranks as the #48 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 15, 2026
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Trevor Rogers drastically exceeded expectations during an injury-delayed 2025 season, and he'll look for repeat success in 2026. The southpaw missed the first month and a half due to a knee subluxation, and he also spent some time in the minors after being optioned to Triple-A. However, after he was recalled to Baltimore for a second time in June, he broke out and proved he was there to stay. He finished the year with a 1.81 ERA and 2.82 FIP across 18 starts, posting 8.45 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9. He also showed that he was able to limit hard contact with a 46% ground ball rate and 0.49 HR/9. Rogers doesn't have overpowering fastball velocity, but he used his above-average slider and ability to induce weak contact to carry him to such dominant 2025 results. Heading into 2026, fans and fantasy managers are eager to see if his success is sustainable. His 3.64 xFIP indicates that he's due for a little regression, but can still be a very effective starter in MLB. As it stands, he ranks as the #46 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 14, 2026
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Kris Bubic (shoulder) faced hitters during a live batting practice session on Saturday. According to Jaylon Thompson, Bubic looked strong and had good movement on his pitches. Those are encouraging words as Bubic looks to bounce back after missing the second half of last season due to a rotator cuff strain. During his breakout campaign last season, Bubic posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 116/39 K/BB ratio across 20 starts. It was the first time that Bubic had started more than three games in a single season since the 2022 campaign. There are some durability and workload concerns, but the upside is too high to ignore. If healthy, Bubic should have no problem being in the top 40-50 range for starting pitchers in upcoming fantasy drafts.
--Andy WebbSource: Jaylon Thompson
February 14, 2026
Minnesota Twins pitcher
Jackson Kowar was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations on Saturday. Kowar was claimed off waivers by the Twins roughly two weeks ago. Now, the right-hander is on the move for the third time this offseason. This seems like a low-risk trade for the O's to add some extra depth in their bullpen. Last season, Kowar registered a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 15/7 K/BB ratio across 15 appearances with the Seattle Mariners. The expectation is that Kowar will compete for a spot in the O's bullpen during camp. If he makes it, Kowar is expected to pitch in low-leverage spots, so he's unlikely to hold any fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Minnesota Twins
February 14, 2026
The Washington Nationals have signed relief pitcher
Cionel Perez to a minor-league deal on Saturday. According to Jon Heyman, Perez will earn $1.9 million salary, including $700K of incentives, assuming he makes the big-league roster. The southpaw struggled last season during his 19 appearances with the Baltimore Orioles. Before his disastrous 2025 campaign, Perez was a solid middle relief option for the O's from 2022-2024. This is a low-risk move for the Nats, who could end up getting a reliable middle reliever on a cheap one-year contract.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
February 14, 2026
The San Diego Padres have signed starting pitcher
German Marquez to a one-year deal on Saturday. Marquez doesn't have pretty overall numbers, but he spent the first decade of his career pitching in Coors Field with the Colorado Rockies. Last season, Marquez posted a 6.70 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and an 83/48 K/BB ratio across 26 starts. The move out of hitter-friendly Colorado should help bring down that inflated 6-plus ERA. The 30-year-old could be a useful innings-eater in the back-end of the starting rotation. Marquez posted a career-low 5.9 SO9 last season. He's not someone who misses many bats, so the chances of him becoming a useful fantasy option are unlikely.
--Andy WebbSource: Alden Gonzalez
February 14, 2026
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez is aiming to make 30 starts in 2026 despite missing all of last season due to injury. Rodriguez didn't pitch in 2025 after having bone spurs removed from his right elbow. The right-hander says that he has already noticed a significant difference. Having a healthy Rodriguez could be a huge boost to the Halos' rotation this season. The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade that sent outfielder
Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the offseason. The former first-rounder has been a viable option when healthy, but keeping him on the mound has been the problem. In 2024, Rodriguez posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 130/36 K/BB ratio across 20 starts with the O's. The potential is still there for Rodriguez to be a top-of-the-line starter, so hopefully he can stay healthy and prove it in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Rhett Bollinger
February 14, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander
Merrill Kelly will be the team's Opening Day starter, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Kelly, 37, began last season with the D-backs before being traded to the Texas Rangers. In 32 total starts (184 innings), he went 12-9 with a 3.52 ERA (3.76 FIP), 1.11 WHIP, and 167:48 K:BB. Kelly was much better in Arizona before the trade, recording a 3.22 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP with 121 K's and 38 free passes in 128 2/3 frames over 22 starts. Kelly doesn't have overpowering stuff and is nearing the end of his career, but he can still be effective as a starter, as he frequently uses his stellar changeup to generate weak contact. In addition to regularly getting weak contact, Kelly has excellent control, with a 7.2% walk rate in his seven MLB seasons. Kelly can provide some stability to the back end of a rotation in deep fantasy leagues. He's ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 64 starting pitcher in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
February 14, 2026
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone had a frustrating debut season in the major leagues last year, slashing .157/.237/.295 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored, 18 walks, and 52 strikeouts in 62 games over 232 plate appearances. The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2024 out of Florida had impressive exit velocities, barrel rate, and bat speed, but he also struck too much and chased bad pitches. It was a small big-league sample size for Caglianone in 2025, and the Royals are giving him some "runway to establish himself as an everyday player" in 2026, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. KC sees him playing a lot in right field to begin the season. Mechanically, Caglianone focused on keeping his weight balanced in the offseason rather than being so front-foot heavy. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Cags long term, especially with his elite power, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues will be a bit more hesitant to buy in as he heads into his sophomore season.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
February 14, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder
Jordan Lawlar struggled in his first taste of big-league action in 2025, hitting .182/.257/.288 with zero home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases across 74 plate appearances. The 23-year-old also posted below-average defensive metrics while bouncing around between third base, second base, and shortstop. Over the offseason, Arizona announced that the majority of Lawlar's 2026 Spring Training reps would come in the outfield. The position change may end up leading Lawlar to an early-season starting role in the big leagues, as star Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand) underwent surgery on a broken hamate bone on Wednesday and may miss the start of the season as a result. Arizona outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) will definitely be sidelined for Opening Day, so the team has a significant need for help in the outfield. Lawlar mashed Triple-A pitching to a .313/.403/.564 line with 11 home runs, 52 RBI, 50 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across 300 plate appearances in 2025. With a current average draft position of pick 336, Lawlar could be worth a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 14, 2026
Kansas City Royals third baseman
Maikel Garcia put together a breakout season in 2025, hitting .286/.351/.449 with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases across 666 plate appearances. The 25-year-old posted career-best walk (9.3%) and strikeout (12.6%) rates, while still posting a stellar 45.1% hard-hit rate. Garcia also spent time at shortstop, second base, and in the outfield in 2025, so he may offer multi-position eligibility to fantasy managers in certain league formats. Although it was the best of his career, Garcia's 5.6% barrel rate in 2025 remains below average and may indicate a limited power ceiling. However, there's reason to believe that he could offer more in terms of stolen bases, as Garcia swiped 37 bags despite a brutal .281 on-base percentage as recently as 2024. Garcia should be locked into an everyday role at the top of the Kansas City lineup, so he offers a stable floor in terms of RBI and runs scored. If he can get back to his previously demonstrated levels of aggression on the base paths while holding his gains with the bat, Garcia's current average draft position of pick 80 could prove to be a bargain for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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