February 6, 2026
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect
Jared Thomas earned an invite to big-league spring training. Thomas will join several of the other top prospects in the Colorado system, including
Charlie Condon and
Cole Carrigg. Thomas is currently ranked as the team's No. 8 prospect on MLB.com. Thomas joined the Rockies in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Texas and is quickly progressing through the minor leagues. After a short taste of Low-A in 2024, Thomas would spend the 2025 campaign splitting time between High-A and Double-A. With High-A, Thomas posted a .330/.427/.495 slash line with 11 home runsand 22 stolen bases. At Double-A, Thomas took a step back, holding a .245/.347/.374 line with only three long balls, across a 45-game stint. Given his struggles at Double-A, managers should expect Thomas to begin the 2026 season there, but he has the path to push for a second-half MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB Pipeline
February 6, 2026
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher
Carlos Estevez surpassed all expectations during the 2025 campaign. In his debut season in Kansas City, Estevez would tally 42 saves, which were the most in the major leagues. Through 66 innings, the right-hander would post a strong 2.45 ERA with a 106 WHIP. Even though he would strike out only 54 batters (at a low 20.1% rate), he would be a must-start option given his effectiveness in the closer role. However, managers should expect Estevez to see some significant regression in 2026. The 33-year-old generated a 3.69 xERA with a .228 xBA, suggesting his ratios could take a step back. Additionally, he generated a 10.6% barrel rate (14th percentile) and a low 25.4% ground-ball rate (first percentile), suggesting his 2025 production is not sustainable. While he remains a safe bet for 20+ saves, managers should draft him expecting his ratios to return to his career averages of a 3.97 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 6, 2026
Atlanta Braves first baseman
Matt Olson continues to carry a high floor for fantasy purposes heading into the 2026 regular season. Olson has played in all 162 games since joining the Braves in 2022 and has continued to deliver high-end counting stats. Since 2022, Olson has hit at least 29 home runs in each campaign and even surpassed the 30-HR mark in two of them, including a career-best 54-HR season. During this four-year stretch, Olson has logged at least 95 RBI in each season and scored over 85 runs in all but one. Even though he fell short of the 30-HR mark for the second-straight season in 2025, managers should still be looking to invest in the 31-year-old this summer. He generated a strong 53.5% hard-hit rate with a .360 xwOBA, both of which were increases from 2024. Additionally, he drew walks at 12.4% rate, the second-highest mark during his time in Atlanta. With a healthy
Ronald Acuna Jr. leading the lineup, Olson has a clear path to remain a high-end contributor for counting stats and could even see a slight uptick in power.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 6, 2026
New York Yankees relief pitcher
David Bednar continues to hold value as one of the top relievers in fantasy baseball heading into the 2026 regular season. Bednar joined the Yankees shortly before the 2025 trade deadline and was quite impressive during his first stint in the Bronx. Over his first 24 2/3 innings in New York, Bednar tallied 10 saves while carrying a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 35:9 K:BB. He began the season in Pittsburgh, where he looked just as strong, holding a 2.37 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP across a larger 38-inning stint. This was a much-needed bounce-back season for the right-hander, as he posted a high 5.77 ERA in 2024. With
Devin Williams and
Luke Weaver now with the Mets, Bednar figures to have minimal competition for save opportunities in 2026. He remains a high-end No. 1 closer in all formats and should make a strong push to reach the 30-save mark for the second time in his career.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels are closing in on a contract with relief pitcher
Brent Suter, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Suter has bounced between the rotation and bullpen throughout his 10-year MLB career, but has begun to settle in as a primary reliever over the past five campaigns. Last summer, the reliever spent his second season with the Reds and logged 67 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.52 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He struck out 53 hitters while showing above-average command, posting a 6.2% walk rate. He also limited hard contact at a stellar 32.9% rate while generating groundballs at a high 45.4% rate, suggesting he may see some positive regression in 2026. With the Angels, managers should expect Suter to operate in a middle-relief role, with the upside to earn occasional starts.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Cotillo
February 6, 2026
Free agent first baseman
Ty France remains linked to several clubs on the open market. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the veteran infielder could sign in Cleveland, Colorado, or San Diego. The Padres recently added depth outfielder
Miguel Andujar, but have shown interest in France. Last summer, France began the campaign with the Minnesota Twins and would eventually spend the back half of the season with the Toronto Blue Jays. With the Twins (101 games), France held a .251/.320/.357 line with a modest .677 OPS. He hit 19 doubles and six home runs. As a Blue Jay, the 31-year-old posted a much higher .277/.320/.360 across a short 31-game look. Managers should view France as a depth corner infielder in 15+ team formats. He would likely be kept in a platoon role to open the season, which would limit his overall fantasy value.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Cotillo
February 6, 2026
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher
Kyle Finnegan may not see many save opportunities to open the season. On a recent podcast, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch broke down his bullpen plan for the start of the season. While he suggested that
Kenley Jansen would be the favorite to open the season as the team's primary night-inning option, given his history and track record, Hinch did say that all of his high-leverage options would be available at all times of the game. Finnegan has served as a primary closer for most of his career with the Washington Nationals. In 2023 and 2024, he tallied 28 saves in each campaign. Last summer, he was on pace to hit this mark again, but fell short after he was traded to Detroit and appears ticketed for a setup role once more. Managers in formats that reward holds should still view Finnegan as a primary target, given his experience as a high-leverage option. However, for those in shallower standard formats, Finnegan should be avoided in drafts.
--Andy SmithSource: A.J. Hinch
February 5, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired infielder Jose Mejia and pitchers
Kade Strowd and Wellington Aracena from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday in exchange for infielder
Blaze Alexander, a source told The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. Mejia, a 20-year-old Dominican infielder, played in 47 games last year in the Rookie level and hit .274/.418/.411 with an .829 OPS, two home runs, 23 RBI, 22 runs scored, and six stolen bases over 158 plate appearances. He appeared in only two contests for High-A Aberdeen. Mejia will begin his D-backs tenure in the lower levels of the minors in 2026. He's not a high-level prospect by any means, but he could help his cause as he looks to rise through the system because of his ability to play shortstop, second base, third base, first base, left field, and right field.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
February 5, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired pitchers Wellington Aracena and
Kade Strowd, and infielder Jose Mejia from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday in exchange for infielder
Blaze Alexander, a source told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. The Orioles acquired Aracena from the New York Mets last July in the deal that sent lefty reliever
Gregory Soto to New York. The 21-year-old Dominican right-hander pitched at Single-A Delmarva, Single-A St. Lucie, and High-A Aberdeen last year, posting a nice 2.25 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 114 strikeouts and 51 walks in 92 innings over 23 appearances (14 starts). Aracena is an interesting prospect with some development yet to do in the minors, but if he continues his current trajectory, he could be a real contributor in the desert in a year or two.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
February 5, 2026
Detroit Tigers outfielder
Javier Baez has been suspended from playing for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after testing positive for marijuana during the 2023 tournament, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. It will prevent Baez from playing in the WBC for the third time. The good news for the 33-year-old veteran and the Tigers is that he will not face a suspension for the 2026 regular season. The three-time All-Star hit a combined .221/.262/.347 with a .610 OPS, 32 home runs, 163 RBI, and 29 stolen bases in his first full three seasons in Motown before bouncing back in 2025 to the tune of a .257/.282/.398 slash line, .680 OPS, 12 homers, 57 RBI, 55 runs scored, and five steals in 126 regular-season games. It wasn't a fantastic showing by any means, but it was much-needed. Baez adds positional versatility now after basically becoming a super-utility man last year, but there is still plenty of downside and swing and miss to his game.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
February 5, 2026
The Boston Red Sox have signed infielder
Brendan Rodgers to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Rodgers is a former first-round pick who was selected by the Rockies third overall in 2015. He debuted in 2019 and spent six seasons in Colorado before joining the Astros for the 2025 campaign. He struggled across 43 games in Houston, slashing .191/.266/.278 with an 8.6% walk rate and 35.9% strikeout rate. He posted just 55 wRC+ while playing replacement-level defense at second base. He'll need to really wow the front office and coaching staff this spring to make the Opening Day roster. At the moment, he's off the 40-man roster and is presumably competing for a roster spot with players like
Nick Sogard,
Nate Eaton,
Kristian Campbell, and
Mickey Gasper.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chris Cotillo
February 5, 2026
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Michael Harris II posted mixed results at the plate in 2025, but there's no denying that he delivered impressive contributions in a variety of ways. Most notably, Harris joined the 20/20 club for the first time in his career, slugging exactly 20 homers and stealing exactly 20 bases. His overall slash line wasn't as flashy, though, as he slashed .249/.268/.409. All three of those marks were the worst of his career, and the same can be said about his 2.5% walk rate and 20.0% strikeout rate. He fared better in center field, where he posted 8 OAA and 7 FRV across 1,396 innings. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Harris' bat will impact his fantasy value more than his glove. If it's any consolation, though, the home runs and stolen bases should help counteract the negative effect of the high K/BB rate. As it stands, he ranks as the #24 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Colorado Rockies catcher
Hunter Goodman broke out in 2025, slashing .278/.323/.520 with a whopping 31 home runs, 91 RBI, and 118 wRC+. His discipline numbers weren't great; he had a 5.7% walk rate and 26.3% strikeout rate. Still, the power arguably outweighs the whiffs, especially from a fantasy baseball perspective. He also took major strides behind the plate, posting 4.2 defensive fWAR, the first positive mark of his career. Furthermore, Goodman amassed 2 FRV. The 26-year-old is locked into the Rockies' starting catcher role for 2026. Between swinging the bat well, playing almost every day, and getting half of his games at Coors Field, Goodman is an intriguing fantasy backstop. He ranks #6 among catchers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Atlanta Braves third baseman
Austin Riley saw his batting stats continue to decline in 2025. He finished the year with a .260/.309/.428 slash line and just 16 home runs, which was the second-lowest mark of his career. He also posted some of the worst plate discipline metrics since his rookie campaign, including a 6.0% walk rate and a 28.6% strikeout rate. This represented a massive step back for the 28-year-old, especially after he totaled 108 home runs from 2022 through 2024. Perhaps the biggest bright spot of Riley's 2025 season was that he posted 1.0 fWAR at the hot corner, although he produced negative OAA and FRV values. The Braves and fantasy managers will maintain optimism that Riley can rediscover his power stroke and return to All-Star form. The good news is that he's now healthy after missing the final two months of the regular season with a strained lower abdominal muscle. As it stands, he ranks as the #5 third baseman in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman
Bryce Harper had a great 2025 season, but it didn't quite live up to the standards he set in previous years. He finished his age-32 campaign with a .261/.357/.487 slash line, contributing his lowest slugging percentage and OPS marks since 2016. He slugged 27 home runs, walked 12.1% of the time, posted a 20.9% strikeout rate, and finished with 131 wRC+. Harper ultimately compiled 3.5 fWAR, which is half a win below his career average. He also played 132 games, and he has been held to fewer than 145 games in each of the last six seasons. In order to achieve top-tier fantasy status, he'll need to improve his OPS while staying healthy for the full year. As it stands, he ranks as the #4 first baseman and #31 hitter in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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