March 26, 2026
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Nick Vadala reports that Philadelphia Phillies third baseman
Alec Bohm is suing his own parents, alleging that they mismanaged his finances. It wasn't weighing too heavily on Bohm during the Phillies' Opening Day win on Thursday over the Texas Rangers, as he went 1-for-3 at the plate with a three-run home run and a walk in the 5-3 victory. It's unfortunate that the 29-year-old is going through personal issues involving money with his own family, but it shouldn't negatively affect his performance on the field in 2026, in what is his seventh year in the big leagues. Bohm was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and has hit at least .280 in three of the last four seasons. The power just hasn't been there for a third baseman in fantasy, though, as Bohm's career high in homers came in 2023 with 20. Still, he's plenty useful for his high batting average and run production in one of the best lineups in baseball. Bohm has 90-plus RBI in two of the last three years.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Philadealphia Inquirer - Nick Vadala
March 26, 2026
New York Mets outfield prospect
Carson Benge had a major-league debut to remember on Thursday on Opening Day against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in an 11-7 victory, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs scored, two walks, a stolen base, and two strikeouts. Benge's first big-league home run came off reliever
Justin Lawrence in the sixth inning. The 23-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State kept it going after a strong spring training in which he hit .366 (15-for-41) with an .874 OPS, no home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base in 14 Grapefruit League games. Benge will probably sit frequently against left-handed pitchers in his first full major-league season, which limits his ceiling in redraft fantasy leagues, but there's no denying his power/speed upside in dynasty/keeper leagues. It's a promising start for him for managers who were willing to take a chance on him in mixed leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
The Chicago Cubs agreed with second baseman
Nico Hoerner on an undisclosed six-year deal on Thursday, pending a physical, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Hoerner went hitless in four at-bats in the Cubs' 10-4 Opening Day loss on Thursday to the Washington Nationals, but the Cubs will lock up his stellar defense and strong contact skills as a hitter for the foreseeable future. It comes just after the Cubs locked up All-Star outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year contract. Hoerner, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of Stanford, has hit a strong .284/.339/.389 with a .728 OPS, 33 home runs, 231 RBI, 333 runs scored, and 123 stolen bases in four seasons in Chicago since becoming the team's full-time starter at the keystone in 2022. It's not the power you're chasing when it comes to Hoerner -- he has just 36 homers in seven seasons -- but he's a counting-stat compiler with strong on-base skills who can hit for a high average.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
March 26, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers young right-hander
Jacob Misiorowski was electric in the team's 14-2 Opening Day win on Thursday against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Misiorowski showed why he's one of the highest-upside young hurlers in the game by striking out 11 in five innings pitched. He allowed just one earned run on two hits while walking three. The only run that Miz allowed was a leadoff solo home run to infielder
Chase Meidroth. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Crowder College debuted in 2025 to a 5-3 record, 4.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 87:31 K:BB in 66 innings over 15 appearances (14 starts). He now already has three 10-strikeout games in his first 15 big-league starts, giving him tons of upside for fantasy managers. Misiorowski's second start of the 2026 season is expected to come next Wednesday, April 1, against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. He'll be a must-start in fantasy in that matchup.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
It was not the Opening Day that Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander
Paul Skenes was expecting on Thursday on the road against the New York Mets. Skenes took the loss and didn't make it out of the first inning, allowing five earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. He was pulled after just 37 pitches in an eventual 11-7 loss. Most of the damage against Skenes came on a bases-loaded triple. It was just one of those days, and not even Skenes is immune to them. The reigning National League Cy Young winner and former Rookie of the Year will be well-rested for his second start of 2026, which will come next Wednesday, April 1, against the Cincinnati Reds. We think Skenes will bounce back just fine. He is already one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the league in just his third major-league campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman
Brandon Lowe had a really nice debut with the Bucs in an 11-7 Opening Day loss to the New York Mets on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and three RBI. Both of his home runs came off new Mets right-hander
Freddy Peralta. It's nice to see for Lowe, who hit just 6-for-30 (.200) with no homers or RBI, six walks, and 12 strikeouts in 36 plate appearances over 13 Grapefruit League games in spring training. There's still a lot to like about the left-handed pop that Lowe can provide at the second base position, especially if he continues to hit near the top of the Pirates' batting order. However, the drawbacks are that Lowe is very injury-prone and that he has never hit lefties well (.695 career OPS). He's coming off his second career 30-homer season in 2025, though, and he's had at least 21 long balls in each of the last three seasons. The two-time All-Star's .326 career on-base percentage doesn't scream two-hole hitter.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect
Parker Messick is set to open the 2026 season with a spot in the team's big-league rotation. Messick made his MLB debut in 2025, recording a 3-1 record with a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts across 39 2/3 innings (seven starts). While the 25-year-old posted just a 23% strikeout rate in his first taste of the big leagues, he demonstrated more impressive swing-and-miss generation throughout his time in the minors. Across 98 2/3 Triple-A innings in 2025, Messick struck out 29.1% of the batters he faced. In 19 2/3 innings this spring, Messick recorded a 4.12 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 17 strikeouts. If Messick can hold a spot in the Guardians' rotation throughout 2026, he could emerge as a worthy waiver-wire target for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 26, 2026
Seattle Mariners second baseman
Cole Young made his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .211/.302/.305 with four home runs, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored, and one stolen base across 257 plate appearances. While Young's numbers at the plate amounted to well below-average production, it's important to remember that 2025 was just his age-21 season. Entering 2026, Young projects as Seattle's everyday second baseman and should have a second chance to establish himself as an everyday big-leaguer. Young put together an impressive performance in the Cactus League this spring, hitting .281/.349/.667 with six home runs and three stolen bases across 63 plate appearances. While Young recorded just one steal in the majors in 2025, he showcased more speed in his minor league career with back-to-back 20-plus steal seasons in 2023 and 2024. If he can take a step forward across the board with another year of development in 2026, Young could be a sleeper second base option off the waiver wire for deep-league fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 26, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks infield/outfield prospect
Jordan Lawlar is officially an Opening Day starter in 2026, batting ninth and playing left field for his team's first game of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lawlar has long been considered one of the Diamondbacks' top prospects, but he's struggled with injuries and hit just .182/.257/.288 with a 35.8% strikeout rate across 74 plate appearances after making his MLB debut in 2025. Lawlar also had some defensive issues while spending time at every infield position other than first base, leading the Diamondbacks to shift him to the outfield this spring. Still, Lawlar will not turn 24 years old until July and posted a .967 OPS across 300 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. With Diamondbacks outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) currently working his way back from a torn ACL, Lawlar could have an extended run of everyday playing time to open 2026.
--Will BradySource: Arizona Diamondbacks
March 26, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte (lower leg) is in the lineup and batting leadoff for his team's Opening Day matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Marte was scratched from Arizona's exhibition finale on Tuesday due to lower-leg soreness, but it appears the 32-year-old has avoided a serious issue. Marte is coming off an excellent 2025 season in which he hit .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs, 72 RBI, 87 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 556 plate appearances. When healthy, Marte is arguably the premier second baseman in all of baseball. However, the veteran switch-hitter does have a fairly extensive injury history, reaching 600 plate appearances just twice in 11 MLB seasons. Fantasy managers can breathe a bit easier now that Marte is officially good to go for the start of 2026.
--Will BradySource: Arizona Diamondbacks
March 26, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Mike Tauchman (knee) underwent surgery on the meniscus tear in his left knee on Thursday, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman reports that Tauchman is expected to be sidelined for "six weeks before returning to play," so it appears as though Tauchman avoided a full meniscus repair, which would have kept him out for significantly longer. Across 385 plate appearances with the Chicago White Sox in 2025, Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 with nine home runs, 40 RBI, and 44 runs scored. The 35-year-old owns a career 12.6% walk rate and has posted an on-base percentage of at least .350 in three consecutive campaigns. Once healthy, Tauchman could challenge Mets rookie
Carson Benge for playing time in right field.
--Will BradySource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
March 26, 2026
In his first full season in the big leagues in 2025, New York Yankees starting pitcher
Will Warren recorded a 9-8 record with a 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts across 162 1/3 innings (33 starts). The 26-year-old struggled with consistent command (9.1% walk rate) and allowed a slightly elevated 1.22 HR/9. However, Warren held a spot in the Yankees' rotation for the entire season and has consistently shown the ability to generate swing-and-miss pitches throughout his entire professional career. With Yankees starting pitchers
Gerrit Cole (elbow),
Carlos Rodon (elbow), and
Clarke Schmidt (elbow) all opening 2026 on the injured list, Warren currently pencils in as the number three starter in New York. Warren is also coming off an impressive Grapefruit League, where he pitched to a 1.42 ERA and 0.63 WHIP while allowing just three walks across 25 1/3 innings. Warren could emerge as a breakout starting pitcher for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 26, 2026
San Francisco Giants right-hander
Hayden Birdsong (elbow) had successful surgery on his right elbow for UCL reconstruction on Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Birdsong will return to Arizona later this week to start his rehab at the minor-league complex. The Giants placed the 24-year-old on the 60-day injured list before the start of the regular season in their loss on Wednesday night to the New York Yankees. The former sixth-round selection in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois will miss the entire 2026 campaign and most likely the start of the 2027 regular season after having elbow surgery. It's a tough setback for his fantasy baseball value in dynasty/keeper leagues. In his first two MLB seasons with the Gigantes, Birdsong went 9-10 with a 4.77 ERA (4.81 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, 25.4% strikeout rate, and a 13.1% walk rate in 137 2/3 innings over 37 appearances (26 starts). Command/control issues make Birdsong a shaky long-term asset.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
March 26, 2026
Athletics shortstop prospect
Leo De Vries will start the 2026 regular season at Double-A Midland, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The big return that the A's got in the
Mason Miller trade, De Vries is the A's top prospect and the No. 4 overall prospect in all of baseball at MLB Pipeline. He's the No. 4 shortstop prospect, behind
Konnor Griffin,
Kevin McGonigle, and
Jesus Made. The 19-year-old switch-hitter looked like the real deal this spring, hitting .426/.460/.723 with a 1.183 OPS, three home runs, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 18 Cactus League contests. De Vries is obviously still young, but if he continues to perform like that in the minors early this year, he could quickly make his way to Triple-A Las Vegas and potentially the big leagues by the end of 2026. With
Jacob Wilson locked in at shortstop, De Vries' future at the big-league level could be at second base. De Vries, who is a must-roster in all dynasty leagues, doesn't have elite speed, but he still has the potential to be a high-end starting fantasy shortstop in time.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
March 26, 2026
New York Mets pitching prospect
Jonah Tong could be an early-season call-up for the team whenever they find themselves in need of pitching. Although the right-hander struggled to a 7.71 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, and a 14.9 percent K-BB% in his five starts with the Mets last year, he was one of the most dominant arms in the minors before that. Despite being in the majors for the final month, the former seventh-round draft pick still led all minor leaguers with 179 strikeouts in just 113 2/3 innings pitched, good for a 14.17 K/9. If he can continue to dominate to begin the 2026 campaign and perhaps tone down the walks (career rate of 11.5 percent) then he should be in contention for an early-season call-up. Pitching-needy managers in deeper leagues could consider stashing the 22-year-old, who is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
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