February 18, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander
Shane McClanahan (triceps) will throw to live hitters in camp for the first time on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Pitching coach Kyle Snyder said earlier this month that McClanahan has looked "really, really good," and the expectation is that he'll be ready to be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, barring a setback this spring. The 28-year-old southpaw was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, but he's a massive in fantasy baseball in 2026 since he has not pitched in the big leagues since 2023. He made only two minor-league rehab starts last year before eventually undergoing surgery to fix a nerve issue in his triceps in August. McClanahan has shown ace potential before for the Rays, but he's RotoBaller's No. 69 fantasy starting pitcher because of the injury risk. Even if McClanahan bounces back nicely, workload restrictions will likely limit his upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
February 18, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays catcher
Alejandro Kirk had arguably his best MLB season in 2025, hitting .282/.348/.421 with 15 home runs, 76 RBI, 45 runs scored, and one stolen base across 506 plate appearances. Kirk posted an elite 11.7% strikeout rate, in line with his career mark of 11.6%. However, the 27-year-old made major strides in terms of contact quality, upping his barrel rate from 6.7% in 2024 to 10.1% in 2025 and posting the best hard-hit rate (50.8%) of his career. Speed will never be an asset for Kirk, as he's logged one career stolen base. His poor base-running ability also impacts him in terms of runs scored, as he's never recorded more than 59 runs in a season and has racked up 45 runs or fewer in three straight years. Still, Kirk's ability to make contact makes him one of the best options for batting average at the catcher position in all of fantasy. If he can hold the power gains he made in 2025, Kirk should be a solid power and RBI producer relative to his position as well. With a current average draft position of pick 150, Kirk profiles as a high-floor, low-end starting catcher for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 18, 2026
Chicago Cubs shortstop
Dansby Swanson may not be a standout fantasy producer in any one area, but he's been a remarkably consistent player since signing with Chicago heading into the 2023 season. Across 645 plate appearances in 2025, Swanson hit .244/.300/.417 with 24 home runs, 77 RBI, 84 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases. Swanson carries a limited batting average ceiling. In 2025, he struck out in 26% of his plate appearances, in line with his career strikeout rate of 24.4%. However, he's hit at least 22 home runs in four out of his last five seasons and swiped at least 18 bases in three out of the last four years. Swanson is also locked in as the everyday shortstop in what profiles as an excellent Chicago lineup, so he should continue to rack up counting stats. He's topped 80 runs in all three of his seasons with the Cubs, and has collected at least 77 RBI in four out of his last five campaigns. Swanson is entering his age-32 season, which brings about some risk of age-related decline. Still, his steady track record and max-playing time profile should allow him to pay off his current average draft position of pick 142.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 18, 2026
In his first season with the team after signing a mega-contract in free agency, San Francisco Giants shortstop
Willy Adames posted a solid season in 2025. Across 686 plate appearances, the 30-year-old hit .225/.318/.421 with 30 home runs, 87 RBI, 94 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. While Adames' 2025 line is slightly worse than the career year he posted with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, he's established a steady production floor over the past four seasons. With a career strikeout rate of 27% (26.1% in 2025), Adames is likely to be a drain on the batting average category for fantasy managers. However, he's posted barrel rates north of 12% for four consecutive seasons and has reached the 30-home run mark in three of those four years. He's also locked in as the everyday shortstop in San Francisco and should rack up counting stats as long as he can stay healthy. Adames is now on the wrong side of 30 years old, so he could be hitting the start of a gentle decline phase. Still, he's an above-average power source at the shortstop position for fantasy managers and comes with a reasonable average draft position of pick 117.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 18, 2026
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Hunter Greene added a two-seam fastball and feels he improved his splitter over the offseason, per Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. The 26-year-old reaffirmed his status as one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts). Greene missed significant time due to right groin strains that required two separate stints on the Injured List, the second of which forced him to miss over two months. However, the right-hander finished the year on the mound for Cincinnati and appears to be fully healthy heading into 2026 Spring Training. In 2025, Greene lowered his walk rate to a career-best 6.2% while also upping his strikeout rate to a career-best 31.4%. If his new pitch mix helps him unlock even more answers, Greene could emerge as a truly elite fantasy SP1 in 2026.
--Will BradySource: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
February 18, 2026
Minnesota Twins third baseman
Royce Lewis adopted a new hitting program and worked with a personal hitting coach for the first time in his career this past offseason, per Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The 26-year-old has long tantalized fantasy managers with his obvious talent and production upside, but he's struggled with inconsistency and major injury issues to this point in his career. Across 403 plate appearances in 2025, Lewis hit .237/.283/.388 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. While his 403 plate appearances represented a career single-season high, Lewis' .671 OPS was by far the worst mark he's posted in the big leagues. His barrel rate dropped from 11.2% in 2024 to 8.7% in 2025, and his isolated slugging percentage dipped from .219 to .152. Heading into 2026, Lewis appears to be fully healthy and has made significant changes to his offseason preparation. Lewis could significantly outperform his current average draft position of pick 191, but his profile obviously comes with a sizable amount of risk for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
February 18, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect
Jett Williams is trending towards beginning the 2026 season at Triple-A. While Williams appeared in a good position to crack the Opening Day roster following the trade that sent
Caleb Durbin to Boston, the Brewers quickly signed veteran infielder
Luis Rengifo, who is now penciled in to be their primary third baseman. While Williams has taken reps at the hot corner alongside his typical position at shortstop in camp, he will likely begin the season with Triple-A, where he can earn everyday at-bats. Williams joined the Brewers earlier in the offseason in the trade that sent right-hander
Freddy Peralta to the Mets. Last season, Williams made his Triple-A debut in the New York pipeline and held a .209/.285/.433 line with seven long balls and two swiped bags over a 34-game stint. While he could still carve out a role, managers should expect the top prospect to begin in the season in Nashville.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 18, 2026
Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect
Robby Snelling may not be a lock to make the Opening Day rotation. Earlier in camp, the Marlins announced that veteran
Chris Paddack would be joining the rotation, which gives Snelling one fewer starting position. Additionally,
Max Meyer and
Braxton Garrett are both fully healthy in the early stages of spring training. Both would have the edge over Snelling, given their previous MLB experience. As a result, Snelling currently sits as the team's No. 6 starter, on the outside of the five-man rotation. Last summer, Snelling looked quite comfortable in his first taste of Triple-A, logging 63 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and an 81:17 K:BB. Managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears the 22-year-old might be ticketed for Triple-A to begin the season if the Marlins opt to deploy a five-man rotation.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 18, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect
Andrew Painter is in serious consideration for one of the final spots in the Phillies starting rotation. With
Zack Wheeler (elbow) on the shelf to open the season, the team's top pitching prospect appears to be in serious consideration for one of the final spots. However, given his struggles last season, the team could turn to a veteran option for the short term. Last summer, Painter made his return from Tommy John but stumbled in his first look at Triple-A. After not pitching since the 2022 season, the former first-round pick logged 106 2/3 innings to the tune of a 5.40 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. While he showed solid strikeout upside, tallying 111, he served up 46 free passes. Managers should continue to keep an eye on his development as he could hold some short-term upside in deeper formats if he were to earn a taste of the big leagues to begin the season. However, if these command issues linger in spring training, the Phillies may opt to keep him at Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 18, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect
Walker Jenkins is a name to closely monitor in spring training as he could compete for an early MLB debut. The 20-year-old is currently viewed as MLB.com's No. 10-ranked prospect and Minnesota's No. 1 prospect. Last summer, Jenkins began the campaign with Double-A but was able to reach Triple-A, where he spent most of the second half. With Double-A, Jenkins held a .309/.426/.487 line with a strong .913 OPS. During his first 23 games with Triple-A St. Paul, the budding star did not look overmatched as he held a .242/.324/.396 line with six doubles, two home runs, and four stolen bases. While
Byron Buxton is locked in as the team's center field, Jenkins could carve out a role in right field, sharing time with
Matt Wallner or taking the lead job in left field over
Austin Martin and
Alan Roden. For now, Jenkins is a top name to watch in five-outfielder formats.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 18, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect
Jhostynxon Garcia has looked impressive on the defensive side of the ball during the early stages of camp. According to Pirates manager
Don Kelly, the young outfielder has held his own in the outfield when fielding flyballs. Kelly noted that Garcia's impact and ceiling" is "really high." The Pirates acquired Garcia from the Red Sox earlier in the winter, and he will have a chance to compete for a bench spot on the MLB roster out of spring training. Last summer, Garcia appeared in his first five MLB games and went 1-for-7 at the plate. However, at Triple-A, the 23-year-old held his own, posting a .271/.334/.498 slash line with 12 doubles and 18 home runs. Garcia is a name to monitor in deeper NL-only formats as he could earn a utility role in the Pittsburgh outfield. Managers should not expect him to earn a starting job as
Bryan Reynolds,
Ryan O'Hearn, and
Oneil Cruz are slated to be the team's primary outfielders.
--Andy SmithSource: Kevin Gorman
February 18, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays left-handed prospect
Ricky Tiedemann could be deployed in a relief role this season, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The young lefty is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has looked quite impressive in the early stages of camp. According to Matheson, while Tiedemann has "all the time in the world" as a 23-year-old prospect, the team is keeping the door open for him to see time as a relief pitcher in 2026. While the team still hopes for the young southpaw to return to a starter's workload later in his career, the bullpen may be his easiest path to making an impact in 2026. In 2023, Tiedemann logged 44 innings to the tune of a 3.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and an 82:23 K:BB. In 2025, he threw just 17 innings after returning from injury. Managers should continue to monitor his status as he could have some sleeper appeal if he were to earn a high-leverage relief role later in the summer.
--Andy SmithSource: Keegan Matheson
February 17, 2026
Chicago White Sox infielder/outfielder
Luisangel Acuna has made swing tweaks this offseason to "stay loaded in his back leg more" to "allow him to elevate the ball for consistent power," according to James Fegan of Sox Machine. Acuna, 23, is trying to make the move to center field and carve out a regular role in his first year with the White Sox in 2026. The Venezuelan has appeared in the outfield twice in 109 career major-league games, but he split time more evenly between center and short in recent Venezuelan Winter League action. Acuna hit .282/.397/.542 with eight homers in a small 39-game sample size in his native country, but he batted .234/.293/.274 with no homers, eight RBI, and 16 steals in 95 games last year with the New York Mets. Making more contact should be a top priority for Acuna, who is favored to start in center field for the Pale Hose on Opening Day. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to take a wait-and-see approach with the younger brother of
Ronald Acuna Jr.--Keith HernandezSource: Sox Machine - James Fegan
February 17, 2026
Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder
Kris Bryant (back) said the pain in his back hasn't allowed him to start baseball activities this spring, but he continues to consult with doctors and trainers to see what can get him back to playing, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Bryant is not retiring and will stick with his rehab. The 34-year-old veteran has played in just 170 games over four seasons since he signed a seven-year, $182 million deal with the club in March of 2022. He's dealing with a lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Rockies already placed Bryant on the 60-day injured list, and it's unclear when he might be ready to play baseball again in 2026. The former MVP and Rookie of the Year played in just 11 games for Colorado last year, going 6-for-39 (.154) with no homers and 13 strikeouts. His injuries in recent years continue to sap him offensively. Stay away at all costs in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
February 17, 2026
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Seiya Suzuki is expected to serve as the designated hitter in 2026 when the team faces a left-handed pitcher, according to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network.
Moises Ballesteros will operate as the Cubs' primary DH when the team faces right-handers, but Suzuki will get a break from the outfield and serve as the DH against most southpaws. On days when Suzuki is the DH,
Matt Shaw is expected to play right field. The 31-year-old Suzuki made 102 starts at DH last year and had career highs in home runs (32) and RBI (103) while slashing .245/.326/.478 with an .804 OPS in 151 regular-season games (651 plate appearances). Suzuki's altered approach to pull the ball in the air more often paid off for fantasy managers in 2025, although it came at the expense of batting average. Heading into a contract year in 2026, Suzuki should be considered a top-25 fantasy outfielder in a strong Cubs lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network - Bruce Levine
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