6 Fantasy Baseball Risers & Fallers: Week 18 (2026)

Welcome to our weekly fantasy baseball risers and fallers column. In this article, I’ll identify three risers and three fallers based on what transpired over the previous week.

Given that we’re in the second half of the season, there are more options to choose from. We know how managers are deploying their players, with some surprisingly receiving less playing time than initially expected. We also have a few young hitters who are making their presence felt immediately.

Without further ado, let’s find out who this week’s biggest risers and fallers are.

Fantasy Baseball Risers & Fallers

Fantasy Baseball Risers

CJ Abrams (SS – WSH)

CJ Abrams is having a monster season, slashing .292/.365/.561 with 27 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 449 plate appearances. He has increased his barrel rate from 7.6% to 11.2%. In the last seven days, Abrams has a 245 wRC+ with three homers and three steals. There’s still an outside chance that he can be dealt to a contender at next week’s trade deadline.

Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF – CHC)

Pete Crow-Armstrong is proving that he’s a fantasy superstar, slashing .284/.382/.538 with 24 homers and 26 steals in 475 plate appearances. You have to love how he’s increased his walk rate from 4.5% to 11.6%. In the last seven days, Crow-Armstrong has a 206 wRC+ with three homers and one steal. I’d try to buy high on him if possible.

Munetaka Murakami (1B, 3B – CWS)

Munetaka Murakami has exceeded expectations, slashing .240/.380/.547 with 23 home runs in 313 plate appearances. This includes an otherworldly 20.3% barrel rate. While he got off to a slow start after missing 35 games due to injury, he’s back on track. In the last seven days, Murakami has a 232 wRC+ with three homers in 28 plate appearances. He’s been incredible this year.

Fantasy Baseball Fallers

Jose Ramirez (3B – CLE)

Jose Ramirez is currently slashing .237/.332/.398 with 10 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 347 plate appearances. While the speed has been nice, it’s clear that he’s declining as a hitter. Ramirez has gotten off to a slow start since returning from injury. In the last seven days, he has a 16 wRC+. I wouldn’t suggest buying low here.

Riley Greene (OF – DET)

Riley Greene has a .277/.368/.456 slash with 15 home runs and two stolen bases in 454 plate appearances. The good news is that he still has an elite barrel rate of 15.3%. However, he’s gotten cold in the last seven days, putting up a 23 wRC+. I’m still confident in Greene for the rest of the season, so I suggest buying low.

Mookie Betts (SS – LAD)

Mookie Betts is slashing .229/.289/.404 with 13 home runs and one stolen base in 305 plate appearances. While he’s increased his barrel rate from 5.5% to 8.2%, it’s still been an underwhelming season for the 33-year-old. It’s time to acknowledge that this is a player who is clearly past his prime and unlikely to bounce back.