Kelly Kirby
FantasyPros
Twitter: @thewonkypenguin
Website: https://fantasypros.com/
Player Note on Freddie Freeman (1B - LAD)
Freddie Freeman remained a model of consistency in 2025, combining a strong batting average, on-base skills, and run production near the top of the Dodgers lineup. The only concerning stat on his profile was a large jump in strikeout rate to 20.4%, the first time since 2016 that it crossed the 20-percent mark. His 2026 projections show only modest age-related regression. If you draft him, you need to bake in lowered expectations regarding his consistency (147 games played each of the last two years) and fewer counting stats. Freeman remains a solid early-round corner infielder in fantasy, even factoring in that he will turn 37 in September, but he is not the pillar that he once was.
Player Note on Pete Alonso (1B - BAL)
Pete Alonso once again supplied premium power in 2025, but continued erosion in batting average and on-base skills limited his category impact. His 2026 projections still forecast upper-tier home-run totals, though with muted run production compared to his peak seasons. The year-over-year trend shows narrowing fantasy utility as his value becomes increasingly HR-dependent. Alonso profiles best as a targeted power injection rather than a lineup anchor.
Player Note on Kyle Schwarber (LF,DH - PHI)
Kyle Schwarber's 2025 profile remained extreme but effective, delivering elite home-run volume and run production while continuing to drag batting average, though not as much as in the past. He played in all 162 games, hit 56 home runs, drove in an MLB-leading 132, and scored 111 runs. His 2026 projections again place him among the league leaders in homers, with OBP formats propping up his overall value. Year over year, the power output has proven remarkably stable despite contact volatility. Schwarber remains a roster-construction play who fits best on teams built to absorb average risk in exchange for top-tier power.
Player Note on Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP - LAD)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto followed up his MLB debut with a strong 2025, flashing elite command and swing-and-miss ability even as his workload was managed. That, however, went out the window when he threw 37-1/3 postseason innings, bringing his total to 210 in 2025. His 2026 projections show maintained excellent ratios and strikeout efficiency. The year-over-year improvement in pitch efficiency suggests he can work deeper into games moving forward. The biggest knock against Yamamoto is that he pitches for the Dodgers, who have a deep enough staff to go with a six-man rotation or rest elite starters down the stretch (fantasy playoffs) if they wish. In any case, Yamamoto profiles as a high-end fantasy starter whose value is anchored in ratios.
Player Note on Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B,3B - NYY)
Jazz Chisholm's 2025 season was a reminder of both his upside and volatility, as power-speed contributions were once again offset by durability concerns and streaky efficiency. His 2026 projections bake in similar power and speed totals with right around 600 plate appearances, reflecting ongoing availability risk. When on the field, his per-game fantasy production remains strong, particularly in steals. Chisholm is best approached as a ceiling play rather than a foundational early-round option, but qualifying at third base does bump him up a few spots on draft boards.
Player Note on Cal Raleigh (C,DH - SEA)
Cal Raleigh had the year of his life in 2025, smacking 60 home runs while batting .247, far and away his best batting average ever. He drove in 125 and scored 110 times for a Seattle Mariners team that came very close to the World Series. Catcher is such a thin position that it is tempting to spend an early-round pick on Raleigh to be able to set-and-forget the position. His 2026 projections again place him among the position's home run leaders, with playing time security supporting strong counting stats, but we aren't going to see a repeat of his career year, and that is the current draft cost for the Big Dumper. Do you still want to spend a second-round pick on him if he's "only" getting you 40 homers with a .230 batting average? If so, he's easily the best catcher on the board. If not, wait three or four rounds to pick from the second tier.
Player Note on Kyle Tucker (RF,DH - FA)
Tucker delivered another well-rounded fantasy season in 2025, pairing plus power with double-digit steals and elite run production. He also delivered another season of murky injuries that diminished his output. His 2026 projections remain remarkably stable, reflecting how consistent his plate discipline and contact quality have been year over year. While there's little growth left in the profile, there's also minimal downside other than the injury history. Tucker remains a free agent, though his landing spot should not change his profile as a safe early-round outfielder who fits seamlessly into any roster build.
Player Note on Nick Kurtz (1B - ATH)
Nick Kurtz's 2025 rookie season showed the potential that made him a top prospect, highlighted by strong on-base skills but uneven in-game power as he adjusted to MLB pitching. His 2026 projections anticipate a small step forward in home runs, but his .290 batting average is a mirage (xBA of .249). The allure of what he is capable of will drive up his price on draft day, and it is difficult to argue with that dream as the A's continue to play 81 games in Sacramento. The volatility is real, and at age 23, he still has some growing pains to come. Even with all that, though, he'll go in the second round in 12-team leagues, so decide quickly if you want that on your squad.
Player Note on Francisco Lindor (SS - NYM)
Francisco Lindor remained a Mr. Consistent in 2025, once again delivering strong power-speed production with elite durability at shortstop. His 2026 projections show minimal regression, closer to a 25/25 season, supported by premium lineup placement and consistent plate discipline. While his raw ceiling has leveled off, the year-over-year stability in his profile is a feature, not a flaw. Lindor continues to offer one of the safest five-category floors among middle infielders, and you don't have to pay a first-round price to secure his services.
Player Note on Junior Caminero (3B - TB)
Junior Caminero's first full MLB season in 2025 delivered flashes of elite raw power but came with expected growing pains in plate discipline. He hit 45 home runs, drove in 110, and scored 93 times. His barrel rate was a fantastic 14% with a 51.4% hard-hit rate. The power is very real. However, in 2026, the Rays shift out of the minor league park they played in and back to one of the worst hitting parks in the majors. His 2026 projections anticipate a small reduction in home runs because of this park switch; however, they also suggest improvement in his ratios as his approach matures in his age-22 season. The underlying exit velocity and hard-hit gains year over year support the power breakout narrative. Caminero profiles as a high-upside player at a weak position whose fantasy value rises quickly if the strikeout rate continues to normalize.
Player Note on Freddie Freeman (1B - LAD)
Freddie Freeman remained a model of consistency in 2025, combining a strong batting average, on-base skills, and run production near the top of the Dodgers lineup. The only concerning stat on his profile was a large jump in strikeout rate to 20.4%, the first time since 2016 that it crossed the 20-percent mark. His 2026 projections show only modest age-related regression. If you draft him, you need to bake in lowered expectations regarding his consistency (147 games played each of the last two years) and fewer counting stats. Freeman remains a solid early-round corner infielder in fantasy, even factoring in that he will turn 37 in September, but he is not the pillar that he once was.
Player Note on Pete Alonso (1B - BAL)
Pete Alonso once again supplied premium power in 2025, but continued erosion in batting average and on-base skills limited his category impact. His 2026 projections still forecast upper-tier home-run totals, though with muted run production compared to his peak seasons. The year-over-year trend shows narrowing fantasy utility as his value becomes increasingly HR-dependent. Alonso profiles best as a targeted power injection rather than a lineup anchor.
Player Note on Kyle Schwarber (LF,DH - PHI)
Kyle Schwarber's 2025 profile remained extreme but effective, delivering elite home-run volume and run production while continuing to drag batting average, though not as much as in the past. He played in all 162 games, hit 56 home runs, drove in an MLB-leading 132, and scored 111 runs. His 2026 projections again place him among the league leaders in homers, with OBP formats propping up his overall value. Year over year, the power output has proven remarkably stable despite contact volatility. Schwarber remains a roster-construction play who fits best on teams built to absorb average risk in exchange for top-tier power.
Player Note on Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP - LAD)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto followed up his MLB debut with a strong 2025, flashing elite command and swing-and-miss ability even as his workload was managed. That, however, went out the window when he threw 37-1/3 postseason innings, bringing his total to 210 in 2025. His 2026 projections show maintained excellent ratios and strikeout efficiency. The year-over-year improvement in pitch efficiency suggests he can work deeper into games moving forward. The biggest knock against Yamamoto is that he pitches for the Dodgers, who have a deep enough staff to go with a six-man rotation or rest elite starters down the stretch (fantasy playoffs) if they wish. In any case, Yamamoto profiles as a high-end fantasy starter whose value is anchored in ratios.
Player Note on Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B,3B - NYY)
Jazz Chisholm's 2025 season was a reminder of both his upside and volatility, as power-speed contributions were once again offset by durability concerns and streaky efficiency. His 2026 projections bake in similar power and speed totals with right around 600 plate appearances, reflecting ongoing availability risk. When on the field, his per-game fantasy production remains strong, particularly in steals. Chisholm is best approached as a ceiling play rather than a foundational early-round option, but qualifying at third base does bump him up a few spots on draft boards.
Player Note on Cal Raleigh (C,DH - SEA)
Cal Raleigh had the year of his life in 2025, smacking 60 home runs while batting .247, far and away his best batting average ever. He drove in 125 and scored 110 times for a Seattle Mariners team that came very close to the World Series. Catcher is such a thin position that it is tempting to spend an early-round pick on Raleigh to be able to set-and-forget the position. His 2026 projections again place him among the position's home run leaders, with playing time security supporting strong counting stats, but we aren't going to see a repeat of his career year, and that is the current draft cost for the Big Dumper. Do you still want to spend a second-round pick on him if he's "only" getting you 40 homers with a .230 batting average? If so, he's easily the best catcher on the board. If not, wait three or four rounds to pick from the second tier.
Player Note on Kyle Tucker (RF,DH - FA)
Tucker delivered another well-rounded fantasy season in 2025, pairing plus power with double-digit steals and elite run production. He also delivered another season of murky injuries that diminished his output. His 2026 projections remain remarkably stable, reflecting how consistent his plate discipline and contact quality have been year over year. While there's little growth left in the profile, there's also minimal downside other than the injury history. Tucker remains a free agent, though his landing spot should not change his profile as a safe early-round outfielder who fits seamlessly into any roster build.
Player Note on Nick Kurtz (1B - ATH)
Nick Kurtz's 2025 rookie season showed the potential that made him a top prospect, highlighted by strong on-base skills but uneven in-game power as he adjusted to MLB pitching. His 2026 projections anticipate a small step forward in home runs, but his .290 batting average is a mirage (xBA of .249). The allure of what he is capable of will drive up his price on draft day, and it is difficult to argue with that dream as the A's continue to play 81 games in Sacramento. The volatility is real, and at age 23, he still has some growing pains to come. Even with all that, though, he'll go in the second round in 12-team leagues, so decide quickly if you want that on your squad.
Player Note on Francisco Lindor (SS - NYM)
Francisco Lindor remained a Mr. Consistent in 2025, once again delivering strong power-speed production with elite durability at shortstop. His 2026 projections show minimal regression, closer to a 25/25 season, supported by premium lineup placement and consistent plate discipline. While his raw ceiling has leveled off, the year-over-year stability in his profile is a feature, not a flaw. Lindor continues to offer one of the safest five-category floors among middle infielders, and you don't have to pay a first-round price to secure his services.
Player Note on Junior Caminero (3B - TB)
Junior Caminero's first full MLB season in 2025 delivered flashes of elite raw power but came with expected growing pains in plate discipline. He hit 45 home runs, drove in 110, and scored 93 times. His barrel rate was a fantastic 14% with a 51.4% hard-hit rate. The power is very real. However, in 2026, the Rays shift out of the minor league park they played in and back to one of the worst hitting parks in the majors. His 2026 projections anticipate a small reduction in home runs because of this park switch; however, they also suggest improvement in his ratios as his approach matures in his age-22 season. The underlying exit velocity and hard-hit gains year over year support the power breakout narrative. Caminero profiles as a high-upside player at a weak position whose fantasy value rises quickly if the strikeout rate continues to normalize.
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