Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

There's no real debate at the top of 2026 fantasy drafts: In formats where he is considered one player, Shohei Ohtani remains the clear-cut 1.01 thanks to his unmatched two-way impact. Offensively, his 2026 projections again place him among the game's elite, with 45-plus home runs, triple-digit runs and RBI, and an on-base percentage north of .390 while continuing to anchor the Dodgers' lineup from the leadoff spot. The stolen base ceiling isn't what it was earlier in his career, but projected totals in the high teens still provide a valuable bonus atop his league-leading power and run production.

What truly separates Ohtani, however, is his return as a full-time starting pitcher. His 2026 projections peg him as a top-tier arm, capable of delivering ace-level strikeout totals, strong ratios, and double-digit wins in one of baseball's best team contexts. Even with some workload management baked in, Ohtani's ability to provide elite value on both sides of the ball gives fantasy managers a structural advantage no other player can match. As long as he's healthy, Ohtani isn't just the safest pick in fantasy baseball; he's still redefining what roster construction can look like.

Kyle 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 signed with the Dodgers, a landing spot that only helps his value, as his profile is that of a safe early-round outfielder who fits seamlessly into any roster build.

Whether Father Time came calling or it was just a down year, Mookie Betts was one of the bigger disappointments in 2025. In his age-32 season, he saw a drop in his walk rate and posted the lowest batting average of his career. He also suffered a power outage, hitting 20 home runs across 150 games; by comparison, he hit 19 in 2024 across only 116 games. His HardHit rate plummeted to 35.8%, continuing a three-year decline. However, he still bats in the Dodgers lineup, scoring 95 runs and driving in 82 for the World Champions. He will only qualify at shortstop, a much deeper position than second base, in 2026. He still has plenty of value, but don't draft him based on his name alone. We've seen the best Betts has to offer.

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.

Teoscar Hernandez saw a dramatic step back in 2025 after posting a massive 25.6 offensive WAR the year before, finishing with just 0.4. His production dipped nearly across the board, and injuries limited him to 134 games. Hernández still managed 25 home runs with 89 RBI, scored 65 runs, and added five steals, but his efficiency cratered. He posted career lows with a .247/.285/.454 slash line, raising concerns about age-related decline as he enters his age-33 season. While hitting in the Dodgers lineup provides a strong run-producing environment, continued struggles could push him lower than a typical middle-of-the-order role. Power remains his calling card, but at this stage, Hernandez profiles best as a depth outfielder, ideally drafted as an OF3 or OF4 rather than a lineup anchor.

Will Smith rebounded in 2025 with one of the most efficient offensive seasons of his career, slashing .296/.404/.497 with a 152 OPS+ across 110 games. His underlying metrics fully supported the surge: a career-best 91.3 mph average exit velocity, 47.1% hard-hit rate, and .387 rOBA, while his walk rate jumped to 14.7% — well above league average and his career norm. The improved plate discipline helped offset a modest 20.4% strikeout rate, and his .345 BABIP wasn't entirely fluky given the quality of contact. Looking ahead to 2026, projections peg some batting average regression but maintain him as an elite offensive catcher thanks to stable power (mid-20s HR pace over a full season) and strong OBP skills in the middle of a loaded Dodgers lineup. His consistent fly-ball mix and above-average pull tendencies keep the power floor intact, while his role remains secure even with periodic DH days to preserve health. Smith should be drafted as a top-tier catcher in all formats, with OBP leagues especially benefiting from his elevated walk rate and run-production environment.