Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

It's almost guaranteed that Pete Crow-Armstrong will be front and center in every "Potential Bust" or "Was it legit?" debate heading into 2026 drafts. To be clear, the 23-year-old delivered a monster stat line: 35 home runs, 95 RBIs, 91 runs scored and 35 stolen bases — production that firmly lands in OF1/OF2 territory. Had the season ended at the All-Star break, we'd likely be discussing whether he deserved first-round consideration. The problem is what followed. His second half unraveled, highlighted by an August stretch in which he logged 112 plate appearances but managed just one homer and five RBIs — a frustrating downturn for fantasy managers trying to make a playoff push. The most reasonable expectation for 2026 is something between his scorching first half and difficult second half. Projections peg him closer to a 20 HR, 75 RBI, 75 R, 30 SB profile — still a valuable fantasy contributor at the right draft price. The concern is cost. There will be managers willing to draft him as a budding MVP candidate. It's wiser to let someone else pay that premium and pivot to safer value elsewhere.

Nico Hoerner quietly delivered his best all-around season in 2025, pairing a career-high offensive impact (114 OPS+) with elite contact skills and Gold Glove-caliber defense. His strikeout rate dipped to 7.6% while maintaining above-average run production and efficiency on the bases, reinforcing his high-floor fantasy profile. His strong plate skills and secure everyday role keep him valuable in batting average, runs, and steals. Entering a contract year, Hoerner has added motivation to sustain peak performance, even if his limited power caps category ceiling.

Michael Busch has rapidly developed into one of fantasy's most reliable power bats, following a strong 2024 with a full-blown breakout in 2025 that featured 34 homers, a .523 slugging percentage, and a 147 OPS+. The jump in production wasn't empty volume. His rOBA and run value both spiked, confirming real growth in impact contact rather than a fluky power surge. While the strikeout rate remains elevated, Busch offsets it with solid on-base skills and elite durability, logging 150+ games in back-to-back seasons. At age 28, he's firmly established as a high-end fantasy first baseman whose profile now supports both a strong floor and a stable power ceiling.

Alex Bregman only appeared in 114 games for the Red Sox last season, but he cashed in during free agency with a five-year deal with the Cubs. Aside from 2025 and an injury-plagued 2021 season, Bregman has been steady in games played, and he's been a solid contributor, with a career slash line of .272/.365/.481. He will be 32 this season, so we've probably seen the best of him, but third base is not a particularly deep position. Projections have him with a 20/80/80 season, which is totally fine if you decide to wait until the middle rounds to fill that roster spot. Don't reach for him because of his name, but he fits the bill of "you know what you're gonna get" in 2026 fantasy.

Dansby Swanson delivered another steady two-way season in 2025, posting 24 HR and 20 SB while improving his quality of contact (47.8% HardHit, 90.1 mph EV). His power rebounded from 2024 as his ISO climbed back to .173 and his fly-ball rate ticked up, supporting a return to the 20+ homer range. While his 26% strikeout rate caps batting average upside, his consistent playing time and renewed stolen-base aggression keep his five-category floor stable. Entering 2026 with projections again hovering around a 20/15-20 profile, Swanson profiles as a reliable middle-infield fantasy riser thanks to stable power, speed, and everyday volume.