Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

Ronald Acuna Jr.'s 2025 was uneven as he worked his way back from knee surgery, flashing his MVP-level ceiling early before fading in the second half. Looking ahead to 2026, fantasy projections still view him as a first-round caliber talent, forecasting roughly 135-145 games with elite across-the-board production in the neighborhood of 30 homers, 90 runs, 90 RBI, and 20-plus steals. Durability remains the clear risk. He has topped 150 games only twice outside of the shortened 2020 season, but the per-game impact is still unmatched when he's on the field. If Acuna slips even slightly in drafts due to health concerns, he's a strong pick under the "anyone can get hurt" philosophy. However, managers who prefer safer volume can justify pivoting to another elite bat.

Michael Harris took another step back in 2025, slashing .249/.268/.409 with a career-worst 88 OPS+ despite playing 160 games. His plate discipline eroded further, as his walk rate cratered to 2.5% while his .281 BABIP and .295 rOBA both trended well below his rookie peak. The underlying quality of contact also dipped (43.6% HardHit, 89.4 mph EV), and his once-impactful baserunning regressed, leading to a sharp decline in overall offensive value. While the 2026 projections still forecast a return to 20/20 production, Harris is best viewed as a fantasy faller entering his age-25 season unless he meaningfully rebounds in approach and on-base skills.

Jurickson Profar landed a three-year contract with Atlanta but immediately ran into trouble, serving a PED suspension that limited him to 80 games in 2025. His offensive track record is unusual, with his 2024 breakout standing out as a clear outlier compared to the rest of his career. Even so, Profar can still provide fantasy value, especially in formats that require five outfielders. Reasonable expectations include around 20 home runs, 90 runs scored, and roughly 10 stolen bases, though his batting average is unlikely to be an asset given his career .245 mark. With Ronald Acuña Jr. back at full strength, Profar is expected to hit lower in the lineup, though his exact spot will depend on how much the rest of the Braves' offense bounces back from injuries and disappointing seasons. He profiles best as a fourth outfielder in fantasy lineups, with a path to OF3 production, but managers should not count on a repeat of his 2024 performance.