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Fantasy Baseball Player Notes

2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes

Cristopher Sanchez Note
Cristopher Sanchez photo 5. Cristopher Sanchez SP
Cristopher Sanchez finished second for the Cy Young Award in 2025, and without a historic season from Paul Skenes, he would have been an easy choice. Sanchez threw 202 innings with a 2.50 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and 212 strikeouts. His K-rate jumped to 26.3%, and his walk rate remained microscopic at 5.5%. He also had a 176 ERA+, good for fifth in the majors. If you don't want to pay the massive cost for one of the Big 3 pitchers, Sanchez is about as great of a "consolation prize" as there is in starting pitching in 2026.
4 days ago
Jesus Luzardo Note
Jesus Luzardo photo 22. Jesus Luzardo SP
In his first season in Philadelphia, Jesus Luzardo threw 183 2/3 innings, struck out 216 batters, and ended with a 3.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His xERA was 3.34, and his FIP was an impressive 2.90. Lizardo's strikeout rate of 28.5% was in line with his two best seasons in Miami in 2022 and 2023, and even though we don't chase wins, his 15-7 record was a nice addition in fantasy. He cut his HR/9 to 0.78, the lowest of his career as a starter. Heading into his age-28 season, Luzardo profiles as a solid SP2 in fantasy.
4 days ago
Jhoan Duran Note
Jhoan Duran photo 25. Jhoan Duran RP
Jhoan Duran rebounded strongly in 2025, posting a 2.06 ERA across 70 innings with elite run suppression indicators, including a career-low 1.0% HR rate and a .564 OPS allowed, signaling a return to dominance after a shaky 2024. While his strikeout rate (27.9%) was down from his 2022-23 peak, improved command and consistently heavy ground-ball rates helped stabilize his ratios and WHIP. The 2026 projections continue to view him as a high-end closer with strong save totals and excellent ERA/WHIP support, even if the gaudy K/9 ceiling doesn't fully return. Given his age, power arsenal, and restored efficiency, Duran profiles as a reliable top-tier fantasy closer rather than the volatile arm he briefly appeared to be in 2024.
4 days ago
Zack Wheeler Note
Zack Wheeler photo 44. Zack Wheeler SP
Zack Wheeler followed up his dominant 2024 with an even sharper skill set in 2025, posting a career-best 11.73 K/9 and 33.3% strikeout rate alongside a stellar 27.7% K-BB%. His 2.71 ERA was supported by a 2.48 xERA, though a spike to 1.14 HR/9 and a lofty 82.4% strand rate suggest some regression baked into that surface line. The question for Wheeler is how he will recover from the thoracic outlet surgery he underwent last season. Recovery is listed as 6 to 8 months, so the chances of him being ready for Opening Day are slim to none, but the latest report is that it "shouldn't be too long" after that. All of this makes him a high-risk, high-reward pitcher capable of being the SP1 he's been, but fantasy managers should count on some regression based on the injury and the fact that he will be 36 this season.
4 days ago
Aaron Nola Note
Aaron Nola photo 68. Aaron Nola SP
Andrew Painter Note
Andrew Painter photo 145. Andrew Painter SP
Brad Keller Note
Brad Keller photo 203. Brad Keller RP
Orion Kerkering Note
Orion Kerkering photo 213. Orion Kerkering RP
Jose Alvarado Note
Jose Alvarado photo 229. Jose Alvarado RP
Tanner Banks Note
Tanner Banks photo 308. Tanner Banks RP
Taijuan Walker Note
Taijuan Walker photo 311. Taijuan Walker SP,RP
Jonathan Bowlan Note
Jonathan Bowlan photo 423. Jonathan Bowlan RP
Tim Mayza Note
Tim Mayza photo 603. Tim Mayza RP
Zach McCambley Note
Zach McCambley photo 626. Zach McCambley SP
Max Lazar Note
Max Lazar photo 644. Max Lazar RP
Zach Pop Note
Zach Pop photo 657. Zach Pop RP
Chase Shugart Note
Chase Shugart photo 673. Chase Shugart RP
Kyle Backhus Note
Kyle Backhus photo 681. Kyle Backhus RP
Daniel Robert Note
Daniel Robert photo 756. Daniel Robert RP
Alan Rangel Note
Alan Rangel photo 759. Alan Rangel RP
Nolan Hoffman Note
Nolan Hoffman photo 760. Nolan Hoffman RP
Lou Trivino Note
Lou Trivino photo 768. Lou Trivino RP
Tucker Davidson Note
Tucker Davidson photo 773. Tucker Davidson RP
Genesis Cabrera Note
Genesis Cabrera photo 827. Genesis Cabrera RP
Bryse Wilson Note
Bryse Wilson photo 868. Bryse Wilson SP,RP
Yoniel Curet Note
Yoniel Curet photo 873. Yoniel Curet SP
Seth Johnson Note
Seth Johnson photo 874. Seth Johnson RP
Jean Cabrera Note
Jean Cabrera photo 891. Jean Cabrera SP
Michael Mercado Note
Michael Mercado photo 958. Michael Mercado RP