Fantasy Baseball's Early Risers and Fallers

Key players who have surged or struggled in the opening weeks of the MLB season

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:38pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in vibrant colors representing different baseball teams, breaking down the sport's action into sharp, overlapping planes to conceptually illustrate the early fantasy baseball surprises and struggles.An abstract, cubist interpretation of the early fantasy baseball standouts and disappointments.Angels Today

The 2026 MLB season is just two weeks old, but already certain players have emerged as fantasy baseball's top stars while others have disappointed. This article examines some of the early high risers, including Yordan Alvarez, Drake Baldwin, and Sandy Alcantara, as well as the biggest disappointments like Cal Raleigh, Pete Alonso, and Nathan Eovaldi.

Why it matters

Fantasy baseball managers are always on the lookout for breakout players and potential busts, as these early trends can significantly impact the rest of the season. Understanding which players are exceeding or falling short of expectations is crucial for making informed lineup decisions and potential trades.

The details

On the fantasy baseball risers side, Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has emerged as the top-ranked hitter, batting .317 with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has also been a revelation, batting .321 with 5 home runs and 15 RBIs. Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara has picked up where he left off last season, posting a 0.45 ERA and 0.65 WHIP through his first three starts. On the disappointment side, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is batting just .143 with 1 home run, while Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso is hitting under .200 with only 1 home run. Rays pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has struggled mightily with a 7.98 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through his first three outings.

  • The 2026 MLB season is about two weeks old.
  • The article examines players' performances through the first two weeks of the season.

The players

Yordan Alvarez

An Astros star who was drafted in the top 30 of all fantasy baseball hitters and is currently the No. 1 hitter in the game, batting .317 with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs.

Drake Baldwin

The Braves' 2025 Rookie of the Year, who has emerged as the No. 2 hitter in fantasy baseball, batting .321 with 5 home runs and 15 RBIs.

Sandy Alcantara

A Marlins ace who is bouncing back from injury, posting a 0.45 ERA and 0.65 WHIP through his first three starts.

Cal Raleigh

A Mariners catcher who is struggling to build on his breakout 2025 season, batting just .143 with 1 home run.

Pete Alonso

An Orioles first baseman who is off to a slow start, batting under .200 with only 1 home run and 3 RBIs.

Nathan Eovaldi

A Rays pitcher who has been hit-or-miss, posting a 7.98 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through his first three starts.

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What’s next

As the season progresses, fantasy managers will need to closely monitor these players' performances and make adjustments to their rosters accordingly. The early trends highlighted in this article could signal long-term breakouts or disappointments.

The takeaway

The opening weeks of the 2026 MLB season have already provided fantasy baseball managers with a glimpse of who the top risers and fallers might be. Understanding these early trends can help inform crucial lineup and trade decisions that could make or break a fantasy season.