Fantasy Baseball Week 2: Busts, Drops, and Players to Watch in 2026

The Cut List: Fantasy Baseball Busts, Drops for Week 2 (2026)

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:41am

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting depicting the chaotic energy of a baseball game, with players and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the highs and lows of the 2026 fantasy baseball season, with players and teams deconstructed into a dynamic geometric composition.Boston Today

The article examines pitchers and hitters who are underperforming or causing issues for fantasy managers in the second week of the 2026 MLB season. It highlights players like Nathan Eovaldi, Emilio Pagan, Carlos Estevez, Ryne Nelson, and Griffin Jax on the pitching side, as well as Bo Bichette, Josh Naylor, Ceddanne Rafaela, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte on the hitting side. The article also mentions Emmet Sheehan as a pitcher on the 'hot seat' due to his early struggles.

Why it matters

This article provides valuable insights for fantasy baseball managers in the early stages of the 2026 season. Identifying potential busts, drops, and players to watch can help managers make informed decisions about their rosters and stay competitive throughout the season.

The details

The article examines several pitchers and hitters who have struggled in the first two weeks of the 2026 MLB season. On the pitching side, Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers has had a rough start, with an 11.42 ERA and two losses. Emilio Pagan of the Cincinnati Reds has also had an eventful start, blowing a save and giving up a 5-run deficit in one outing. Carlos Estevez of the Kansas City Royals, the league's saves leader last season, has seen a drop in velocity and is currently on the IL. Ryne Nelson of the Arizona Diamondbacks has a 5.79 ERA after two starts, struggling with walks and home runs. Griffin Jax of the Tampa Bay Rays has not solidified his role as the closer, blowing two saves in his first two appearances. On the hitting side, Bo Bichette of the New York Mets is adapting to a new position and team, while Josh Naylor of the Seattle Mariners is off to a slow start, hitting just .114/.205/.114 with no extra-base hits or home runs. Ceddanne Rafaela of the Boston Red Sox is hitting .280/.308/.400 with one home run, but his position in the lineup (9th) suppresses his value. Matt McLain of the Cincinnati Reds is hitting .267/.389/.300 with one extra-base hit, while Noelvi Marte of the Cincinnati Reds is in a platoon and hitless in his first 12 at-bats. The article also mentions Emmet Sheehan of the Los Angeles Dodgers as a pitcher on the 'hot seat' due to an 8.00 ERA after two starts and a drop in fastball velocity.

  • On April 12, 2026, the article was published.

The players

Nathan Eovaldi

A 91% rostered pitcher for the Texas Rangers who has struggled with a 11.42 ERA and two losses in his first two starts of the 2026 season.

Emilio Pagan

A 89% rostered reliever for the Cincinnati Reds who has had an eventful start, blowing a save, giving up a 5-run deficit, and having his fastball velocity down 1.8 MPH from 2025.

Carlos Estevez

A 74% rostered reliever for the Kansas City Royals who was the most faded closer in drafts after leading the league in saves last season, and has seen a drop in velocity that led to him being placed on the IL.

Ryne Nelson

A 70% rostered pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who has a 5.79 ERA after two starts, struggling with walks and home runs.

Griffin Jax

A 47% rostered reliever for the Tampa Bay Rays who has not solidified his role as the closer, blowing two saves in his first two appearances.

Bo Bichette

A 97% rostered third baseman for the New York Mets who is adapting to a new position and team, hitting .267/.389/.300 with one extra-base hit.

Josh Naylor

A 96% rostered first baseman for the Seattle Mariners who is hitting .114/.205/.114 with no extra-base hits or home runs.

Ceddanne Rafaela

A 86% rostered outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who is hitting .280/.308/.400 with one home run, but his position in the lineup (9th) suppresses his value.

Matt McLain

A 71% rostered second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds who is hitting .267/.389/.300 with one extra-base hit.

Noelvi Marte

A 56% rostered outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds who is in a platoon and hitless in his first 12 at-bats.

Emmet Sheehan

A 91% rostered pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who had high hopes after a 2.82 ERA in 2025, but has an 8.00 ERA after two starts in 2026 with a drop in fastball velocity.

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The takeaway

This article provides valuable insights for fantasy baseball managers in the early stages of the 2026 season. Identifying potential busts, drops, and players to watch can help managers make informed decisions about their rosters and stay competitive throughout the season.