2026 Fantasy Baseball Winners & Losers: Week 1 Review

Early standout performances and red flags to monitor in the new season

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:10am

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After an unconventional opening weekend, the first full week of the 2026 MLB season has settled in more traditionally. Several late-round or undrafted fantasy baseball players have exploded out of the gate, while some high draft picks were slow to start and might display red flags worthy of attention.

Why it matters

Week 1 takeaways should be used to adjust rosters, prioritize waiver wire adds, and fuel early trade strategies. While it's still too early to make definitive decisions about most players, identifying emerging trends and potential breakouts can give fantasy managers an edge in a competitive league.

The details

We've seen several standout performers and potential breakout stars, including Liam Hicks of the Marlins, Chase DeLauter of the Guardians, Sal Stewart of the Reds, Brandon Lowe of the Pirates, and Cam Smith of the Astros. On the flip side, early disappointments and red flags have emerged around players like Jo Adell of the Angels, Jorge Soler of the Angels, Caleb Durbin of the Red Sox, and Byron Buxton of the Twins.

  • The 2026 MLB season opened with an unconventional weekend containing off-days on Friday and Sunday around the league.
  • The first full week of the season settled in more traditionally around MLB from March 30 to April 5.

The players

Liam Hicks

A catcher for the Miami Marlins who has a perfect contact rate and strong on-base profile, making him valuable in OBP leagues.

Chase DeLauter

An outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians who has hit 5 home runs in the first 10 days of the season, but has also struggled with injuries in the past.

Sal Stewart

A first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds who had a strong September call-up in 2025 and is validating his ADP surge with a powerful start to 2026.

Brandon Lowe

A second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates who has impressive walk and strikeout rates, and could see a boost in value if rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin hits in front of him in the lineup.

Cam Smith

An outfielder for the Houston Astros who has shown a power-speed combination, and could be in line for 15-20 steals this season if he can improve his plate discipline.

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What they’re saying

“When he's not catching, he plays 1B, so he will have dual-eligibility. He's about a .260 hitter but his minor league on-base percentage was often higher than .400, so in OBP leagues he's a nice stash, particularly if he keeps the power gains.”

— Tom Mcfeeley, Fantasy Baseball Analyst

“If you can roster him, do it, but also know the risks and know you'll have to plan to find other OF at-bats for maybe 40 games at some point in the season.”

— Tom Mcfeeley, Fantasy Baseball Analyst

What’s next

It's still too early to make definitive decisions about most players, but the early trends highlighted in this review can be used to guide roster management, waiver wire priorities, and trade strategies heading into the first few weeks of the season.

The takeaway

This review of the first week of the 2026 fantasy baseball season showcases the volatility and unpredictability that can occur early on, with several late-round and undrafted players emerging as potential breakouts, while some high draft picks have stumbled out of the gate. Closely monitoring these developments and making timely roster moves will be crucial for fantasy managers looking to gain an edge in their leagues.