Ryan O'Hearn on a Tear to Start the 2026 Season, Must-Add in All Formats: Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O'Hearn is off to a blazing start, helping the young Pirates team to a 6-3 start to the 2026 season. O'Hearn is batting in the middle of their lineup, and slashing .367/.459/.700 with three home runs, five runs scored, and 11 RBI to go along with six walks. O'Hearn has a clear path to everyday playing time and is a must-add in all formats. Throughout most of his time in Baltimore with the Orioles, he was splitting time at first base, and with the Pirates this year, his path to everyday playing time is more secure than it ever has been, which should only benefit fantasy managers who picked him up in their drafts, especially in the counting stats department. Under the hood, most of his metrics support the early-season breakout, with his xWOBA, xBA, and xSLG all in the 87th percentile or better. O'Hearn has always had average-to-above-average plate discipline, which should only help him in points leagues or formats that prioritize OBP. Regardless of the league scoring format, O'Hearn should be rostered and started across the board. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:01:40
Taj Bradley Solid Through Two Starts, Worth a Waiver Wire Add in Week 3?: Minnesota Twins' right-handed pitcher Taj Bradley has been fantastic through two starts this season, throwing 10 1/3 scoreless innings in two starts, allowing eight hits, one earned run, four walks, 12 strikeouts, and posting a 0.87 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Bradley has shown significant upside throughout his first couple of seasons at the big-league level with the Tampa Bay Rays before being dealt to the Twins this past offseason. The issue with Bradley has been the lack of consistency in stringing multiple outings together and providing any level of consistency over a long-period of time. Heading into Week 3 of the fantasy season, Bradley is lined up for a two-start week against much stiffer competition, Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers and Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Because he has a two-start week, he works his way into the fantasy radar for Week 3. Fantasy managers should understand that with Bradley, there is some risk involved, but the upside you could get with strikeouts should be worth it during a two-start week. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:37:36
Liam Hicks Worth a Waiver Wire Add After Hot Start?: The Miami Marlins left-handed hitting catcher and first baseman, Liam Hicks, is off to a blazing hot start to his 2026 campaign. Through 29 plate appearances, he's slashing .333/.414/.750 with three home runs, seven runs scored, and an NL-leading 12 RBI. Most of his underlying metrics support his early breakout, with xBA, xWOBA, and xSLG all ranking in the 97th percentile or better. More impressively, his plate discipline has also been fantastic, only striking out at a four percent clip and whiffing 5.7 percent of the time. While the 26-year-old out of Arkansas State doesn't have the career longevity to back up his early breakout, Hicks has become a must-add option in all formats. In some leagues, such as ESPN, he even has first-base eligibility, making his value even more significant. The one thing fantasy managers should be cautious of is whether Hicks starts against left-handed pitchers or becomes a strict platoon bat against right-handers. Regardless, his production so far this season is too good to pass up. Fantasy managers should look to roster him to see if he can continue this hot start. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:28:30
Riley O'Brien Notches his Second Save for the Cardinals, is he Taking Control of the Closer Job?: St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever, Riley O'Brien, picked up his second save on Sunday night, helping the Cardinals secure the 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers and avoid getting swept over the weekend. The Cardinals' bullpen has been a bit of a mystery box to start the season, with O'Brien, JoJo Romero, Ryne Stanek, and Matt Svanson all rumored at one point either during Spring Training or to start the season to be the Cardinals' most likely closer. O'Brien appears to have taken the front seat in that race, with two saves on the season and 5 1/3 shutout innings, a 0.75 WHIP, and five strikeouts. The 31-year-old pitcher closed six games for the Cardinals in 2025, but outside of that, he has not had much experience closing, so if he truly has taken over, fantasy managers should expect the leash to be fairly short. For leagues that prioritize saves, O'Brien would be a strong pickup to see if he retains the closer job and earns some more opportunities in the meantime. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:18:49
Payton Tolle Strikes Out Seven in Latest Outing, Carries High-End Stash Upside: Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Payton Tolle enjoyed a dominant outing at Triple-A on Sunday and is emerging as the top pitching prospect to stash. Facing Saint Paul, Tolle logged six frames of two-run ball (one earned run) with four hits, one walk, and seven punchouts. This was a major improvement over the six runs (four earned) he allowed in his season debut back on March 29 against Triple-A Syracuse. Tolle was in contention to break camp with the MLB roster, but eventually fell short in the competition as fellow prospect Connelly Early claimed the final role. However, with Johan Oviedo (elbow) hitting the 15-day IL, Tolle now has a clear path to return to Boston much sooner than expected. In 2025, Tolle progressed through the system very quickly, striking out 133 hitters over 91 2/3 innings. He is a top stash candidate in all formats as he could return to Boston in the coming weeks. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:13:48
Kaelen Culpepper Enjoying Hot Start at Triple-A, Emerging as Sneaky Stash Option?: Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper launched two home runs across St. Paul's doubleheader on Sunday and is emerging as a top hitter stash candidate. Over his first eight games at the Triple-A level, Culpepper has posted a .294/.368/.559 slash line with three round-trippers, six runs, eight RBI, and a 7:3 K:BB. Last summer, the former 21st overall selection for the 2024 MLB Draft quickly progressed through the Minnesota system and is now just one stop away from the majors. In 2025, he spent time at both High-A and Double-A and carried an overall .289/.375/.469 line with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases, over a 113-game stint. If Culpepper can continue this trajectory, he could make a strong case to debut in the majors in the first half. For now, he is a viable stash candidate in deeper formats. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:06:46
George Klassen Struggles to Command Pitches in MLB Debut: Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitching prospect George Klassen showed some upside in his MLB debut on Sunday, but struggled to enjoy much consistency. Over a brief 2 2/3-inning outing facing the Mariners, Klassen would allow three hits, two earned runs, and allow a hefty five free passes. However, he would strike out four hitters. Much of his trouble came in the second frame when Leo Rivas hit a two-run single that scored outfielder Randy Arozarena and second baseman Cole Young. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in the upcoming week, as the Angels may provide him another turn in the MLB rotation. Last summer, he spent most of his time at Double-A, logging 102 2/3 innings to the tune of a 5.35 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Given his shaky debut, managers should only consider adding Klassen in deeper 15-team leagues. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:58:48