Preseason Prep – February 13, 2026
Drake Baldwin (C-ATL) enjoyed an impressive ROY campaign in 2025, but is that repeatable in 2026? The short answer is yes, although he can unlock even more. The 24 year-old backstop hit .274 with 19 HR, 80 RBI, and 45 R over 446 PA, registering a 125 wRC+. He fanned at just a 15% clip while drawing some walks (8.5%). Baldwin made a lot of contact (83% overall, 88.5% in zone) while registering just an 8.5% swinging-strike rate. And there was a lot of loud contact as he posted a 49.5% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 91.5 mph per Statcast. He can, however, stand to get a bit more lift with his swing as his average launch angle was just 6.6, which produced a 48.5% groundball rate, 20.5% liner rate, and 31% flyball rate. Even with Sean Murphy still in Atlanta, Baldwin projects to see more PA as the lefty swinger, especially after Murphy posted his second straight sub-100 wRC+ campaign in 2025. A .270 average with 20 big flies feels like his floor in 2026, with more potential in the power department.
Vinnie Pasquantino (1B-KC) put together a breakout 2025 season as he registered a .264 average to go with a career-best 32 HR and 113 RBI across 682 PA. Even though the then-27 year-old sacrificed a little contact (83.5% overall, 92% in zone), he still registered a still-solid 15.5% strikeout rate while his 8% swinging-strike rate is still better than average. A 44.5% hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of 91 mph were both around his career norms, but Pasquantino did square up the ball more often as he logged a career-best 11% barrel rate and his average launch angle (16.3) was up a little from 2024 (14.6). All that said, it’s tough to fully explain the jump from 19 to 32 dingers and fantasy owners should therefore temper their expectations in 2026 to expect a .265 average to go with a homer total in the mid-high 20s.
Jackson Holliday (2B-BAL) will begin the 2026 season on the IL after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right hamate bone. A breakout season for the 22 year-old seems highly unlikely now since power output tends to be suppressed when a player returns from a hamate injury. Although he certainly did not blossom into a star during his sophomore campaign, Holliday showed progress as he finished the season with a .242 average, 17 HR, 55 RBI, 70 R, and 17 SB across 649 PA. He fanned at an acceptable 21.5% clip while drawing some walks (9.5% BB%) while his overall (78%) and in-zone (84.5%) contact rates also improved. His quality of contact was pretty middling, though, as he logged a 40.5% hard-hit rate, 8% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89 mph, with an average launch angle of 8.9 generating 48% grounders, 34% flyballs, and 18% liners. An expected timeline to return should be disclosed soon, but expect his production – especially pop – to suffer in 2026.
Jeremy Pena (SS-HOU) put together his strongest MLB season yet in 2026, recording a .304 average to go with 17 HR, 62 RBI, 68 R, and 20 SB across 543 PA, with a career-best 135 wRC+ attesting to his productivity. The then-27 year-old certainly benefited some from a career-high .345 BABIP, but his Statcast profile was improved from his first three big-league campaigns as it shows a 43% hard-hit rate, 8% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 89 mph to go with a career-high launch angle of 9. He’s still a bit of a free-swinger, but he tempered that a bit as his 51% swing rate was a career low, but his 35.5% chase rate remained high. His 74% overall contact rate and 89% in-zone contact rate aren’t anything to write home about – and, in fact, both are down a bit from 2024 – but they also aren’t bad. Expect a .270ish average with 15-15 as his baseline and you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Junior Caminero (3B-TB) emerged as a fantasy star during his age-21 season, hitting .264 with 45 HR, 110 RBI, and 93 R while chipping in 7 steals across 653 PA, with a 129 wRC+ attesting to his offensive productivity. While his contact rates (77% overall and 84% in zone) aren’t exactly impressive and he swings and misses some (11.5% swinging-strike rate), Caminero did not fan often at all (19% K%). Meanwhile, he registered a ton of loud contact, with Statcast showing a 51.5% hard-hit rate, 14% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 92.5 mph. Curiously, his average launch angle of 10.7 generated just 15.5% liners against 38% flyballs and 46.5% grounders. A .260 BABIP suggests that, especially given his tendency to make hard contact, his .264 average was a bit low. In 2026, fantasy owners should expect an average of .270 or so to go with 40+ round trippers, which makes Caminero the top 3B for fantasy behind Jose Ramirez, who contributes across the board.
Wyatt Langford (OF-TEX) did not take a big step forward in his sophomore campaign as he hit just .241 with 22 HR, 62 RBI, 73 R, and 22 SB across 573 PA. His wRC+ was up to 118 from 111 in his rookie season while he drew more walks (BB% up from 9% to 13%), but his strikeout rate jumped from 20.5% to 26.5% while his swinging-strike rate climbed from 9% to 10.5%. Langford’s overall (76%) and in-zone (86%) contact rates slipped (from 79.5% and 86.5%, respectively), but his quality of contact improved as Statcast shows a 48.5% hard-hit rate (up from 43.5%), 14% barrel rate (up from 9.5%), and average exit velocity of 91.5 mph (up from 89.5). Meanwhile, his average launch angle of 17.5 generated a 21.5% liner rate, 36% groundball rate, and 42.5% flyball rate. Given Langford’s tendency to make loud contact and lift the ball, it’s easy to predict more homers in the future. For 2026, fantasy owners should set their baseline at .250 with 25 homers and 20 steals, but more pop in particular is in the cards.
Corbin Carroll (OF-ARI) underwent surgery on his right hand to repair a broken hamate bone. While the club is reportedly hopeful that he’ll return to action early in the season, it’s worth noting that the issue notoriously saps a hitter’s power for some time afterward. It’s disappointing news, as he rebounded from a disappointing 2024 campaign (.231 average, 22 HR, 74 RBI, 121 R, 35 SB with a 107 wRC+ over 684 PA) with a .259 average, 31 dingers, 84 RBI, 107 runs scored, and 32 steals across 642 PA in 2025. The 25 year-old did fan more often than in seasons past (24%) as his 11% swinging-strike rate, 77.5% overall contact rate, 84.5% in-zone contact rate, and 31.5% chase rate were all worse than what he posted in his first two full MLB seasons. Carroll did seem to emphasize power as his average launch angle of 16.7 was up significantly than his previous high (11.7 in 2024) while he generated much more loud contact, with Statcast showing a 50% hard-hit rate (previous high of 41%), 14.5% barrel rate (7.5%), and average exit velo of 92 mph (90). Expect a bit less power output in 2026, but the steals should still be there.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF-CHC) was stellar in his first full major-league season, finishing with a .247 average to go with 31 HR, 95 RBI, 91 R, and 35 SB over 647 PA while his wRC+ came in at 109. As sexy as those numbers are, it was truly an uneven campaign for PCA, who posted just a .216 average to go with 6 dingers, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 8 steals in 246 PA after the All-Star break. During that span, his strikeout rate climbed to 25.5% (was 23%) and some of his Statcast metrics dipped, including his 41% hard-hit (down from 42%) and 11% barrel (down from 14%). Encouragingly, PCA’s in-zone contact rate slightly improved during the second half from 83.5% to 85%. Where does that leave fantasy owners looking to possibly roster him in 2026? They should probably expect a season line that results from performance somewhere between PCA’s two extremes in 2025, which would give him a .250ish average to go with about 25 bombs and 35 steals over a full season.
James Wood (OF-WSH) put together a productive first full MLB campaign as he hit .256 with 31 HR, 94 RBI, 87 R, and 15 SB across 689 PA, with a nice 127 wRC+ attesting to his productivity. There is certainly some swing-and-miss in his game (32% strikeout rate, 12.5% swinging-strike rate) as his contact rates (69% overall, 81% in zone) are not good, but Wood is selective at the dish (40% swing rate, 24.5% chase rate) and generates a ton of loud contact when he does put the bat on the ball. Statcast shows a 56.5% hard-hit rate, 16.5% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 94.5 mph. The average launch angle of 6.3 is a bit of a concern as that generated a 49.5% groundball rate, 26.5% flyball rate, and 24% liner rate, leaving his homer total to ride on a 30.5% HR/FB. Now just 23, Wood is a strong 25-15 candidate but has the raw power to hit 40+ homers if he can get under the ball a bit more often.
Jesus Luzardo (SP-PHI) returned to his 2022-2023 form in his first campaign with the Phillies in 2025, posting a 3.92 ERA, 10.6 K/9, and 2.8 BB/9 across a career-high 183.2 IP. He was a bit unlucky as a 3.25 xFIP points to a .324 BABIP and 69.5% strand rate inflating his ERA. Across the board, he was good, logging a 13.5% swinging-strike rate, 71.5% overall contact rate, and 83% in-zone contact rate that align with his career averages while his Statcast profile was among the best of his career with a 37% hard-hit rate, 6.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 88.5 mph. Look for more of the same in 2026 as he’s a top-25 SP for fantasy even though the ERA might discount him a little on draft day.
Framber Valdez (SP-DET) will, for the first time in his MLB career, a city other than Houston home after he signed with the Tigers in February. The 32 year-old southpaw is coming off a typically solid if unspectacular campaign as he registered a 3.66 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 3.34 xFIP across 192 IP with the Astros in 2025. The BB/9 was his highest since 2021 while his groundball rate – while still healthy – dipped to 58.5% after coming in at 60% or higher in every other season but one since he reached the majors back in 2018. Good thing for the low average launch angle (2.7) as Valdez did serve up some loud contact (46% hard-hit, 6.5% barrel, and 91 mph average exit velo per Statcast). His 11.5% swinging-strike rate, 75.5% overall contact rate, and 88% in-zone contact rate were all par for the course. Statcast Park Factors indicate that the stadium change should mean little for Valdez, as it’s a lateral move in overall park factor, although Detroit is a better pitcher’s park in terms of HR. Draft him as a #2-3 SP in fantasy.
Spencer Schwellenbach (SP-ATL) will begin the 2026 season on the IL as he deals with inflammation in his right (throwing) elbow and will undergo surgery to remove bone spurs from said elbow; the team is optimistic that he avoided a UCL strain but the righty will nevertheless miss significant time. Schwellenbach was already a high-risk SP for fantasy owners after his 2025 campaign ended prematurely thanks to a fracture in that same elbow. Before sustaining this most recent injury, he resumed throwing back in September and was sharp before landing on the IL, recording a 3.09 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, and 3.01 xFIP across 110.2 IP. Despite the unexciting K/9, his swinging-strike rate sat at a strong 13.5% while the opposition’s overall (74%) and in-zone (85%) contact rates were close to what they were in 2025 (74.5% and 84.5%, respectively). Interestingly, his average fastball velocity was up a full tick to 97 mph before he sustained the injury, and he was deploying that pitch just 35% of the time as he also utilized his 94-mph cutter (11.5%), 85-mph splitter (14%), 95.5-mph sinker (10%), 87-mph slider (18%), and 81-mph curve (11.5%) to keep hitters guessing. Fantasy owners will need to watch the news for updates, but for now he’s little more than a late-round flyer in redraft leagues.
Justin Verlander (SP-DET) will (presumably) wrap up his big-league career where it started after signing a one-year deal with the Tigers in February. As he embarks upon his age-43 campaign, fantasy owners can fairly ask whether he has much left in the tank. The short answer is “probably a little.” On the surface, his 2025 season in San Francisco was uninspiring as he compiled a 3.85 ERA, 8.1 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, and 4.57 xFIP across 152 IP. But the good news is that Verlander stepped things up down the stretch, recording a 2.60 ERA, 8.7 K/9, 3 BB/9, and 4.32 xFIP over his last 13 starts (72.2 IP). After his swinging-strike rate came in below 10% in both 2023 and 2024, it bounced back to 11% in 2025 even as the opposition’s 83.5% in-zone contact rate was the lowest he surrendered since 2020. As the K/9 and BB/9 indicate, he’s far from the ace that he once was, but there’s still fantasy value here.
Trevor Rogers (SP-BAL) was a surprise comeback player in 2025 as he recorded a career-best 1.81 ERA to go with an 8.5 K/9, and career-low 2.4 BB/9 across 109.2 IP. The then-27 year-old had disappointed in 2022-2024 after posting a 2.64 ERA, 10.6 K/9, and 3.1 BB/9 over 133 IP back in 2021 with the Marlins. Injuries certainly played a role as he has yet to pitch more than those 133 IP in the majors, but his control also regressed while he struggled to find consistency in general. But fantasy owners should be careful to not overvalue Rogers in 2026 fantasy drafts as his 3.64 xFIP points to a lucky .226 BABIP, 84% strand rate, and 5.5 HR/FB all suppressing his ERA. Meanwhile, the opposition made some loud contact against him as he yielded a 48.5% hard-hit rate, average exit velo of 89.5 mph, and a 7.5% barrel rate. On the other hand, Rogers limited contact with a 76% overall contact rate and 81.5% in-zone contact rate, with a quality 12.5% swinging strike rate. Especially if he can maintain his gains in the control department, expect Rogers to be a mid-rotation arm in 2026 as his ERA will doubtlessly come in well north of 1.81 while he should fan about a batter per IP.
Sandy Alcantara (SP-MIA) might have, on the surface, underwhelmed in his first season back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, but a peek underneath the hood indicates he’s a bounceback candidate in 2026. The then-29 year-old registered an unimpressive 5.36 ERA, 7.3 K/9, and 2.9 BB/9 across 174.2 IP, all of which were worse than what he posted during his run of success in 2020-2023. The good news is that his 4.19 xFIP points to poor luck in the form of a 62% strand rate in particular (71.5% career) inflating his ERA. Encouragingly, too, he was much better down the stretch after a slow start to the campaign, logging a 3.70 ERA, 8.4 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, and 3.51 xFIP over 65.2 IP after the calendar flipped to August. The improved control in particular is encouraging since pitchers notoriously struggle with that after returning from TJS, and he seemed to recover that a bit down the stretch. Also, it’s worth noting that Alcantara’s plus velocity was not far from where it was in 2021-2023 (98 mph average heater) as his fastball registered an average of 97.5 mph in 2026. His limited strikeout upside caps his fantasy potential, but Alcantara should be a solid mid-rotation arm in 2026.