Preseason Prep – February 25, 2026
Agustin Ramirez (C-MIA) cemented himself toward the top of the Marlins lineup as a rookie, registering a .231 average to go with 21 HR, 67 RBI, 72 R, and 16 SB across 585 PA. His 91 wRC+ was certainly underwhelming and the average didn’t help fantasy owners, but Ramirez is a rare backstop who can contribute in both the power and speed departments. The average does seem a bit unlucky, too, given his reasonable 19.5% strikeout rate and .253 BABIP. Indeed, Ramirez made a decent bit of contact (76.5% overall, 88% in zone) while making a lot of loud contact, with Statcast showing a 47% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 91 mph. An average launch angle of 8.3 did result in a 46% groundball rate, so that likely suppressed the power output a bit. Ramirez seems capable of producing a .250 average to go with 20 homers and 15 SB, so he’s easily a top-8 backstop in fantasy who could push into the top 5 if he gives more in the average department. He did work during the offseason to improve his defense behind the dish, which should help to keep his bat in the lineup.
Nick Kurtz (1B-ATH) recently batted leadoff in a spring training game as manager Mark Kotsay has indicated that he’d like to get Kurtz the most plate appearances possible. He burst onto the scene in 2025 to earn AL ROY honors, hitting .290 with 36 HR, 86 RBI, and 90 R over just 489 PA as a 22 year-old rookie. While he drew plenty of walks (13%), he also fanned often (31%), with his overall (67%) and in-zone (76.5%) contact rates not pretty. To his credit, he did show patience and discipline at the dish, logging a 43% swing rate and 22% chase rate and frequently obliterated the baseball when he did make contact, registering an 18.5% barrel rate, average exit velo of 92.5 mph, and a 51% hard-hit rate, with an average launch angle of 15.3 generating plenty of flyballs (43%). The power is legit, but it seems unlikely that Kurtz can replicate a nice average given the low contact rates. Expect an average down around .260 with 35+ dingers and you should be happy. After all, scouting reports indicate that Kurtz’s hit tool has plus potential, and so that contact ability could very well improve over time. If you get a chance, check out his percentile rankings and spray chart on Baseball Savant; note the number of opposite-field homers. While he certainly benefits from playing half his games at hitter-friendly Las Vegas Ballpark, Kurtz still hit .291 with 14 HR in 247 road PA last year.
Bryce Eldridge (1B-SF) may see time in LF this season as the Giants appear interested in getting his bat settled in at the MLB level sooner rather than later. The 2023 first-round pick didn’t exactly impress in his first taste of big-league action in 2025 as a 20 year-old, logging a .107 average, 4 RBI, and 1 R in only 37 PA as he fanned at a 35% clip and drew walks at a 19% rate in that tiny sample size. Before getting the call to the majors, Eldridge recorded a .260 average, 25 HR, and 84 RBI in 433 PA in the minors, most of that (286 PA) in Triple A. He did strikeout often in Triple-A (31%) as his overall (69.5%) and in-zone (82.5%) contact rates were low. But his quality of contact was otherworldly as he recorded a 62.5% hard-hit rate and average exit velocity of 95.5 mph per Statcast. If he’s able to stick at the MLB level, Eldridge could enjoy a Nick Kurtz-like breakout season, but probably with a significantly lower average.
Brice Turang (2B-MIL) made a fantasy impact in 2025 as he posted a .288 average to go with 18 HR, 81 RBI, 97 R, and 24 SB across 659 PA, with a 124 wRC+ attesting to his productivity. The then-25 year-old sold out for power as his strikeout rate jumped from 17% in 2024 to 23% last season while his overall contact rate fell from 88% to 80.5%, his in-zone contact rate dipped from 92% to 86%, and his swinging-strike rate climbed from 5.5% to 8.5%. Meanwhile, Turang did make a lot more loud contact, with his 47.5% hard-hit rate (29.5%), 8% barrel rate (2.5%), and average exit velo of 91 mph (87) way up from 2024. He also elevated his launch angle a bit from 6.1 to 8.6, which especially elevated his flyball rate (up to 31.5% from 26%) and reduced his groundball rate (down to 46.5% from 52.5%). Curiously, his average climbed from .254 from .288 despite the shift from contact to power, with a .356 BABIP driving that increase. All things considered, fantasy owners should expect a .260 or so average with about 15 HR and 25 SB from Turang in 2026.
Konnor Griffin (SS-PIT) impressed in spring training action on Tuesday, going 2-4 with a pair of monster HR and 4 RBI against the Red Sox. Pirates management has stated that it “would be a tough ask” for the 19 year-old phenom to make the club’s Opening Day roster, but he’s clearly going to make a case for it. Griffin, after all, raked in his first season of professional ball a year ago, hitting .333 with 21 HR, 94 RBI, 117 R, and 65 SB across 563 PA as he climbed from Single-A to High-A to Double-A. The 9th overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft did fan at a 21.5% clip, but he squared up the ball often as he ripped 30.5% liners, hit 26% flyballs, and hit 43.5% grounders. A true five-tool athlete who possesses plus power and speed to go with a plus-potential hit tool, Griffin is poised to make a fantasy impact sometime this season, and sooner rather than later if he continues to impress.
Noelvi Marte (3B/OF-CIN) will see time at CF during spring training, although TJ Friedl is expected to handle most CF duty this season while Marte mans RF. He missed a chunk of the 2025 campaign because of an oblique injury but flashed potential when on the field as he logged a .263 average to go with 14 HR, 51 RBI, 45 R, and 10 SB over 360 PA. His plate discipline and contact ability remain question marks as he posted a 75.5% overall and 84.5% in-zone contact rate while his 34.5% swinging-strike rate was high. Meanwhile, quality of contact was well below league average as Statcast shows a 36.5% hard-hit rate, 9% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 88.5 mph. Baseball Savant comparisons show that he was – aside from his exactly average barrel rate – below average across the board in all hitting metrics, with his speed his only true offensive plus. Entering his age-24 campaign, Marte seems likely to post a 15-15ish season with a .250 average over a full season, but his batted ball metrics don’t portend much more pop.
Dylan Crews (OF-WSH) is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign in which he logged a .208 average, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 43 R, and 17 SB across just 322 BA as an oblique injury took away about half his age-23 season. While the average was disappointing, the combination of speed and power was on display, hinting at a possible 20-30 campaign given good health. Contact is, however, a concern, as Crews registered just a 71.5% overall and 84% in-zone contact rate last year while his Statcast profile featured an underwhelming 38.5% hard-hit rate, 9.5% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 89.5 mph while his average launch angle of 8.5 generated a 50.5% groundball rate. The tools are there for Crews to contribute in multiple categories, but can he at least not be a liability in the average department?
Mickey Moniak (OF-LAA) could make his spring training debut this week (oblique) after taking batting practice on Monday. He rebounded in 2025 following a disappointing 2024 campaign, hitting .270 with 24 HR, 48 RBI, 62 runs scored, and 9 steals across 461 PA in his age-27 season. The former #1 overall draft pick (Philadelphia, 2016) seems primed for another productive season as he remains with the Rockies and has the pop and speed to be a fantasy contributor. Neither his 24% strikeout rate nor his 5% walk rate are good, but Moniak’s 74% overall contact rate and 85% in-zone contact rate were career bests. Meanwhile, his average launch angle (17.4 in 2025, 18.4 career) is good for power production, and his 45.5% hard-hit rate and 14% barrel rate both came above average. He should see regular playing time, at least against RHP, and so Moniak makes for an interesting 3rd OF in deeper leagues while he should be otherwise stashed on the bench or, at least, added to the watch list.
Spencer Jones (OF-NYY) has shown his upside as well as his flaws so far in spring training as he was hitting .250 (8-32) with 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, and 2 SB through 36 PA entering Tuesday’s action. The 24 year-old, however, also fanned 16 times (44.5%). That offers something of a microcosm of his minor-league career to date as for instance, he hit .274 with 35 HR, 80 RBI, 102 R, and 29 SB across 506 PA in the high minors last season, striking at a 35.5% clip as a .371 BABIP carried his average. He registered a lot of loud contact in Triple-A with Statcast showing a 54.5% hard-hit rate and average exit velo of 95 mph, but his overall contact rate was just 61.5% while his in-zone contact rate was also putrid at 72%. There is plenty of fantasy intrigue surrounding Jones, who is reportedly poised to carve out a full-time role with the Yankees in 2026. But there are major concerns about whether he can hit more than .220 to go with his tantalizing power-speed combo.
Shane McClanahan (SP-TB) is reportedly on track to open the 2026 campaign in the Rays rotation after he faced hitters for the first time since July on Sunday. The 28 year-old southpaw has not thrown a pitch in the majors since 2023 after he recovered from Tommy John surgery and then dealt with a nerve issue in his left (throwing arm) triceps as he prepared to return in 2025. McClanahan is certainly little more than a lottery ticket in fantasy as a result, but his past performance makes him worth drafting in the later rounds as he currently has an ADP of roughly 230 overall and 70 among SP. After all, in 404.2 career IP, the lefty has compiled a 3.02 ERA, 10.1 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and 3.15 xFIP. He missed lots of bats (15.5% swinging-strike rate) while showing average control at worst, so there’s a good chance that he can still be a fantasy contributor if he can stay on the mound.
Nick Pivetta (SP-SD) excelled in his first season with the Padres, recording a 2.87 ERA, 9.4 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9 across a career-high 181.2 IP in his age-32 campaign. Fantasy owners shouldn’t draft him expecting similar results in 2026, as his 3.85 xFIP does indicate that a .235 BABIP (.292 career) and 78.5% strand rate (72.5% career) suppressed his ERA while his 10.5% swinging-strike rate was his lowest since 2022. Meanwhile, he surrendered a lot of loud contact as Statcast shows a 45% hard-hit rate, 11% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 90.5 mph, all of which are among the worst of his career. The move from Boston to San Diego was certainly a beneficial one for the fly-ball oriented Pivetta (average launch angle of 19.1), as Fenway ranks #2 in park factor at 104 while Petco Park comes in at #23 with a 97. Expect an ERA in the mid-high 3s in 2026 while a K/9 north of 9 seems likely given his track record.
Eury Perez (SP-MIA) was solid if unspectacular in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, registering a 4.25 ERA, 9.9 K/9, 3 BB/9, and 4.07 xFIP across 95.1 IP in his age-22 campaign. The hard-throwing righty showed a half-tick more velocity (97.5 mph average heater) than he did in 2023 while his control – already a concern given his 6’8″ frame – wasn’t bad. Perez missed plenty of bats (13.5% swinging-strike rate) while the opposition’s overall (73.5%) and in-zone (81.5%) contact rates were both below average. One area for improvement (in addition to tightening up the control) would be quality of contact as opposing hitters mustered a 46.5% hard-hit rate, 9% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 90.5 mph against Perez last season. Overall, he’s an exciting talent who has the stuff to be a top-20 SP for fantasy.
Cam Schlittler (SP-NYY) is reportedly progressing as he recovers from a back issue as he has thrown bullpen sessions in preparation for facing hitters. He impressed as a 24 year-old rookie, compiling a 2.96 ERA, 10.4 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, and 3.77 xFIP across 73 IP with the Yankees in 2025. The gap between the ERA and xFIP does suggest that an 84.5% strand rate in particular suppressed his ERA, and fantasy owners should expect some correction given his control issues. Schlittler’s 11% swinging-strike rate was fine but not impressive while the same can be said for his 78% overall contact rate, 84.5% in-zone contact rate, and Statcast profile, which featured a 40% hard-hit rate, 8% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 89 mph. An average launch angle of 14.5 that produced 36.5% grounders, 37.5% flyballs, and 26% liners is a bit concerning, especially since he calls Yankee Stadium his home park. In short, don’t draft him expecting last year’s stats as a 4.00 ERA and 9 K/9 are more probable than him replicating a sub-3 ERA and K/9 north of 10.
Bailey Ober (SP-MIN) reportedly dealt with a nagging hip issue last season and worked with a specialist during the offseason to get that behind him. That may very well explain Ober’s disappointing 2025 campaign as he recorded a career-worst 5.01 ERA to go with a career-low 7.4 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, and 4.75 xFIP across 146.1 IP. His average fastball velocity dipped to just 90.5 mph after it sat at around 91.5 mph in 2022-2024, which lends credence to the nagging injury affecting his performance. After his swinging-strike rate sat at 14% in 2023 and 2024, it came in at just 11.5% last season while the opposition’s in-zone contact rate climbed to 84.5% (was 81% the previous two years) and opposing hitters registered more loud contact against him than usual, with a 39% hard-hit rate (37.5% career), 11% barrel rate (10%), and average exit velo of 89.5 mph (88.5). Ober is a solid bounce-back candidate in his age-30 season; consider drafting him as a later-round flyer to round out your rotation.
Gavin Williams (SP-CLE) recently attributed his improvement during the second half of the 2025 season to a midseason mechanical adjustment. Across 167.2 IP on the year, he logged a 3.06 ERA, 9.3 K/9, and 4.5 BB/9 with a 4.08 xFIP. The righty benefited from an 84% strand rate and .254 BABIP even though he yielded a good bit of loud contact; Statcast shows a 44.5% hard-hit rate, 9% barrel rate, and average exit velo of 90.5 mph. On the plus side, Williams posted a 12% swinging-strike rate while the opposition mustered just a 74.5% strand rate against him; their 85.5% in-zone contact rate was about the same as it was in 2024. There was significant improvement after the All-Star break, as Williams logged a 2.18 ERA, 10 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, and 3.43 xFIP over 70.1 IP. Perhaps that mechanical change will continue to yield improved results in 2026.