Preseason Prep-March 8, 2026
Around the League
Shea Langliers-Athletics-C
Shea Langeliers broke out in a major way in 2025, slashing .277/.325/.536 with 31 HR, 73 R, 72 RBI, and 7 SB in 523 PA while posting a 132 wRC+. The power surge was supported by strong underlying metrics, including an 11% barrel rate and 45% hard-hit rate, both comfortably above league average for catchers. Perhaps most encouraging was the improvement in his approach, as Langeliers cut his strikeout rate from 27.2% in 2024 to 19.7% while maintaining his aggressive pull-side power. His expected numbers were solid as well (.262 xBA, .480 xSLG), reinforcing that the breakout wasn’t purely luck-driven. While his OBP remains capped by a modest walk rate, Langeliers’ combination of contact gains and legitimate power makes him one of the more impactful offensive catchers in baseball entering 2026.
Alec Burleson-Cardinals-1B/OF
Alec Burleson quietly turned in one of the more underrated offensive seasons in the National League, hitting .290 with 18 HR, 54 R, 69 RBI, and 5 SB across 546 PA while producing a 124 wRC+. The left-handed hitter’s calling card remains elite bat-to-ball skills, finishing the year with a sub-15% strikeout rate and consistently strong contact quality. Burleson paired that contact ability with solid underlying power metrics, including a hard-hit rate north of 40% and an average exit velocity around 90 mph, though his barrel rate around 7-8% limits his true home run ceiling. His approach is geared toward line drives and all-fields contact rather than selling out for loft, which helps stabilize his batting average but caps his slugging upside. Even so, Burleson’s high-contact profile and everyday role in the Cardinals lineup give him a reliable fantasy floor, particularly in batting-average formats.
Brandon Lowe-Pirates-2B
Brandon Lowe delivered another power-driven season in 2025, slashing .256/.307/.477 with 31 HR, 79 R, 83 RBI, and 3 SB across 553 PA while posting a 114 wRC+. The veteran second baseman continued to generate elite pull-side power, finishing the season with a barrel rate around 13% and a hard-hit rate above 45%, both comfortably above league average. Lowe’s approach remains extremely aggressive and power-focused, reflected in a 26-27% strikeout rate and double-digit swinging-strike rate, which keeps his batting average volatile from year to year. His expected metrics (.248 xBA, .470+ xSLG range) largely supported the production, indicating the power output was legitimate rather than luck-driven. While defensive metrics cratered and pushed him toward more DH time late in the season, Lowe’s bat still profiles as one of the more impactful power sources at second base. A winter trade to Pittsburgh should lock him into a middle-of-the-order role, and if he stays healthy, the underlying power indicators suggest another 30-homer campaign is well within reach. PNC Park is a pitcher-friendly environment, but more favorable to left-handed hitters due to its dimensions.
Trevor Story-Red Sox-SS
Trevor Story bounced back with one of his healthiest seasons in years, hitting .263 with 25 HR, 82 R, 78 RBI, and 16 SB across 157 games while producing a .781 OPS. The veteran shortstop’s power remained intact thanks to strong contact quality, finishing the season with a hard-hit rate around 44% and a barrel rate near 11%, both comfortably above league average. Story’s approach still features plenty of swing-and-miss; his strikeout rate hovered around 28% with a swinging-strike rate north of 13%, but he compensates with aggressive pull-side damage when he connects. Expected metrics (.249 xBA, .421 xSLG range) suggest the power production was legitimate even if the batting average remains volatile. Story’s speed also remains a useful component of his profile as he continues to swipe double-digit bases. If he can replicate the health he showed in 2025, Story still offers a valuable power-speed blend at shortstop.
Carlos Correa-Astros-3B
Carlos Correa split his time between Minnesota and Houston in 2025. He hit .276 with 13 HR, 63 R, 52 RBI, and 0 SB in 584 PA. He continues to post strong plate skills (8% Bb and 19% K). Correa’s barrel rate dropped from 9% in 2024 to 7% in 2025. He continued to hit the ball hard (46% Hardhit) but saw his groundball rate spike to 48%. This is a trend to keep an eye on in spring training and early in the season because if that doesn’t improve, his power is going to be severely capped. Correa hasn’t stolen a base since 2019, so he needs to hit for 20+ HR to go along with a respectable average to maintain fantasy value. The name value is still there, but the fantasy value no longer matches the name. He is a league-average player at this point.
Ian Happ-Cubs-OF
Ian Happ continued to serve as a stabilizing presence in Chicago’s lineup in 2025, hitting .243 with 23 HR, 87 R, 79 RBI, and 6 SB across 663 PA while posting a 117 wRC+. The switch-hitter once again combined patience with moderate power, finishing with a 13.1% walk rate that ranked among the best marks in the National League. Happ’s strikeout rate settled around 22-23%, while his expected metrics (.251 xBA and .347 xwOBA) suggested slightly better production than his final line. While his hard-hit rate sits closer to league average, Happ generates value through a balanced offensive approach that produces steady on-base percentages and consistent counting stats. His ability to contribute in multiple categories while hitting near the top of the Cubs lineup keeps him relevant in fantasy formats even without elite power or speed.
Bryan Reynolds-Pirates-OF
Bryan Reynolds had his worst season in the majors in 2025 (.245 AVG, 16 HR, 68 R, 73 RBI, and 3 SB). He struggled to hit for average and saw his strikeout rate jump from 23% to 27%. The good news is that he maintained a good approach (9% BB and 30% O-swing) and still hit the ball hard (10% Barrels and 46% Hardhit). Reynolds has reported that there was a mechanical flaw in 2025 that he has fixed over the offseason. He is entering his age-31 season, so there is a good chance that he bounces back in 2026, given his underlying skills. He should also see an improvement in his counting stats with an improved Pirates lineup heading into 2026.
Tyler Wells-Orioles-SP
Tyler Wells made four startsin 2025 after missing most of the season recovering from UCL surgery in June of 2024. Wells had a 2.91 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 20% K:BB through 21.2 IP. He showed just enough strikeouts (22% K and 11% SwStr) to make it work in combination with an elite walk rate (2% BB). Wells has shown above-average control throughout his career (6% BB), which allows him to get by with an average strikeout rate (23% K). He also needs to limit baserunners because his flyball approach (52% FB) leads to home runs (1.62 HR/9). He isn’t a sexy option, but Wells has shown that he can be a back-end starter in mixed leagues.
Andrew Abbott-Reds-SP
Andrew Abbott had a full breakout in 2025. He set a career-high in innings pitched (166.1 IP), ERA (2.87), WHIP (1.15), and K (149). The issue heading into 2026 is that his 4.20 SIERA paints a completely different pitcher than his traditional stats. The reason for this is that Abbott had a below-average strikeout rate (22% K) and was fortunate with guys on (80% LOB) and flyballs (8% HR/FB vs. 11.5% coming into 2025). Abbott was also awesome at home (2.39 ERA and 1.23 WHIP), but his advanced metrics said that he was lucky (4.63 xFIP). Great American Ballpark is not kind to pitchers, so there is a good chance that regression hits Abbott hard in 2026 if he is not able to find a way to miss more bats in 2026.
Jose Soriano-Angels-SP
Jose Soriano was 10-11 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 169 IP in 2025. Despite premium velocity and movement on his fastball, Soriano produced lackluster results. His issue is not the fastball but an offspeed pitch that he can miss bats with reliably. His 21% strikeout rate was below average, and he was unable to pair it with an above-average walk rate (11% BB) to limit the damage. Improving his walk rate would go a long way towards better ratios because he would be able to succeed with 21% K and 65% GB if he had a sub 9% walk rate. From a fantasy perspective, it is hard to rely on Soriano because he needs quality ratios to make up for that lack of strikeouts, but that is not a guarantee. He is worth a late-round flier, but projecting a major step forward is a mistake.
Jeremy Pena-Astros-SS
Jeremy Pena fractured his right ring finger after getting hit by a pitch in the World Baseball Classic. He is going to be re-evaluated in two weeks, and we will know more about his status for Opening Day at that juncture. Pena is coming off a strong 2025 season in which he hit .304 with 17 HR, 68 R, 62 RBI, and 20 SB. He was nearly able to match his counting stats from a year ago in 100 fewer plate appearances. Pena has strong plate skills (6% BB and 17% K) to go along with improving quality of contact (8% Barrels and 43% Hardhit). Provided he returns healthy and doesn’t miss much time, he could challenge for a 20 HR/20 SB season with a .260+ AVG.
Brewers Rotation
The Brewers’ rotation is going to feature Brandon Woodruff, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, and Kyle Harrison. Quinn Priester is going to be a major factor at some point, but he is dealing with wrist discomfort. This is something that he has dealt with since last season and is trying to work around. Time is running out for him to build up before Opening Day. The Brewers have been slow-playing Brandon Woodruff this spring, but he is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Woodruff is coming off an excellent return from major injury (64.2 IP, 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 27% K:BB). He was able to post excellent strikeout to walk stats (32% K and 5% BB), but his velocity and stuff were down in the small sample, so there is pause for concern. He will be able to get by due to his ability to limit walks, but a 32% strikeout rate looks unsustainable given his current stuff and heavy fastball approach. Expecting closer to his 2019 (3.62 ERA and 1.14 WHIP) is probably more realistic than the ace level he showed in a small sample last year. Jacob Misiorowski flashed elite upside (32% K and 13% SwStr) but has struggled with control throughout his minor league career and last year (11% BB). There is no denying his pure stuff, but to reach the next level he is going to need to show consistency in throwing strikes. Chad Patrick was also a nice surprise for the Brewers in 2025. He had a 3.53 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 17% K:BB in 119.2 IP. He showed good underlying skills (25% K and 8% BB). His advanced metrics (3.90 SIERA) suggest that he is better than league average, which checks out. Patrick threw seven different pitches last year, but is primarily a four-seam, cutter, sinker, and the occasional offspeed (SL, CU, CH, and FS). His ceiling might not be an elite starter, but Patrick has more than enough to be relevant in mixed leagues. The Brewers currently have Logan Henderson, Kyle Harrison, DL Hall, and Robert Gasser working as starters in the spring. Henderson has the most upside because he was awesome in his small sample last year (25.1 IP, 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 33% K, and 8% BB). He was also good in Triple-A (3.59 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 28% K and 8% BB). Harrison has a career 4.39 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 23% K, and 8% BB in 194.2 IP. Hall has struggled to stay healthy and has seen his skills decline over the past three seasons. Gasser is working back from injury and doesn’t appear to be a real candidate for the rotation outside of injury.