The MLB season is just two weeks old, but the fantasy baseball landscape is already shifting dramatically. While it's far too early to panic or celebrate, the opening stretch has revealed clear trends, separating the early stars from the surprising slumps. For fantasy managers, these first impressions are crucial for setting your lineup strategy. Let's break down the players who are soaring and those who are stumbling out of the gate.
Houston's Yordan Alvarez is living up to his elite draft status and then some. Currently the top-ranked hitter in fantasy, he's mashing with a .317 average, 4 home runs, 10 RBI, and a monstrous 1.183 OPS. He's the anchor of a potent Astros lineup and looks every bit like a fantasy MVP, making him a clear hold, not a trade candidate.
In Atlanta, rookie sensation Beau Baldwin is taking the league by storm. The 2025 Rookie of the Year is already the #2 fantasy hitter, boasting 5 homers, 15 RBI, and a .321 average. Batting in the heart of a stacked Braves order, Baldwin's production looks sustainable, solidifying him as a cornerstone catcher for any fantasy squad.
Another Astro making waves is Kyle Walker. A draft-day sleeper outside the top 100 hitters, Walker is rewarding savvy managers with a scorching .340 average, 3 home runs, 13 RBI, and a 1.240 OPS. While some regression is expected, this explosive start has cemented his place as a must-start player for the foreseeable future.
On the mound, a major comeback story is unfolding in Miami. After an injury-plagued season, Sandy Alcantara looks reborn. Through three dominant starts, he's pitched at least 7 innings each time, racking up 2 wins, 18 strikeouts, a sub-1.00 ERA, and a microscopic 0.58 WHIP. He's not just a fantasy ace again; he's pitching like a Cy Young contender.
In Anaheim, the Angels may have finally found their ace. José Soriano has been nearly untouchable, allowing just one earned run over 20 innings across three starts. With 21 strikeouts, 3 wins, a 0.45 ERA, and a 0.65 WHIP, he's been a fantasy revelation. The only concern is the Angels' offense, but so far, it hasn't slowed his win column.
Conversely, the early season has been a struggle for Seattle's Cal Raleigh. After a breakout year, expectations were high, but his power has been absent, and his average has plummeted. For managers who drafted him as a top-tier catcher, his slow start is a significant disappointment, putting his every-day lineup spot in question.