Good, Bad & Ugly Lessons from 2026 Spring Training Hype After Week 1

Story by

Chelena Goldman

Fri, Apr 10, 2026 ·

6 min read

Fantasy managers know all too well that the spring training hype train doesn’t always coast into the regular season. Sometimes, that front car veers right off the tracks and does a number on your fantasy baseball roster.

The 2026 fantasy baseball spring training lessons are already coming into focus after Week 1, and the early signals are separating real value from noise faster than usual. With a couple of weeks of regular-season play now in the books, it’s easier to identify which preseason trends are sticking, which ones should have been ignored, and where immediate roster adjustments are required.

The Good: Performers Rising Fast in 2026 Fantasy

Xavier Edwards’ high contact rate and early production signal meaningful fantasy value growth across formats.© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images&NewLine;&NewLine;

Players Whose Early Results Demand Immediate Attention

Shea Langeliers (C, Athletics )
The veteran catcher was expected to have a strong 2026 campaign, even though his long-time team wasn’t. As predicted, the A’s are playing under .500 baseball, but Langeliers is off to a hot start. He’s slashing .289/.333/.644 with a league-leading five homers, and his .978 OPS ranks 20th in the MLB .

Xavier Edwards (SS, Marlins)Managers are picking Edwards up fast, so snag him if he’s available. Edwards was a sleeper in 2025, yet his ADP just barely cracked the top 100 heading into 2026. He’s a league leader through the first few weeks of play, thanks to a .396/.453/.563 slash line with 19 hits over his first 11 games.

Bobby Witt Jr. (SS, Kansas City Royals )Yes, Witt is a high-priced player who hasn’t hit his first home run of the season yet. But he’s heating up at just the right time, hitting doubles in back-to-back games and leading the league with eight stolen bases. Sure, the rest of his teammates have quiet bats right now, but managers can be confident in Witt living up to his ADP.

The Bad: Early Warning Signs That Could Tank 2026 Fantasy Value

Cal Raleigh’s elevated strikeout totals and weak slash line create concern for sustained fantasy production.© Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images&NewLine;&NewLine;

Veterans Showing Concerning Metrics

Cal Raleigh (C, Mariners)To be fair, the MLB’s most infamous caboose typically starts the season off slowly. Still, his high strikeout rate has fantasy managers concerned. Raleigh is slashing .143/.236/.245 and has struck out 21 times in 49 at-bats through 13 games. Owners don’t have to chuck Raleigh to the waivers this early, but it’s worth keeping a wary eye on his numbers.

Riley Greene (OF, Tigers)Greene’s goal heading into his 2026 campaign was to cut down on strikeouts that left a blemish on his 36-homer, 111-RBI 2025 season. Two weeks into April, he possesses a .200/.298/.280 slash line with no HRs and a 13/7 K/BB ratio. He’s more of a buy-low candidate than a drop, but certainly not the fantasy roster anchor managers need him to be, yet.

Oneil Cruz (OF, Pirates)
Managers know Cruz is a high-risk, high-reward kind of fantasy player. He hits for power, and has four home runs and 12 RBI on 14 hits. However, he also has a 16/2 K/BB ratio and had tallied three hits and four strikeouts in 13 at-bats against the San Diego Padres . Benching Cruz is a good option when he goes cold.

The Ugly: Spring Training Hype We Should Have Ignored

Francisco Lindor’s early batting average struggles highlight volatility and risk tied to preseason hype expectations.© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images&NewLine;&NewLine;

Victims of Big Talk and Small-Sample Traps

Emmet Sheehan (SP, Dodgers)
Sheehan was a projected breakout player for the World Series champs, despite competing in a crowded pitching rotation. Despite getting the win against the Washington Nationals in his second start, he allowed four earned runs on seven hits through 5.2 innings pitched. His ERA is a ghastly 8.00.

Francisco Lindor (SS, Mets)The vet is generally a mid-round fantasy draft pick and a staple for managers looking for home run help. Unfortunately, he has a .157 batting average to start 2026. Lindor has insisted that off-season surgery on his hand isn’t to blame and that he can turn things around. Still, a start this slow has to have managers biting their nails.

Josh Naylor (1B, Mariners)If it seems like we’ve been giving Naylor a really hard time, it’s because there were high expectations of him after he signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal. His breakout 2025 showing since being traded to Seattle hasn’t carried over to this season, at least not so far. Naylor is slashing .104/.173/.104 to start the season.

How to Use These Lessons for Your 2026 Fantasy Roster

Immediate ADP Adjustments and Roster Strategy

Okay, so not every player's preseason hype translates into early fantasy production. If that doesn’t impress you much, it’s time to make some tweaks.

No need to drop every player who doesn’t start the season on a heater, especially in early April. Consider benching (like we suggested with Cruz) or look for good buy-low options to trade and unload withering or injured veterans.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Lessons: What These First Weeks Really Taught Us

The overall lesson is not to panic. Simply accept that some spring training advice is wrong. Then hop off the fantasy baseball hype train and adjust your roster accordingly. Benching, waiving, and buying low are the keys to keeping your roster from crumbling too early in the season.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Lessons: Questions Answered

Which players showed the best early results in 2026 spring training?Several prospects and veterans have posted elite early-season production and secured clear roles, pushing their fantasy value upward after just the first few weeks.

Who has been the biggest disappointment so far in 2026 spring training?A handful of established players are showing poor plate discipline, declining contact quality, or slow starts that are dragging down early fantasy returns.

Which spring training storylines should fantasy managers ignore after Week 1?Small-sample hot streaks and preseason hype cycles remain unreliable indicators, especially when unsupported by underlying metrics or consistent playing time.

How should managers adjust their 2026 fantasy baseball draft strategy right now?Managers should prioritize players with clear roles and strong early indicators, while treating struggling stars as potential buy-low opportunities instead of cutting them.

Does Week 1 of 2026 spring training change dynasty or keeper strategy?Early performance and usage trends can open buy-low and sell-high windows, but long-term value should still outweigh short-term fluctuations.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.