We’re just about done with the third full week of the 2026 fantasy baseball season. And with that, another chance to take a look at who’s hot & who’s not across the league. Right now, a trio of second basemen has lit it up across Major League Baseball. But on the flip side, there are several cold third basemen.
Risers
- 2B Nico Hoerner (Cubs)
- INF Jeremiah Jackson (Orioles)
- OF Jung Hoo Lee (Giants)
- 2B Brandon Lowe (Pirates)
- SP Parker Messick (Guardians)
- SP Michael Soroka (D-Backs)
Over the last 10 days across MLB, Brandon Lowe was one of two players to pick up 11 hits.
It’s been quite a ride over the last few weeks for Lowe, who has emerged as among the best late-round grabs in fantasy this season. The Pirates’ second baseman now has seven home runs on the season, four of those coming in that aforementioned 10-day span.
Yes, the swing-and-miss (41.7% Whiff%) was high between April 8 and April 17. However, it only resulted in six total strikeouts. Expect more strikeouts going forward, as that is inherently part of his game. But in Pittsburgh, Lowe could hit the 30-home run marker again.
He’s not the only second baseman who’s been incredible over the past few days. Nico Hoerner had 10 hits and has been a surprisingly productive power hitter. And with Michael Busch‘s troubles of late, Hoerner has slid all the way up to the lead-off spot.
Jeremiah Jackson, a pleasant surprise last season, has four home runs in the last week and a half for the O’s.
Moving on to the pitchers, Michael Soroka and Parker Messick have moved into the top 15 of the league in total strikeouts. Both have moved into must-own territory.
Fallers
- RP Bryan Abreu (Astros)
- SP Sandy Alcantara (Marlins)
- INF/OF Brett Baty (Mets)
- 3B Alec Bohm (Phillies)
- INF/OF Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays)
- DH Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees)
Not much has gone right for the Mets over the first 21 games of 2026. However, the offense, in particular, has been a boondoggle.
The struggles of generating offense have not fallen on just Bo Bichette & Francisco Lindor but also players like Brett Baty. Baty, as of April 18, went one for his last 23, the same as Alec Bohm as of this writing.
We’re also still waiting for the big breakout from Kazuma Okamoto. Okamoto, in many regards, was considered the safer of the two big Japanese bats to come over to North America. But while Munetaka Murakami has had his expected swing-and-miss problems, he has seven home runs.
Okamoto, meanwhile, is in the midst of a 2-23 spell. And between April 8 through April 7, the four-seamers have given Okamoto (29.4% Whiff%) almost just as much trouble as what Murakami (30.4%) has had to deal with.
Giancarlo Stanton, meanwhile, is in the midst of a 4-34 stretch.
As for the pitchers, well-known strike thrower Sandy Alcantara…has not been throwing strikes of late. Over the last 10 days, Alcantara walked eight batters over 11 innings. And Alcantara’s misses have not been limited to outside of the zone. He also gave up four home runs in his last two starts.
Bryan Abreu, meanwhile, looks to be out of the fold as Houston’s interim closer for now. His velocity is down roughly two MPH, and like Alcantara, misses left and right for the reliever.
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