We’re less than a week into the 2026 MLB season, but that’s no reason for fantasy managers to sit still. Early roles and underlying metrics can quickly reveal which players are worth adding or targeting in trades.
So let’s take a look at a few players you may want to consider before the rest of your league catches up.
Riley O’Brien
Ryne Stanek and Riley O’Brien have one save apiece so far in 2026, but usage trends suggest a shift is already underway. After blowing a save against the Rays on opening weekend, Stanek was used in the seventh inning on Tuesday, while O’Brien handled the ninth.
That deployment points to O’Brien taking control of the closer role going forward.
There are also encouraging signs under the hood. O’Brien’s sinker has returned to its 2024 form, with a 109 Location+, easily the best mark of his career.
Given the premium typically paid for closers on elite teams, a pitcher like O’Brien can be a fantasy bargain if he nails down the closer role with the Cardinals.
Kyle Harrison
Harrison opened his season with five scoreless innings and eight strikeouts, showing immediate signs of growth. His Stuff+ in that outing jumped 13 points from last year, and his fastball velocity was up 0.5 mph.
There’s also no immediate threat to his rotation spot. Quinn Priester is still limited to a 20-pitch bullpen, giving Harrison a clear runway to establish himself.
Dominic Canzone
Fresh off an excellent 2025 backed by strong metrics, Dominic Canzone has carried that production into 2026. He currently ranks third in xwOBA, with two home runs and four hits already on the board.
Canzone’s viability really depends on your league. It looks like he’s destined to be a strong-side platoon guy, which hampers his value in leagues with weekly lineups. If you can play matchups with daily lineups, though, he becomes a much more viable option.
Taj Bradley
Bradley needed 90-plus pitches to get through 4.1 innings in his first start, but the overall performance was far more encouraging. He allowed just one run on three hits and, more importantly, struck out nine.
The stuff stands out immediately. Bradley ranks second in Stuff+ behind Framber Valdez, and all four of his pitches graded at a high level in that outing. His fastball velocity was also up 1.2 mph, a jump that could elevate him into a different tier of pitcher.
He carries added value in innings-capped formats like Ottoneu, and despite the upside, he remains widely available. Per FantasyPros, Bradley is rostered in just 4% of leagues.
Cam Smith
Smith’s bat speed has jumped from 74.5 to 77.0, an encouraging early sign after an uneven first season. He started strong in 2025 before hitting the rookie wall, posting a .489 OPS in the second half.
His struggles against right-handed pitching remain a long-term concern for his playing time, but the tools are intriguing. The combination of improved bat speed and strong sprint speed points to upside that makes him worth a speculative add in deeper fantasy formats.
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