Yes, it’s less than two weeks into the 2026 MLB season. It is early, but we’ve reached the point where certain underlying metrics start to carry some weight for fantasy managers working the waiver wire.
So let’s take a look at a few early-season targets worth adding before the market fully catches up.
Luke Raley
Rostered in around 12% of leagues per Fantasy Pros, Raley ranks sixth in xwOBA early this season. He’s not walking much and the strikeouts are high, so there’s some risk this is just a hot start, but the upside is worth chasing if you need outfield help.
Raley is in the 87th percentile in bat speed and the 100th percentile in barrel rate. With three home runs already, he’s likely drawing attention, so don’t expect him to stay available for long.
Parker Messick
Messick has a 2.31 ERA across nine big-league starts, with just nine walks in 50.2 innings, an encouraging sign for his command.
The stuff isn’t the most electric, so he may still profile as more of a streaming option for now, but the six-pitch mix is legitimate and the changeup is generating plenty of whiffs. Strong outings against the Dodgers and Cubs highlight the upside.
Dillon Dingler
If you don’t have one of the top-tier options like Cal Raleigh, Will Smith, Drake Baldwin, or William Contreras, finding value at catcher can be difficult. Dingler is a name to watch.
Rostered in roughly a quarter of leagues, Dingler showed promising xwOBA metrics in 2025 and has taken another step forward. The quality of contact suggests he could push into the upper tier at the position, especially if the Tigers lineup performs.
Mark Vientos
Injuries to Juan Soto and Brett Baty open the door for Vientos to see more consistent playing time. That alone boosts his fantasy relevance, even in shallower leagues.
He currently ranks 18th in xwOBA and is making noticeably better swing decisions than last year. If that continues, a return to his 2024 breakout form is well within reach.
Jack Leiter
Leiter has shown meaningful gains across his arsenal, with improvements in his sinker, slider, and changeup all reflected in his Stuff+ metrics.
The results back it up: a 2.43 xERA and 17 strikeouts in 11 innings to start the year. That level of swing-and-miss plays in any format, and in Ottoneu, he may already be more trade target than waiver pickup.
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