Shohei Ohtani, DH (LAD)
Ohtani's path to back-to-back 50/50 seasons began on Wednesday in Japan when the Dodgers' superstar blasted his first home run of the regular season, a towering fly off a 99-mph fastball that was initially ruled fan interference but later overruled via replay review. Ohtani finished the 2-game Tokyo series with three hits, including two extra-base hits, and two walks in 10 plate appearances. He has a .400 on-base percentage since the start of the 2023 season, continuing to elevate his offensive game even when it seems like he cannot get any better. While there has been an honest debate, generally between Bobby Witt Jr. and Ohtani as the No. 1 pick in most fantasy formats, Ohtani is a near certainty to satisfy fantasy owners on a day-to-day, week-to-week, and year-to-year basis.
Roki Sasaki, SP (LAD)
Sasaki struggled with control in his MLB regular season debut, although he also demonstrated his extraordinary upside, including twice touching triple digits. The trouble is he only threw 25 of his 56 pitches for strikes and ended up walking five batters while striking out three. He only gave up one hit and one run but was forced to leave after three innings. Sasaki did not walk batters in his four seasons in Japan so it may have just been debut nerves or the fact the Cubs lineup is one of the most patient lineups in the National League. However, because his innings total is expected to be limited this season, inefficient outings like Wednesday will inhibit his overall fantasy value. Sasaki should be back on the mound for the Dodgers in Los Angeles in one of the team's first two series.
Jon Berti, 2B (CHC)
Your stolen base leader through two regular season games is Jonathon David Berti, 35-year-old journeyman in his first season with the Cubs. Berti played second base in each of the Tokyo Series games, subbing in for the injured Nico Hoerner, who could be back for the Cubs' first game in America. Berti barely played as a reserve for the Yankees last year, totaling 66 at-bats in his one season in the Bronx. He had his best season in 2022 when he stole 41 bases, but generally he doesn't get enough playing time to even really be a fantasy factor in stolen bases. With that being said, even at 35, Berti showed he is still capable of stealing bases and if the Cubs suffer attrition in the infield, he becomes a worthwhile player simply for cheap speed.
Jared Jones, SP (PIT)
Jones is awaiting a second opinion on his sore elbow after experiencing discomfort following a bullpen session earlier this week. The talented young starter is almost certain to begin the regular season on the injured list and depending on the results of recent imaging, he could be facing a lengthy absence. It's a tough blow for fantasy owners looking for a strong sophomore season. Jones' late-spring injury is another reminder as to the importance of pitching depth, and it could force the Pirates to turn to young starters like Carmen Mlodzinsk, Braxton Ashcrafti or even top prospect Bubba Chandler. They also have Joey Wentz on the roster. Hopefully Jones doesn't miss much time and the impacts are minimal.
Cody Bellinger, OF (NYY)
Bellinger continued his spectacular spring with another home run on Wednesday. The veteran is now hitting .475 with three home runs and seven RBI's in 15 games. Furthermore, he has solidified himself in the heart of the Yankees order against right-handed pitching. He will likely hit behind Aaron Judge and in front of Paul Goldschmidt. It puts him in position to drive in a lot of runs. Bellinger is primed for a very good season in the perfect ballpark for his approach. His underwhelming quality of contact metrics are somewhat balanced out by the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium, where he was projected for 24 home runs last season, if he played all of his games in the Bronx. Hitting in a better lineup and a more favorable ballpark opens up the possibility for around 25 home runs, double-digit stolen bases and even 100 RBI's. Most fantasy owners would be thrilled with those numbers after missing out on the top first basemen and getting stuck with Bellinger. The strong spring is even more encouraging.
Jurickson Profar, OF (ATL)
Profar is set to return after missing nearly two weeks with a bone bruise on his left wrist. There were no fractures and the injury should be mostly healed by now, but it's worth monitoring how he responds at the dish as wrist injuries are notorious for zapping power. Profar hasn't done much in limited spring at-bats, but he should immediately slot in at the top of a potent Braves lineup as long as Ronald Acuna Jr. is shelved. Profar had a career year for the Padres in 2024, compiling 24 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 564 at-bats. It was only the second time in his career he topped 550 at-bats, and that will be the key element of figuring out how productive his 2025 season becomes. Profar improved in nearly all facets of his hitting last year, and Atlanta is banking on those improvements being long-lasting. The lack of spring at-bats isn't a huge deal, but it would be nice to see a little bit of production before the season kicks off.
Pete Fairbanks, RP (TB)
Fairbanks pitched a perfect 9th inning for his first save of the spring. It was his second perfect inning in four Grapefruit League appearances. Meanwhile, his biggest competitor for saves on the Rays' roster, Edwin Uceta, has struggled mightily in two recent appearances, allowing six runs in 1.1 innings. Fairbanks has never been a perfect closer, but he has mostly delivered for fantasy owners when healthy. However, he tends to miss chunks of games at various times throughout the season, and Tampa Bay can be frustrating with how they deploy their bullpen. Whether he saves 25 games or not is a serious question, but when he's out there he is highly likely to provide plenty of strikeouts and decent ratios. Expect Fairbanks to begin the season as the team's primary closer, but don't be surprised at a few head-scratching moments throughout the campaign.
Ranger Suarez, SP (PHI)
Suarez clearly isn't fully recovered from back issues that cost him some games last year as the veteran lefty was scratched from this week's spring start with what is being called "mild back stiffness." It wouldn't be too concerning except Opening Day is right around the corner, and the Phillies presumably want to have a fully healthy pitching staff. We'll see if that means Suarez begins the season on the injured list, or if he is good to go by the time his spot in the rotation comes up. Right now he is slotted into the No. 4 spot in the rotation, but Jesus Luzardo could move up and veteran Taijuan Walker could get an opportunity to start while Suarez is out. Walker would not be a recommended fantasy option, even as a streamer. Suarez remains a high floor/low ceiling depth starter, if healthy.
Triston Casas, 1B (BOS)
It isn't much of a surprise but Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed Casas will be the everyday starter at first base. That means he will get at-bats against left-handed pitching. Casas is a better hitter against righties, but the splits are egregious, and he's a better hitter against southpaws than most of the other options on the Boston bench. The young slugger is poised for a bounceback season after an injury-riddled campaign in 2024. The next step in his career is becoming more than simply a Three True Outcomes hitter. He has a career 27% strikeout rate, 14.2% walk rate but a .223 ISO. Cutting down the strikeouts while maintaining his above-average quality of contact could elevate Casas into elite fantasy territory heading into 2026.
Vaughn Grissom, 2B (BOS)
Far from a surprise, Grissom was optioned to AAA-Worcester on Wednesday, continuing the disappointment that has marked his career to this point. The Braves have certainly capitalized on the 2023 trade that sent Grissom to Boston in exchange for Chris Sale, who promptly went on to win the National League Cy Young Award. Meanwhile, Grissom is now losing traction among a talented crop of Red Sox prospects and the suddenly crowded infield following the addition of Alex Bregman. There simply isn't room to give Grissom major league at-bats. Meanwhile, he didn't showcase much upside at AAA last season and his spring training numbers were abysmal this year. There is simply no redraft value and the dynasty value is quickly fading.
Tanner Bibee, SP (CLE)
In only his third major league season, Tanner Bibee will get the Opening Day nod for the Guardians on Mar. 27 against the Royals. Bibee has been remarkably consistent through his first two seasons, striking out around one out of every four batters while being among the league leaders in walk rate. He gives up a lot of fly balls but not too many barrels. His four-seam fastball is fine, but his secondary stuff is really good so it will be interesting to see if he continues to reduce the usage of his fastball, relying more on his cutter, changeup, slider and curveball. That will also allow him to limit home runs. The good news is, because he walks so few batters, he isn't prone to blowups and therefore remains a fantastic head-to-head option. Either way, he's emerged as one of the better starters, even if his strikeout upside isn't extraordinary.
Justin Martinez, RP (ARI)
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo declined to name Martinez the closer on Wednesday, rather saying he will mix players in, which means A.J. Puk and even Kevin Ginkel will probably be in the mix. Puk and Martinez may be deployed depending on the matchups, and Ginkel will see opportunities if either of the two falter. Martinez, the youngest of the bunch, is the most intriguing due to his extraordinary strikeout potential and high groundball rate. However, he walks too many batters, which is never ideal for an elite closer. The expectation is Martinez will still see the majority of save opportunities, but his value is dependent on just how large the rate of opportunities he sees. Fantasy owners can still roster him with the expectation he will tally saves, but be prepared to jettison the young flamethrower if the job gets away from him.
Steven Matz, SP (STL)
Matz continued his encouraging spring with six innings of one-run baseball on Wednesday. The veteran lefty allowed four hits and one walk while striking out two. He has looked good after missing most of last season with injuries. In fact, Matz didn't tally six innings in any appearance in 2024. However, this spring he has worked his way up in stamina and limited opponents to two runs or less in every start. He has been generating a lot of ground balls, which at this point in his career, is essential due to his inability to strike opposing hitters out. Keeping the ball in the ballpark and limiting walks will be Matz's calling card, if he can stay healthy and remain in the Cardinals rotation. He can be drafted as a streaming option in deep NL-Only leagues.
Zach Dezenzo, INF (HOU)
Dezenzo is poised to make a quick recovery from a TMJ sprain as the Astros are expecting the young infielder to return to the lineup on Thursday. Dezenzo injured his jaw when a ground ball struck him in the face on Tuesday. It was a little hiccup in what has been a very good spring. Dezenzo is hitting .378 with two home runs and a stolen base. That performance could be enough to earn Dezenzo a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster. That is still yet to be seen, but he seems like a better option than Jon Singleton, Luis Guillorme or Ben Gamel. He could even get opportunities over Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubon or Jake Meyers. The door is open for Dezenzo to make an immediate impact. He offers legitimate power upside and could chip in double-digit steals, if he earns the playing time.
Andrew Benintendi, OF (CHW)
Benintendi was hitless in his first game in nearly a month. The veteran outfielder missed most of spring training with a non-displaced fracture in his right hand. He generally beat most timelines for the injury, but he could take a bit of time to find his timing and reacclimate to game play. He certainly didn't appear comfortable in four at-bats on Wednesday. Beni doesn't offer a whole lot for fantasy owners, especially in Chicago's dismal lineup, but he did hit 20 home runs last year and probably suffered some bad luck in the batting average category. Benintendi hit a career-low .229 in spite of a .243 xBA. There comes a time in deep leagues when outfielder begins to dry out. That's when, if you squint hard enough, the 30-year-old Benintendi jumps out as a serviceable option.
