Top-Performing Fantasy Baseball Hitters So Far

We are nearly two weeks into the MLB regular season now, so it's time to go over some notable players and how they are performing.

We'll cover top-performing hitters here, then look at some struggling hitters in another story. I plan to look at pitchers later in the week.

I have 10 hitters I want to report on, so let's get right to it!

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Yordan Alvarez - Houston Astros

Alvarez continues to be the top-performing hitter, at least using ESPN scoring settings. 

In 11 games and over 50 plate appearances so far, Alvarez has a .353 average and .540 on-base percentage. He has four home runs and three doubles among his 12 hits, along with 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored, a stolen base, 13 walks and only seven strikeouts.

Alvarez continues to flex his muscles and show how dominant he can be when healthy. He's dealt with injuries over his career, and that makes now a time to possibly sell high with him.

There's plenty of outfielders you could replace him with, and if your team is lacking in a couple areas, Alvarez could be used to shore up some areas of weakness. Just make sure you get a hefty return, because he's been stellar in the early going.

Drake Baldwin - Atlanta Braves

Baldwin has gotten off to a blistering start in 2026. Over 11 games and 49 plate appearances, Baldwin has a .318 average and .388 OBP. He has five homers and a double among his 14 knocks, plus 13 RBIs, 11 runs scored, four walks and only five strikeouts.

I liked what Baldwin did as a rookie in 2025, and he appears to be improving in his age-25 season. At a position where talent is hard to find, Baldwin looks like a top-end option right now.

If I rostered Baldwin, I'd be holding him, not looking to sell high, unless I was blown away. He plays daily, which is rare for catchers, and clearly is a top-end fantasy option. Baldwin won't stick there all year, but I still would want him on my roster for the long haul.

Jose Altuve - Houston Astros

In 11 games and 49 plate appearances, Altuve has a .378 average and .531 OBP. He has 14 hits, including four doubles and two home runs, plus 12 walks, six RBIs, 12 runs scored, a stolen base and only seven strikeouts.

His production has fallen off a bit the past couple seasons, but he's showing that he still has gas in the tank, and can deliver for fantasy owners. Add in that he's eligible at second base and left field and Altuve becomes even more valuable.

I'd be tempted to sell high on him based on what we've seen out of him the past two years. Make sure that return is a really good one though, otherwise just keep rostering Altuve and hoping that his hot start leads to better results than he's posted over the past couple years.

Ben Rice - New York Yankees

Rice has been great over his first eight games and 36 plate appearances. He has a .370 average and .528 OBP so far. Rice has 10 hits (including four doubles and three home runs), plus 11 RBIs, 10 runs scored, nine walks and nine strikeouts.

He was a breakout candidate for a lot of people this year, and he looks well on his way to being one. However, there's reason to pause, as he's still in a platoon, not starting against left-handed pitchers.

He makes up for that by being eligible at first base and catcher. Rice could still produce enough, even in a platoon, to be worth rostering in all leagues all year.

I'd at least be tempted to sell Rice high given that he's not starting against left-handed pitchers, and knowing some regression is coming eventually. Make sure that return is good though, because Rice is a very good fantasy option right now.

Andy Pages - Los Angeles Dodgers

Pages is nearly rostered in all leagues after a red-hot start to his 2026 season. In 10 games and over 40 plate appearances, Pages has a .474 average and .500 OBP. He has 18 hits, (including three homers and doubles), plus 12 RBIs, six runs scored, a stolen base, two walks and seven strikeouts.

He's not a big flashy name on a loaded Dodgers' lineup, but he's been as good as anyone early on. Pages is starting daily, but has mostly hit in the bottom half of the order - that hasn't stopped him from delivering though.

He's definitely a sell-high fantasy trade candidate, but if I rostered him, I'd be tempted just to hold and enjoy his success after he wasn't a big-time draft asset. If you are weak elsewhere and Pages is at a position of strength, then moving him makes a ton of sense.

Christian Walker - Houston Astros

Walker was a bounceback candidate coming into the year after a dreadful 2025 season. Over 11 games and 47 plate appearances so far, Walker has a .333 average and .404 OBP. He has six doubles and two homers among his 14 hits, plus 12 RBIs, eight runs scored, five walks and seven strikeouts.

He will regress from that average and OBP, but it's a good sign, and shows that he could indeed be bouncing back. At a loaded first base position, he's another sell-high candidate, especially after last year's showing.

He's not even owned in all leagues yet though, so he's more of a deep-league trade option.

CJ Abrams - Washington Nationals

Abrams has a .286 average and .390 OBP over nine games and 41 plate appearances so far. He has 10 hits, including four home runs. Abrams also has 13 RBIs, eight runs scored, two stolen bases, five walks and seven strikeouts.

Abrams had between 18-20 homers the past three seasons, but is flashing a ton of power early on. He's just 25 years old, so it's possible he's enjoying a breakout campaign.

That makes it tough to make a call on Abrams, but I'm leaning toward holding him for now. He could really fill the stat sheet, and you want those guys on your team, so I'm holding out hope that Abrams can keep things rolling.

Freddie Freeman - Los Angeles Dodgers

Freeman is another big name shining early. Over 10 games and 45 plate appearances, he has a .262 average and .311 OBP. Among his 11 hits, Freeman has four doubles and three homers. Freeman also has 12 RBIs, six runs scored, two walks and only three strikeouts.

There's even room for improvement with Freeman, although other stats could fall as time passes. I still like rostering or trying to add Freeman more than selling him high.

Again though, first base is a loaded spot, so don't pay too much to acquire him.

Yandy Diaz - Tampa Bay Rays 

Diaz has been red hot in the early going, with a .415 average and .489 OBP over 10 games and 47 plate appearances. Diaz has 17 hits, including two homers and a double and triple. He has 10 RBIs, seven runs scored, a stolen base, four walks and seven strikeouts.

Diaz has been a pretty good fantasy hitter over the past four years, and he looks to still have plenty of gas for his age-34 season. He's at the loaded first base position though, and as a lower-level daily starter, now makes sense to sell him high.

He's a desirable asset, so the return should be pretty solid. Target a position of weakness and move Diaz if you have other good first base options.

Brice Turang - Milwaukee Brewers

Turang has been good in the early going, and is stuffing the stat sheet. He has a .270 average and .413 OBP over 10 games and 47 plate appearances - he's the Brewers' leadoff hitter and second baseman every day.

He has 10 hits, including four doubles, a triple and a home run. Turang has seven RBIs, 10 runs scored, four stolen bases, nine walks and 10 strikeouts.

There's a lot to like in those numbers, and as a 26-year-old, I like Turang's chances of continuing to deliver. I saw him as a breakout candidate in 2026, even after breaking out in 2025. 

Turang is a top-end fantasy second baseman, and could be a top-end fantasy hitter overall, just like he is now. That's a player to keep rostering if you own him, or someone to target in a trade, before his trade value gets too high. If I was trading him away, it'd take a hefty return, and maybe even an overpay.