Fantasy Baseball’s Hottest Pitchers to Start the 2026 Season

Yesterday, we looked at fantasy baseball hitters who were struggling and excelling to start the regular season. Now, we will look over some pitchers struggling and excelling.

We will start with pitchers who are excelling early on. Check back in a bit for the writeup on struggling pitchers.

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Sandy Alcantara - Miami Marlins

Alcantara is the top-scoring fantasy pitcher, using ESPN scoring settings.

Over three starts, he's 2-0 with a 0.74 earned run average. He's allowed three runs (two earned) on 10 hits and four walks, while striking out 18 batters.

Alcantara has a complete game win already, and has worked at least seven innings in each start. He has allowed four hits or less in each outing, and had five or more Ks.

Alcantara struggled in 2025 after not pitching in 2024. He looks back on pace with his 2021-22 seasons, and that's a big thing for fantasy owners. 

If you drafted Alcantara, it'd take an overpay to get him off my roster. Only do it if it significantly improves your team, otherwise hold Alcantara and enjoy a possible career season from him.

Jose Soriano - Los Angeles Angels

Soriano is nearly owned in all fantasy leagues after three brilliant starts to open the year. He was around 40% rostered to start the regular season.

He's 3-0 with a 0.45 ERA over 20 innings pitched through those three starts. Soriano has allowed one run on seven hits and six walks, while striking out 21 batters.

Soriano has worked at least six innings in each start, and allowed three hits or fewer. He struggled with walks in his first two starts, but didn't walk anyone in an eight-inning gem his last time out. Soriano's strikeout numbers are all over the place (7,4 and 10), so that's the only somewhat concerning thing.

He was a standard league waiver wire add, so he's a sell-high candidate in my eyes. Soriano has had solid seasons in the past, but nothing near this level. I expect him to regress closer to his career 3.69 ERA eventually, so capitalize on his high value while you can.

Cam Schlittler and Max Fried - New York Yankees

Schlittler and Fried are off to fast starts for the Yankees.

Schlittler is 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA over 16 2/3 innings. He allowed all three of his runs in his last start, and has given up eight hits and still hasn't walked a batter. Schlittler has 22 strikeouts already.

He makes up for some shorter starts with good strikeout numbers, and that helps him be a top fantasy pitcher. There's room for growth if the Yankees expand his pitch count and let him work deeper into games.

I'm a fan of acquiring Schlittler more than I'd be to sell him high. He's a rising fantasy pitcher, and I think he could remain a top-end option all season.

Fried is the first pitcher in this article that shouldn't surprise you. He's been there and done that in the past.

He's 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA over 20 innings so far. Fried allowed all three of his runs so far in his last appearance. He's given up 10 hits and five walks, while striking out 14 so far.

Fried is an established starting pitcher, and on a big market team, his fantasy value is really high. I'd want to keep rostering him if he was already on my team. If you want to acquire him, expect to pay a hefty price.

Fried could be worth the big price tag, so I'd be fine spending big to go get him, especially if you have depth elsewhere to trade from.

Kevin Gausman - Toronto Blue Jays

Gausman is a more recognizable name too. He's been at an ERA of 3.83 or lower in every season since 2019.

Despite a 2.08 ERA over 17 1/3 innings so far, Gausman is 0-1. He has allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out 26 batters.

He's making up for the lack of wins and some shorter outings with massive strikeout totals. The wins should come soon, and if the ERA stays low and the strikeouts stay high, Gausman could stick as a high-end fantasy starting pitcher.

For that reason, I like holding or trying to acquire Gausman, instead of dealing him away high. You'll want to assess your team fully before making a call on Gausman though.

Taj Bradley - Minnesota Twins

Bradley has been a surprise to kick off the 2026 season. He's owned in 61% of leagues, after barely being owned when the season started.

He's 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA over 16 2/3 innings through three starts. Bradley has allowed two runs on 14 hits and four walks, while striking out 22 batters.

There's really good marks in there, but the WHIP isn't what it is for some of the other pitchers we've already covered. I see Bradley regressing in time.

That makes it a good time to sell high on him. He's more a trade option in deeper leagues (just add him in standard leagues) because of his own percentage.

Gavin Williams - Cleveland Guardians

Williams has solidified himself as a standard league asset after being rostered in about 90% of leagues to start the regular season. He's still available in a few leagues.

He is 1-1 through three starts, and has covered 17 2/3 innings. Williams has allowed four runs on five hits and 14 walks, while striking out 25 batters.

The high walk number is really alarming, but he's worked around trouble so far, with strikeout numbers helping. He could regress quickly if those walked batters turned to more runs allowed.

For now though, Williams' fantasy value is high. Walks weren't that big of an issue in his past, so hopefully he gets those under control.

It's a toss up on whether or not you should sell him high. I'd prefer to hold him, as I think the walks will go down, which will in turn boost his fantasy upside and value. It could also be a good time to acquire him, as you could get a high-end fantasy SP so far for cheaper because of the walk issues.

Mason Miller - San Diego Padres

Miller was expected to be a top-end fantasy closer to start the year, and he's delivering as expected so far.

Through four appearances, he's yet to allow a run. Miller has only allowed one hit and one walk, while punching out 13 batters. He has a save in each appearance, which covers 4 1/3 innings.

Miller should be in line to finish as a top-end fantasy reliever if he stays healthy, so I want him on my team. If you can acquire him for a reasonable price, go for it. He might be too costly given his pedigree and great start, so don't force it unless you have the assets to pull things off.

Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals

O'Brien was part of a closer committee in St. Louis to start the season. He, and the team, have looked better than expected early on, so he's on the rise as a fantasy asset. O'Brien was part of today's waiver wire article.

Across six appearances, O'Brien is 1-0 with three saves and one hold. He has covered 6 1/3 innings, allowing an unearned run on four hits and no walks, while striking out seven.

St. Louis is better than expected early on, and that's helping O'Brien score a ton of fantasy points - he's pitched in all six of the team's wins. Even if he's not getting all the save chances, him pitching in winning situations sets up chances to score plenty of fantasy points.

Add him if you are looking for fantasy reliever help, and consider trading for him in deeper leagues, before his value gets too high.

Jordan Romano - Los Angeles Angels

Romano is another possible waiver wire pickup today, despite a stellar start to the season. He's at 74% rostered after being hardly owned to kick off the regular season.

In six appearances, Romano has four saves, and has yet to allow a run, or even a hit. He has walked two batters, while striking out seven over five frames.

He's the clear go-to guy for saves, and Los Angeles has won enough early enough to support him. Add Romano before it's too late, and consider trading for him before he's established himself as a top-end option even more.