Rising Fantasy Values: Baseball Hitters and Pitchers You Should Target

Every Thursday during the MLB regular season, I plan to discuss risers and fallers on the FantasySP Trade Value Chart.

This is the second installation of that series - we'll look at risers here. Here was the first riser story. 

Use the FantasySP trade value chart and trade analyzer as you propose and accept fantasy baseball trades all season!

Bryce Elder - Atlanta Braves

Elder has been stellar to kick off the 2026 season. He's made two starts, and sits with a 1-1 record, but a 0.00 ERA over 13 innings.

Elder worked six scoreless innings against the Athletics in his first start. He allowed five hits and one walk, while striking out five.

He took a loss after allowing two unearned runs over seven innings in his second start. Elder gave up four hits and one walk, while striking out eight batters.

Elder makes his third start of the year on Friday against the Guardians, so he should be a streaming pickup for that one after what he's done so far. He's rostered in 66% of leagues right now, so he's more a trade option in just deep leagues, while being a streaming option in standard leagues.

He's worth adding to see if he can continue his hot start to 2026.

Drake Baldwin - Atlanta Braves

Baldwin is a true trade target, as he's owned in 100% of fantasy leagues.

In his first 13 games and 59 plate appearances, Baldwin has a .321 average and .390 on-base percentage. He has five homers and a double among his 17 hits, while adding 15 RBIs, 12 runs scored, four walks and nine strikeouts.

He's importantly starting daily, which is a major boost for a fantasy catcher. Baldwin looked good in his first MLB season in 2025, and could be emerging as a top-end fantasy catcher for 2026.

He's going to cost a lot in a trade, but I still think the return will be worth it in the long run, so I'm for putting a trade package together for Baldwin.

Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals

O'Brien has pitched in all seven of the St. Louis wins in 2026. He was a waiver wire pickup we discussed this week, and sits at 58% owned now.

He has a 1-0 record, three saves and a hold over his seven appearances so far. O'Brien has allowed an unearned run on four hits and no walks, while striking out seven over 7 1/3 innings.

There's a lot to like in those numbers, and with the Cardinals winning enough early on, O'Brien is a pretty solid fantasy reliever option. He's a trade candidate in deeper leagues, while being available to add in a lot of standard leagues.

At least add O'Brien for the time being, and hold him until his fantasy production dips. He's a top-end fantasy reliever so far, and he could remain an above-average option, so add him for the time being.

Jordan Romano - Los Angeles Angels 

Romano is another fantasy relief option. He's owned in 76% of leagues right now.

He's pitched in six games so far, and hasn't allowed a run yet. Romano has four saves and has pitched five innings. He's given up no hits, while walking two. Romano has struck out seven.

He's been a fantasy asset in the past, and could be a sneaky good one in Los Angeles in 2026. Romano is a trade option in all leagues, especially if you are desperate for saves. He is available in some leagues though, so look into that right now.

Cam Smith - Houston Astros

Smith was another big riser this week, and he too was discussed in a waiver wire story. He's rostered in 71% of leagues.

In 13 games and 52 plate appearances in 2026, Smith has a .273 average and .385 OBP. He has 12 hits, including two doubles and three home runs, plus six RBIs, nine runs scored, three stolen bases, seven walks and 14 strikeouts.

Several Houston hitters have started the year hot, and that puts Smith in a position to succeed, and he has been of late. That's why he's on the rise as a fantasy asset.

He's now a trade target in deeper leagues, while being available in a lot of standard leagues. If you are interested in acquiring Smith, do it now, before his value grows even higher.

I think Smith could stick as a season-long fantasy asset, so I'm all for adding him.

Taj Bradley - Minnesota Twins

Bradley is another starting pitcher on the rise. He's shot up to 69% rostered, after barely being owned to kick off the regular season.

Over three starts, he is 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA. He has covered 16 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on 14 hits and four walks, while striking out 10 batters. He just outdueled Tarik Skubal on Tuesday.

Bradley has been in the big leagues across parts of four seasons already, and he's just 25 years old. He could be thriving in his first full season with Minnesota, so I'm for adding him.

Again, he's more a trade target in deeper leagues, while being available to add in standard leagues. At least roster him until he consistently drops off this high-end level he's opened 2026 at.

Jordan Walker - St. Louis Cardinals

Walker is another waiver wire option we've discussed this week. Right now, he's owned in 77% of leagues.

He has a .295 average and .367 OBP over 12 games and 49 plate appearances. Walker has 13 hits, including two doubles and five home runs. He also has 12 RBIs, 10 runs scored, a stolen base, five walks and 14 strikeouts as well.

Walker has been red hot of late, with a home run in three straight games. That won't continue, but maybe Walker is in for a breakout season in his age-23/24 season.

Again, we have a player who is more a deep-league trade target, although he could be acquired in standard leagues now if you missed him on waivers. If he's available in your league, I'd find a way to add him, just in case he is in for a breakout campaign.

Emerson Hancock - Seattle Mariners

Hancock is rising up the trade chart quickly, and is now rostered in 84% of leagues.

In two starts, he's 1-1, but with a sparkling 0.71 ERA. Hancock has allowed a run on six hits and one walk, while striking out 14 batters over 12 2/3 innings.

Hancock has been a below-average starting pitcher over his career, but might have unlocked something for his age-26/27 season. That makes him worth adding or acquiring right now.

He's more a trade target in deeper leagues as well, but at that own percentage, most are going to need to acquire him in standard leagues via trade as well.

Hancock is making his next start against the Astros on Friday. If he excels in that outing, he should shoot to 100% owned. If you believe in his breakout season, now is the time to acquire him.

Kyle Harrison - Milwaukee Brewers

Harrison is another starting pitcher on the rise. He's owned in 54% of fantasy leagues right now.

In two starts, he's 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA. He's worked 10 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out 14 batters.

He has been in the big leagues since 2023, but is still only 24 years old. Harrison could be in store for a breakout year while pitching for the Brewers, a team known for getting the most out of its pitchers.

If you are interested in acquiring Harrison, I'd do it now, before he increases his fantasy value even more. Trade for him in deeper leagues, while simply adding him in standard leagues.