Outlook Samad Taylor
Samad Taylor rides a blistering hot streak into a busy six-game road trip
Taylor has been sizzling of late, posting a .379 batting average with a home run and two stolen bases over his last eight games. He has stepped into a vital role for the second-place Padres (37-33), who are currently on a two-game winning streak. With outfielders Ramon Laureano and Miguel Andujar both sidelined on the injured list, Taylor has secured a regular turn in the lineup.
While his current hot streak has caught the fantasy community's attention, our models expect heavy regression from his current .955 OPS, projecting a modest .231 rest-of-season average. However, his speed is entirely legitimate, recalling the eight stolen bases he swiped in limited action during the 2023 season.
This week, the Padres play six road games, beginning with highly favorable matchups against St. Louis hurlers like Kyle Leahy (4.64 ERA). The week finishes with a tough matchup against Texas ace Jacob deGrom (3.17 ERA), but Taylor's category-fusing hot hand makes him worth riding. Verdict: Stream.
Updated 18 hrs ago
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Outlook Zack Gelof
Power-speed threat looks to secure everyday status in the Athletics lineup
Zack Gelof enters the 2026 campaign looking to solidify his position as a core piece of the Athletics' future. Following a productive rookie debut in 2023, Gelof experienced a sophomore slump in 2024 and a difficult 2025 where he struggled with contact, batting just .174. However, his strong minor league pedigree and physical tools keep him firmly in the mix as Oakland's primary everyday starter at third base. At age 26, he is entering his physical prime and possesses the raw athleticism to handle multiple roles, as he also slots in as a backup option in both second base and the outfield.
Our models expect a solid bounce-back from the young infielder, projecting him for nearly 150 at-bats with 8 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases in a part-time or utility capacity. His career stats show a player with legitimate 20-homer, 20-steal potential if he can secure regular playing time and cut down on his high strikeout rate. While his projected .222 batting average and .270 on-base percentage remain a drag on his overall fantasy value, his rare blend of power and speed in the middle of the infield makes him a highly intriguing target for managers looking for category juice late in drafts.
Ultimately, Gelof represents a high-upside gamble. If he can refine his plate discipline and cut down on the swing-and-miss, he has the ceiling of a top-15 fantasy infielder. If the contact issues persist, however, he risks losing at-bats to Oakland's other depth options. Draft him as a bench bat with considerable bench upside.
Updated 18 hrs ago
