Rookies can be valuable to fantasy baseball managers in both dynasty and redraft leagues no matter the scoring system. Each week I’m going to breakdown the performances of these players in my rookie report. That way you can grab players who may have went undrafted before your league mates do, or acquire in a trade. I’ll share which hitters are hot, mild, or cold and post how the starting pitchers are faring. Some of these players may still be available in your leagues, so keep an eye on them.
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Week 3 Rookie Report
Rookie Batters with Hot Starts
Chase DeLauter – OF, Cleveland Guardians
2026 Stats – 35 PA .313/.343/.781, 5 HR, 7 R, 9 RBI, 0 SB, 210 wRC+
DeLauter has started his MLB career on a hot streak. His 6’3’’ and 235 lbs. body frame provides the rookie with the massive power he’s displaying early in his career. The lefty has struck out at 22.9%, but his .469 ISO makes up for his strikeouts.
He has had injury issues throughout his minor-league career, playing no more than 60 games in a season. He exited May 31st’s game after fouling a ball off his left foot, but he only missed one game. If DeLauter can stay healthy, he will continue to be in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation all season.
Sal Stewart – 1B, Cincinnati Reds
2026 Stats – 38 PA, .367/.500/.667, 2 HR, 5 R, 4 RBI, 1 SB, 224 wRC+
My favorite rookie going into the season has been excellent. In his brief 2025 MLB stint, he showed us he was ready for the big leagues, and he’s continued the success. What’s impressive is his 21.1% walk rate against just a 15.8% strikeout rate. Look for my ride-or-die to be gawked over by me all season long. He’s currently second in the NL Rookie of the Year race behind the recently called-up Konnor Griffin, but it’s a narrow gap.
Kevin McGonigle – SS, Detroit Tigers
2026 Stats – 39 PA, .303/.421/.469, 0 HR, 5 R, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 152 wRC+
The Detroit Tigers shortstop had a ton of hype surrounding his much-anticipated MLB debut season, and McGonigle has lived up to the hype. He didn’t show much power in his first two Minor League seasons, but hit 19 last season. The shortstop has yet to homer in the big leagues, but he’s still been involved in the offense. Plus, the 15.4% walk rate and 12.8% strikeout percentage show McGonigle has superb plate vision.
Munetaka Murakami – 1B, Chicago White Sox
2026 Stats – 38 PA, .226/.342/.613, 4 HR, 7 R, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 158 wRC+
The Japanese slugger has adjusted well to American baseball in the power department. Murakami’s hard-hit rate ranks in the 96th percentile (64.7%) and has led to him hitting four home runs. Power hitters don’t typically hit for contact, so his .226 batting average is just slightly concerning. The White Sox would gladly trade the lower batting average for the massive power Murakami is displaying in the South Side of Chicago.
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B, Toronto Blue Jays
2026 Stats – 39 PA, .235/.333/.412, 2 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 119 wRC+
Okamato isn’t doing as well as Murakami in his first MLB season, but it has still been a decent start. He’s hit two homers despite only ranking in the 61st percentile in hard-hit percentage (43.8%). The alarming part of Okamoto’s game is his 43.6% strikeout rate. In his eight seasons in Japan, his highest strikeout percentage was 21.0% in 2019. So there’s hope he can bring his strikeout rate down this season.
JJ Wetherholt – 2B/3B/SS, St. Louis Cardinals
2026 Stats – 39 PA, .259/.300/.370, 1 HR, 8 R, 4 RBI, 2 SB, 115 wRC+
The Brendan Donovan trade to the Seattle Mariners opened the door for Wetherholt to break camp with the Cardinals. The rookie hit his lone homer on Opening Day, and he’s thrived as the leadoff hitter. Wetherholt has collected a hit and scored a run in seven of the Cardinals’ first nine games.
Owen Caissie – OF, Miami Marlins
2026 Stats – 30 PA, .296/.333/.593, 2 HR, 4 R, 9 RBI, 1 SB, 154 wRC+
After coming over in a trade from the Chicago Cubs this offseason, Caissie has flipped the switch. After hitting .192 in his brief MLB debut last season, the rookie has filled up the stat sheet early this season. The Marlins have some young stars to build around, so they’re hoping Caissie can keep this start going, especially with the team’s 6-3 start.
TJ Rumfield – 1B, Colorado Rockies
2026 Stats – 32 PA, .345/.406/.586, 2 HR, 4 R, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 170 wRC+
Rumfield was a player rarely talked about as a top prospect after the Rockies acquired him from the New York Yankees this offseason. He was thought to be a contact hitter, with only 16 home runs in 138 Triple-A games last season, but he’s already homered twice in his MLB debut. Having his home games at Coors Field may help him increase his power. His 18.1 degree launch angle and 66.7% hitting the ball in the air will definitely benefit Rumfield in the high altitude of Denver. He’s a must-watch player to see if the success continues.
Jose Fernandez – SS, Arizona Diamondbacks
2026 Stats – 16 PA, .250/.250/.625, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 1 SB, 143 wRC+.
Considering Fernandez is off to a hot start is a technicality. Pavin Smith went on the IL, so Fernandez got the call-up to add depth to the bench. He played third base on March 31 to give Nolan Arenado a breather, where the rookie hit both of his home runs. Then the next day, he played first base for Carlos Santana, but went 0-for-3 at the plate.
He’s started in three games since his call-up, so Fernandez will make spot starts while Smith is on the IL. His fantasy value will be dependent on another injury within the team unless he receives ample starts alternating at the corner positions, adding to his fantasy position eligibility. Sit back and watch how Fernandez’s playing time plays out.
Rookie Batters with Mild Starts
Justin Crawford – OF, Philadelphia Phillies
2026 Stats – 29 PA, .321/.345/.357 0 HR, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 103 wRC+
Carter Jensen – C, Kansas City Royals
2026 Stats – 23 PA, .200/.261/.400, 1 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, 0 SB, 81 wRC+
Is it wrong to put a “he needs to wake up” joke here?
Alex Freeland – 3B/SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
2026 Stats – 22 PA, .158/.273/.368, 1 HR, 3 R, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 87 wRC+
Rookie Batters with Cold Starts
Konnor Griffin – SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
2026 Stats – 12 PA, .111/.333/.222, 0 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 81 wRC+
Samuel Basallo – C, Baltimore Orioles
2026 Stats – 29 PA, .148/.207/.259, 1 HR, 3 R, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 25 wRC+
Carson Benge – OF, New York Mets
2026 Stats – 34 PA, .100/.206/.200, 1 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 4 SB, 27 wRC+
Moises Ballesteros – C, Chicago Cubs
2026 Stats – 22 PA, .150/.227/.150 0 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 19 wRC+
Rookie Pitchers
Nolan McLean – SP, New York Mets
2026 Stats – 2 GS, 1-0, 2.61 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 12 SO, 4 BB
Parker Messick – SP, Cleveland Guardians
2026 Stats – 2 GS, 1-0, 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 11 SO, 3 BB
Andrew Painter – SP, Philadelphia Phillies
2026 Stats – 1 GS, 1-0, 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 8 SO, 1 BB
Rhett Lowder – SP, Cincinnati Reds
2026 Stats – 2 GS, 0-0, 1.64 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 9 SO, 4 BB
Bubba Chandler – SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
2026 Stats – 1 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 6 SO, 6 BB
Connelly Early – SP, Boston Red Sox
2026 Stats – 2 GS, 0-0, 2.89 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 10 SO, 6 BB
Tatsuya Imai – SP, Houston Astros
2026 Stats – 2 GS, 0-0, 4.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 13 SO, 7 BB
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