Navigating the early weeks of the fantasy baseball season requires a keen eye for sustainable trends versus statistical noise. As we hit late April, several key players have seen their fantasy values shift dramatically based on their recent performances. To help you with your fantasy baseball waiver wire selections and which players may be benched or expendable, let’s look at three rising stars and three struggling veterans whose stock has moved significantly over the last seven days.

Fantasy Baseball Stock Risers

Jose Soriano, SP Los Angeles Angels

Jose Soriano has evolved into a high-priority fantasy asset. Over his last three starts, he has been virtually untouchable, including a 10-strikeout performance on April 12 and an eight-strikeout gem on April 17. He holds a stellar 0.24 ERA and 0.82 WHIP for the season. One of the more impressive stats he's flashing is his strikeout rate (K%), which has jumped to 30.7-percent in 2026, significantly higher than his 21.7-percent projection. Couple that with a spectacular 57.8-percent ground ball rate, and you've got the makings of a dominant ace.

Fantasy Verdict: With a 5-0 record and elite swing-and-miss stuff, Soriano is no longer just a streamer; he is a locked-in rotation starter.

Michael Harris, OF Atlanta Braves

After a modest start, Michael Harris is finding his elite power-speed form. On April 22, he exploded for two home runs and three RBI against the Nationals. In fact, over the last seven days, Harris is slashing .565/.600/1.174 with four home runs and nine RBI, giving him a current batting average of .318 with six home runs and an OPS of .920. He did just leave Thursday's game with quad tightness, but he is listed as day-to-day and should be just fine moving forward.

Fantasy Verdict: Harris is delivering first-round value and remains a cornerstone of the Braves' high-powered offense. If you don't roster him, talk up the quad issue and try to trade for him.

Colson Montgomery, SS/3B Chicago White Sox

The top prospect is finally putting it all together at the MLB level. Montgomery has been a home run machine recently, hitting long balls in three straight games on April 21, 22, and 23. He currently has seven home runs and 18 RBI, ranking in the top 20 of both categories despite a lower batting average. He has posted a massive .528 slugging percentage so far this season, so if you use slugging or OPS as a category, that's a huge boost.

Fantasy Verdict: While the strikeouts remain high (30.2 percent), his elite power from the shortstop position makes him a must-add in all formats.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Stock Fallers

Willy Adames, SS San Francisco Giants

Willy Adames is currently mired in a deep slump. Over a four-game stretch from April 19 to April 23, he went 1-for-17 with nine strikeouts. His batting average has dipped to .228, and he has failed to record an RBI in his last six games. Projections for late April suggest a continued low average around .181-.197 as he struggles with his timing. Like most of the Giants, this has been a rough April and repeating last season's numbers might be tough.

Fantasy Verdict: Owners should bench Adames until he shows signs of making better contact, though his 30-HR history suggests he should eventually bounce back.

Wilyer Abreu, OF, Boston Red Sox

Abreu had a strong start to the season, but his production has cooled off significantly over the last week, like most of the Red Sox. Between April 17 and April 21, he went 2-for-16 with only one run scored, brutal for those in head-to-head formats. While his season-long wRC+ remains a respectable 112, his recent lack of counting stats is hurting fantasy lineups. Abreu's value is heavily tied to his ability to drive in runs, which has stalled with zero RBI over his last four games.

Fantasy Verdict: Abreu is a "hold" for now, but his roster spot may be in jeopardy if the power dry spell continues.

Mike Burrows, SP Houston Astros

Since joining the Astros' rotation, Mike Burrows has struggled to find consistency. His last two starts have been particularly rough, allowing a combined 10 earned runs in 10.2 innings. That's left his ERA over the last seven days at a bloated 7.71. He has surrendered five home runs over just 26.2 innings this season, leading to a 6.75 season ERA. High-contact rates and less than a strikeout per inning K/9 are not going to win you a fantasy championship. 

Fantasy Verdict: Burrows should be dropped in most standard 12-team leagues until he limits the long balls and improves his 1.69 WHIP.