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2026 Fantasy Baseball Player Profile

Brandon Woodruff’s 2025 return was a masterful display of pitching intelligence overcoming diminished physical tools. After missing the entire 2024 season following major shoulder surgery, Woodruff’s debut was delayed until July by a string of rehab setbacks, including ankle and elbow issues. Once on the mound, he was undeniably effective despite a two-tick drop in average velocity, posting a 7-2 record with a 3.20 ERA and a stellar 0.91 WHIP across 12 starts. His refined approach, which leaned heavily on a unique "three-fastball" mix of sinkers, cutters, and four-seamers, allowed him to maintain an elite 32.3% strikeout rate. Unfortunately, his comeback was cut short in mid-September by a moderate lat strain, an injury unrelated to his shoulder that sidelined him for the Brewers' deep postseason run.

As the calendar turns to 2026, Woodruff remains the veteran anchor of the Milwaukee staff after shockingly accepting a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer in November. Now fully recovered from the lat strain, he has resumed bullpen sessions in spring training and is the heavy favorite to serve as the Opening Day starter following the trade of Freddy Peralta to the Mets. Fantasy managers should view him as a high-stakes SP2 or SP3 with an ADP currently hovering around 120. While the injury history is extensive and the velocity may never fully return to his pre-surgery 96 mph peak, his pristine command and 2.20 xERA from last season suggest he remains one of the most efficient per-inning producers in the game.