In fantasy baseball, early April is “wait and see” season. Players might be showing signs, but the raw fantasy stats you need to win have not been gained yet. These are potentially high-upside stash candidates who are one step away from notable-to-significant fantasy production in April and May.
We are not promising breakouts from these players, but the potential exists. But if you don’t stash their talent, they could break out for another owner.
Here are 12 players we like so far in 2026 fantasy baseball, even if their performances don’t jump off the screen. I give you an even split of hitters and pitchers; or, six of one, half-dozen of another.
Six Hitters Who Are Undervalued or Forgotten
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Austin Martin, OF (Twins)
Austin Martin is a player who sounds more like a luxury car make and model than a fantasy baseball stash. But we see him potentially as a sneaky stolen base source. In 50 games last year, he walked 12.2 percent of the time and whiffed only 17.1 percent. He stole 11 bases and scored 21 runs in just 181 plate appearances. So far in 2026, he’s hitting just .235, but has walked more than struck out (21.7 percent vs. 17.4 percent). Though he is basically in a platoon, this righty has alternated between the leadoff spot and the 7th place in the lineup. He’s also used as a pinch runner, and should build on the only SB he’s collected so far this season.
Cam Smith, OF (Astros)
Cam Smith, a natural 3B, is hitting .273 with 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 runs and 3 SB. His manager said he can steal 15-20 bases, but might even be low. With Altuve, Pena and Correa from 2B to 3B, Smith will continue to man RF. Here is a former prospect on whom many experts cooled. But it’s time to heat those coils, because he is coming on.
Yandy Díaz, DH (Rays)
Yandy Díaz is a high-contact hitter who owns a .324 BABIP and .292 batting average in his career. He is rostered in most leagues, but if there is a way to make a deal, you’ll be gaining a productive bat, albeit with no positional flexibility so far. He’s hitting .405 (.448 BABIP) with 2 HR and 10 RBI so far this season. When you approach his owner, use his career stats and don’t pretend he will keep up this hot start. Tell the owner that he’s only a DH and you are trying to help him build a more flexible roster. Díaz is worth owning, but don’t overpay.
Isaac Collins, OF (Royals)
In 441 plate appearances with the Brewers last season, Collins hit .263 with 9 HR, 54 RBI and 16 stolen bases and 56 runs. He’s another player who knows how to work out a walk and get on base. Collins, a switch hitter, has OK power and has played a little infield as well, so he provides some flexibility. So far, he’s just .250 with 1 HR and 3 RBI and no steals, but he’s walking almost 14 percent of the time and is worth a deeper league stash.
TJ Rumfield, 1B/DH (Rockies)
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If he hasn’t been snatched up yet in your league, go get him. He’s not a huge power source, but he plays half his games in Colorado. He’s a good contact hitter and he knows how to draw a walk. He has a .400 BABIP and .345 batting average so far, which will of course cool off, but he might help you in the counting stats and contribute some power.
Mauricio Dubón, SS (Braves)
One of the most unheralded trades in MLB this winter, Dubón is filling in nicely for Ha-Seong Kim at SS, but also enjoys eligibility at 2B, 3B and OF. He usually sniffs out 400 plate appearances around the diamond. He’s hitting .333 with 1 HR and 6 RBI, not a ton to write home about, but Dubón will continue to collect numbers and represent himself well. You can do much worse with less flexible options.
A Half Dozen of Another: Pitchers
Reid Detmers, SP (Angels)
Reid Detmers makes me feel like the boy who cried wolf. Every year I talk up his stuff or his peripherals or his potential, only to see him not quite match the hype. But I’m doing it again. He has shifted from the bullpen to the starting rotation, which could present innings challenges in the dog days, but so far he’s faring well. His velocity is down a tick, as you’d expect from a reliever turned starter, but he is striking out more than 10 hitters per nine and he’s added a (so-far) devastating cutter and hitters are swinging more often at pitches out of the zone. His 2.38 ERA almost matches his 2.45 xERA and I’m in — again.
Kyle Harrison, SP (Brewers)
Most projection systems tabbed Harrison for 4.00+ ERAs this season, but so far he owns a 12 percent K rate and a 2.61 ERA over two starts. Small sample size, for sure, but he’s showcasing better stuff at a lower arm angle on his fastball this season. I think he’s worth at least a stash-and-see just in case.
Jack Leiter, SP (Rangers)
Jack Leiter finished last season strong, but I admit I wasn’t a believer. But so far this season he has my attention. His fastball, slider and change up are well above average pitches, but the cutter and curve need some work. But he’s striking out more than 13 per 9 and walking about half as many batters so far this season. So, yeah, let’s go get him.
Andrew Painter, SP (Phillies)
Andrew Painter is a one-hyped prospect who took a while to get to the major leagues, but when he did last week, his first outing was impressive. His slider, change up and curve all graded above average but his fastball and sinker were below par, and that will need to improve. But the mix of those pitches, so far, is keeping hitters off balance and he’s a depth piece for your fantasy baseball rotation.
Yennier Cano, RP (Orioles)
Yennier Cano is an interesting case. Remember, when I say stash a guy it sometimes means take that time to figure out what is going on under the hood. Cano is striking out 13.5 hitters per nine. Hitters have a .500 BABIP. His Stuff+ on his fastball is just … 42! But it’s 115 for his sinker and his Location+ is a 123. His velo is down from previous seasons, but he seems to own the 8th inning, in the former Gregory Soto role for the O’s. I can’t tell you how it’s going to go, but all of those numbers have me intrigued. Stay tuned.
Bradgley Rodriguez, RP (Padres)
Bradgley Rodriguez is a middle reliever whom I suspect will soon earn higher leverage situations for the Padres. In 5.1 IP he has yet to walk anyone and is striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings. He throws a 98 mph fastball, owns a 1.69 ERA (0.89 xERA). With just 12 innings in the majors, it looks like he’s get stuff for later innings. Again, stash, and stay tuned.
Smart Managers Want To Know Who (And When) To Stash
Who are the top stash candidates poised to explode in April-May 2026?
Several IL returnees and minor-league prospects are one step away from major production. The full list ranks them by timeline and upside.
Which IL players should be stashed immediately?
Players with short rehab timelines and high-upside roles upon return are the highest-priority adds right now.
Which minor-league prospects are the strongest April-May stash candidates?
A handful of top prospects are dominating Triple-A and could be called up in the next 2-4 weeks.
How should managers prioritize stash candidates in redraft vs. dynasty leagues?
Redraft leagues favor short-term IL stashes, while dynasty leagues can afford longer stashes on high-upside prospects.
When is the best time to add these 2026 fantasy baseball stash candidates?
Add high-priority stashes immediately while roster spots are still available. Monitor the next 7-14 days for call-up announcements or IL activations.
