"Daily analysis of the biggest risers and fallers in dynasty, redraft, and prospect fantasy baseball rankings for 2026-02-26."
The fantasy baseball landscape saw significant movement in redraft rankings over the past three days, with relievers leading the charge in both directions. While dynasty rankings remained stable, the 2026 season-long formats witnessed dramatic shifts that reflect evolving closer situations, prospect timelines, and injury concerns across multiple organizations.
The most eye-catching mover was Alexis Diaz, who rocketed up 145 spots from #524 to #379. Despite the data showing him with Cincinnati, projections suggest he's expected to land with the Texas Rangers organization for 2026, where he's being projected for strong performance metrics including a competitive ERA and high strikeout rate. This massive jump likely reflects updated closer depth charts and his proven track record as a high-leverage reliever.
Scott Barlow wasn't far behind, climbing 100 spots from #697 to #597 after signing a one-year deal with the Athletics. With 59 career saves under his belt, Barlow brings proven closer experience to an Oakland bullpen that needed veteran leadership. His signing represents excellent late-round value for fantasy managers seeking saves in deeper leagues.
Kevin Ginkel's 50-spot rise (from #508 to #458) continues the reliever theme, as the Arizona closer market appears to be crystallizing heading into 2026. His elevation suggests increased confidence in his role security within the Diamondbacks' bullpen hierarchy.
Joc Pederson surged 76 spots from #662 to #586, with projections showing him as Texas's designated hitter for 2026. The veteran outfielder's rise likely reflects a clearer role definition and park factors that could benefit his power numbers.
Nolan Jones jumped 46 spots (from #722 to #676), providing intriguing upside playing his home games at Coors Field. The Colorado outfielder's ranking improvement suggests experts are buying into his potential for a breakout campaign in the thin air of Denver.
Tobias Myers climbed 75 spots from #660 to #585, with projections showing him as a starter for the New York Mets in 2026. His ranking surge indicates growing confidence in his rotation spot and projected volume, making him an interesting middle-round target.
AJ Puk's 31-spot rise (from #541 to #510) reflects his transition to Arizona's rotation, where his strikeout upside could flourish in a starting role rather than the bullpen.
Nelson Rada suffered the largest drop, falling 84 spots from #646 to #730. Despite being ranked among the top 100 prospects for 2026 and compared favorably to Denard Span for his defensive and offensive potential, his redraft ranking decline suggests experts believe his Angels debut may come later in the season rather than Opening Day.
Gavin Stone plummeted 74 spots from #645 to #719, a concerning drop for the Dodgers starter. With projections showing a 4.36 ERA across limited innings, his fall likely reflects questions about his role in a deep Los Angeles rotation that could see him optioned or moved to a bullpen role.
Hagen Smith dropped 71 spots from #495 to #566, which aligns with reports that the White Sox prospect won't break camp with the major league team for 2026. Despite his spring training invitation, the ranking adjustment reflects a more realistic timeline for his debut.
Perhaps the most surprising faller was Shohei Ohtani's pitching eligibility, which dropped 67 spots from #88 to #155. This significant decline likely reflects updated projections about his return timeline from Tommy John surgery or concerns about his workload management as both a pitcher and everyday player.
Felix Bautista's 61-spot drop (from #449 to #510) suggests ongoing concerns about the Orioles closer's recovery from injury or potential role changes within Baltimore's bullpen structure.
Alex Freeland fell 71 spots from #516 to #587 despite being highlighted as a top prospect who won a World Series ring in 2025. The decline may reflect questions about his immediate playing time or a more crowded infield situation than previously anticipated.
The ranking movements reveal a market that's becoming more precise about playing time projections and role clarity as we approach the 2026 season. Relief pitchers with defined closer roles are seeing significant value increases, while prospects face more realistic timelines that push their redraft value down despite maintaining long-term appeal. Fantasy managers should monitor these trends closely, as the gap between dynasty and redraft valuations creates opportunities in both formats. Consider using FanRanked's trade calculator to capitalize on these shifting valuations, particularly for relievers who may be undervalued by managers focused on traditional stats rather than opportunity.