Sandy Alcantara, SP (MIA)
Quickly putting his 2025 struggles in the rearview mirror, Alcantara delivered the league's first complete game shutout with a dominant performance in just his second start of the season. The Marlins ace needed only 93 pitches to set down the White Sox offense, allowing only three hits and no walks while striking out seven. This follows an impressive season debut in which he held the Rockies to only one unearned run in seven innings last week. The Rockies and White Sox could battle for two of the game's worst offenses so it's important to temper the excitement, but Alcantara is looking more and more like the 2022 Cy Young Award winner rather than the post-Tommy John Surgery sample of last year.
Cam Schlittler, SP (NYY)
Schlittler's one of those players whose early success leaves me frustrated I didn't get more fantasy shares. After throwing 5.1 scoreless innings with only one hit allowed and eight strikeouts against the Giants in his season debut, Schlittler held a very good Mariners lineup scoreless with only two hits in 6.1 innings. He struck out seven batters on Wednesday and now features a pristine 0.26 WHIP with a 15-0 K/BB ratio. Schlittler relies primarily on his high-velocity pitches, but they move in a lot of different directions, which leads to weak contact and a lot of ground balls. Schlittler may be the lowest-paid member of the Yankees rotation, but he's performing like a bonafide ace in the early part of the season.
Kyle Isbel, OF (KC)
If the season ended today, your AL MVP might just be the No. 9 hitter in Kansas City. Isbel went 4-for-4 with a home run and stolen base on Wednesday, increasing his OPS to a cool 1.571. After hitting four homers with four steals in 368 at-bats in 2025, Isbel is up to two homers and three steals through 14 at-bats in 2026. Much was made of the Royals moving in the fences this offseason at Kauffman Stadium. The thought was that could lead to more homers for the likes of Vinnie Pasquantino, Bobby Witt, Carter Jensen or Jac Caglianone. Who knew it was Isbel emulating Aaron Judge? Counting on production at this pace to continue is foolish, but he should be rostered in some formats while he's this hot.
Gavin Williams, SP (CLE)
Williams was absolutely dominant on Wednesday, shutting out the potent Dodgers lineup for seven innings while striking out 10 batters. He allowed two hits and three walks en route to his first win of the season. The 26 year old generated 16 swinging strikes in 85 pitches, led by his ever-improving sweeper that has become his answer against right-handed hitters. He manages about a 10 mile-per-hour difference between his four-seam fastball and sweeper, with his low-80's high-spin curveball consistently presenting as a somewhat unhittable pitch. Williams' Achilles heel is walks. He walked six batters in his season debut and three more on Wednesday. Cut the walks, and he's a star.
Oneil Cruz, OF (PIT)
No one ever said he doesn't have the skills to get hot and put up big numbers, and Oneil Cruz's last two games are emblematic of why he came into the league as one of the most exciting prospects. After hitting two home runs on Tuesday, Cruz added two more hits, including another homer, on Wednesday. He also hit a 376-foot line drive to straightaway center that was caught by TJ Friedl. Nonetheless, he raised his batting average to .304 and slugging percentage to .696. Cruz lost favor with a lot of fantasy managers after posting a brutal .200 batting average in 2025, but the power is undeniable and the speed is impressive, as evidenced by his 60 stolen bases combined from 2024-25. The upside is still immense. The floor is scary. The enigma is Oneil Cruz.
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