These weekly Fact or Fiction posts are primarily to determine which trending players in the fantasy baseball universe are worth your time, or better left on the waiver wire. Most of the players covered will be rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo!/ESPN leagues at the time of each post.
There is not enough space on WordPress to cover all of the struggling hitters and pitchers. Unless an injury is noted, velocity significantly declined, or an off-field issue is present, rest assured that the studs (Cal Raleigh, Nick Kurtz, Julio Rodriguez, Logan Webb, etc.) will be fine.
Let us dive into this Week’s Fact or Fiction, covering multiple Marlins hitters, several rookie bats, and multiple veteran pitchers.
C/1B Liam Hicks (MIA)
The best hitter on the Marlins to start this season is not named Agustin Ramirez, Jakob Marsee, Xavier Edwards, or Kyle Stowers. Liam Hicks is on a tear through a week of action. He has produced three HR, six runs, 12 RBI, and a .368 average in 23 plate appearances.
Hicks has hit well enough to earn the clean-up role against right-handed batters and could continue hitting toward the top of the order if he maintains his performance by Stowers’ return. Also, Hicks has only struck out once (and walked once) in this span.
Unfortunately, Hicks is not a new man over the offseason. He is a catcher-eligible Nolan Schanuel variant. This does not make him bad, but it does mean low upside. The home runs were hit against the Rockies and White Sox pitchers, which should say everything about their quality.
To be clear, this is not a knock on Schanuel and his increased bat speed. He is at least intriguing this season because of that factor. Hicks is points league fodder, only because of his plate discipline.
FICTION
1B T.J. Rumfield (COL)
A good-enough hitter with power playing with Coors is always interesting. If T.J. Rumfield played on most other teams, we would have no interest. However, there is a beauty to Colorado that only its home park can provide.
Even mediocre real-life players can be fantasy relevant with the right baselines. Rumfield is a 6’5″, 225 lbs left-handed bat with decent pop and a solid hit tool. He posted a 110 wRC+ in Double-A at 23 years old and a 116 wRC+ in Triple-A at 24 years old. Also, he has a 55 fielding grade according to FanGraphs.
As a medium-power 1B with okay plate discipline, his upside is low. Maybe he turns into a Coors Eric Hosmer? Regardless, he should be streamed regularly at home, especially when the Rockies face multiple right-handed bats. Deeper leagues (15+ teams) should roster him universally.
FACT (at home)
1B/SS/3B Jose Fernandez (ARI)
The Diamondbacks called up Fernandez earlier this week, and he proceeded to hit two HR in his first MLB game. Naturally, this prompted the fantasy baseball community to notice and potentially add him to their rosters.
He played one game in Triple-A this season before his call-up, which indicates that the organization is high on him. He has not played much since his initial call-up on March 31, but we might see more with Jordan Lawlar (wrist) out for 6-8 weeks.
Fernandez is an odd prospect. He has hit below league average in every level, but was also young for each respective level.
A-Ball: 19 years old, 91 wRC+
High-A: 20 years old, 79 wRC+
Double-A: 21 years old, 98 wRC+
Fernandez reportedly put on 20lbs this offseason to add power. This could lead to him becoming a complete hitter, but we still need to see it. It is unlikely to occur this season.
FICTION
OF Owen Caissie (MIA)
The Miami Marlins received Caissie in return for Edward Cabrera and freed him from the Cubs’ outfield logjam. Caissie deserved a shot at regular playing time last season after cruising through the minor leagues, but played sporadically. He appeared in 12 games, with just 27 plate appearances. His 40.7% strikeout rate in this small sample did not help his cause, nor did a .245 wOBA.
Caissie has nearly matched his 2025 PA total through seven games this season. He holds a .348/.385/.696 slash-line with two HR and one SB in 26 plate PA.
The Marlins are not platooning the left-handed power hitter (yet). Aside from his strikeouts, that is the only potential ding on Caissie. With his enormous power, ability to chip in steals, and everyday playing time on a solid offense, Caissie should be rostered in 12+ team leagues.
FACT
SP Kyle Harrison (MIL)
Kyle Harrison’s first start with the Brewers went as well as possible. He pitched five innings and gave up just one ER, four hits, and one walk, with eight strikeouts. This comes after suffering a blister in his final Spring Training outing!
Despite bouncing from the Giants, to the Red Sox, to the Brewers within 12 months, Harrison is a desired commodity. His arsenal is not deep, but his command and primary pitchers (4SM fastball, changeup) are very good. Also, the Brewers are notoriously a pitching lab that can help retrain or polish starters.
Harrison graduated from prospect status as one of baseball’s best for a reason. His minor league success was ample, and he jumped to the league at an extremely young age (21). At 24 years old, now with 38 career starts, we could see Harrison come into his own as a fantasy baseball staple.
FACT
SP Parker Messick (CLE)
The Guardians got a taste of Parker Messick last year, but now they’re getting the full serving. He pitched 39.2 innings in 2025 and posted a 2.72 ERA, 3.06 xERA, 3.15 xFIP, and 3.43 SIERA. Regardless of the small sample, that is excellent.
He was good enough last year and this Spring to earn a slot in the 2026 rotation. His first start was against the Dodgers in Los Angeles earlier this week, and he passed that test without breaking a sweat. Messick’s six innings with five hits, zero ER, zero walks, and five strikeouts were dominant. Messick’s fastball velocity is not special (92.8 MPH), and his frame is unlike most starters at 6′ 225lbs, but he has a deep arsenal and can pitch.
If he is available in your fantasy league, he should not be.
FACT
SP Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU)
Lance McCullers Jr. is a familiar name in fantasy baseball. He has been a dragon many have chased throughout the past decade. McCullers Jr. was one of the league’s best pitchers between 2015 and 2021. He maintained success through 2021 despite missing all of the 2019 season due to injury.
Talent is not a concern with McCullers Jr.; it is health. He missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons and has not pitched more than 55.1 innings since 2021. His fastball velocity is down two MPH from his career average, but he managed to shut the Red Sox down in his most recent start.
McCullers Jr. threw seven innings with four hits, one ER, zero walks, and nine strikeouts in his first start of the 2026 season. This was his first seven-inning game since September 21, 2022. While impressive, he needs to show us much more before we can trust him, especially after a season with a 6.51 ERA and horrible peripherals. His next start in Sacramento is unfair given the park factor, but success there would be a step in the right direction.
FICTION (for now)
RP Paul Sewald (ARI)
The Diamondbacks are running it back with former, now current, closer Paul Sewald. Sewald has 88 career saves, with 31 coming as an Arizona Diamondbacks reliever. He is a talented RP, but injuries (and possibly age) slowed him down in recent seasons. Sewald owns a 4.40 ERA, 3.75 xERA, 4.54 xFIP, and 3.75 SIERA from 2024 through 2025. Those are not the worst numbers for a reliever, but they are far from closer material.
Regardless, the Diamondbacks do not have much bullpen depth. Kevin Ginkel has declined and was never trusted to close. A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez are recovering from elbow surgery, and the rest are not good enough. The only “competition” at the moment is former Yankees reliever Jonathan Loaisiga. He is a good reliever, but has struggled in recent seasons due to health.
Loaisiga only has nine career saves, but one was earned in his most recent appearance. If Sewald struggles, expect Loaisiga to take over and potentially run with the job. Nevertheless, the job is Sewald’s at the moment, and he has looked the part through three clean games.
FACT (for now)
Taj Bradley, Fact or Fiction?
Are you confident that you would start or sit Roupp at home vs MYM?
Would you start or sit. Baz at Pitt!
Really appreciate your assistance!
I’d start both
Thank you!!
Great approach!
Would you start Lance at the A’s?
Thanks!!
No!