Jordaan Westburg is related to a partially torn UCL. “Don’t worry,” a fantasy baseball player once said, “There are some mid-level second basemen and third basemen that need to be drafted.” Another fantasy baseball pert said, “There is no worrying, but worrying about oneself,” he said, misquoting FDR as if he were a 1950s Southern woman. Now, that guy that I am, here’s looking at Blaze Alexander. What have you done?! “It’s JUST BLAZE,” said like a rap ad lib, “Ain’t right with the bat, so what now, Sherlock?” If your name isn’t Sherlock, ignore. There have been an unbelievable number of early injuries to hitters this year, right? There are always pitcher injuries. Sorry, just facts here. But so many early hitter injuries? Come on, Fantasy Baseball Overlord, cut us some slack! So the Orioles said Westburg would miss at least April and would postpone Tommy John surgery for the time being and opt for PRP injections. Um, yeah, definitely. I moved Westburg down in the 2nd basemen rankings and the 3rd basemen rankings, and moved Coby Mayo up in the 1st basemen rankings. I didn’t worry about JUST BLAZE. I don’t think he’ll get more than 300 ABs and they won’t be a good 300 ABs. Although I like to say JUST BLAZE! Anyway, here’s what else I saw this offseason for fantasy baseball 2026:
PSYCHE! Before the recap, I just wanted to say that my top 500 and all of my fantasy baseball rankings for 2026 will be updated as soon as possible. Additionally, Rudy’s War Room is updated several times a day and seasonal subscriptions are open. Buy a subscription and save a cowboy. Anyway II, the summary:
Nick Castellanos – Published by the Phils. Oops, too bad, so sad. Anyway! I moved Justin Crawford into the top 80 outfielders. Admittedly, I’ve been rooting for Crawford to move up for months. So much so that I made it a point to learn that it was camping and not chewing. I actually want to lift it up even more. Never again, I’m not Edgar Allan Poe. But about Justin: I’m Raven! As for Castellanos, he was picked up by the Padres, which is great for him because San Diego is closer to the home of Modelo, Corona and other imported beers. I’m tempted to leave Castellanos off the rankings because I don’t know what his playing time is like in San Diego, and he’s been so bad lately, but I’ve left him in the top 100 outfielders.
Rhys Hoskins – Signed with the guards. Nobody does a prospblock like the Guardians. Connoisseurs of cessation of service time. A scholar of cheapness. Hoskins will likely push Kayfus to the minors for a few months, making Rhys’ playing time ET (Extra Terrible). Updated the 1st basemen rankings.
Luis Rengifo – Signed by the Brewers. Ugh, the only place he actually gets at bats. Why ugh, prematurely balding men and women who love them? I’ll tell you! Because I always get the urge to like Rengifo and when he has at-bats…[being drawn into the Rengifo vortex] Staff! It’s happening again! He was updated in the second basemen rankings.
Zac Gallen – Re-signed with the DBacks. That always seemed to be the direction this was going to go. It makes you wonder if any other team really sees Gallen for who he is. [envisioning another team looking at Gallen] “Is that a banana?” Wow, yeah, so they clearly don’t know what to do with him. So Gallen has a number of problems under the hood: the number of strikeouts is falling; walking speed above three per nine; xFIP at 4.12; ERA at 4.83; giving up a bunch of home runs; Hmm, maybe it’s better as a banana. The “good” thing, and those quotes were needed, is that his price is pretty cheap and he has 190-ish IP and should be young enough to still fix what broke last year because he was still fine in previous years. His speed was also okay. But if the price isn’t that cheap, I’m not interested. Updated in the top 60 starters.
Nathaniel Lowe – Signed with, who else, the Reds. They are really addicted to cornermen. It’s incredibly disturbing. Is there a 12-step program for them? Maybe they can make it up to Christian Encarnacion-Strand? This is better not to block Sal Stewart.
Shane Bieber – Starts the year on the IL and is dealing with a forearm issue still lingering from last year. Ridiculous to think I’m drafting him, so he was removed from the top 60 starters and pitchers pairing tool. Sorry if you called him out in the two weeks between when I twisted my own arm to like him and now.
Tommy Edman – Delay in his recovery after ankle surgery. Oh, Tommy Sadman. Anyway! The 2nd basemen rankings have been updated and Hyeseong Kim has moved up.
Hurston Waldrep – Elbow pain and they found loose bodies. That’s what happens when David Caruso is your doctor. [whips off sunglasses] This appetizer is… unappetizing. He was removed from the top 100 starters.
Pablo Lopez – Tommy John had surgery after they discovered a significant tear of his UCL and he was removed from the top 60 starters. In his blurb, which I wrote in December, I said I didn’t believe the Twins president when he said Lopez was healthy. I know I’m not a ghost because I don’t live in a lamp. I’m not a psychic because I don’t have millions of dollars from past lottery winnings. So how did I know this and couldn’t the Twins send Lopez for elbow surgery about seven months ago to expedite his recovery schedule? I honestly have no idea. I feel like there could be a job for me in the MLB where I just walk around and say, “No, don’t rehabilitate him, send him for surgery.” I’m the No Rehab guy. On my LinkedIn profile it’s Gray Albright, NRG, and I’m dressed like I’m at a rave. I don’t have a medical license and I don’t even fully understand what anything does in the body. A liver? I’m not the weakest, but I can tell a team when to send someone for surgery.
Joe Ryan – Dealing with lower back infections. So not good, but it doesn’t move him up the rankings yet because there’s time for him to get way back and do well on Opening Day, but he should see some throwing in the coming days and – well, I know the Twins don’t have an LF, SS, DH or 3rd through 5th starter, but do they have a coach?
Edwin Uceta – Dealing with shoulder infections. Rays don’t have a closer, and Uceta was a big part of that. I updated the Rays’ pen in the top 500, moving Uceta from 2nd to 3rd and chances are you’ll get saves in a pen where no one will be.
Ramón Urias – Signed with the cards. Since Urias’ time with the Orioles, he has listed “Prospblock” on his LinkedIn page. I’m pretty sure the Cards will find a reason not to start the year with Wetherholt, and it rhymes with Ramon Uranus. A nice name for a proctologist by the way.
Jesus Sanchez – Traded to the Jays. Wonder if MLB GMs will start trade talks now: “So you know this player is a switch hitter, right? He’s going to cost you.” Then they laugh for five minutes until they finally say, “Okay, let’s get serious.” If you don’t get the joke, google Chris Getz and Luisangel. So Sanchez goes from one platoon situation to another, taking over for Nathan Lukes as the strong side left field situation after they lost Santander. Don’t think it changes much for him. Jays lose a Santa and gain a Jesus. He is in the top 100 outfielders.
Joey Loperfido – Traded back to the Astros. This feels like one of those deals where you give your son your Ratt vinyl album, Round and Round, and he holds the album to his ear because he doesn’t understand how albums work, and then uses it as a placemat to roll up his weed, making you think, “Forget it! I’ll take it back! You don’t know great!” Astros knew how to use Loperfido, but Jays never did. Don’t expect a ton here, but he becomes worthwhile in deeper leagues and was added to the rankings. By the way, the Astros outfield is awful. Jake Meyers, Zach Cole, Joey Loperfido? That sounds like two sitcom actors from NBC 2000 and a late night host. “How are you?” “Not so good!” Loperfido is now in the top 100 outfielders.
#Westburg #BRB #PRP #arm