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With the first in-season update of Baseball America’s Top 500 dynasty rankings for 2026 officially released, there are numerous players who have moved up and down the list. The opening month of the season can also give us insight into which prospects should be added to the list. We’ll have a prospect update closer to the end of the month, but for now, 130 prospects are included in the new April list.
It’s important not to overreact within the first month, but with more defined roles and opportunities, it’s easier to make the case for movement than it was in March. Below, BA subscribers can find the top risers in our latest dynasty 500 update organize by MLB and prospects and ordered by new April rank.
Major League Dynasty Risers
Oneil Cruz, OF, Pirates
Previous Rank: 54
New Rank: 42
Movement: +12
It’s been a banner April for Cruz, who’s silenced critics with an offensive onslaught at the plate. The 27-year-old has tapped into his monstrous raw power and is posting some of the best power and speed production in the majors. Cruz’s swing-and-miss and approach are still scary, but his potential to go 30/30 this season is seeing his value peak.
Ben Rice, C/1B, Yankees
Previous Rank: 83
New Rank: 51
Movement: +32
For now, Rice retains catcher eligibility, making him one of the top fantasy producers at the position. Whether or not he maintains that eligibility will dictate his value for next season. Regardless, Rice has 30-plus home run power with elite on-base skills to carry his profile.
Sal Stewart, 1B, Reds
Previous Rank: 104
New Rank: 68
Movement: +36
The potential National League rookie of the year, Stewart has been a revelation for the Reds early. Over his first month, he has eight home runs, but even more surprisingly, he has six stolen bases, too. Stewart is an advanced hitter who’s tapped into his power and is enjoying the spoils of playing his home games at Great American Ballpark.
Cam Schlittler, RHP, Yankees
Previous Rank: 105
New Rank: 70
Movement: +35
Schlittler has looked like a lot more than the flash in the pan many predicted after his breakout 2025 season. The 6-foot-6 righthander has taken another step forward, and his command and swing-and-miss stuff seem to have only been heightened this season, as he boasts a 31.4% K-BB% as of this update.
Nico Hoerner, 2B, Cubs
Previous Rank: 203
New Rank: 144
Movement: +59
No one anticipated Hoerner coming out of the gates with a two-grade jump in game power, but here we are. Over the first month, Hoerner has slugged .533 with a .207 ISO. He’s not hitting the ball any harder, though, and his barrel rate is only up slightly. Despite this, we’re buying into Hoerner’s rise, as the power surge comes alongside strong plate skills and baserunning ability.
Jose Soriano, RHP, Angels
Previous Rank: 336
New Rank: 149
Movement: +187
It’s funny to state that a 187-spot jump is too conservative, but it might be in the case of Soriano, who looks like a name that could jump another 50-plus spots in the next update with sustained success. There are multiple names ahead of him we arguably prefer Soriano to, but a little patience is warranted before proclaiming him a top 20 dynasty pitcher. He’s certainly trending in that direction, though.
Munetaka Murakami, 1B/3B, White Sox
Previous Rank: 223
New Rank: 155
Movement: +68
Murakami was a bit of an unknown heading into the season, and with serious contact questions, many wondered how his game would translate once stateside. So far, so good. The strikeouts and low batting average are there, but the eye-popping power and elite on-base skills give us a bit more comfort pushing Murakami up.
Shota Imanaga, LHP, Cubs
Previous Rank: 192
New Rank: 173
Movement: +19
The downfall of Imanaga was discussed ad nauseam this offseason, but the low-launch lefty looks to have bounced back. Imanaga’s fastball velocity is up by 2 mph while mixing in a sinker at a higher rate than he had previously. The value of his slider is down a little, but he’s throwing everything harder in 2026.
Matt McLain, 2B, Reds
Previous Rank: 215
New Rank: 179
Movement: +36
The statline to date isn’t that exciting for McLain, but the underlying skill markers are all excellent and signal that he has taken a step forward. His contact rates and swing decision metrics are all up, and he’s catching barrels at a higher rate. One potential concern is the drop in exit velocity after a few injury-plagued seasons.
Hunter Goodman, C, Rockies
Previous Rank: 218
New Rank: 188
Movement: +30
The strikeouts remain scary, but with Goodman’s power at Coors Field, his style of hitting is going to play. There are few catcher-eligible players with Goodman’s upside.
Parker Messick, LHP, Guardians
Previous Rank: 459
New Rank: 218
Movement: +241
Making one of the biggest jumps in the rankings, Messick is the current definition of “pitchability lefty” in the major leagues. His advanced command and ability to miss bats despite only so-so stuff have Messick trending up in a big way.
Dalton Rushing, C, Dodgers
Previous Rank: 288
New Rank: 234
Movement: +54
What do we do with Rushing? That was a question that puzzled us as we dove into the new rankings. At the end of the day, we moved him up, as he is forcing the Dodgers to give him more at-bats. He’s always been an elite hitting talent, and with more playing time, he could make another substantial jump in the coming months.
Moises Ballesteros, 1B/C, Cubs
Previous Rank: 308
New Rank: 242
Movement: +66
Entering the season, it was hard to gauge what Ballesteros’ upside would be and how many at-bats the Cubs would give him. While he’s been a strongside platoon bat to date, he’s really produced when in the lineup. He presents elite hitting ability with potential for 25-homer power.
Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 255
Movement: +246
No player has changed his narrative as quickly as Walker has in 2026. After years showing flashes of all-star potential, Walker is putting it all together, and he’s produced one of the best barrel rates in the game so far. If Walker can continue to hit the ball hard in the air, the sky is the limit. His strikeouts are somewhat concerning, but it’s a worthwhile trade-off to get more game power.
Ryan Weathers, LHP, Yankees
Previous Rank: 281
New Rank: 265
Movement: +16
Weathers was already a climber for us the last two years, but early in 2026, he looks to be trending upward yet again. Weathers to date has made five starts for the Yankees and looked excellent, racking up strikeouts and showing advanced command. Health remains the biggest lingering question for the young lefty.
Justin Wrobleski, LHP, Dodgers
Previous Rank: 396
New Rank: 320
Movement: +76
Over the first month of the season, Wrobleski has taken hold of a rotation spot with the Dodgers and looks unlikely to let go. The lefthander has shown excellent locations, though his lack of strikeouts leaves some room for healthy skepticism.
Landen Roupp, RHP, Giants
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 373
Movement: +128
Roupp has been a welcomed emergence for a Giants team that has stumbled out of the blocks. He has significantly upped the usage on his cutter this season, and it’s so far leading to great results.
Reid Detmers, LHP, Angels
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 411
Movement: +90
Detmers’ career trajectory has been a rollercoaster ride. We’ve seen him climb to potential fantasy SP3 status and also fall off the list entirely. Over the first month, Detmers has looked much improved and is back in the picture of fantasy relevance. There’s still some healthy skepticism among our staff, however.
Kyle Harrison, LHP, Brewers
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 435
Movement: +66
It should come as no shock that a move to the Brewers might have ignited Harrison’s value. So far, he’s pitching at the highest level of his career, and there are reasons for excitement.
Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 436
Movement: +65
When it comes to Rockies pitchers, it’s always hard to know when the good times will end. With a new regime in place, there’s more optimism around Dollander’s ability to maintain his strong performance to date. Despite this, it’s prudent to be cautious with a pitcher in Coors.
Prospect Dynasty Risers
Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians
Previous Rank: 197
New Rank: 83
Movement: +114
It’s always been a matter of health for DeLauter, who has been a monster for the Guardians in the early going. While his early home run exploits garnered the headlines, he’s actually been unlucky so far. DeLauter is walking more than he’s striking out and putting up all-star production with poor batted-ball luck. His elite barrel rate and advanced skills should turn things around quickly, and he could surge again.
Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers
Previous Rank: 130
New Rank: 88
Movement: +42
The 20-year-old outfielder has some of the best strike-zone discipline in the minors, and his plus bat-to-ball ability only reinforces that. His power has been showing up more over the last few seasons, and De Paula should get to above-average power at peak.
Luis Peña, SS, Brewers
Previous Rank: 145
New Rank: 89
Movement: +56
While Peña may get lost in the shadow of super prospect Jesús Made, he’s an elite fantasy prospect in his own right. The advanced hitting ability, power and speed to develop into a fantasy star are all there.
Payton Tolle, LHP, Red Sox
Previous Rank: 161
New Rank: 128
Movement: +33
It’s only a matter of time until Tolle is back in the big leagues making starts with the Red Sox. Despite some bad luck to begin the season, he has dominated Triple-A competition.
Connelly Early, LHP, Red Sox
Previous Rank: 264
New Rank: 151
Movement: +113
At the moment, Early looks like a name the rankings will struggle to catch up to. He made a 100-plus spot jump in this update, and through five starts, he looks like a top 30 starter. The command has been somewhat worrisome, but the stuff is there, and he’s getting outs.
Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies
Previous Rank: 263
New Rank: 154
Movement: +109
Painter was one of the hardest players to rank lat year as he returned from Tommy John surgery, but he has so far solidified his place in the Phillies’ rotation in 2026. He’s showing advanced command and swing-and-miss stuff, and to date, he has actually outperformed his ERA, with his FIP, xFIP and xERA all pointing to becoming a midrotation stalwart.
Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pirates
Previous Rank: 289
New Rank: 165
Movement: +124
No player in the minor leagues has made as loud a statement to begin the season as Hernandez. The top high school pitcher from last July’s draft looks like a superstar in the making, with elite stuff, athleticism and command.
Noah Schultz, LHP, White Sox
Previous Rank: 406
New Rank: 203
Movement: +202
Things are never as bad as they seem when young pitching prospects struggle. Schultz is a strong example, as tweaks to his arsenal—including a new cutter—have driven a major step forward in 2026. He’s now in the White Sox rotation and could be a value for dynasty managers going forward.
Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Guardians
Previous Rank: 300
New Rank: 204
Movement: +96
One of the best combinations of hitting ability and power in the minors, Velazquez is picking up where he left off in 2025. At just 20 years old, he’s not far from the majors, and a standout Double-A performance could accelerate his ETA.
Ryan Sloan, RHP, Mariners
Previous Rank: 305
New Rank: 215
Movement: +90
Sloan was one of the hottest names in spring training. While his early-season ERA in Double-A has been underwhelming, the traits of a frontline starter remain, making him a worthwhile bet.
Jhonny Level, SS, Giants
Previous Rank: 366
New Rank: 216
Movement: +150
Few hitters on the planet have been as hot as Level to begin the season. He’s at the forefront of a young wave of exciting shortstops in the Giants’ system.
Franklin Arias, SS, Red Sox
Previous Rank: 354
New Rank: 217
Movement: +137
No one doubted Arias’ ability to hit, but there were questions about his overall fantasy impact. Early in the season, he’s answering those by showing more game power to complement his bat-to-ball skills.
George Lombard Jr., SS, Yankees
Previous Rank: 342
New Rank: 298
Movement: +44
The long-awaited projection is beginning to materialize for Lombard. He’s been on fire to open the season, answering questions about his long-term hitting ability.
Ronny Cruz, SS, Nationals
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 299
Movement: +202
No prospect has seen his stock rise faster this season than Cruz. It’s difficult to fully calibrate the breakout, but the tools are present for him to develop into a top 25 prospect.
Devin Fitz-Gerald, 2B/3B, Nationals
Previous Rank: 367
New Rank: 301
Movement: +66
One of the better offseason sleepers, Fitz-Gerald looks like a legitimate top 100 fantasy prospect. He offers one of the most well-rounded hitting skill sets in the minors, pairing bat-to-ball skills, raw power, approach and angles.
Luis Hernandez, SS, Giants
Previous Rank: 369
New Rank: 304
Movement: +65
The top player from January’s international class, Hernandez has an aggressive developmental assignment that signals strong organizational belief. With a strong pro debut, he could climb quickly.
Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics
Previous Rank: 427
New Rank: 308
Movement: +119
There was some skepticism around the Athletics’ first-round pick, but early returns are strong. Arnold, a low-slot lefthander, looks like a potential frontline starter and has been dominant through four Double-A starts.
Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Red Sox
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 309
Movement: +192
If Ronny Cruz is the biggest positional riser, Eyanson is the top pitching riser. He showed improved velocity this spring and has maintained it early in the season at High-A Greenville.
Sam Antonacci, 2B, White Sox
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 368
Movement: +133
Now in the majors, Antonacci is an underdog story. After standing out with Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, he’s carried that momentum into an everyday role with the White Sox.
Seaver King, SS, Nationals
Previous Rank: 501
New Rank: 389
Movement: +112
King looked like a clear bounceback candidate entering the offseason. After poor luck and questionable swing decisions in 2025, he has cleaned up his approach and is finding success early at Double-A Harrisburg.
Josiah Hartshorn, OF, Cubs
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 438
Movement: +63
On the cusp of the Top 100, the Cubs’ overslot bet on Hartshorn is paying off. The switch-hitter is showing strong contact skills and advanced swing decisions in the lower levels.
Starlyn Caba, SS, Marlins
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 440
Movement: +61
Long known for his defense, Caba’s bat had lagged. Now, improved impact has allowed his advanced plate skills to show through more consistently.
Miguel Sime Jr., RHP, Nationals
Previous Rank: Not Ranked
New Rank: 443
Movement: +58
Sime features pure power stuff, highlighted by consistent triple-digit velocity and a hard cutter in the upper 80s to low 90s. There’s relief risk, but the arsenal and improved Nationals development make him an intriguing gamble.