
Week 17 Fantasy Baseball: Risers and Fallers
An analysis of the players surging and slipping in Week 17 of the 2026 fantasy baseball season, with stats and implications for roster moves.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Texas Rangers across Baseball, Soccer.

An analysis of the players surging and slipping in Week 17 of the 2026 fantasy baseball season, with stats and implications for roster moves.

A deep dive into the statistical surges of five overlooked hitters who are poised to deliver high upside in the final stretch of the 2026 fantasy season.

With the regular season nearing its end, fantasy managers must weigh injury setbacks, emerging waiver wire talent, and shifting bullpen roles to stay competitive.

From obscurity to the All-Star Game, Jacob Latz's 2026 season has reshaped perceptions of the Texas Rangers' bullpen and highlighted the impact of targeted coaching on performance.

The January deal that sent MacKenzie Gore to Texas has produced uneven results on the mound, but the Nationals are banking on a handful of emerging talents to shape their future.

Despite losing seven pitchers to the MLB Draft, Ole Miss has fortified its roster through the transfer portal, added a talented freshman class and is aiming to compete deep into June.

The University of Georgia announced that 13 of its baseball players were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, the most ever for the Bulldogs, highlighting a season that included an SEC title, a College World Series berth and a school‑record 53 wins.

Jackson Nash, Ray Ladd, Ty Brachbill and Chris Torres were each chosen in the 2026 MLB Draft, joining a wave of Big South talent heading to the professional ranks.

From Ernie Koob’s 17‑inning scoreless tie to the Naylor brothers’ simultaneous homers, baseball’s annals are filled with moments that blend skill, drama, and historic significance.

The 2026 MLB Draft saw eight Ole Miss Rebels drafted, including two first‑round selections, prompting head coach Mike Bianco to bolster the roster with experienced transfers and a returning ace.

A look at the eight University of Minnesota baseball players selected on the second day of the 2026 MLB Draft, their teams, and the program’s ongoing legacy of producing major‑league talent.

On the last day of the 2026 MLB Draft, the University of Georgia celebrated a record‑breaking haul of 13 picks, highlighted by standout performances from pitchers and position players alike.

The Arkansas baseball team announced a program‑record 12 players drafted in the MLB Draft, featuring key prospects like Ethan McElvain and Damian Ruiz and reflecting a sustained pipeline to the majors.

Wichita State’s baseball program celebrated a draft milestone as three of its top seniors were chosen by MLB teams, continuing a streak of consecutive selections that spans nearly five decades.

Junior right‑hander Jackson Nash from Longwood University was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 12th round of the 2026 MLB Draft, marking a milestone for the school’s baseball program.

As the 2026 MLB Draft approaches, Texas Longhorns weigh professional contracts against college eligibility, with high‑round bonuses shaping decisions and the coaching staff plotting a return to contention.

Michael Anderson’s selection in the 2026 MLB Draft caps a career that blended power hitting with a rare fastball, but a torn UCL casts doubt on his pitching future.

Nevada right‑hander Aidan Brainard was chosen in the sixth round of the 2026 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, marking the first Mountain West player ever selected in that draft and the tenth Nevada draft pick since 2019.

The 2026 MLB Draft saw Ole Miss baseball standouts selected by major league clubs, underscoring the program's resurgence and its ripple effects on recruiting.

Kumar Rocker's outing against the Houston Astros highlighted mechanical concerns, with manager Skip Schumaker emphasizing that fatigue is not the culprit as the Rangers look to steady their rotation for the second half.

Detroit Tigers right‑hander Tarik Skubal has been vocal about the spark that teammate Dillon Dingler brings to the clubhouse, especially during spring training sessions where Dingler’s pitch‑calling creativity stands out. Dingler, a catcher with a keen eye for hitters’ tendencies, explains that his game‑calling philosophy hinges on adaptability — tailoring each sequence to exploit a batter’s strengths while keeping the opposition guessing. In his latest outing against the Oakland Athletics, Skubal showcased a razor‑sharp changeup that not only baffled hitters but also underscored his command of secondary pitches, a factor that has become a cornerstone of his recent success. The performance coincided with a strong start from rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda‑Grauer, who has quickly earned a reputation for simplicity and relentless work ethic in the Athletics’ farm system. The piece also revisits a lesser‑known statistic: only three pitchers in baseball history have started five All‑Star games — Lefty Gomez, Don Drysdale, and Robin Roberts — highlighting a lineage of excellence that modern players continue to chase. On the international stage, the KBO’s Samsung Lions secured the services of veteran left‑hander Chris Paddack for the remainder of the season, a move that could reshape the league’s competitive balance. Baseball history will also be front and center at the upcoming SABR convention, where Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, is slated to deliver a keynote address celebrating the sport’s diverse heritage. The recent passing of former Minnesota Twins star Darrell Jackson, left‑hander Al Holland, and right‑hander Phil Regan serves as a reminder of the game’s evolving narrative and the indelible marks left by its pioneers. Japanese phenoms Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Masataka Yoshida continue to dominate discussions, with Yamamoto praised for his consistency and athleticism, while Yoshida’s clutch hitting and solid bat‑to‑ball skills have made him a reliable presence in high‑pressure moments. Comparisons abound for players like Kensuke Kondoh, whose power swing mirrors Yoshida’s, and Haruto Takahashi, whose NPB performances for the Hanshin Tigers have drawn attention from scouts worldwide. Across the Pacific, Forrest Whitley’s strikeout prowess for the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, Carson McCusker’s contributions to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Riley Thompson’s KBO leading strikeout rate illustrate the depth of talent emerging from foreign leagues. Domestic prospects such as Seth Beer in the Mexican League, Curtis Mead’s potential highlighted by Blake Butera, and Alex Binelas’s steady output for the Reading Fightin Phils further enrich the talent pipeline. Minor league leaders like Manuel Pena, who tops home‑run charts, and Connor Oliver’s consistent performances for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ affiliates underscore the depth of development programs that feed the major leagues.

Three Texas players — Cooper Webb, Trey Rangel and Phinn Beaird — removed their names from the draft after being selected on the first day, while top recruit Grady Emerson fell to the Tampa Bay Rays, illustrating the growing tension between signing bonuses and collegiate commitments.

Arkansas pitcher Carson Wiggins was selected 27th overall by the New York Mets, sparking discussions about his injury‑impacted profile and the team’s strategic bonus allocation.

The opening round of the 2026 MLB Draft delivered surprise moves, injury‑related drops and a handful of Texas‑bound prospects who could reshape the next wave of talent.