Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Scott Pianowski's updated risers and fallers as of April 27

Baseball analysis is best done with big samples, but when we deal with relievers, we’re often relying on small samples. Varland was great with Minnesota last year (2.02/1.102), then less effective in Toronto (4.94/1.394). He’s probably over his skis at the moment (0.60/0.86), though we love 23 strikeouts against four walks over 15 innings. But so long as Toronto trusts him in the ninth inning, it’s best that we do the same.

Josh Jung, 3B, Rangers (39%): Jung has always been a good player through his brief career, though we’ve often defined him by the improvements we wished for. If only he had a better walk rate. If only he had a little more power. This year, he’s checking the boxes of an improving player. His walk and chase rates are still under league average, but they’ve improved. And when he’s making contact, the ball is screaming — his hard-hit stats are excellent.

Hyeseong Kim, UT, Dodgers (12%): Kim qualifies at three different positions (2B/SS/OF), which means he could still have a lineup spot even after Mookie Betts returns. Kim has a plus walk rate and is a smart base stealer, which helps offset his mediocre hard-hit rates and lack of power. The Dodgers will keep him in the bottom third of the order, given their star power, but any slot in this lineup holds value for me.

Downgrades

Andrew Abbott, SP, Reds (55%): We all suspected Abbott’s 2025 breakout season wasn’t sustainable, but I envisioned he could be a regress-and-win player — someone who’s fall would be modest, allowing him to provide ADP value. Abbott’s walk, strikeout and home-run rates are all moving in the wrong direction, and although there have been some unlucky elements to his rocky April, his expected ERA (4.82 FIP) wouldn’t help anyone, either.

Alec Bohm, 1B/3B, Phillies (38%): I thought last year could go down as an excused absence, and I was encouraged by Bohm slotting cleanup to open the year. But a quick slump pushed him down the Philly lineup, and at some point the club might have to try something else. At least Bohm’s slump is distracting eyes from Bryson Stott, who’s in his own funk (.221/.268/.273). Maybe the 2026 Phillies simply aren’t fixable.

Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians (64%): The four homers to start the year were a blast, but pitchers have quickly adjusted. DeLauter has a .211/.322/.342 slash since that opening smash, although he does have more walks than strikeouts. Cleveland’s lineup isn’t deep and DeLauter deserves time to work things out and progress at his own pace, of course. It’s interesting that DeLauter currently has reverse splits, with an OPS that’s 329 points higher against lefties.

Scott Pianowski’s updated rest-of-season fantasy baseball rankings (as of April 27):