With April 2025 winding down, fantasy baseball managers are navigating the early-season rollercoaster of player performances. Some players are surging, cementing their value, while others are stumbling, testing your patience. 

With five months left in the regular season, it’s critical to distinguish between short-term noise and long-term trends. Here’s a stock watch featuring three risers and three fallers with guidance on whether to hold, stash, or drop.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch Risers

Wyatt Langford, OF, Texas Rangers

Langford is proving his 2024 second-half breakout was no fluke. Over the last seven days, he’s batting a scorching .533 with 2 home runs, 2 stolen bases, and a robust 1.533 OPS. His blend of power and speed is electrifying, and his 90th-percentile exit velocity and sprint speed back up the hype. 

Langford’s slow start last season (pre-All-Star break .246/.315/.363) feels like a distant memory, as his current form mirrors his .300/.354/.478 line from late 2024. The 23-year-old is locked into a prime lineup spot, making him a top-15 outfielder moving forward. If you held through his early struggles, you’re reaping the rewards. If he’s somehow available, trade for him now—his stock is soaring.

Luke Keaschall, 2B/OF, Minnesota Twins

Since his promotion from Triple-A, Luke Keaschall has been a revelation, batting .368 with a jaw-dropping .520 OBP and 5 stolen bases in just a handful of games. His 20% walk rate is elite, showcasing plate discipline rare for a rookie. Keaschall’s .297/.415/.470 minor-league line hinted at this potential, and his ability to play multiple positions adds roster flexibility. 

While his power is modest (projected 10-12 HRs over a full season), his speed and on-base skills make him a must-add in all formats. The Twins’ injury-riddled infield ensures he’ll get regular at-bats, and his .261/.379/.348 Triple-A stint suggests he’s ready for the big leagues. Grab him before his roster percentage skyrockets.

Max Meyer, SP, Miami Marlins

Forget the Marlins’ struggles—Max Meyer is a pitcher to believe in. The 26-year-old righty has delivered four straight quality starts, boasting a 2.10 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP over 30 innings. His 41:7 K:BB ratio, capped by a 14-strikeout gem in his last outing, screams ace potential. 

Meyer’s fastball-slider combo is generating whiffs at a 30% clip, and his 2.80 xFIP suggests his success is sustainable. Miami’s lackluster offense may limit wins, but Meyer’s ratios and strikeouts make him a top-30 starter. If you stashed him after his 2024 injury recovery, you’re sitting pretty. If not, trade for him or pick him up—he’s a cornerstone for your rotation.

 

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Stock Watch Fallers

Anthony Santander, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Santander’s 2025 season is off to a brutal start. He’s batting .095 over his last five games with a 34.8% strikeout rate and a season-long .198 average, 2 home runs, and a meager .105 ISO. After a 44-homer campaign in 2024, this is a shocking regression. His 42% hard-hit rate and 10% barrel rate are still above average, but he’s chasing pitches outside the zone at a career-high 35%. 

Toronto’s hitter-friendly park and Santander’s track record (30+ HRs in three straight seasons) demand patience. Stash him on your bench in all formats—his power will resurface, likely by May. Dropping him now would be selling low on a proven slugger.

Kyren Paris, 2B, Los Angeles Angels

The hot start had fantasy managers buzzing, but the wheels have come off. He’s hitless in his last 15 plate appearances, striking out an alarming 60% of the time. His season-long .220/.280/.350 line and 32% K-rate expose the flaws in his game, despite early power (5 HRs) and speed (4 SBs). 

Paris’s 17% swinging-strike rate and 78.6% zone-contact rate scream regression, and with Zach Neto’s return looming, his playing time could shrink. In shallow leagues (10-12 teams), feel free to drop Paris for a hotter waiver wire option like Keaschall. In deeper formats, consider benching him, but his upside is fading fast.

Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins

Alcantara’s stock is down, but don’t panic. The 2022 Cy Young winner has struggled in his last two starts, tossing just 8 innings with a 10.13 ERA and a paltry 5.63 K/9. However, he’s still shaking off rust after missing most of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. His 3.90 xFIP and 55% ground-ball rate are encouraging, and his velocity (96.5 mph fastball) is near pre-injury levels. 

Alcantara’s career 3.20 ERA and 1.17 WHIP scream hold, not drop. With five months left, he has ample time to regain midseason form. Bench him in shallow leagues during this rough patch, but cutting him would be a massive overreaction. His underlying metrics suggest a rebound is coming.

 

 

 

April slumps and surges can be deceptive, but context is key. Langford, Keaschall, and Meyer are rising stars who belong in your lineup or on your trade radar. Santander and Alcantara require patience—bench them, but don’t drop them. 

Paris, however, is droppable in shallow leagues due to his fading production and uncertain role. Stay active on the waiver wire, but don’t overreact to small sample sizes. The season is long, and these stocks will keep shifting.