Hello Dynasty Baseball fans, and welcome to our poorly-named-yet-well-written, Companion Article Series! We will be publishing these the day after each team’s Top 10 Prospect Lists are shared. And while we will focus on the same organization, our companion pieces will not always be prospect-centric. Every author will choose to share their thoughts on whatever aspect of the team they are writing about. And if you want more than our Top 10 Lists and Companion Articles, donate $15 now to get over 20 prospects ranked per team plus access to our full rankings (pre-season, mid-year, FYPD, Org prospects). Or a $20 donation for the full rankings sheet and our Discord Channel. The link to our donation page can be found here.

Cincinnati Reds (18-10 #1 NL Central #3rd National League)

If you would have told me that the Reds were in 1st place without Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Noelvi Marte and a bullpen of misfits I’d certainly ask what happened to the other teams. “Watts the Deal” with them?

Fantasy Names to Know:

All ranks are based on current Roto League rankings as of 4-26-26.

Sal Stewart (Age: 22 1B Fantasy Rank: 1)

Mr. Stewart has been everything as advertised and then some. While he is on a current cold spell, he has everything to be a top 2 dynasty first baseman.

Elly De La Cruz (Age: 24 SS Fantasy Rank: 3)

I don’t have to sell you on Cruz. You already know how good he is. If you play in a league that counts strikeouts, you’ll want to balance your roster accordingly.

Matt McLain (Age: 26 2B Fantasy Rank: Very bad)

TJ Friedl (Age: 30 OF Fantasy Rank: Very bad)

Eugenio Suarez (Age: 34 3B Fantasy Rank: On IL)

Matt McLain was red hot during spring training and drove up his draft price considerably. I for one was not impressed and vowed to stay away from him. I even dealt him in one league for Daylen Lile and Xander Boegarts. Needless to say I am happy about that as a fantasy owner. Want to know a few names currently ahead of him? Willi Castro, Marcus Semien and Ceddanne Rafaela. Yeah, those are players that might be rostered in your league and there’s many more that are not. In NL only leagues you have no real choice but to stay with him unless someone wants to pay for a turnaround. Terry Francona loves McLain and continues to bat him like he’s all the way back. He’s just not, you know what’s worse? Trotting out a .064 hitter!!!! Can they not see the same things I, see? “Dude there 14-8 they must be doing something right”? Imagine if they fixed the issues I’m talking about. Anyway, Friedl hasn’t done much of anything and has little value even in 5 outfielder leagues. While I do believe he will come around a little bit, he isn’t the same player as he was a few seasons ago. Eugenio Suarez is doing mostly Suarez things.

Chase Burns (Age: 23 SP Fantasy Rank: Too far down)

Zero concerns with Chase Burns, while he’s far down in roto rankings that won’t last too long. If you can buy him for a discount, I’m all in!

Andrew Abbott (Age: 26 SP Fantasy Rank: Don’t look)

Abbott has always been a mystery to fantasy writers. He’s always pitched above what the indicators say. He’s sitting on nearly 6.00 earned run average and that just won’t last. He’s a bulldog of a pitcher and he will fight his way through this bad run of starts. Worth trading for in 14 plus leagues or NL only leagues. His value is low right now. Going to stop writing now and make some offers in my leagues.

Rhett Lowder (Age: 24 SS Fantasy Rank: Solid)

Brady Singer (Age: 29 SP Fantasy Rank: Don’t look)

Neither player warrant rostering outside of NL only and 12+ deep leagues. Singer has struggled to start the year, but he will turn out his usual career 4.26 ERA. Lowder I hope is a better version of Singer, but we shall see. I would sell Lowder if there were anyone in my league that thinks he’s really good.

Hunter Greene (Age: 26 SP Fantasy Rank: NR)

Nick Lodolo (Age: 28 SP Fantasy Rank: NR)

Noelvi Marte (Age: 24 OF Fantasy Rank: NR)

Buy, Buy, Buy! I am buying on all 3 players. Greene potential 2nd half monster. Lodolo is currently on the mend and should be back shortly. Now the big elephant in the room is Noelvi Marte. You might be saying to you yourself he has no value. Exactly. You would be correct. He was a huge buy after last season and is now back in the minors. “Watts the Deal”? Two things, defense and I know Francona has no confidence in him to work things out at the major league level. Yet he trots out a 1.14 hitter!!! I’m talking about Ke’Bryan Hayes who is elite defensively. How much runs is he saving? Back to fantasy, Marte absolutely struggled on both sides of the ball. Francona platooning him didn’t help. Will Benson and now Rece Hinds are doing the platooning. “Yay”. I very much dislike platooning young players. Marte is back in Triple AAA Louisville currently righting the ship. I still have confidence in him long term and it’s a great to buy him. Terrible to sell. He’s a hold if you have him.

Reds Reliever:

In good faith to the fantasy community, I can only recommend Tony Santillan. I know Pagan is technically their closer, but there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors. He’s making it work, but Santillan is their best reliever.

So how are the reds in 1st again? Literally I have no idea but keep it up as it will get better, I think. How long will they trot out a .114 hitter? I don’t really know the answer to that.

Prospects to know:

Hector Rodriguez Triple AAA Louisville (Age: 22 OF)

This guy is widely available in most of my leagues (unless I own him) and is really the only minor league player I would recommend to you to go get if you have space. He has quietly put up solid numbers over the course of his minor league career. I do expect he will get called up at some point this season. Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl and the platoon team (currently) are not going to hold H-Rod or Marte back.

Alfred Duno High-A Affiliate Dayton (Age: 20 C)

Add in NL only deep minor league spots or 16+ with deep minor spots. He’s got a long way to go before he will ever see the big leagues.

Recommendations Recap:

By Chris “Wicky Wicky” Watts