Clinging to underperforming athletes frequently devastates fantasy league campaigns more severely than many participants grasp. This issue stems from two primary factors: team owners gain minimal output from a valuable roster slot, concurrently forfeiting promising free-agent acquisitions due to an unwillingness to free up essential positions.
The threshold for dropping players fluctuates considerably across different leagues; an individual highly prized in a 12-team setup might be a marginal asset in 8-team arrangements. Below are several prominent athletes whose ownership percentages are expected to decrease shortly. It’s important to mention that athletes currently sidelined with injuries were excluded, as their worth to most managers hinges on the extent of their team’s injury list.
Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox (94%): Anthony has barely registered a fantasy presence (9 HR, 37 RBI, 6 SB) over 101 professional baseball appearances. While the 21-year-old possesses considerable future potential, his current strength lies predominantly in scoring after drawing walks. Anthony departed Monday’s contest due to a wrist ailment, yet even if this issue proves inconsequential, those in less competitive leagues might pursue alternative players offering greater statistical contributions.
Rafael Devers, 1B, Giants (93%): Although Devers may have been displeased with his tenure on the Red Sox, his performance there was respectable. Since moving to the Giants last June, this powerful hitter has posted a .218 batting average and a .572 OPS. His plate appearances this season have been problematic, marked by a reduced 6.3% walk rate. For participants in 10-team leagues, evaluating other choices is a reasonable course of action.
Tyler Soderstrom, 1B/OF, Athletics (93%): From May 5 of the previous season, Soderstrom has achieved a .263 average alongside 20 long balls. While these figures are passable, they do not justify an ownership percentage exceeding 90% for a position rich in offensive talent. A decrease of 10% in his roster rate appears appropriate.
Spencer Strider, SP, Braves, 90%: It’s true that the Braves did not provide an ideal environment for Strider’s comeback from the injured list by scheduling his start at Coors Field. However, irrespective of that venue (3.1 IP, 3 ER), the primary focus was on his pitching velocity, which was regrettably diminished. Strider encountered difficulties both in the previous season and throughout spring training. More compelling alternatives exist among pitchers with lower ownership percentages.
Tanner Bibee, SP, Guardians, 81%: Presently, it’s unclear what Bibee excels at. His strikeout percentage is average (20.9%), he concedes a notable number of home runs (1.4 HR/9), and this year, his walk rate (9.3%) surpasses that of many other hurlers. This right-armed pitcher primarily provides innings, making him suitable as a spot starter in 12-team competitions.
Michael Busch, 1B, Cubs (78%): The deterioration in Busch’s contact quality metrics is remarkable. Typically a potent power hitter, the first baseman is recording an average exit velocity (86.4 mph) more characteristic of a contact specialist. In less competitive formats, there is no compelling justification to passively anticipate an improvement in his performance.
Jeff Hoffman, RP, Blue Jays, 69%: My conviction is strong that Hoffman will not reclaim the primary relief pitching position for Toronto in the foreseeable future. The right-handed pitcher’s erratic nature poses less of an issue when deployed in earlier frames, enabling manager John Schneider to remove him from struggling appearances before he jeopardizes the outcome. Louis Varland has demonstrated effectiveness in the final inning, and the Blue Jays are in dire need of every victory possible. When something functions effectively, there’s no need to alter it.
Aaron Nola, SP, Phillies (66%): This season presents dreadful statistics (5.06 ERA, 1.45 WHIP), following similarly poor figures last year (6.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP). Even if the 32-year-old veteran sees some enhancement, it is improbable to be significant enough to render him a valuable commodity in combined leagues.
Ryan Walker, RP, Giants (60%): The closing situation for San Francisco is completely ambiguous, and Walker’s pitching has been subpar (4.64 ERA, 1.54 WHIP). Superior relief options with lower ownership rates are available for those speculating on closers.
Ernie Clement, 1B/2B/3B/SS, Blue Jays (59%): While I appreciate Clement’s abilities as an athlete, his utility in fantasy sports is minimal in terms of boosting statistical categories. At this stage of the season, team owners ought to target individuals likely to achieve more than single-digit home run and stolen base totals.
Zac Gallen, SP, Diamondbacks (58%): Mirroring Nola, Gallen has commenced 2026 poorly (4.45 ERA, 1.52 WHIP), following a challenging 2025 campaign (4.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). For the second consecutive year, his strikeout frequency is diminishing, thereby stripping the right-handed pitcher of his potential for high performance.
Agustín Ramírez, C, Marlins (57%): Ramírez has registered a .645 OPS since the 2025 mid-season classic and was reassigned to the minor leagues on Monday. While he does swipe more bags than many catchers, this might not compensate for his average hitting capabilities. He is not a player worth holding onto with anticipation.
Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers (57%): This year, his command abilities have been dreadfully poor (7.7 BB/9 rate). Until an improvement is evident, I would prefer to allocate roster spots to alternative starting pitchers.
Yainer Diaz, C, Astros (55%): Diaz seldom earns a walk and exhibits unremarkable power, positioning him as an average choice even during periods of success. This year, his performance has been substandard (.621 OPS), and several promising catchers, including Dillon Dingler, Carter Jensen, and Moisés Ballesteros, are available on the waiver wire.
Andrew Abbott, SP, Reds (55%): Both his strikeout and walk percentages have moved significantly adversely, which is concerning for a pitcher who exceeded his expected ERA metrics in 2024 and 2025. Numerous hurlers on the waiver wire are currently displaying superior abilities.
Jac Caglianone, 1B/OF, Royals (54%): The time has come for fantasy league participants to disregard Caglianone’s prior prospect standing and permit him to remain available on waivers. This power hitter is failing to deliver power, having connected for only four long balls this year and a mere 11 across 93 major league appearances. Furthermore, this career .190 batter required a .355 BABIP to achieve an uninspiring .257 average this current season.
Marcus Semien, 2B, Mets (50%): Semien has enjoyed a distinguished career, yet presently, every subsequent season appears to be more disheartening than its predecessor. His utility beyond that of an infrequent fill-in in combined leagues now seems to be a thing of the past.
Ryan Pepiot, SP, Rays (49%): Quietly, the Rays recently declared Pepiot out for the remainder of the season. He is a clear candidate for removal from all rosters.
Ryne Nelson, SP/RP, Diamondbacks (47%): Nelson recovered somewhat with a respectable performance in his most recent outing, however, he had surrendered 14 earned runs across 5.1 innings in his two starts prior. His potential for significant improvement is limited, suggesting he can remain unowned until his form consistently stabilizes.
