Fantasy baseball managers are always looking for an edge, and ESPN's Eric Karabell has delivered some intriguing predictions that could shake up rosters across the league. From Munetaka Murakami potentially hitting 50 home runs in his debut MLB season to Jesus Luzardo bouncing back from an unlucky start, these bold predictions offer valuable insights for fantasy enthusiasts navigating the 2026 season.
Munetaka Murakami's Power Surge Could Reach Historic Heights
The Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami is off to an explosive start to his debut MLB season, with the Japanese star hitting 9 home runs through his first 99 plate appearances. Through 23 games, Murakami is the 3B2 in fantasy baseball, trailing only Jose Ramirez.
The power is undeniable. He's Japan's single-season home run king, and his raw power is effortless — the kind that should translate anywhere in the world. He is batting .234 with a .978 OPS, though Murakami has just 18 hits on the season, which makes 50% of those home runs.
Eric Karabell's bold prediction has Murakami and teammate SS Colson Montgomery each hitting 31 home runs, although neither infielder hits above .220. However, the ceiling could be even higher for the slugger who owns the single-season home run record in NPB for a Japan-born player.
Jesus Luzardo Poised for Positive Regression
While Luzardo's early season numbers look concerning on the surface, the underlying metrics tell a different story. Luzardo tops the unlucky pitcher list after hitting the unlucky penny jackpot to kick off his 2026 campaign, with a 30:5 K:BB ratio but a 1-3 record through four starts with a career-worst 7.94 ERA.
The disconnect between results and performance is stark. His FIP sits at 2.97, suggesting much better performance than his ERA indicates. His BABIP of .417 suggests poor luck or weak defensive support, indicating that better days are ahead for the Phillies left-hander.
Luzardo really got it together last season for the Phillies with an ERA under 4.00 and 10.6 K/9. At 28, Luzardo's stuff is as good as ever, and if he can avoid issues with his troublesome back, he gives the Phillies the sort of rotation that can go blow-for-blow with the Dodgers' starters.
Dalton Rushing's Limited Opportunity with the Dodgers
The Dodgers' catching prospect faces a challenging path to fantasy relevance in 2026. Manager Dave Roberts recently said that Rushing will not see playing time in the outfield this season, with Rushing serving as Will Smith's backup and potentially getting some time at first base if Freddie Freeman needs a day off.
Last year, Rushing hit just .204/.258/.324 with a 37.4-percent strikeout rate in 155 plate appearances. The challenge remains finding consistent playing time. Rushing sits atop MLB Pipeline's rankings of top Dodgers prospects, but not only is he the backup to one of the best catchers in baseball, Will Smith, but Smith is under contract through 2033.
Despite the limited opportunities, Rushing said after going 1-for-3 with a run scored in Monday's 3-0 win over the Mariners that he loves the fire of not performing and not doing the things he's capable of last year. His recent performance shows promise, as his 2026 Statcast numbers include a 96 mph average exit velocity, 63.2% hard hit rate, and 26.3% barrel rate.
Fantasy Baseball Strategy: Don't Be Surprised
These predictions highlight the importance of looking beyond surface-level statistics in fantasy baseball. Murakami's explosive power makes him a legitimate threat for 40-plus home runs despite a low batting average. Luzardo's underlying metrics suggest he's a prime buy-low candidate who could provide ace-level production once his luck normalizes.
For Rushing, patience may be required. While his talent is undeniable, the playing time situation in Los Angeles limits his immediate fantasy impact. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues or dynasty formats should monitor his development closely, as his elite exit velocity and barrel rates suggest significant upside if he ever secures regular at-bats.
As the season progresses, keeping an eye on these players could provide the competitive advantage that separates championship teams from also-rans in fantasy baseball leagues.
Sources & Original Reporting
