Brayan Rocchio

If one overlooks the first three months of the season, Rocchio was a serviceable middle infielder, posting a .257/.310/.391 slash line with five home runs, six steals and a 96 wRC+ over 80 games from July 1 onward. Over a full season, that projects as an affordable player that won't kill a fantasy team. Alas, the first half of the season can't be ignored. He opened as the starting shortstop, immediately went into a deep funk and was demoted to Triple-A Columbus in early May with one RBI and a .433 OPS. Rocchio eventually filled an on-going revolving door at second base and started all three of the Guardians' playoff games. That encouraging second chance doesn't mean he's in a good spot entering 2026; his defense regressed, and he'll be looking over his shoulder for Travis Bazzana, the club's first-round pick in 2024. Bazzana missed time due to an oblique injury and will likely open in the minors, but a callup by June is possible. That would leave Rocchio and Gabriel Arias to share a utility role up the middle. Read Past Outlooks