Andy Pages Leads Dodgers Hit Parade – Fantasy Hitting Recap 4/3/26

Honestly, I could’ve started with pretty much any Dodger in the early afternoon game against the Nationals, as it was a true hit parade. So many players were able to take their turns hitting bombs, and while we know what to expect when Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker, and Freddie Freeman (yes, they all hit homers yesterday), it’s great to see Pages get one too. Pages crushed a no-doubter in the fourth inning as part of a very productive game in which he put up a statline of 3-for-4, with a HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, and a BB. The walk is an especially exciting development, as he is not the most disciplined hitter out there.

It’s good to see a strong start from Pages, as he had a monumentally bad postseason last year, despite the ring. Pages is a very toolsy player, and we can’t let that get forgotten because of a tough stretch when the lights were brightest. He also gets a bit underrated in fantasy because he hits in the back end of the Dodgers’ lineup, though with the names in that lineup, he’s certain to be getting plenty more at-bats than other hitters who hit in the eight hole. Pages is also pretty young and inexperienced still, so perhaps he will continue to make strides towards being one of the top outfielders in the game. He certainly has the opportunity to learn from some of the best.

Let’s see how the other hitters did on Friday:

Aaron Judge (NYY): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB.

As great as this hitting stat line is, the stolen base is what really makes it stand out. IT’S A COMBO MEAL. I honestly feel embarrassed that I just found out what that was recently. But yeah, this was another excellent Judge afternoon in a game where the Yankees showed the Marlins why they are a top offense. The hitters were all very patient, with Eury Perez dispensing six walks. It’s clear that whoever has Judge probably isn’t going to give him up in your fantasy leagues, as it feels like every year he somehow exceeds the lofty expectations put on him. This is just one of many, many excellent outings he will have this season.

Gunnar Henderson (BAL): 3-5, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.

Another star player did what star players do, as Gunnar Henderson put up this monster stat line that will certainly help any fantasy managers who have him. Gunnar is a special player, and while he was really good last season, he’s almost certain to be better this year. He’s been off to a bit of a slow start, but it’s only a week, and if someone in Baltimore is going to regularly put up stat lines like these, it’s Gunnar. The home run Henderson hit came in the ninth inning, and it’s a real shame that his team couldn’t do anything with it, as the other three batters who got up in the Orioles’ last chance all struck out. This is way too talented a group for that to constantly happen, though, as their lineup has all the potential in the world.

Chase DeLauter (CLE): 3-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.

The run that Chase DeLauter is starting his career with is pretty unreal. He’s already at five home runs, and his wRC+ is over 270. His game against the Cubs yesterday was a great example of what he can do, as he drove in three of his team’s four runs, including a two-run shot in the seventh to solidify the lead. There’s a lot to like about the situation DeLauter is in, as he is sandwiched between Steven Kwan and José Ramírez, two guys who really fit the molds of their positions in the batting order. Getting these chances to produce and playing with those hitters certainly makes DeLauter a really enticing add, though I feel he’s likely been swooped up in most leagues. Either way, this is how you introduce yourself to the big leagues.

Bryce Harper (PHI): 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB.

This one is a product of Bryce Harper hearing the haters talking smack. Or, maybe it was just a product of Coors Field and a not particularly successful pitching staff trying to get a stacked Phillies lineup out. I don’t know, but what I do know is that this is great to see. This is the kind of Harper stat line we have come accustomed to over the years, as he opened with a walk his first time up, before homering and doubling in consecutive at-bats. This was a really needed game in general for the top of the Phillies’ order, which looked pretty putrid coming into this series. It’s fair to say it’s unlikely they keep this up, though, as it’s too talented a squad to see OPS marks in the 600.

Spencer Steer (CIN): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.

It was a really rough start to the season for Spencer Steer, as even after five games, he had a negative wRC+ and really didn’t look like he’d end the season as a contributor in either fantasy or real-life baseball. After yesterday, though, that wRC+ mark is in the positives, as Steer had two extra-base hits and drove in two runs. For the few people who started Steer, this is a really well-rounded stat line, as it is helpful across most offensive categories, except stolen bases. The steals are something that it would be really cool to see Steer attempt more again, as we saw a massive drop-off in stolen base attempts last season from him.

Marcelo Mayer (BOS): 2-2, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.

Speaking of players who were off to tough starts going into yesterday’s action, Marcelo Mayer improved his wRC+ by over 100 points. Mayer has been playing second base for the most part for the Red Sox, facing righties exclusively and sharing time at the position with Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Things changed yesterday, however, as Alex Cora elected to leave Mayer in against incoming Wandy Peralta. The result was a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw, a sinker inside. It was a massive moment for Mayer, as it showcased that he can be productive against lefties and that he is going to be a factor for Boston this year. Mayer still has a few red flags in his profile, as he has an injury history and can get swing heavy on pitches out of the zone. But if you need some power in your lineup, you could do worse than a former top 10 prospect.

Ben Rice (NYY): 2-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.

I am so jealous of anybody who was able to pick up Ben Rice with his catcher eligibility. It’s becoming clear that Rice may be Judge’s ultimate running mate, as he’s proving himself not just to be a good hitter, but potentially one of the best. There aren’t many players who combine power and patience like Rice, which we got a glimpse of last season. This year, he’s clearly looking to level up. Now Rice actually opened this game with three strikeouts, as he wasn’t able to capitalize on a version of Eury Perez who could not find the zone. Rice added to the damage late, though, with a solo home run to open the seventh inning and then a two-RBI double late in the eighth to drive Judge and Trent Grisham home.

Konnor Griffin (PIT): 1-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB.

In his highly anticipated first at-bat, Konnor Griffin swung at the first pitch he saw and smoked a 105.8 mph double into the gap. That’s a pretty special start to a career, and it is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the major leagues. While he hit seventh today, I see him surging up the lineup for the team as the year goes on, as he’s too talented to be down there, especially with a team that has struggled to hit over the past few years. Griffin is a true five-tool player, one of the most well-rounded prospects we’ve seen in years. He hits the ball ridiculously hard, makes plenty of contact, and is also a fiend when it comes to stolen bases (he nabbed 65 bags in 122 games in the minors last year). The sky truly is the limit for Griffin, so pick him up now if you can, as he looks to win the NL Rookie of the Year. He very well could be the hitter version of Paul Skenes.

Tristan Gray (MIN): 1-2, HR, R, 5 RBI, BB.

This was a revenge game. Tristan Gray has suited up for the Rays in a couple of different stints, but both times ended in the team letting him go after the season. He was hungry to get back at the team that had let him go twice now. The Rays took a lead early in the game and held it for several innings, something that would surprise you if you just looked at the score. However, the Rays’ defense, combined with yet another bullpen implosion, led to Gray getting the chance to hit a grand slam to blow the game open. He also walked in a run, adding another RBI to his counter. I’ve always felt there’s something there with Gray, as his power is pretty good and he has shown to come through in clutch moments. Probably not a guy you need to pick up on fantasy, especially if he’s hitting at the back of an already mediocre lineup, but his combination of bat speed and launch angle management is pretty impressive.

Max Muncy (ATH): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.

There are a few of you who might be confused, as you probably are thinking, “Isn’t he on the Dodgers?” No, that’s Max Muncy. This is, uhhh, Max Muncy. They’re also both third basemen, so that gets confusing. This version of Muncy that plays in West Sacramento really hasn’t had the best start to his career. He was a below-average hitter last year and went into this match with pretty pedestrian numbers. He got it going with a hot-shot single in an eventful second inning, coming around to score on a Denzel Clarke single. He then brought two runs home his next time up when he doubled into the gap and brought two runs home. He got a chance to hit again in the next inning, where he homered, adding his last RBI on the night. I’m not sure if you’re gonna get another game like this from Muncy this year, but hopefully it’s a nice confidence boost. It also helps when you play your home games at such a hitter-friendly park.

Francisco Alvarez (NYM): 2-5, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.

Who to pick in the Mets’ onslaught against the Giants? How about their catcher Francisco Alvarez, who is off to an absolutely torrid start to the year. He was able to hit two home runs last night, showcasing the power that made him one of the top catching prospects to graduate so far this decade. It’s been a bit of a tough start to his career, at least in terms of expectations, as he was even demoted last year. But he’s a new man now, and he’s determined to prove that. Unfortunately, Juan Soto left yesterday’s game with an injury, so someone had to wear the ‘I hit solo home runs shoes,” and who better than Alvarez? It will be interesting to see if Alvarez can find himself in the top fantasy catcher rankings by the end of the season, as home runs from the position are really valuable.