Last Updated on April 7, 2025 4:31 am by Anthony Kates | Published: April 7, 2025

While it is still early in the season, several players have begun the season on fire and could help your fantasy teams who have been slow out of the gate. Today I look at three young hitters who will help your team with average and speed, and two veteran pitchers who have made pitch mix changes in the offseason with surprising results.

Ben Rice – NYY – 1B – 28% rostered (Yahoo)

Rice has made an impact on the Yankee lineup early in the 2025, hitting .320 with two homers and two stolen bases. Rice has started seven of the nine games the Yankees have played so far including against left-handed started Bailey Falter on Saturday in which he hit a leadoff single to open the game. The 26-year-old batted second in the lineup that game after leading off the previous two games against right-handed starters.

Rice, In the early going he has a 16.7% walk rate and 23.3% strikeout rate. He struggled in his first season in the majors in 2024, hitting .171 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in 152 at bats. The Yankees face four right-handed starters this week and lefties Tarik Skubal and Robby Ray, so the chances of him starting those games are slim. But an on-base machine hitting at the top of the order in a great lineup is an asset. He is a definite add in daily leagues and all 15-team leagues and an option in 12-team leagues if you can handle just four starts this week.

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Scott Burks

• Working the Waiver Wire: April 21st
• Working the Waiver Wire: April 14th
• Working the Waiver Wire: April 7th