ESPN Fantasy Apr 29, 2026, 08:12 AM ET

April numbers have a way of playing tricks on our eyes.

Seasonal sample sizes remain small, creating an air of artificiality, and panicky fantasy managers are more apt to get fooled by a gaudy -- or gory -- surface statistic that clouds our perception of a player's worth. It's the time of year where we still have fantasy managers focusing a maximum amount of attention to their rosters, but also bringing the greatest level of nervousness to the trade table. Who wants to begin their season 1-4, or worse, 0-5, anyway?

Yes, there's fool's gold out there currently in the fantasy baseball player pool, players who might look like real contributors, but in reality whose hot starts have been fueled by fortunate circumstances -- a soft schedule, some lucky bounces, perhaps a short-term opportunity.…