Bryce Elder

Elder presents a mixed-bag profile for fantasy managers entering 2026 after showing modest improvement late last season with a 2.82 ERA over his final seven starts, though his season-long 5.30 ERA and 1.39 WHIP remain concerning. The 27-year-old right-hander relies heavily on inducing ground balls rather than strikeouts, evidenced by a career 18.9 percent strikeout rate that limits his ceiling in the strikeout category, though his ability to suppress home runs (1.4 HR/9) provides some ERA stability. His underlying metrics like a 4.67 xERA suggest he may be due for positive regression, but rotation depth in Atlanta means he isn't guaranteed significant volume, which combined with subpar K production makes him a speculative bench option rather than a rotation cornerstone. The strong finish to 2025 offers some hope for a bounce-back, but Elder needs to string together consistent performances and secure regular starts to warrant serious consideration in mixed leagues.