Isaac Paredes has been bouncing around the league of late. He’s played for three different teams over the last four seasons, but he’s expected to find some kind of stability in 2026 since he remains under contract with the Houston Astros. Unless something happens between spring training and the beginning of the 2026 campaign, Paredes figures to open the 2026 season in a utility role.
The veteran played 102 games in 2025, slashing .254/.352/.458 with an .810 OPS, which ended up being the second-best mark of his career. Paredes also racked up 20 homers, 15 doubles, 53 RBI, and 53 runs scored while posting a strong 76:50 K:BB in 438 plate appearances. Those are solid-enough numbers to make him a valuable starter at the hot corner in most formats.
What to Expect from Isaac Paredes in 2026 Fantasy Baseball
One of Paredes’ biggest strengths will be his multi-positional eligibility. The veteran infielder will see most of his playing time at third base, but he’s going to see reps at second base and even first base in spring training.
It remains to be seen whether that will make him eligible to play in those positions in fantasy, but nonetheless, that increased versatility is a plus across all formats. More positions equal more chances to get his bat in the lineup.
Paredes’ biggest strength is his bat. Despite missing two months of the 2025 season with a hamstring tear, the six-year veteran appeared in 102 games while posting an .810 OPS, 20 home runs, and 53 RBI.
While those numbers aren’t worthy of star-level performance, Paredes should be good enough to handle the hot corner at a starting level in most formats. Staying healthy and being capable of playing across the diamond will boost his fantasy upside, though.
Paredes has found a way to play at least 110 games in his previous three seasons, hitting at least 19 homers with at least 40 RBI and 45 runs scored each time. As long as he plays regularly, Paredes should be worth considering in most formats, although there are far better options across the board.
Targeting Paredes with a mid-to-late pick could be a solid approach, but all will depend on how you decide to construct your lineup. If you choose a higher-level player to operate as your everyday third baseman, Paredes could be an excellent utility option.
In terms of ranking, selecting Paredes late in the draft could be a good option. Assuming he’ll stay healthy, which is always a big “if,” he might even have a chance to outperform his current ADP. Simply staying healthy and playing around 130–140 games should make him a valuable starter at third base in most formats.
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