NTSB All‑April Team: The 2026 Stars Who Owned the Season’s First Month
April is a liar. It hands out false hope, buries slow starters, and crowns heroes who may or may not survive the long summer ahead. But every year, a handful of players don’t just start hot — they define the opening month. They set the tone. They punch the league in the mouth before the calendar even flips to May.
These are those players.
This is the NTSB MLB All‑April Team, built strictly on April production — no projections, no reputations, no “he’ll come around.” If you dominated the first month, you’re here. If you didn’t, you’re not.
Catcher — Shea Langeliers, Athletics
Oakland didn’t do much winning in April, but Langeliers sure did. The A’s backstop mashed his way to a .311 average, 8 HR, 14 RBI, and a .943 OPS, giving the club one of the most productive bats at any position. Power from behind the plate is a luxury — Langeliers delivered it nightly.
First Base — Sal Stewart, Reds
Stewart's April showed he’s one of the most dangerous hitters alive. He posted 9 HR, 29 RBI, 5 doubles, a .385 OBP, and a .983 OPS, anchoring a surprising Reds lineup that is now 9 games over .500 and in first place in the NL Central.
Second Base — Ozzie Albies, Braves
Another Brave, another heater. Albies hit .316 with 6 HR and 18 RBI, pairing his usual switch‑hitting versatility with real thump. Few second basemen matched his total impact in April.
Shortstop — Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
Witt didn’t just hit — he tilted the field. His April featured a .289 average, 10 steals, an OBP of .362, and steady run production, showcasing the elite athleticism that makes him one of the sport’s rising superstars.
Third Base — Nolan Arenado, Diamondbacks
Arenado turned back the clock in April, delivering a vintage power surge: .283 batting average, 4 HR, 14 RBI, and a .751 OPS. Arizona needed a middle‑order presence — Arenado gave them a month worthy of his résumé.
Left Field — Yordan Álvarez, Astros
The most dominant hitter in baseball in April. Period.
Álvarez torched the league with a .355 batting average,11 HR, 26 RBI, a .463 OBP, and an MLB-leading 1.199 OPS, looking every bit like the game’s most terrifying left‑handed bat. When he’s right, pitchers have no answers.
Center Field — Michael Harris II, Braves
Harris was a machine in April, hitting .320 with 6 HR and 20 RBI. His blend of average, power, and athleticism gave Atlanta yet another early‑season star. Three Braves on this list tells you everything about how their April went.
Right Field — Randy Arozarena, Mariners
Arozarena delivered a steady, complete April: .297 average, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .385 OBP, and an .835 OPS. In a crowded RF field, his consistency across all categories earned him the nod.
Designated Hitter — Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Ohtani’s April at the plate — .278, 6 HR, 13 RBI, .398 OBP, and .898 OPS — was exactly what the Dodgers needed as he eased into the season. Even without pitching, he remained one of the most productive DHs in the sport.
Pitching Staff
Starting Pitcher — José Soriano, Angels
The most dominant starter of April, and it wasn’t close. Soriano posted a 5-1 record with a 0.84 ERA and 49 K's in 42.2 IP, suffocating hitters with elite command and late movement. Every outing felt like a clinic in run prevention.
Relief Pitcher — Mason Miller, Padres
Miller didn’t just have a great April — he authored one of the most impressive relief stretches in recent memory. His 1-0 records, 1.26 ERA, 10 saves, and 34⅔ consecutive scoreless innings put him on the doorstep of history and made him the most unhittable arm of the month.
⭐ NTSB April MVP: Yordan Álvarez
There’s no debate here. Álvarez’s 1.199 OPS, 11 bombs, and 26 RBI made him the runaway choice for the NTSB’s April MVP. He didn’t just lead the league — he separated from it.