Carlos Estevez's fantasy stock is plummeting after a disastrous opening weekend performance. The Kansas City Royals closer, who dominated last season with 42 saves and a 2.45 ERA, blew a 2-0 lead against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. He surrendered six earned runs over just one batter, posting a staggering 162.00 ERA and 18.00 WHIP in the disastrous outing.

Estevez's velocity also dropped significantly, averaging just 91.3 mph on his fastball compared to 95.9 mph in 2025. This collapse has already dropped him to 51% rostered in ESPN leagues. While the Royals organization wants him to thrive, especially in spacious Kauffman Stadium, the question now is whether his physical and mechanical issues are permanent.

Manager Matt Quatraro's reliance on Estevez last season and this past weekend suggests he's still the plan, but fantasy managers must be patient. For shallow daily leagues, there might be little reason to wait due to available free agency options, but in standard roto formats, especially AL-only, patience remains key. Estevez's nightmare start doesn't mean he's finished, but his status as a mid-round pick is now highly questionable.