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Fantasy baseball: Top 10 prospects to consider drafting for 2026 leagues
Fantasy baseball managers seeking a draft-day edge with untapped upside often look to the league’s top prospects — perhaps too eagerly — to fortify their teams. Just look at those awesome minor league numbers! Who can resist? Prospects have yet to fail at the big-league level and so many of the boring, veteran players we could invest in already have.
Prospects look great during these cold, snowy winter months until … well, nobody wants to hear that most prospects will disappoint. We only want to hear the good stuff!
Remember Boston Red Sox 2B Kristian Campbell, baseball’s “it” selection from last season? He had a great spring, signed a long-term contract and, after hitting .301 with a .902 OPS for Boston in April, he hit .134 with a .355 OPS in May and spent much of the season in the minors.
Meanwhile, Washington Nationals OF Dylan Crews and Chicago Cubs IF Matt Shaw were top-200 selections in ESPN ADP, and they hit .208 and .226 for the season, respectively. Hitting is hard. Relying on prospects can be dangerous. Few had Athletics 1B Nick Kurtz and Atlanta Braves C Drake Baldwin winning their respective league’s Rookie of the Year awards.
To be officially defined as a prospect, one must not have exhausted their MLB rookie eligibility yet (130 at-bats, 50 innings pitched, 45 days on active roster). Unlike last season, when Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki led our list (and posted a disappointing 4.46 ERA in only 36⅓ regular-season innings before winning the World Series), we are not including incoming veteran Japanese players such as Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox 3B, age 26), Kazuma Okamoto (Toronto Blue Jays 3B, age 29) or Tatsuya Imai (Houston Astros RHP, age 27). Sure, any one of these three might earn AL Rookie of the Year honors, but they are experienced players. For this project, we will stick to the traditional prospects.
2026’s top fantasy baseball prospects
Ranked for fantasy value in 2026 only
1. Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates: The generally acknowledged top prospect in the sport — a potential Alex Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr. clone — hit .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases across three minor league levels in his age-19 season. Those are numbers to dream about. There seems to be little doubt that Griffin, a tall, five-tool option who bats right-handed, will be a terrific MLB player, but the question is when?
The Pirates, like several other franchises in a Central division with top shortstop talent, seem open to Griffin starting the season with the parent club, depending on how he performs in March. The lure of immediate statistical impact (while pretending not to notice the downside of waiting months for a debut) should be enough for fantasy managers to invest in the middle rounds of ESPN’s shallow drafts. Why not take a chance, right? There will be plenty of options available in free agency.
2. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers: As noted in our November Arizona Fall League wrap, McGonigle, 21, sure looked like the best player there, slashing .362/.500/.710 and earning MVP honors. Similar to Griffin, McGonigle has yet to appear at Triple-A, but he is older, more mature and was a 2023 draft pick. He elicits comparisons to Chase Utley.
The Tigers, coming off consecutive playoff appearances, seem open to McGonigle, a left-handed hitter who crushed 19 home runs and had more walks than strikeouts, winning an Opening Day starting role.
3. JJ Wetherholt, SS, St. Louis Cardinals: The No. 7 pick in the 2024 amateur draft hit better than .300 in lengthy stints at Double-A and Triple-A last season, with 17 home runs, 23 stolen bases and an excellent walk rate. Similar to McGonigle, Wetherhold is a left-handed hitter and appears ready for the majors. These might not be safe picks at shortstop when compared with proven veterans also going in the mid- to late rounds such as Dansby Swanson, Masyn Winn and Xander Bogaerts, but the prospects boast untapped statistical upside and many fantasy managers cannot help themselves.
4. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers: Finally, here comes yet another shortstop with fantastic offensive upside and at least some possibility of earning an initial or early-season starting role with the big club. Walcott, 19, produced a .741 OPS over 552 Double-A plate appearances last season, with 13 home runs and 32 stolen bases. The Rangers already have a shortstop in Corey Seager, but like McGonigle and Wetherholt, if the player can help the team, he can easily slide over to another infield position.
Myriad fantasy managers will be watching closely — as they should! — in March to see what happens with these four excellent, young shortstop prospects, because this may be a special season indeed.
5. Sal Stewart, 1B, Cincinnati Reds: Stewart is a different type of prospect in numerous ways. For one, he debuted in 2025, smacking five home runs over 18 games in September. Stewart, 22, is a right-handed slugger with strong plate discipline and, though he played both second and third base in the minor leagues, he might fit in as Cincinnati’s first baseman or DH. Don’t worry about the defense. Look for a .275 batting average and 25 home runs.
6. Nolan McLean, SP, New York Mets: Young starting pitchers, no matter how skilled and polished, remain far bigger risks than top position players because of health and statistics. McLean, however, is 24, and we have seen him thrive. After dominating at Double-A, McLean posted a 2.06 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over eight starts for the Mets, winning five of them. McLean struck out five or more hitters in each outing, fanning 11 in his season finale at Wrigley Field. No rookie-eligible players are going in the top 100 of NFBC ADP, but McLean is closest.
7. Trey Yesavage, SP, Blue Jays: You might recall seeing Yesavage occasionally dominate during Toronto’s run to its World Series appearance. Yesavage made only three regular-season starts, and he looked great, but then he fanned 11 New York Yankees over 5⅓ hitless innings in his playoff debut, and his stock rose quite precipitously. Yesavage tossed 27⅔ playoff innings with a 3.58 ERA and a 35% strikeout rate. The team says there is no innings cap for him in 2026. Don’t overrate him, but he looks good.
8. Samuel Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles: Basallo, 21, debuted in mid-August last season and hit .165 over 118 PA, albeit with a .187 BABIP. Ignore it all. He was among the youngest players in Triple-A and still produced a .966 OPS with 23 home runs in 76 games. There is little doubt he will hit big league pitching. Of course, Orioles C Adley Rutschman also used to hit quite well. The team added 1B Pete Alonso recently, but Basallo, with his high exit velocity readings, figures to split catching duties and see considerable action at DH, too. Fantasy managers in standard, multi-catcher formats must consider investing.
9. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants: A 6-foot-7, 240-pound lefty slugger, Eldridge smacked 25 home runs across three minor league levels last season, then debuted with the Giants in September. Eldridge, 21, might not hit for high average, as he accumulated high strikeout totals and low contact rates in the minors, but there is little concern about his power potential. Some might compare him to Royals OF Jac Caglianone in that respect. Both should supply power.
10. Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies: The son of former big league speedster Carl Crawford offers a similar skill set and, after winning the International League’s batting title with a .334 mark, the Phillies are giving him ample opportunity to win their starting center field job. Crawford, 22, stole 46 bases with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He offers little power, but he will play, and he will run when he reaches base. His numbers might mimic what Tampa Bay Rays OF Chandler Simpson achieved in his rookie season, and they are more valuable in roto leagues than points formats.
Others on our mind (alphabetical order): Moises Ballesteros, DH, Cubs; Carson Benge, OF, Mets; Owen Caissie, OF, Miami Marlins; Bubba Chandler, SP, Pirates; Max Clark, OF, Tigers; Connelly Early, SP, Red Sox; Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners; Walker Jenkins, OF, Minnesota Twins; Carter Jensen, C, Royals; Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers; Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies; Andrew Painter, SP, Phillies; Jonah Tong, SP, Mets
Mohammad Abbas picked up all three wickets to fall in the morning session, but Mushfiqur Rahim’s resilience ensured Bangladesh reached 380-7 at lunch on Day 2 in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.
Resuming at 301-4, Bangladesh lost Litton Das for 33 as Abbas struck early to reduce the hosts to 338-5. The experienced pacer then struck again to remove Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 10, further slowing the scoring.
Abbas completed his three-wicket haul just before the lunch interval, dismissing Taijul Islam for 17.
Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Rahim anchored the innings with a composed and controlled knock, keeping Bangladesh steady under pressure. At lunch, he was unbeaten on 71 alongside Ebadot Hossain, who had yet to score.
Bangladesh had dominated the opening day after being asked to bat first, finishing at 301-4 in 85 overs.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a commanding 101 off 130 balls, while Mominul Haque added a fluent 91 off 200 deliveries. The pair stitched together a crucial 170-run partnership after early wickets from Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali reduced Bangladesh to 31-2.
Pakistan’s bowlers shared the wickets, but struggled with consistency and discipline, conceding 31 extras across the innings.
Novak Djokovic hits a return to Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot during their Shanghai Masters semifinal. PHOTO: AFP
ROME:
Novak Djokovic slumped to an early elimination from the Italian Open on Friday, crumbling to a second-round defeat at the hands of qualifier Dino Prizmic which leaves question marks about his physical condition ahead of Roland Garros.
Tennis icon Djokovic was sent packing by big-hitting Croatian Prizmic, who claimed the biggest scalp of his young career with a stunning 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win on centre court in Rome.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, was making his comeback from a shoulder injury in the last big tournament before the French Open, which starts later this month.
And the world number four was unsure as to whether he would be back to his best for the clay-court Grand Slam, simply saying “I hope so” when asked by reporters whether Paris would see the all-conquering “Nole” of old.
“Let’s see what happens,” said Djokovic, who lamented persistent physical problems in the twilight of his stellar career.
“I don’t recall the last time in the last couple of years of preparation where I didn’t have any physical issues coming into a tournament,” said Djokovic.
“It’s always something, it’s kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.”
Djokovic wore shoulder strappings in his first tournament since losing in the last 16 at Indian Wells in March, after pulling out of tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid.
He hadn’t previously been knocked out this early in a tournament since the Madrid Open last year, and he looked a long way from the player who has won six titles at the Foro Italico.
He breezed into a one-set lead but then buckled under the weight of Prizmic’s powerful hitting which has led to the 20-year-old rising to a career-high world ranking of 79.
Prizmic has beaten two top 10 players in a matter of weeks with sixth-ranked Ben Shelton succumbing in the second round in Madrid last month.
Djokovic is Prizmic’s idol, and a landmark win gives the young talent a match with either Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva and a chance to make the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time.
“It was big moment for me. It was also big thing to share the court with a legend,” said Prizmic.
“So yeah today, I mean, I played unbelievable. I’m very happy about my performance.”
Zverev, Swiatek through
Earlier, Alexander Zverev eased into the third round after comfortably dealing with fellow German Daniel Altmaier in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.
The second seed is in good form having reached the final in Madrid last weekend and he is again on the other side of the draw to red-hot favourite Jannik Sinner.
The 29-year-old has been beaten by Sinner in four Masters 100 events this year and will have his work cut out if he is to add to his 2017 and 2024 titles in Rome.
Three-time champion Iga Swiatek battled into the third round of the women’s tournament with a 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 win over Caty McNally.
Swiatek will play US 28th seed Emma Navarro or Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto this weekend for a place in the last 16, after a match which initially looked like being a routine win but dragged on for the best part of three hours.
“It was a tough match, Caty really played great,” said Swiatek.
“I had to be patient. For sure, some mistakes happened. It was not an easy match. I’m really happy I was solid at the end and in the important moments. I kept it together.”
Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has not won a clay tournament since capturing the last of her four French Open titles in 2024.
The Pole suffered her earliest exit in five appearances in Madrid last month when she retired in the third round due to a viral illness.
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Former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens spent three seasons of his 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys.
Although 16 seasons have passed since Owens played in the league, his time with the franchise famously dubbed “America’s Team” remains memorable. Owens first played for the Cowboys in 2006, before abruptly exiting after the 2008 campaign.
This week, Owens briefly revisited his time wearing “The Star” on his helmet, but he made it clear the team has not been at the front of his mind for quite some time. “I don’t concern myself with the Cowboys,” Owens told the Action Network.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 27, 2008. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Owens then suggested the less-than-harmonious feelings are mutual, saying: “The Cowboys haven’t concerned themselves with me since I left there. That’s speaking of Jerry Jones or anybody really from that organization… The way things ended there with the Cowboys, I couldn’t care less. I have nothing to say about them.”
JOURDAN LEWIS BECOMES LATEST FORMER COWBOYS PLAYER TO VOICE FRUSTRATION WITH TEAM
Owens signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys in 2006 and was rewarded with a three-year contract extension in 2008. Around the time of his March 2009 release, reports suggested he had become a source of tension inside the Cowboys’ locker room.
He was cut roughly two months after Dallas finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Dallas struggled offensively at times that season, though Owens still totaled 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those were considered productive numbers by any standard, but they also marked his lowest totals in three seasons with the Cowboys.
Owens’ connection with then-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett also came under scrutiny during his stint with the team.
Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett talks to Terrell Owens during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2008. (Getty Images)
Owens joined the Buffalo Bills after he parted ways with the Cowboys. Despite snapping his streak of three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons during his lone year in Western New York, Owens praised Buffalo, describing it as a rare NFL market that still embraces him years after he left.
“The Buffalo Bills have been very gracious in inviting me out and involving me in some of their community initiatives,” Owens said. “I went there for a couple of games and for Thurman Thomas’ jersey retirement.”
Former wide receiver Terrell Owens gestures to the crowd before the game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 6, 2021. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)
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Owens appeared in 14 games with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, marking his final NFL season. He was a five-time All-Pro selection and six-time Pro Bowler during his standout career.
He skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies in Canton, Ohio, in 2018, choosing instead to hold his own ceremony at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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