Top Fantasy Baseball Picks for 2026
- Jack Neary
- Mar 7
- 4 min read
The ham is cooking, the bunny is hopping and despite the whole country being subjected to a deep freeze only Eskimos can withstand; the fantasy baseball season is just around the corner.
Some of the hottest names and biggest sleepers for the upcoming Major League Baseball season are already fielding grounders and swatting home runs in spring training. Since they're warming up in Florida, let's get you ready for your fantasy baseball picks this season.
Pictured below are some of the hottest stars in the MLB
Hot Players To Grab Early
If you wind up in the good graces of the fantasy baseball gods and get pick one or two, then you'l want to draft Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge. By drafting one of these two with the top picks you've done two things:
First is grabbing one of the two best players with predictable returns and hardly any roadblocks to having a monster season.
The second is amongst your friends or fellow drafters, you'll seem competent. You'll hold off the laughter until you're biting your nails in the fifth round over a pitcher in Milwaukee from Iowa or another Japanese wonder making his debut in LA.
For the rest us drafting in the first round, make sure to take a home run hitter or a player that steals bases. If you can effectively land a player on a good team, that will be on base, your average score will be between three to five points.
Some of the top 14 players include popular pitchers such as Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. And while their popularity amongst the fantasy baseball community is noted, I'd still rather hitters over pitchers early.
Some of the hitters I prefer in the first round include: Juan Soto, Bobby Witt Jr., Kyle Schwarber, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuna Jr.
I understand the Mets are the worst team in baseball (so everyone thinks), but they play in a competitive division and always bank runs. Soto started slow last season, but came on strong. You should expect a better performance out-of-the-gates and possibly challenge for MVP.
The rest of the Jr.'s should perform in lockstep of their draft spots, and look for Acuna to bounce back and be the best of the bunch... Shhhh-- Don't tell your friends!
Kyle Schwarber will hit 40 home runs. He has gone over that mark three of the past four seasons and the Phillies lineup has gotten stronger.
Mid Round Steals
After the draft has gotten past the first third of picks, and the names you're familiar with are gone you'll need to identify the talent remaining.
The first of our mid round steals is 2025 rookie of the year Nick Kurtz (1B). His ability to get his pitch and hit home runs so early in his career is amazing. In the 2025 season he blasted 36 homers with four coming in one game. If he can work on improving his RBI's (86) and The Athletics play better together, then his second season will be special.
Another player on our radar is Geraldo Perdomo. He finished as the number one shortstop in Fantasy baseball in 2025, but he isn't being drafted until rounds 5-7. Players such as Bobby Witt Jr., Francisco Lindor and Elly De La Cruz are more popular at his position, but don't produce more statistically.
In addition to the two mid-round-steals mentioned above, these are a few more names to add to your fantasy baseball lineups: Spencer Strider (SP), Wyatt Langford (OF), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B/3B), Pete Alonzo (1B), Bryce Harper (1B), James Wood (OF), Randy Arozarena (OF), Eugenio Suarez (3B), Chase Burns (SP), Shae Langeliers (C).
Late Round Love
Our "late round love" fantasy baseball players are the ones that have been disrespected by the ranking gods, but they play on our favorite teams and will provide great return.
For those of you wondering, I'm an Athletics fan-- save your apologies. They have great young players that tend to fly under the radar. Two that come to mind are Jacob Wilson (SS), and Tyler Soderstrom (1B/OF).
Wilson finished the 2025 season with 151 hits, 63 RBI's and constantly finds a way to get on base for a chance at runs. If you've waited on shortstop, draft Wilson. As for Soderstrom, he showcases a quick bat with enough power to climb fences anywhere. His 25 home runs and 93 RBI's a season ago were a nice start to a career that is definitely trending upwards.
Outside of our Athletic duo, there is a ton of love for Vinnie Pasquantino. This Italian stallion plays first base for the Kansas City Royals. The bat looks like a breadstick in his hands. He sent 32 balls screaming for the seats in 2025. Look for him to improve upon this mark and exceed his fantasy draft day expectations.
Along with the names mentioned above; add these players to your list of players that you'll love in later rounds: CJ Abrams (SS), Andy Pages (OF), Emmet Sheehan (SP), Nick Lodolo (SP), Willy Adames (SS), Shota Imanaga (SP), Marcell Ozuna (DH), Luis Robert Jr. (OF), Lawrence Butler (OF), Drew Rasmussen (SP), Luis Garcia Jr. (2B), Oneil Cruz (OF).
All in all these are some of the best players to target in your fantasy baseball drafts. Make sure to check in with @FantasyFarmSports Youtube channel throughout the season for daily fantasy baseball starts and matchup advantages.
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