Early fantasy baseball draft season is when you can still buy uncertainty at a discount. Then spring training hits, a team hints at an Opening Day role, and the draft room starts pushing fantasy baseball prospects 100 picks ahead of where they “should” go. On a recent fantasy baseball podcast episode, we discussed the top prospects to consider in fantasy baseball drafts.
Fantasy Baseball Prospects Experts Love to Draft
On the FantasyPros Baseball Podcast, Joe Orrico and Chris Welsh laid out a simple, useful framework for prospect drafting in 2026 redraft leagues:
- Elite upside prospects who can turn into top-100 picks overnight if a contract or roster commitment drops.
- Likely impact call-ups who have a clearer path to playing time and can pay off even as late-round fliers.
- Deeper radar names who may not be draftable in most home leagues right now, but will be instant waiver wars if the job opens.
Here are must-have fantasy baseball prospects to consider in your upcoming drafts. And check out the full episode below:
10 Must-Have Fantasy Baseball Prospects
Below are the 10 “must-have” names from the show, organized into those tiers, with the key fantasy question for each: what has to happen for this player to matter in your 2026 draft?
Tier 1: Elite upside (the helium tier)
Why he’s a must-have: Five-category potential. On the show, his profile was painted as a do-everything bat: average, patience/OBP skills, 20-plus homer pop, and double-digit steals.
What changes everything: Detroit actually giving him an Opening Day job. Welsh pointed out the organization has been unusually open about him being “ready,” plus he showed position flexibility in the Arizona Fall League (including work at third). That matters because the playing-time puzzle is real.
Draft note: In early drafts, he’s priced like a late dart. If you’re drafting now, you’re betting on the shot at breaking camp.
Why he’s a must-have: The true unicorn skill set. The show compared his upside to an O’Neil Cruz-style fantasy profile, but with more consistent contact, and the ceiling outcome being something like a 20/40 type season down the road.
What changes everything: A contract/commitment that removes the incentive to slow-play service time. That’s the entire game with Griffin. The talent is loud; the timeline is the risk.
Draft note: Orrico made the key point: without clarity, paying inside the top 200 can get uncomfortable fast, because the “not up until July” path exists if Pittsburgh slow-rolls him.
Tier 2: “If they break camp, you want them” targets
Why he’s a must-have: Power-speed with a real path. The show discussed him as a player who could be in the Opening Day outfield mix, and his early ADP cost is still light.
What changes everything: Any major outfield addition changes the math (the episode specifically framed “rumors” of a big signing/trade as a potential roadblock). If the path stays open, Benge has the kind of skill set that plays immediately in fantasy.
Draft note: Great target in deeper formats because the price is low enough that you’re not paying for a perfect outcome.
Why he’s a must-have: Stolen bases that can swing a category. The show emphasized a profile that looks a lot like vintage Carl Crawford: average, speed, and a ton of ground balls.
The tradeoff: He’s not a power add, and lineup slot matters. If he hits low in the order, runs/RBI can be lighter than the stolen base total suggests.
Draft note: In drafts where speed dries up quickly, Crawford’s “cheap steals” angle is real. Just don’t build a roster that needs him to pop 15 homers.
Why he’s a must-have: Strikeouts and a potential early-season rotation opportunity. The show framed him as one of the key non-debut pitching prospects to monitor, especially after a rotation-opening trade scenario discussed on the episode.
What changes everything: One more move (or one spring injury). Even if he doesn’t break camp, the tone was clear: Snelling is expected to matter this year.
Draft note: He’s the kind of stash that makes more sense in formats with deeper benches, NA spots, or a churn-friendly waiver wire.
Why he’s a must-have: Power-speed from a corner infield spot is fantasy gold. The episode highlighted huge stolen base totals and strong plate skills.
What changes everything: The Phillies’ infield dominoes. If a veteran blocker is moved, Miller’s runway changes quickly.
Draft note: He’s the kind of name you circle for spring training news because the role clarity is the whole value.
Why he’s a must-have: The bet here is talent plus role. Orrico and Welsh acknowledged the post-injury results have been uneven, but also pointed to the velocity, deep pitch mix, and a legitimate rotation shot.
Draft note: Painter is the classic “market fatigue” prospect. If the room is out because the stat line wasn’t pretty, you can often buy at a discount.
Tier 3: Deeper radar prospects (watchlist now, pounce later)
Why he’s a must-have: The skill set is close to MLB-ready, and the path could open at second base. The show framed him as someone who might be more valuable in real life than fantasy, but still provides average/OBP with some pop and speed.
Draft note: In most home leagues, he’s a watchlist guy until spring reports turn into a real competition.
Why he’s a must-have: The episode was bullish on the bat. Power, speed, plus approach. If the Cardinals move pieces (or reshuffle the infield), Wetherholt becomes a priority add.
Draft note: If you hear “competing for a job,” the window closes quickly. That’s your green light.
Why he’s a must-have: Plate discipline and upside. The show framed him as a possible “people are already bored” prospect, but the on-base foundation can get him to the majors fast if the bat looks right in spring.
Draft note: In standard formats, he’s often a watchlist name unless camp reports are loud. In deeper formats, he’s a late stash if you can afford the spot.
Fantasy Baseball Takeaways
Who are the two elite “must-have” prospects for 2026 drafts?
Kevin McGonigle and Konnor Griffin, because their prices can jump 100 picks if they get an Opening Day commitment.
Which prospects have the clearest 2026 playing-time paths?
Carson Benge, Justin Crawford, and Andrew Painter have the most immediate path if camp news cooperates.
Which pitching prospects should redraft players prioritize?
Robby Snelling and Andrew Painter are the two arms the show centered as high-impact, near-term options.
