It’s only January, but fantasy baseball ADP trends are already forming. After our first 2026 fantasy baseball mock draft, several patterns stood out — and these themes will likely define early draft season before spring training reshapes the board.
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Early 2026 Fantasy Baseball ADP Trends
Here are the biggest early ADP trends we’re seeing.
1. Pitchers Are Going Earlier (Again)
Elite starters are being treated as:
- Category stabilizers
- Volume anchors
- Injury risks worth absorbing
Multiple pitchers entered Round 1, with many more pushing into Rounds 2–3.
Why it’s happening:
- Reliable innings are harder to find
- Strikeout floors matter more in H2H
- Managers want fewer weekly volatility swings
2. Closers Are Still Being Punted
Despite saves being a category:
- Closers consistently fell
- Only a few drafters paid early
This continues a long-standing trend:
- Saves are volatile
- Job security changes fast
- Managers prefer speculating late
Expect this trend to persist unless spring depth charts force clarity.
3. Middle Infield Is Drying Up Fast
Second base and shortstop became pain points early.
Once the top tier was gone:
- Managers reached
- ADP inflated quickly
- Flexibility disappeared
This makes early middle infield stability one of the safest investments in 2026 drafts.
4. Power Is Still King — But Context Matters
Pure power bats:
- Remain valuable
- Are being paired with AVG stabilizers
Drafters showed clear intent to balance categories, not chase one at the expense of others.
5. Buyback Season Is in Full Effect
Veterans coming off down or injured years are being drafted confidently.
Why?
- Proven ceilings
- Discounted ADP
- Roster spots that allow patience
This leads directly into one of the most important draft conversations of 2026…