Is it that time again, already? Time to give away all my secrets for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. I don’t know about you, but I’m psyched for MLB in 2026. If it’s anything like last year, we’re in for a special treat. Let’s get straight to it. Here are a few of my favorite early fantasy baseball sleepers.
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Fantasy Baseball Sleepers to Draft: Pitchers
Fantasy baseball sleepers listed in order by consensus fantasy baseball ADP
Bubba Chandler (SP – PIT): 176 ADP
Bubba Chandler is perhaps not a sleeper because of all the buzz already surrounding him. That said, he could still easily blow by his draft capital. After finally earning his call-up late last year, Chandler pitched like a grizzled vet. The 24-year-old walked just four batters over 31.1 innings while striking out 31. His outstanding 21.8 K-BB% helped lead to a fine 2.66 FIP despite producing a 4.02 ERA. The power righty regularly did well on the farm as well, averaging over 12 K/9 with a home run rate under 0.84/9.
His ADP is a bit steep for an unproven arm, but many of the top scouts couldn’t stop raving about him last year. Chandler should be given a chance in the starting rotation from day one where he’s got a good shot at performing like a solid number two behind Paul Skenes.
Shane McClanahan (SP – TB): 215 ADP
It wouldn’t be right to do a sleepers article without mentioning Shane McClanahan. The Rays starter was one of the top aces in all of baseball before dealing with multiple arm injuries over the past three seasons. How much he’ll pitch or at what level is anyone’s guess, but the Rays’ organization is bullish on his return and hopeful for production.
He can be had for next to nothing, so if you feel like gambling in the late rounds give him a shot. If he’s throwing 89 in spring and Tampa announces his move to the bullpen or back to the IL to rehab, then dropping him won’t be a major loss. However, if McClanahan does defy odds, then you’ve possibly got a league winner on your hands.
Connelly Early (SP – BOS): ADP – 225
The Red Sox just signed Ranger Suarez to a long-term deal, but there’s still one spot in the Boston rotation up for grabs. Between now and Opening Day plenty of other pieces could be on the move, but Connelly Early could be a massive asset this season for fantasy managers.
Early showed his dominance in the high Minors last year and continued that trend when promoted to the Big Leagues. In four MLB starts (19.1 IP), Early was able to maintain a 36.7 K% while holding opponents to just four walls, no homers, and five earned runs. His ERA was 2.33 (he posted a 2.60 ERA over 100 innings in the minors) and a 1.09 WHIP (1.11 in the minors).
While the hard-throwing Payton Tolle got most of the publicity, it was Early who was quietly dominating. With Patrick Sandoval and Kutter Crawford possibly returning from injury, Early could very easily start the season in Triple-A. However, if the Red Sox are serious about capturing that division title, I expect to see them utilize Early sooner than later.
Jack Flaherty (SP – DET): ADP 239
Jack Flaherty will return to Detroit this season in what hopes to be a bounce-back year. Flaherty struggled in 2025 by allowing too much hard contact (43.8%) and too few ground balls (37.1 %). Those inferior numbers led to an unfavorable 4.64 ERA and 1.28 WHIP – not great for fantasy purposes. The good news is, the former Cy Young contender is just one year removed from a 2.95 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP over 18 starts for the Tigers.
Flaherty is a gamer who won’t rest on his laurels as he hopes to increase his value approaching free agency. The commanding righty is still just 30 years old and should have at least a few more solid years in him. I fully expect some form of an ROI and even if he ends up with an ERA close to 4.00 and 188 strikeouts towards the end of the draft is not something to be taken lightly.
Robby Snelling (SP – MIA): ADP – 379
Robby Snelling will likely start the season in Triple-A but few prospects will enter the year with a higher ceiling. Snelling dominated Triple-A last season producing a microscopic 1.27 ERA over 11 starts. Some of that was aided by an unsustainable 90% stand-rate but it does speak to his ability to pitch with runners on and in the clutch. His K/9 was excellent at 11.45 and he held opponents to just four home runs over 63.2 innings pitched.
Snelling also exhibits great control, maintaining a walk rate of under 7%. With Ryan Weathers and Edward Cabrera recently shipped out of town, the back end of the rotation could be filled by Snelling and fellow top prospect Thomas White before long.
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.