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: Hitters
Fantasy baseball sleepers listed in order by consensus fantasy baseball ADP
Jonathan Aranda (1B – TB): ADP – 177
Speaking of line drive rate, Jonathan Aranda also eclipsed the 30% mark last year. While his BABIP is alarming at an unsustainable .409, the Rays’ first baseman does combine an excellent contact rate with above-average power. A fractured wrist shortened his season last year, but if he can stay healthy for the long haul, Aranda could produce like a mid-round talent but at a significant discount; especially sandwiched between Yandy Diaz and Junior Caminero.
Daylen Lile (OF – WAS): ADP – 192
Daylen Lile is one of my favorite sleepers for the 2026 season. He’s currently being drafted around 200th overall, but his athleticism and bat control make him a steal at that price. Out of every qualifying hitter last year, Lile led the league in line drive percentage. The Nats’ speedy outfielder mashed with a 32.3% line drive rate which pushed his expected batting average (xBA) to the top of the league.
Lile also performed well in the Minors last year, registering a .328 average across Double and Triple-A. He then joined the Major League club in late May and finished the season with a .299 average. He won’t hit a ton of homers (nine in 91 games) but combining his speed and line drive prowess he is an extra base machine. In just over half a season of at-bats, Lile was able to collect 15 doubles and a whopping 11 triples. If you play in a deeper league and need a boost for batting average this guy will almost assuredly help. I for one am gobbling up Lile wherever I can.
Bryan Reynolds (OF – PIT): ADP – 198
Bryan Reynolds has been a bit of a bust in recent years but has now reached underrated/sleeper status. Not only does he finally have a supporting cast but Reynolds should see a hefty dose of left-handed pitching. Surrounded by left-handed hitters who struggle against southpaws, opposing teams will likely go with a variety of lefties late in games to face the top of the order. Reynolds should be able to take advantage as he’s historically hit lefties better than righties.
Opposing teams also won’t be able to pitch around him as they could in the past when guys like Joey Bart were hitting behind him. The Pirates could surprise this season and I expect Reynolds to be a big reason why. He’s an excellent sleeper in the early 200s.
Sal Stewart (1B – CIN): ADP – 229
Sal Stewart blasted 20 home runs in the Minor Leagues last year while also stealing 17 bases. More impressively his strikeout rate was kept to a low 15.6% – a rarity for sluggers in today’s game.
Called up to the Reds in September, the stoutly 22-year-old launched another five homers in just 58 plate appearances. There are rumors that Stewart may not only make the Opening Day lineup but could hit as high as fifth or sixth in the lineup. Barring any type of success and the Reds lacking a true power threat, Stewart could find himself in the cleanup spot before long.
He knocked in 80 in 117 Minor League games last year and could very easily do the same this season on the big league club. He’s one of my top sleepers at the moment.
Dylan Beavers (OF – BAL): ADP – 301
Dylan Beavers is a former first-rounder who showed some nice promise in his rookie campaign. While the .227 average left plenty to be desired, his .375 OBP and .173 ISO proved he belongs. Expected to start in right field for the O’s this year, the 6-foot-5 24-year-old could be a handy contributor across multiple categories.
While Beavers stole just two bases in the Show last year, he did swipe 23 in the Minors and 31 in the year prior. Equipped with a sprint speed that ranks in the top 11% of the league, I fully expect Beavers to be granted the green light more often this year.
He might sit every so often versus lefties, but coming off of a 22/25 season (including the Minors) with nearly a 20% walk rate, Beavers has all the makings of a deep league sleeper for this year’s draft.
Andrew Vaughn (1B – MIL): 302 ADP
Andrew Vaughn will likely be the Brewers’ starting first baseman this season. The club paid him 7.5 million in arbitration to return after registering a team-leading (in the games, he was active) 46 RBI over 221 at-bats. Vaughn also hit over .300.
I truly believe the former third overall pick in the draft just needed a change of scenery. After hitting the ground running in his rookie campaign, Vaughn’s production tanked every season after. It can’t be easy playing for a team you know isn’t in contention. Plus, being surrounded by guys who are constantly making outs doesn’t help either.
If Vaughn is even remotely successful, he could have a banner year hitting behind the Brewers’ core and 85 RBIs are well within reach. Not bad for a guy who’s going undrafted in the majority of leagues.
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.