Position Scarcity Strategy & Draft Advice (2026 Fantasy Baseball)

Position scarcity in fantasy baseball isn’t simply about filling your roster — it’s about understanding the drop‑off in production from the top players at a position to the middle and lower tiers.

Owners who follow this strategy can draft more efficiently, maximize value and build rosters that outperform their average draft slot. Using this approach also helps you avoid draft day panic because you’re drafting with purpose and structure.

We will use average draft position (ADP) to evaluate each position. This highlights the strengths and weaknesses across the board and helps determine when certain positions should be targeted.

FantasyPros’ ADP data will be used to break down the top 300 players into three tiers. Keep in mind that combining ADP across multiple fantasy platforms can create discrepancies. Some players also have multi‑position eligibility, which can make certain positions appear deeper than they truly are.

Position Scarcity Strategy

Before you draft, know your player pool. Position flexibility is valuable, so check your league’s eligibility rules ahead of time.

Catchers

1-100 ADP: 7
101-200 ADP: 10
201-300 ADP: 6

The catcher position has historically been difficult to draft, often forcing owners to reach earlier than they’d like to secure a top‑tier option. However, last season brought a wave of reliable hitters at the position.

You could take Cal Raleigh, but you also have the luxury of waiting if you prefer to focus on other positions. Youngster Agustin Ramirez and veteran Salvador Perez are available in the latter portion of the top 100. Think Adley Rutschman could bounce back? He sits in the mid‑100s.

Several teams also have intriguing young catchers like Carter Jensen and Samuel Basallo.

Overall, the position is deeper this year. Even in two‑catcher leagues, you can secure solid contributors without drafting the position earlier than you’d prefer.

First Basemen

1-100 ADP: 12
101-200 ADP: 7
201-300 ADP: 11

With several options inside the top 100, most managers can draft a strong starting first baseman. Even if you wait until after the fifth round, players like Vinnie Pasquantino and Tyler Soderstrom should be available. Some top options — such as Ben Rice and Salvador Perez — also carry catcher eligibility.

Landing a top‑tier first baseman is very attainable, and you can still grab high‑upside depth pieces like Munetaka Murakami, Sal Stewart and Kazuma Okamoto in the 200–300 range.

Second Basemen

1-100 ADP: 5
101-200 ADP: 8
201-300 ADP: 12

For the second straight year, second base is the weakest position, with only 25 players inside the top 300. You’ll need to draft this position earlier if you want a top‑tier option.

Ketel Marte and Jazz Chisholm Jr. headline the group, with Chisholm also eligible at third base. Jackson Holliday and Luke Keaschall sit just outside the top 100. Due to scarcity, both could be drafted earlier than expected.

Don’t wait too long to secure a second baseman. Ideally, you should aim for at least a top‑200 option as your starter. You might be able to grab Ozzie Albies just after pick 100 and hope for a rebound.

There aren’t many young late‑round targets, but keep an eye on JJ Wetherholt and how the Cardinals plan to use him. He may have second‑base eligibility and could break camp with the team.

Third Basemen

1-100 ADP: 6
101-200 ADP: 8
201-300 ADP: 14

Drafting Jose Ramirez in the first round is a safe, reliable choice. Waiting a few rounds for Manny Machado is also a strong option. Jordan Westburg, Noelvi Marte and Alex Bregman are solid choices in the early 100–200 range.

The 200–300 tier is less exciting. Maybe Jorge Polanco builds on last year’s success. Maybe Alec Bohm rebounds after logging nearly 100 fewer at‑bats last season. He’s a player to monitor in spring training.

Younger options in this range are scarce. Caleb Durbin won’t hurt your ratios, but he’s not a dependable everyday fantasy starter.

Shortstops

1-100 ADP: 13
101-200 ADP: 7
201-300 ADP: 11

Like first base, you can secure a top‑tier shortstop without much trouble. Bobby Witt Jr. and Elly De La Cruz are first‑round favorites. Mookie Betts could be a value pick compared to recent years.

Later in the top 100, players like Bo Bichette, Corey Seager and Jeremy Pena offer strong production. Maikel Garcia is rising and is worth monitoring. Check your platform to see if he carries second base or third base eligibility, which would make him an excellent mid‑100s pick.

Mid‑tier shortstops can provide solid depth or fill a middle‑infield spot if your league uses one.

You could take a flier on top prospect Konnor Griffin in the 200–300 range, but don’t expect him to debut this season.

Outfielders

1-100 ADP: 25
101-200 ADP: 26
201-300 ADP: 23

Plenty of options here. Depending on your league settings, you may need to fill three to five outfield spots. If you only start three, you ideally want those players coming from the top two tiers. If you start five, you’ll need to dip into the 200–300 range, where there are still quality options.

In the mid‑200s to 300 range, players like Jac Caglianone and Chase DeLauter stand out. DeLauter, in particular, could be a strong value pick near the bottom of the top 200. Outfielders make up at least one‑third of your lineup, but it’s fine to spread out your picks.

There’s plenty of value throughout the top 300. Just avoid overloading on outfielders too early, as it can limit your flexibility at other positions.

Starting Pitchers

1-100 ADP: 25
101-200 ADP: 34
201-300 ADP: 23

Like the outfield, starting pitching is deep. You can easily come away with a couple of top‑100 arms. Pitching always carries injury risk, so waiting is a viable strategy. There are more options in the 100–200 range anyway.

Even if you skip pitching early, you can double up in the mid‑100s with reliable arms like Max Fried, Logan Webb or Freddy Peralta. From there, you could add Luis Castillo, Ryan Pepiot or Shane Bieber in the same range.

If you want, you can build an entire rotation of top‑200 pitchers. Waiting even longer, you can draft pitchers like Jack Flaherty, Bryce Miller and Jack Leiter are available in the mid‑200s.

Gerrit Cole, despite starting the season on the injured list (IL), is expected back by late May and sits around a fantasy baseball ADP of 220.

Relief Pitchers

1-100 ADP: 10
101-200 ADP: 12
201-300 ADP: 8

If you’re serious about competing in saves and don’t want to punt the category, you’ll need to draft relievers early from the top tier. Once the run on closers begins, it doesn’t stop until you’re staring at a barren wasteland of White Sox and Rockies relievers.

The first top relief pitcher doesn’t appear until the late 30s with Edwin Diaz. The wave likely starts when Cade Smith or Josh Hader is drafted, both around ADPs of 50. After that, five more relievers appear in the top 100, ending with Raisel Iglesias.

There are more options in the second tier, but the longer you wait, the thinner it gets. You can always take late fliers on bullpen arms, and at a cheaper draft cost, the risk is minimal.

Monitor spring training reports for closer battles and standout bullpen performances. Staying alert can help you land valuable relief pitchers at a discount.