Top 25 Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects (2026)

The 2026 MLB and fantasy baseball seasons are quickly approaching. One thing to start thinking of is the top prospects to have on your draft board that could provide value during this season. Below are 25 fantasy baseball prospects to consider drafting that could play a role on your squad at some point, be that Opening Day or later in the season.

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings

1. Tatsuya Imai (SP – HOU)

After signing a three-year deal with the Astros, Tatsuya Imai should slot right into the middle of their starting rotation on Opening Day. In his final season in Japan, he went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA, striking out 178 batters across 163.2 innings.

2. Samuel Basallo (C – BAL)

Samuel Basallo signed an eight-year deal worth $67 million with the Orioles back in August, leading me to believe he’ll be on the Opening Day roster. I’d expect that to be perhaps at designated hitter and backup catcher duties.

3. Trey Yesavage (SP – TOR)

Trey Yesavage logged three starts before the end of the regular season and had a nice run in the postseason, logging 27.2 innings and a 3.58 ERA. I’d be pretty surprised if he’s not part of the rotation on Opening Day.

4. Chase DeLauter (OF – CLE)

Chase DeLauter made his MLB debut late in 2025 after hitting .278 and posting a .859 OPS in 34 games at Triple-A. Expect him out there in a starting outfielder spot, despite how often he’s been injured.

5. Carter Jensen (C – KC)

If you’re punting the catcher position, Carter Jensen could be a decent option. Across 60 at-bats, he hit .300/.391/.457 with eight home runs, 13 doubles, and 32 RBI. He’s another player who I believe will make the Opening Day roster in some capacity.

6. Nolan McLean (SP – NYM)

Across 48 innings last year, Nolan McLean went 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and posted a 10.7 K/9. He’ll be in the rotation on Opening Day.

7. Justin Crawford (OF – PHI)

The son of former Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford, Justin Crawford appears poised to be the Opening Day center fielder for the Phillies. At Triple-A last season, he hit .334/.411/.452 with 46 stolen bases.

8. Bubba Chandler (SP – PIT)

Across seven games and four starts, Bubba Chandler went 4-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 31.1 innings. He should open the season as their No. 4 or No. 5 starting pitcher.

9. Bryce Eldridge (1B – SF)

Standing 6-foot-7, Bryce Eldridge is still just 21 years old. He didn’t have a great appearance in the Majors last season, hitting .107 across 28 at-bats, but after a great season at Triple-A, he has a chance to make the Opening Day roster, or arrive shortly thereafter as perhaps a designated hitter.

10. JJ Wetherholt (2B – STL)

JJ Wetherholt settled into his first professional season in 2025. Across 408 combined Double-A and Triple-A at-bats, he hit .306 with 17 home runs, 59 RBI and 23 stolen bases.

If Wetherholt doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, he’ll be up at some point this season, especially with the team trading Nolan Arenado to the Diamondbacks.

11. Sal Stewart (1B – CIN)

Another player I expect on the Opening Day roster is Sal Stewart. After hitting .309 with 20 home runs in Double-A and Triple-A last season, Stewart will likely be the Opening Day designated hitter for the Reds. In 55 at-bats for the big-league squad in 2025, he hit .255 with five home runs.