16 Mid-Round League Winners (2026 Fantasy Baseball)

Every draft has a sweet spot where leagues are quietly won. It sits between the early stars and the late lottery tickets, where value, upside, and opportunity collide.

These mid-round picks rarely come with hype, but they often decide championships. We asked our Featured Pros to identify the players who could turn solid drafts into league-winning ones in 2026.

Mid-Round League Winners

Pitchers

Which pitcher currently going in the middle rounds (Picks 60 – 120 in FantasyPros Consensus ADP) could end up being a league-winner who significantly outperforms their draft slot?

Kyle Bradish (SP – BAL)

“Kyle Bradish comes with obvious injury and innings-limit concerns, but few can match his production when he’s on the mound. The Orioles’ ace has posted an ERA below 2.85 and a WHIP under 1.08 in three consecutive seasons. He also strikes out well over a batter per inning (10.05 K/9 since 2023) and rarely gives up home runs (0.71 HR/9 since 2023). Bradish will likely be capped at around 150 innings, but those limits are already baked into his current draft price. If he can stay healthy, even with the shortened workload, Bradish could easily be a league winner at 79th overall.”
– Austin Lowell (Fantasy Baseball By The Numbers)

Jacob Misiorowski (SP – MIL)

“Even in an era of extreme velocity, Jacob Misiorowski is an outlier. He routinely tops triple digits with his 4-seamer, a pitch that held opponents to a .193 average last season. Misiorowski offers elite traits and ace-like upside at a mid-draft price, which is exactly the sort of pitcher we need to target. If we get 150 or so innings from him in 2026, he can deliver 180 Ks with glittering fantasy ratios.”
– Andy Behrens (The Deep Shot)

“If there is one pitcher going in the middle rounds with the talent to turn into a fantasy ace this year, it’s Jacob Misiorowski. He was dominant in his first three starts as a pro last year, only to hit the typical rookie bumps in the road. The walks still need to be harnessed, but even if he delivers an ERA around 3.50 and lowers the WHIP a bit, his substantial strikeout rate and win potential will make him well worth it.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)

Nolan McLean (SP – NYM)

“Nolan McLean certainly has the ability to be a difference maker for your roster. He’s dominated at every stop, including his 48 innings in the majors last year. Among qualified pitchers, he would’ve finished with the 3rd-highest strikeout rate. He also threw 161 innings last year, so unlike many young pitchers, he could throw the innings to finish as a top pitcher.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)

“The pitcher currently going in the middle rounds (Picks 60 – 120) in FantasyPros Consensus ADP) that could end up being a league-winner who significantly outperforms their draft slot is Nolan McLean. McLean isn’t just another hyped arm; he’s arguably the best pitching prospect in baseball entering 2026. His strikeout production is already translating to the MLB level with his 10.7 K/9 debut. His slider and sweeper have elite movement, and his fastball is touching 98 mph. This combination gives McLean true SP1 upside immediately, not the typical “rookie learning curve” profile. You’re not drafting a prospect, you’re drafting a potential top 10 strikeout arm immediately. If you’re looking for the pitcher who becomes this year’s Spencer Strider or Tarik Skubal-type breakout, Nolan McLean is one of my top bets on the draft board.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

Chase Burns (SP – CIN)

“Some of my preferred targets in Nathan Eovaldi (121), Michael King (122), and Cam Schlittler (128) fell just outside the question’s consensus ECR parameters. While I may not target starting pitching heavily in this range, it’s awfully difficult to ignore Chase Burns’ upside despite the immense risk. Skeptics already took Twitter victory laps over him supposedly not making the Opening Day roster before Reds manager Terry Francona announced Tuesday that Burns will start the season in Cincinnati. An innings cap remains probable, but Burns is still a burgeoning ace who stockpiled 67 strikeouts and a 15.8% swinging-strike rate in 43.1 innings last season. Although this may end horribly, I’m still much more tempted to get burned by Burns than the rest of this high-risk, high-reward tier featuring Spencer Strider, Brandon Woodruff, and Jacob Misiorowski.”
– Andrew Gould (FantasyPros)

“In 2026, I’m very high on Chase Burns because of his profile, not his relatively lackluster 113.2 Average ADP. It took him a year to travel from Low-A in the Minors to the Majors in large part because he has elite fastball velocity and a swing-and-miss breaking ball. Once in the Show, he struck out double-digit major league hitters in four of five rookie starts. His K/9 could be a league leader, needing only his ratios to catch up to his “stuff,” to be a Top 10 starter currently being drafted outside the Top 100/10 rounds. By my count, there are only three elite starters in Fantasy baseball (Skubal/Skenes/Crochet), and there were only 12 200+ strikeout pitchers in 2025. Burns has the potential to be a fourth, making the #113th pick in the draft a league-winner and enormous value in ’26.”
– Chris Mitchell (FantasyData)

Tyler Glasnow (SP – LAD)

“Tyler Glasnow has already shown he can pitch like an ace when healthy, but he is still being drafted outside the top tier of starting pitchers. His strikeout upside is among the best in baseball, and pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers gives him elite win potential, especially with Edwin Diaz locking down games in the ninth inning. If Glasnow can stay on the mound for a full season, he has the ability to outperform his draft position, finish as one of the top starting pitchers in fantasy baseball, and potentially be a Cy Young contender.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

Joe Ryan (SP – MIN)

“Joe Ryan is going as the 23rd pitcher off the board with an ADP of 74. He’s coming off his best season, which saw him set career bests in innings and ERA, and, according to Fangraphs’ player rater, was the 16th most valuable pitcher last season. Ryan has been really consistent since his debut in 2021. His ERA has ranged between 3.42 and 4.51, and his WHIP has been 1.10 or better in three of the last four seasons. He’s never had more than 13 wins in a season, but one lucky year in that regard could see him as a top-10 pitcher in fantasy.”
– Chase Davis (FantasyPros)

Dylan Cease (SP – TOR)

“Dylan Cease stands out for me as a potential league-winning option for those who wait or miss out on one of the top-tier options in drafts with an ADP of 69. The right-hander has recorded over 200 strikeouts in each of his last five seasons, offering ace-level stuff despite a down 2025 campaign (8-12, 1.33 WHIP, 4.55 ERA) with the San Diego Padres. I would have zero issue with taking Cease over Logan Gilbert (ADP 39), Chris Sale (ADP 40), and Cole Ragans (ADP 50) in any format while grabbing top position player options.”
– Chris Schommer (FantasyPros)

Hitters

Which hitter currently going in the middle rounds (Picks 60 – 120 in FantasyPros Consensus ADP) could end up being a league-winner who significantly outperforms their draft slot?

Corey Seager (SS – TEX)

“It’s Corey Seager for me. Not only is he a perennial All-Star, but he consistently outperforms his projections every year. His injury woes have caused him to slip in most drafts, but snagging Seager past 75th overall is highway robbery. Show me another player with an OPS+ above 150 going this late in the draft—I’ll wait… The Rangers’ offense has been in session all winter to help turn last year’s struggles around. Hitting coach Justin Viele has been grinding in the lab with the lineup, which should boost Seager’s supporting cast—and, in turn, his overall numbers. He’s a massive value pick in Round 8.”
– Austin Lowell (Fantasy Baseball By The Numbers)

“We’ve collectively become so concerned about the injury risk attached to Corey Seager that we may have forgotten he’s actually one of the best hitters in the game. The likelihood of an IL stint is obviously priced into his ADP (85.4), but the possibility of a massive four-category season is not. Let’s simply remember that he’s only two years removed from hitting 33 bombs and driving in 96 runs while batting .327/.390/.623 across 119 games. Drafting a hitter of his quality beyond the sixth round is basically like stealing.”
– Andy Behrens (The Deep Shot)

Michael Busch (1B – CHC)

“His name doesn’t seem like a “league-winner” type, but Michael Busch should easily outperform his current ADP. The narrative that he may not play against every left-handed pitcher has dropped his ADP to a point that I don’t understand. He may not play against every single left-handed pitcher, so what? He finished 67th on the Razzball Player Rater last year with those same limitations. Vinnie Pasquantino is going 2 rounds or more before Busch, even though they ended last year with almost identical lines. That don’t make no sense! P.S. I also love Luke Keaschall in the mid rounds.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)

Oneil Cruz (OF – PIT)

“Oneil Cruz *could* be a league-winner who significantly outperforms his No. 91 ECR and No. 85 consensus ADP. He could also bat .200 again and get stuck in a platoon if he doesn’t improve last year’s dreadful .400 OPS against lefties. The enigmatic outfielder is a special talent who crushed balls at the highest average exit velocity last year (95.8), so there’s a universe where he delivers first-round value with 30 homers, 40 steals, and a tolerable batting average. I’m honestly not sure if I have the stomach to absorb this much downside on a top-100 pick, but hey, you asked which hitter *could* be a league-winner.”
– Andrew Gould (FantasyPros)

Kyle Stowers (OF – MIA)

“Kyle Stowers had an impressive 2025 stat line of .288 average with 25 home runs and five stolen bases in 117 games played. His exit velocities are well above average, and the home runs confirm his ability to square it up. With an ADP of 114, you could be getting a .270/290 hitter and a 35 home run slugger with the potential for 10-15 stolen bases thrown in for flavor. To get those numbers at that part of the draft, when, let’s say Alex Bregman, who you need to acquire at #88 overall, who could produce less and cost significantly more, Stowers could be the same or a better player at a steep discount. That’s the kind of value that wins leagues. By the way. Colson Montgomery has an ADP of 178 with a profile at 3B/SS that could result in a 40-home-run season in 2026. He’s outside #60-90, so I didn’t profile him, but grab him up. He’s a potential league winner as well at that ADP.”
– Chris Mitchell (FantasyData)

Luke Keaschall (2B – MIN)

“While power hitters get all the glory, a player who can hit over .300 is far more valuable these days. Luke Keaschall not only has the hit tool to potentially compete for a batting title, but he could also churn out 30 or more steals. He proved this by stealing 14 bases in just 49 games last year. All of this production also comes at second base, one of the thinnest positions for fantasy in 2026.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)

Teoscar Hernandez (OF – LAD)

“Teoscar Hernandez continues to be undervalued in fantasy drafts despite offering consistent power production. Batting in a loaded Los Angeles Dodgers lineup gives him plenty of RBI and run-scoring opportunities, and his 30 home run and 100 RBI potential make him a strong value in the middle rounds. If he maintains everyday at-bats in that lineup, Hernandez has a great chance to outperform his draft position and provide top-tier production for a discounted price. You are essentially getting a likely MLB All-Star in the ninth round.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)

Jackson Merrill (OF – SD)

“Jackson Merrill is a potential league-winner with an ADP of 65. He was limited to 115 games in 2025, but put up solid numbers when on the field. As a rookie in 2024, his strikeout rate was only 17%, and his mix of power and speed was valuable. Even in his injury-plagued sophomore season, his xwOBA was in the 80th percentile, and his xSLG was in the 86th percentile. The steals would need to return for him to be a league-winner, but we know he’s got it in the tank.”
– Chase Davis (FantasyPros)

Vinnie Pasquantino (1B – KC)

“The hitter currently going in the middle rounds (Picks 60 – 120) in FantasyPros Consensus ADP) that could end up being a league-winner who significantly outperforms their draft slot is Vinnie Pasquantino. I find myself either missing out or passing on top 1st basemen in my fantasy baseball league drafts, but not hitting the panic button for a source of power. Pasquantino shone in the World Baseball Classic and is poised for a huge season. At an ADP around 78th overall / 10th 1B, you’re drafting him like a mid-tier corner bat, but he’s delivering near-elite category juice in RBI, one of the hardest stats to find later in drafts. RBI is highly lineup-dependent, and he’s locked into a premium spot hitting behind high-OBP players like Bobby Witt Jr., giving him consistent volume. My take on this is that you’re getting top-40 category impact at a pick around 75-80.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)

Agustin Ramirez (C – MIA)

“Agustin Ramirez just scratched the surface of his high-upside at the plate, making the catcher a potential league-winning option in the middle of drafts for fantasy managers, sitting at an ADP of 108 currently. His rookie campaign resulted in posting a .700 OPS with 21 home runs and 67 RBI with the added bonus of 16 stolen bases for the Miami Marlins during the 2925 season. As long as he continues to showcase his run-producing bat in Miami, I would feel safe snagging Ramirez over options with higher ADPs such as Michael Busch (ADP 102), Salvador Perez (ADP 97), Christian Yelich (ADP 92), and Bo Bichette (ADP 87).”
– Chris Schommer (FantasyPros)