Single league fantasy basebal drafts are not for the faint of heart. Position players are scarce, especially in the second half, and good luck finding a reliable second closer. That said, they do present players with a unique experience, one that can be very rewarding.
A key aspect of playing in single leagues is knowing which positions carry the most depth and where there’s a major fall-off in talent. Today, I’ve done my best to exploit those observations and offer you a few sneaky value picks.
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Out of the top 100 projected NL-Only players, there are six catchers, five first basemen, six second basemen, 12 shortstops, six third basemen, 22 outfielders, 28 starting pitchers and 10 relievers. While position scarcity is evident, first base is what really stands out.
Not only are there just five first basemen in the top 100, but the drop-off between the fifth- and sixth-ranked first basemen is quite drastic. The lack of depth at the position is in stark contrast to the American League, where 13 first basemen rank inside the top 100. While you’re used to plenty of quality first basemen to choose from, that is not the case in the National League.
Players to Target in NL-Only Fantasy Baseball Leagues
Here are five standouts you should target in NL-Only fantasy baseball drafts.
Michael Busch (1B – CHC)
While landing one of the top four first basemen in the National League is ideal, those players come with a hefty price tag. If one of them falls to you, obviously, take him, but Michael Busch is a solid consolation prize if you miss out.
As my colleague Kelly Kirby points out in his player report, Busch has developed into one of the more reliable power-hitting first basemen in the league. In 2025, he blasted 34 home runs with a .523 slugging rate and a 147 OPS+. He also gets on base at a strong clip, drawing nearly 60 walks last season.
Busch usually bats leadoff, which can slightly cap his RBI totals, but he makes up for it with plenty of runs scored. He won’t steal more than a handful of bases, but a 90-run, 30-homer, 85-RBI season with a .260 average is well within range. Those numbers are excellent for an NL-Only first baseman. If you miss out on the elite tier, don’t pass up the opportunity to draft Busch.
Max Muncy (3B – LAD)
Max Muncy is a great value at his current average draft position (ADP). After addressing his vision issues and returning to full strength, Muncy was one of the more productive bats in the National League. He’ll likely be the eighth or ninth third baseman off the board, but he has the upside to perform like a top-three or top-four option.
Muncy already launched three home runs this spring while hitting .345 with a 1.061 OPS. Surrounded by the Dodgers’ loaded lineup, Muncy could put up massive numbers this year. His production during his hot two-month stretch last season (50 RBI and 12 home runs in 50 games) is a strong reminder of that upside.
Bo Bichette (SS – NYM)
I love Bo Bichette this year at his current draft cost. He has quietly been one of the best hitters in baseball with runners in scoring position (RISP). In fact, he led the majors in batting average with RISP last season.
With Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor hitting in front of him, Bichette could easily surpass 100 RBI. A .300 batting average is also well within reach, as is 20+ home runs. He doesn’t run as much as he used to, but he’s still a smart baserunner and should score plenty of runs.
The drop-off after Bichette is fairly steep, with Willy Adames, Dansby Swanson and Xavier Edwards next in line. While all three are solid players, they can’t come close to the offensive ceiling Buchette provides. The former Blue Jay should also gain third base eligibility by the end of the first week, which adds to his value.
Zack Wheeler (SP – PHI)
Zack Wheeler has fallen to the 21st-ranked starting pitcher in NL-Only league drafts. Despite the injury concerns, he’s easily worth a higher selection. Wheeler is already pitching in minor league games and should be back by mid-to-late April.
There’s always a chance he’s eased in slowly, with a pitch count early on, but Wheeler is a true ace. He is arguably a top-five pitcher in all of baseball when healthy and has proven it year after year. His draft stock has already started to rise as he progresses in his recovery, but he’s still available at a significant discount.
While there’s risk, many of the top 20 National League pitchers carry similar concerns. Brandon Woodruff, Michael King, Blake Snell, Spencer Strider and Tyler Glasnow are all coming off injury-impacted seasons as well. Reports suggest Wheeler is on track in his rehab, and if he’s anywhere close to his usual form, he could easily return top-10 or top-five value.
Dennis Santana (RP – PIT)
Give me all the shares of Dennis Santana. Unlike the Brewers’ situation — where Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill are competing for saves — Santana has little to no competition for the closer role.
Once the top-tier closers are off the board, Santana offers strong value later in drafts. He’ll likely be the ninth closer selected, but I prefer him over several names going ahead of him. The Pirates should be an improved team this season, which should translate into more save opportunities.
If he stays healthy, Santana has a legitimate shot at 30 saves, strong ratios and better than a strikeout per inning. What more could you ask for out of a closer you can get in the 11th round?
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Austin Lowell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Austin, check out his archive.
