Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet: Power & Speed Categories (2026)

Prioritizing power is a smart strategy in fantasy baseball drafts because home runs can touch multiple categories, including batting average/on-base percentage (OBP), runs and RBI. But you also have to be mindful about stolen bases, as you want to build a balanced team that can contend for a championship.

I’ve created a cheat sheet for power and speed targets in the first 13 rounds, using FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP) data. In each round, I’ll provide one power target and one speed target.

Power and Speed Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet

Use this cheat sheet as a guide throughout your fantasy baseball drafts. Do note that some of these players can contribute in both power and speed.

Round 1

Power: Aaron Judge (OF, DH – NYY)
Speed: Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF – ATL)

If you have a top-two pick and want to prioritize power, Aaron Judge is the way to go. The Yankees superstar has 50+ home runs in three of his last four seasons. If you’re between picks 4-9, Ronald Acuna Jr. is a good pick for speed. He’s fully healthy now and ready to run wild again. Don’t be surprised to see 40+ stolen bases.

Round 2

Power: Kyle Schwarber (OF, DH – PHI)
Speed: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B, 3B – NYY)

Kyle Schwarber is coming off a massive season where he hit 56 home runs. You can pair him with Aaron Judge to supercharge your team for power. Or, you can go with Jazz Chisholm Jr., who could swipe 40+ bags in a contract year.

Round 3

Power: Yordan Alvarez (OF, DH – HOU)
Speed: Zach Neto (SS – LAA)

Yordan Alvarez is only going this low because of an injury-plagued 2025 season. When healthy, Alvarez can hit .300 with 40+ home runs. Zach Neto is a 30-30 threat, bringing the type of category juice you want when prioritizing upside.

Round 4

Power: Brent Rooker (OF, DH – ATH)
Speed: Brice Turang (2B – MIL)

Brent Rooker has become a perennial 30+ home run hitter. You have to love that he gets to hit in a minor league bandbox. Brice Turang had a power surge last year, but he’s swiped 50+ bags in the past. I wouldn’t be shocked to see 30+ once again.

Round 5

Power: Austin Riley (3B – ATL)
Speed: Jarren Duran (OF – BOS)

Austin Riley is one of my favorite bounce-back candidates, as his struggles are related to injury, and he’s entering his age-28 season. Jarren Duran is a 25+ stolen base threat who can approach 20 homers as well.

Round 6

Power: Shea Langeliers (C – ATH)
Speed: Maikel Garcia (2B, 3B, SS, OF – KC)

If you want to target power at catcher, Shea Langeliers is a great choice. He cut his strikeout rate while slugging 31 homers last year. Maikel Garcia provides rare speed at third base, where you don’t often find this category.

Round 7

Power: Tyler Soderstrom (1B, OF – ATH)
Speed: Randy Arozarena (OF – SEA)

Yet another Athletic is on this list in Tyler Soderstrom. We like targeting this team because of their favorable home ballpark. Soderstrom has 30+ home run upside. While Randy Arozarena can hurt your batting average, he’s a perennial 30+ stolen base threat.

Round 8

Power: Eugenio Suarez (3B – CIN)
Speed: Nico Hoerner (2B – CHC)

Eugenio Suarez is back in Cincinnati, giving him a great shot at hitting 40+ home runs again in the bandbox that is Great American Ball Park. Nico Hoerner is set for a contract year, so don’t be surprised to see him run more, making 40+ steals within range.

Round 9

Power: Salvador Perez (C, 1B, DH – KC)
Speed: Michael Harris II (OF – ATL)

Salvador Perez continues to be among the best power hitters at catcher, showing no signs of slowing down. With the fences being moved in at Kauffman Stadium, he’s a great target. Look for Michael Harris II to run more with Antoan Richardson as the new first base coach. He helped Juan Soto run wild while with the Mets last year.

Round 10

Power: Willy Adames (SS – SF)
Speed: Luke Keaschall (2B – MIN)

Willy Adames has some of the best power at shortstop, establishing himself as an annual 30+ home run threat. Luke Keaschall is a talented young player who can swipe 20+ bags.

Round 11

Power: Taylor Ward (OF – BAL)
Speed: Luis Robert Jr. (OF – NYY)

Taylor Ward is coming off a big year where he hit 36 homers. Now in a stacked Orioles lineup, we could see elite counting stats as well. Luis Robert Jr. should benefit from a change of scenery as he heads to a contending Mets team, with 40+ steals not out of the question.

Round 12

Power: Lawrence Butler (OF – ATH)
Speed: Jakob Marsee (OF – MIA)

Lawrence Butler has 30/25 upside, making him an underrated outfielder target. Jakob Marsee is more of a one-dimensional player, but he can swipe 40+ bags with 10+ homers.

Round 13

Power: Brandon Lowe (2B – PIT)
Speed: Ceddanne Rafaela (2B, OF – BOS)

Brandon Lowe provides rare power at second base, with the ability to hit 25+ homers. Ceddanne Rafaela is one of my favorite breakout candidates. He has 20/30 upside.