Fantasy Baseball Draft Picks to Avoid (2026)

ESPN rankings typically assign more value to aging veterans and players who are good in points formats. Highlighting players that ESPN overvalues reveals players that ESPN users should avoid in fantasy basball drafts.

Overvalued Fantasy Baseball Players to Avoid on ESPN

Jose Altuve (2B – HOU) | ESPN ADP: 52/Consensus ADP: 98

ESPN believes in Jose Altuve more than most. The 35-year-old declined in 2025, having an OPS of .771 and a batting average of .265 in 155 games. He hit 26 home runs (a three-year high).

Altuve was healthy. He did not play poorly. Still, Altuve did not live up to lofty expectations. His consensus ADP is perhaps too low, but his ESPN ADP is far too high for an aging infielder.

Steven Kwan (OF – CLE) | ESPN ADP: 70/Consensus ADP: 150

For whatever reason, ESPN loves Steven Kwan. He is perfect for points leagues because he puts the ball in play, walks about as much as he strikes out and hits for a high average. It sounds crazy, but his ESPN ADP is not too far off for points leagues.

In non-points leagues, there is absolutely, unequivocally, no way Kwan should be drafted so early. The 28-year-old has limited power and RBI potential.

Zac Gallen (SP – ARI) | ESPN ADP: 121/Consensus ADP: 210

Zac Gallen had a rough 2025. Gallen surprisingly followed up three consecutive stellar seasons with a 4.82 ERA in 192 innings. The 30-year-old righty had an xERA of 4.27, which is better, but definitely not great. Although Gallen looks to bounce back, he is a huge question mark.

Gallen has great value at his consensus ADP. At his ESPN ADP as a pick inside the top 150? No way.