Brett Ussery | Fri, Mar 13th 2026, 7:33am EDT

Safest Players to Target at Every Position (2026 Fantasy Baseball)

When drafting a fantasy baseball team, you’re trying to build a stable roster. The big names with massive upside can win you a championship, but the players with consistent everyday roles and predictable production are the backbone of a winning season.

Below, each position includes at least three players —early-round, middle-round and late‑round options — who offer a reliable floor in a standard 12‑team draft. There’s nothing wrong with chasing upside or grabbing stars like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani or Bobby Witt Jr., but this list focuses on dependable, less‑obvious targets.

Safe Fantasy Baseball Players to Target

Catcher

Catcher is deeper than it has been in years. You can take an early swing, but there’s still value late. Cal Raleigh is great, but unlikely to repeat last season’s numbers.

Early: William Contreras (C – MIL)

William Contreras often goes 50 picks after Raleigh and can still give you around 20 home runs with a batting average of around .280. That’s a strong return at a discount.

Middle: Will Smith (C – LAD)

Salvador Perez is fine here, but Will Smith going much later is the better value. He’s the everyday catcher in a loaded Dodgers lineup and should hit around 20 home runs.

Smith hit .296 last year. Don’t expect that again, but .270 is realistic. You’re getting William Contreras‑level production 140-150 picks later.

Late: Yainer Diaz (C – HOU)

Yainer Diaz has topped 550 combined at‑bats over the past two seasons and profiles as a 20‑homer, .280 hitter. At around pick 275 in average draft position (ADP), that’s excellent late‑round stability.

First Base

Nick Kurtz and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are great, but expensive.

Early: Freddie Freeman (1B – LAD)

Even at age 36, Freddie Freeman remains one of the most reliable early picks. Excluding 2020, he has hit 20+ home runs in nine straight seasons and should do so again in the Dodgers’ lineup. Pencil him in for a .290+ average and elite run production.

Middle: Yandy Diaz (1B – TB)

Options thin out quickly in the middle rounds. Yandy Diaz offers around 20 home runs with a strong .280 average. If you waited on first base, he’s a perfectly safe fallback option.

Late: Andrew Vaughn (1B – MIL)

Andrew Vaughn should get every opportunity in Milwaukee. He was a steady 20‑homer, .250 hitter with the White Sox and now plays in a much better home park (hit nine home runs in 64 games in Milwaukee last season). He’s a sneaky late‑round value.

Second Base

A thin position where safety matters.

Early: Ketel Marte (2B – ARI)

Ketel Marte’s fantasy baseball ADP in the 30s is steep but justified. He has hit 25+ home runs in three straight seasons and is projected for around 30 with a .290 average. In a shallow position, that stability is gold.

Middle: Brandon Lowe (2B – PIT)

Jose Altuve is a borderline early-round/middle-round pick, but Brandon Lowe fits the middle‑round “safe enough” profile. He topped 500 at‑bats last year and hit over 30 home runs — the first time since 2021.

If Lowe stays healthy, he can repeat. If not, he should still land in the high‑teens to low‑20s range.

Late: Andres Gimenez (2B – TOR)

Injuries limited Andres Gimenez last year, but don’t let that scare you. He’ll be the everyday shortstop for Toronto and should deliver double‑digit home runs with at least 20 steals. He swiped 30 bags in each of the two seasons before last and is only 27.

Third Base

Early: Maikel Garcia (3B – KC)

If you don’t have the first or second pick (which should be Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge in some order), Jose Ramírez is a plug‑and‑play star anywhere after that.

If you miss out on Ramirez, Maikel Garcia — about 60 picks later — is a safe alternative. Garcia doesn’t have Ramirez’s power, but he should provide double‑digit homers, 20+ steals and a non‑damaging average at age 26.

Middle: Matt Chapman (3B – SF)

Matt Chapman is not flashy, but he’ll give you volume and 20+ home runs, with a chance at double‑digit steals. If you waited this long, you’re drafting stability, not excitement.

Late: Alec Bohm (3B – PHI)

Alec Bohm disappointed last year, but he still offers everyday at‑bats, double‑digit home runs and a .270 to .280 average. As a late pick, he’s a strong bounce‑back candidate.

Shortstop

Early: Trea Turner (SS – PHI)

There’s plenty of talent early, but the position drops off quickly. Trea Turner’s ADP around pick 35-40 reflects age concerns — he turns 33 midseason — but he remains a safe bet for a strong average, 30+ steals and double‑digit home runs (possibly 20). He’s as reliable as they come.

Middle: Jeremy Pena (SS – HOU)

Not many middle‑round shortstops feel safe, but Jeremy Pena does. He’s currently dealing with a finger fracture and may miss Opening Day, but the absence shouldn’t be long. He could even come at a discount. Expect a .270 average with around 20 homers and 20 steals.

Late: Xander Bogaerts (SS – SD)

Most late shortstops are young, unproven players. Xander Bogaerts gives you a stable .260 average, double‑digit home runs and around 20 steals. He may even lead off for San Diego, which suits his contact and speed profile. Bogaerts is a strong late‑round add.

Outfield

Early: Cody Bellinger (OF – NYY)

Sure, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker are safer — but they cost early‑round capital. If you need an outfielder 70 picks later, Cody Bellinger is a solid fallback pick. Expect a .260 average, around 25 home runs and double‑digit steals.

Middle: Ian Happ (OF – CHC)

Ian Happ provides volume and 20+ home runs. He has two double‑digit steal seasons in the last three years, though you shouldn’t count on it. His .240 average isn’t ideal, but it won’t sink you.

Late: TJ Friedl (OF – CIN)

TJ Friedl finally topped 500 plate appearances last year and delivered double‑digit homers and steals. He plays in one of baseball’s best hitter parks and should repeat that production.

Starting Pitching

Early: Max Fried (SP – NYY)

Max Fried and Logan Webb have similar ADPs and strikeout totals, but Fried likely offers more wins and a lower WHIP. Webb has thrown 200+ innings in three straight seasons, while Fried never has, so choose based on what your roster needs. Both are safe.

Middle: Sonny Gray (SP – BOS)

Sonny Gray isn’t exciting, but he’s reliable. He has posted back‑to‑back seasons with double‑digit wins and 200+ strikeouts. At age 36, projections still have him near those marks.

Late: Mitch Keller (SP – PIT)

Mitch Keller is a strong back‑end rotation piece. Expect 170+ innings, around 160 strikeouts and a roughly .500 win/loss record. He’ll give you more good outings than bad.

Relief Pitching

Early: Jhoan Duran (RP – PHI)

Jhoan Duran has topped 20 saves in three straight seasons and cleared 30 last year. He’s locked in as the Phillies’ closer and projected for nearly 40 saves.

Middle: Pete Fairbanks (RP – MIA)

Pete Fairbanks also has three straight seasons with 20+ saves. Tampa Bay often used a committee, but now in Miami, he should see more consistent ninth‑inning opportunities.

Late: Kenley Jansen (RP – DET)

Kenley Jansen appears to be Detroit’s first choice for the closer role. He has topped 25 saves in five straight seasons and should land in the 25-30 range again with an ERA around 3.50.

NFL

MLB

NBA

NHL