Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
TOR
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rebounded nicely in 2025, hitting .292 with 23 HR, and his 2026 projections expect his power to climb back over 30 HR. His contact quality improved year over year, driven by more line-drive contact and a stabilizing strikeout rate. The projected power bounce is supported by underlying metrics, suggesting 2025 may have been closer to his floor than his median outcome. Vladdy profiles as a strong early-round value with legitimate top-five 1B upside if the HR surge materializes.
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2.
Nick Kurtz
ATH
Nick Kurtz's 2025 rookie season showed the potential that made him a top prospect, highlighted by strong on-base skills but uneven in-game power as he adjusted to MLB pitching. His 2026 projections anticipate a small step forward in home runs, but his .290 batting average is a mirage (xBA of .249). The allure of what he is capable of will drive up his price on draft day, and it is difficult to argue with that dream as the A's continue to play 81 games in Sacramento. The volatility is real, and at age 23, he still has some growing pains to come. Even with all that, though, he'll go in the second round in 12-team leagues, so decide quickly if you want that on your squad.
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3.
Pete Alonso
BAL
Pete Alonso once again supplied premium power in 2025, but continued erosion in batting average and on-base skills limited his category impact. His 2026 projections still forecast upper-tier home-run totals, though with muted run production compared to his peak seasons. The year-over-year trend shows narrowing fantasy utility as his value becomes increasingly HR-dependent. Alonso profiles best as a targeted power injection rather than a lineup anchor.
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4.
Matt Olson
ATL
Matt Olson's 2025 results fell short of his peak power standards, but remained consistent year over year. For the fourth year in a row, the 32-year-old played in all 162 games and flirted with another 30/100/100 season. His 2026 projections still forecast elite home run totals and strong RBI production, supported by consistent barrel rates and everyday cleanup duties in Atlanta. Olson's 2025 batting average (.272) was buoyed by a .333 BABIP, so expect regression to around the .250 mark this year. His power floor is among the safest at the position. Olson profiles as a reliable early-round source of HR and RBI, particularly valuable in formats that de-emphasize average.
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5.
Bryce Harper
PHI
Bryce Harper remained an elite middle-of-the-order force in 2025, pairing strong on-base skills with premium power despite minor durability interruptions. His 2026 projections continue to support top-tier production, with stable home run output and run production driven by an excellent walk rate and hard-contact profile. While his speed contribution has tapered off, Harper's efficiency as a run producer remains intact thanks to consistent barrel rates and a favorable lineup context in Philadelphia. Fantasy managers should view him as a high-floor early-round anchor whose value is safest in OBP formats but still strong in standard leagues, especially if his health cooperates.
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6.
Rafael Devers
SF
Rafael Devers forced his way out of Boston early in the year and landed in the less fantasy-friendly environment of San Francisco. His numbers held steady for the most part, producing 35 home runs, 99 runs, and 109 RBI, though his batting average was the lowest since 2018. His Barrel percentage jumped from 13% to 16%, and his HardHit rate leapt to 56.1%, both the highest of his career. Projections have him essentially continuing on with these numbers, and at a thinner 1B than expected, Devers is a sneaky pick currently going in the fifth round.
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7.
Freddie Freeman
LAD
Freddie Freeman remained a model of consistency in 2025, combining a strong batting average, on-base skills, and run production near the top of the Dodgers lineup. The only concerning stat on his profile was a large jump in strikeout rate to 20.4%, the first time since 2016 that it crossed the 20-percent mark. His 2026 projections show only modest age-related regression. If you draft him, you need to bake in lowered expectations regarding his consistency (147 games played each of the last two years) and fewer counting stats. Freeman remains a solid early-round corner infielder in fantasy, even factoring in that he will turn 37 in September, but he is not the pillar that he once was.
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8.
Josh Naylor
SEA
Let's start with the important part: Josh Naylor will not steal 30 bases again in 2026. With a previous high of 10, the 30 was a gift to managers who drafted him and will most likely be the outlier of his career. Naylor did sacrifice power in his time between Arizona and Seattle, hitting only 20 home runs after smacking 31 the year before. The .295 average helped offset this to some degree, but as a career .269 hitter, this is also suspect to continue. Even though he will only be 29 this season, the return to Seattle limits the upside we can expect. He's more of an avoid, unless he falls in drafts.
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9.
Vinnie Pasquantino
KC
Vinnie Pasquantino showed us the power we'd been hoping for in 2025, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 113. He barrels the ball well (10.8%), and he offers a decent batting average in the .265 range. Batting behind Bobby Witt Jr. and the seemingly ageless Sal Perez will never be a bad thing for counting stats. If you wait until the middle rounds, Pasquantino is in the last of the tier to be a true anchor at first base in 2026.
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10.
Ben Rice
NYY
Ben Rice followed a rough 2024 debut with a legitimate breakout in 2025, slashing .255/.337/.499 with 26 homers and a 131 OPS+ across 138 games. The power spike was supported by improved contact quality and a manageable strikeout rate, turning him from replacement-level depth into a middle-of-the-order threat. Dual eligibility at catcher and first base quietly boosts his fantasy value, especially in formats where offensive production behind the plate is scarce. While his defensive profile may keep him rotating between DH and multiple positions, Rice's age-26 surge makes him an appealing upside target with room for further growth if the plate discipline gains hold.
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11.
Tyler Soderstrom
ATH
Fantasy managers who took a chance on Tyler Soderstrom in 2025 were rewarded with a breakout season. At just 23 years old, he delivered 25 home runs, drove in 93 runs, scored 74 times, swiped eight bases, and posted a strong .276/.346/.474 slash line. He made tangible progress cutting down his strikeouts while continuing to impact the ball at an elite level, ranking in the 86th percentile in hard-hit rate (49.8%). Encouragingly, his expected batting average and slugging percentage closely matched his actual production, suggesting the performance was well-earned. With projections calling for a comparable output in 2026 and the Athletics' hitters benefiting from games in Sacramento, Soderstrom enters his age-24 season as a dependable OF3 option.
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12.
Michael Busch
CHC
Michael Busch has rapidly developed into one of fantasy's most reliable power bats, following a strong 2024 with a full-blown breakout in 2025 that featured 34 homers, a .523 slugging percentage, and a 147 OPS+. The jump in production wasn't empty volume. His rOBA and run value both spiked, confirming real growth in impact contact rather than a fluky power surge. While the strikeout rate remains elevated, Busch offsets it with solid on-base skills and elite durability, logging 150+ games in back-to-back seasons. At age 28, he's firmly established as a high-end fantasy first baseman whose profile now supports both a strong floor and a stable power ceiling.
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13.
Yandy Diaz
TB
Yandy Diaz made the most of the Rays' season at George Steinbrenner Field, cracking the 25-HR mark for the first time in his career while maintaining a .300 average. With the return to much less hitter-friendly Tropicana Field, fantasy managers should not expect another 25 homers, but 20 is within reason. Diaz is a middle-round pick best used to boost batting average, but there is more power to be had elsewhere at the position.
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14.
Spencer Torkelson
DET
Spencer Torkelson rebounded strongly in 2025, posting a career-best .240/.333/.456 slash with 31 homers and a 117 OPS+, reestablishing himself as a middle-of-the-order power bat after a disappointing, injury-shortened 2024. The plate discipline gains were real, as his walk rate climbed and his overall offensive value (rOBA and Rbat+) returned to comfortably above league average. FantasyPros 2026 projections build on that bounce-back, forecasting another 30-homer season with solid run production thanks to his locked-in everyday role at first base/DH. While batting average volatility remains part of his profile due to strikeouts, Torkelson's age-26 power prime makes him a stable corner-infield target with upside rather than the risky asset he appeared to be a year ago.
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15.
Salvador Perez
KC
Sal Perez remained remarkably durable in 2025 with 155 games played, but the underlying production continued to slide as his batting average fell to .236 and his OBP dipped below .290. While the raw power is still intact, 30 homers and 100 RBI, the overall offensive efficiency has flattened to league-average levels, limiting his advantage over younger catching options. His aggressive approach and declining contact quality leave little margin for error, especially as age-related regression becomes harder to ignore. Perez is still a volume-driven fantasy catcher with counting-stat value, but he now profiles best as a mid-tier option rather than a clear positional edge.
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16.
Willson Contreras
BOS
Willson Contreras' fantasy profile changes meaningfully after his move to the Boston Red Sox, as first base eligibility removes the positional advantage that once made his bat stand out. His 2025 production remains solid by raw numbers, but the same power-and-average output now plays closer to replacement level at a deeper offensive position. The shift away from catcher should help with durability and volume, yet it also raises the bar for fantasy relevance compared to his peers. In 2026 drafts, Contreras is better viewed as a corner infield depth option than a lineup anchor, with real-life value exceeding his fantasy impact.
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17.
Jonathan Aranda
TB
Jonathan Aranda broke out in 2025, slashing .316/.393/.489 with a 146 OPS+ across 422 plate appearances, supported by elite quality of contact (93.0 mph average exit velocity, 54.8% hard-hit rate). His .409 BABIP and 30.5% line-drive rate fueled the batting average spike, while his 147 Rbat+ confirms the impact was more than just surface-level production. The 2026 projections dial back the average but maintain strong on-base skills and mid-20s homer pace, reflecting some regression without dismissing the skill growth. With no speed component and most of his value tied to bat-first production, Aranda profiles as a high-floor corner infield option in OBP formats, though managers should price in batting-average normalization rather than paying for a repeat of the .300-plus mark.
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18.
Christian Walker
HOU
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19.
Alec Burleson
STL
Alec Burleson may not carry the same buzz as some other OF3 or OF4 options, but his profile is trending in the right direction as he enters his age-27 season. He took a noticeable step forward in 2024, appearing in 139 games while posting 18 home runs, 69 RBI, and 54 runs scored, along with a .290/.343/.459 slash line and an .802 OPS. His appeal is rooted in strong contact skills, evidenced by a modest 14.5% strikeout rate, paired with enough power to contribute in multiple categories. Locked into a prominent spot near the top of St. Louis' lineup, Burleson offers inexpensive batting-average stability and quiet upside for fantasy managers in 2026 drafts.
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20.
Kyle Manzardo
CLE
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21.
Sal Stewart
CIN
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22.
Munetaka Murakami
CWS
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23.
Andrew Vaughn
MIL
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24.
Spencer Steer
CIN
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25.
Luis Arraez
SF
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26.
Jake Burger
TEX
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27.
Nolan Schanuel
LAA
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28.
Jac Caglianone
KC
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29.
Alec Bohm
PHI
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30.
Miguel Vargas
CWS
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31.
Josh Bell
MIN
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32.
Colt Keith
DET
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33.
Lenyn Sosa
CWS
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34.
Kazuma Okamoto
TOR
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35.
Ryan O'Hearn
PIT
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36.
Spencer Horwitz
PIT
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37.
Jake Cronenworth
SD
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38.
Ernie Clement
TOR
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39.
Triston Casas
BOS
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40.
Bryce Eldridge
SF
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41.
Paul Goldschmidt
NYY
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42.
Romy Gonzalez
BOS
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43.
Gavin Sheets
SD
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44.
Josh Smith
TEX
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45.
Jared Triolo
PIT
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46.
Coby Mayo
BAL
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47.
Rhys Hoskins
FA
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48.
Pavin Smith
ARI
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49.
Nathaniel Lowe
CIN
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50.
Victor Caratini
MIN
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51.
Kody Clemens
MIN
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52.
Ryan Mountcastle
BAL
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53.
Troy Johnston
COL
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54.
CJ Kayfus
CLE
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55.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
CIN
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56.
Edouard Julien
COL
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57.
Carlos Santana
ARI
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58.
Luke Raley
SEA
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59.
Jake Bauers
MIL
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60.
Liam Hicks
MIA
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61.
Casey Schmitt
SF
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62.
Charlie Condon
COL
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63.
Tim Tawa
ARI
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64.
Blaine Crim
COL
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65.
Michael Toglia
CIN
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66.
Jeimer Candelario
LAA
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67.
Enrique Hernandez
LAD
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68.
Abimelec Ortiz
WSH
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69.
Otto Kemp
PHI
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70.
Andruw Monasterio
BOS
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71.
Ezequiel Duran
TEX
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72.
Greg Bird
FA
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73.
Ty France
SD
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74.
Dylan Moore
FA
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75.
Rowdy Tellez
FA
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76.
Eric Wagaman
MIN
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77.
Rafael Flores
PIT
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78.
Tyler Austin
CHC
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79.
Andres Chaparro
WSH
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80.
Curtis Mead
CWS
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81.
Dominic Smith
ATL
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82.
Wilmer Flores
FA
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83.
Oswald Peraza
LAA
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84.
Tyler Locklear
ARI
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85.
Ryan Clifford
NYM
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86.
Jonathon Long
CHC
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87.
Ryan Ward
LAD
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88.
Endy Rodriguez
PIT
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89.
Esmerlyn Valdez
PIT
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90.
Justin Turner
FA
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91.
Josue Briceno
DET
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92.
Kyle Farmer
ATL
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93.
Deyvison De Los Santos
MIA
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94.
Warming Bernabel
WSH
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95.
DJ LeMahieu
FA
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96.
Juan Brito
CLE
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97.
T.J. Rumfield
COL
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98.
LaMonte Wade Jr.
CWS
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99.
Tre' Morgan
TB
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100.
Jose Miranda
SD
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101.
Orlando Arcia
MIN
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102.
Brandon Valenzuela
TOR
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103.
Nick Sogard
BOS
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104.
Will Wagner
SD
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105.
Ildemaro Vargas
ARI
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106.
Sterlin Thompson
COL
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107.
Seth Brown
NYY
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108.
Ralphy Velazquez
CLE
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109.
Tyler Black
MIL
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110.
Liover Peguero
PHI
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111.
Jacob Reimer
NYM
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112.
Eduardo Valencia
DET
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113.
Enmanuel Valdez
PIT
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114.
Nick Solak
SD
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115.
Joey Meneses
ATH
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116.
Trey Mancini
LAA
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117.
Niko Kavadas
LAA
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118.
Yohandy Morales
WSH
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119.
Abraham Toro
KC
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120.
Brandon Drury
KC
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121.
Justin Foscue
TEX
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122.
Jared Young
NYM
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123.
Xavier Isaac
TB
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124.
Matt Mervis
WSH
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125.
Juan Yepez
FA
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126.
Jhonkensy Noel
BAL
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127.
Donovan Solano
FA
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128.
Kevin Newman
KC
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129.
Tim Elko
CWS
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130.
Jonah Bride
TEX
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131.
Emmanuel Rivera
FA
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132.
Luken Baker
ARI
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133.
Patrick Wisdom
SEA
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134.
Tristin English
ATL
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