Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Jose Ramirez
CLE
Jose Ramírez remained one of fantasy's most reliable five-category contributors in 2025, once again clearing 30 HR while adding strong run production and double-digit steals. His 2026 projections show only mild age-related regression, with power and speed both expected to remain intact thanks to elite contact quality and plate discipline. The year-over-year stability in his batted-ball profile reinforces his high floor. Ramírez continues to profile as a safe first-round cornerstone, especially valuable in formats that reward category balance.
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2.
Junior Caminero
TB
Junior Caminero's first full MLB season in 2025 delivered flashes of elite raw power but came with expected growing pains in plate discipline. He hit 45 home runs, drove in 110, and scored 93 times. His barrel rate was a fantastic 14% with a 51.4% hard-hit rate. The power is very real. However, in 2026, the Rays shift out of the minor league park they played in and back to one of the worst hitting parks in the majors. His 2026 projections anticipate a small reduction in home runs because of this park switch; however, they also suggest improvement in his ratios as his approach matures in his age-22 season. The underlying exit velocity and hard-hit gains year over year support the power breakout narrative. Caminero profiles as a high-upside player at a weak position whose fantasy value rises quickly if the strikeout rate continues to normalize.
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3.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
NYY
Jazz Chisholm's 2025 season was a reminder of both his upside and volatility, as power-speed contributions were once again offset by durability concerns and streaky efficiency. His 2026 projections bake in similar power and speed totals with right around 600 plate appearances, reflecting ongoing availability risk. When on the field, his per-game fantasy production remains strong, particularly in steals. Chisholm is best approached as a ceiling play rather than a foundational early-round option, but qualifying at third base does bump him up a few spots on draft boards.
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4.
Manny Machado
SD
There is consistent, and then there is Manny Machado. In his age-32 season, Machado played in 159 games, hitting 27 home runs, scoring 91 times, driving in 95, and had a slash line of .275/.335/.460. (His slash line in 2024 was .275/.325/.472.) His home run total was the lowest since 2014 (ignoring 2020), but he actually barreled the ball (12.9%) and had his highest HardHit rate (51.5%) since 2021. The Padres lineup is aging, but Machado is still projected to bat behind Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill, which should lead to plenty of counting stats. Depending on how you feel about Junior Caminero, Machado is either the second or third-best third baseman in 2026 fantasy baseball and a solid early-round pick.
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5.
Austin Riley
ATL
If you're looking for candidates for Comeback Player of the Year, Austin Riley should probably be on it. Riley's age-28 season was cut short by an abdominal injury that cost him almost one-third of the season, sapped his power, and caused his strikeout rate to jump to 28.6%. It was his second injury-shortened year in a row, but the underlying metrics suggest the bounceback is coming. Riley still had an elite 15.2% barrel rate and 50.2% HardHit rate, and his xSLG was 30 points higher than actual. Assuming he is able to return to the player he was from 2021-2023, expect another 30 home runs and 90 runs/RBIs. He should be the fourth third baseman off the board, and you can get him much later than the other three, making him a borderline early-round sleeper candidate.
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6.
Maikel Garcia
KC
Maikel Garcia took a massive step forward in 2025, transforming from a speed-first table-setter into a well-rounded fantasy contributor with a .286/.351/.449 line, 16 homers, and 23 steals. The offensive breakout was backed by real skill growth, including a sharp jump in on-base ability and contact quality after a down 2024. His elite defensive versatility locked in everyday playing time, which allowed the counting stats to fully surface across a full season. At just 26 years old, Garcia now profiles as a high-floor, multi-category infielder with sneaky upside rather than a niche speed play.
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7.
Alex Bregman
CHC
Alex Bregman only appeared in 114 games for the Red Sox last season, but he cashed in during free agency with a five-year deal with the Cubs. Aside from 2025 and an injury-plagued 2021 season, Bregman has been steady in games played, and he's been a solid contributor, with a career slash line of .272/.365/.481. He will be 32 this season, so we've probably seen the best of him, but third base is not a particularly deep position. Projections have him with a 20/80/80 season, which is totally fine if you decide to wait until the middle rounds to fill that roster spot. Don't reach for him because of his name, but he fits the bill of "you know what you're gonna get" in 2026 fantasy.
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8.
Eugenio Suarez
CIN
Eugenio Suarez enjoyed a dramatic power resurgence in 2025, crushing 49 home runs with 118 RBI across 159 games while rebounding from a down 2023 season. Although the batting average remained volatile (.228 overall), his .526 slugging percentage and top-tier barrel production reaffirmed his value as a category-altering power bat. The strikeout rate is still elevated, keeping his floor low in average-based formats, but the run production and durability help offset the risk. The move to Cincinnati boosts his value compared to having re-signed in Seattle, simply from a ballpark perspective. Entering his age-34 season, Suarez profiles as a high-variance corner infielder whose fantasy value hinges on elite power holding steady despite age-related decline concerns.
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9.
Matt Chapman
SF
Matt Chapman followed up his excellent 2024 with a solid but slightly muted 2025, as the power dipped to 21 home runs and the batting average slid to .231 despite a strong .340 OBP. Plate discipline remained a plus, and the underlying power was still present, but reduced games played and fewer counting stats capped his fantasy ceiling compared to the prior year. Third base remains a thinner position, which helps preserve his value even as the speed contribution continues to fade in his early 30s. Heading into 2026, Chapman profiles as a steady but unspectacular corner infielder, reliable for power and OBP formats, but unlikely to return to peak-level fantasy production.
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10.
Jordan Westburg
BAL
Jordan Westburg followed up his 2024 All-Star breakout with another solid but less impactful 2025, as injuries limited him to 85 games and capped his counting stats. On a per-game basis, his power remained intact (17 HR, .457 SLG), but reduced doubles output and minimal speed kept him from taking the next step. His multi-position eligibility and steady contact quality help stabilize his fantasy floor, particularly in deeper formats. If he can stay healthy and reclaim a full-time role in Baltimore's crowded infield, Westburg still offers sleeper upside as a balanced power contributor entering his age-27 season.
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11.
Noelvi Marte
CIN
Noelvi Marte showed some growth in 2025, rebounding from a rough 2024 to post a .263/.300/.448 line with 14 homers and double-digit steals in just 90 games. The power-speed blend that made him a top prospect resurfaced, supported by a strong rOBA and near-league-average OPS+ despite an aggressive approach. Defensive versatility across third base and the outfield should help him maintain regular playing time, even if his glove remains a work in progress. FantasyPros 2026 projections reflect a young hitter still trending upward, making Marte an appealing upside play in deeper formats where counting stats and steals are at a premium.
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12.
Isaac Paredes
HOU
Isaac Paredes followed up his 2023 breakout with another strong season in 2025, slashing .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs and a 123 OPS+ in his first year with Houston. While the raw power dipped slightly from its peak, his elite plate discipline and pull-side power remained intact, keeping his rOBA and Rbat+ well above league average. The move to a strong lineup context helped stabilize his counting stats, reinforcing his profile as a reliable corner-infield bat rather than a fluky breakout. FantasyPros 2026 projections continue to view Paredes as a high-floor option with 25-homer upside, making him a steady fantasy contributor even if he no longer carries surprise-star appeal.
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13.
Royce Lewis
MIN
Royce Lewis's elite upside remains undeniable, but his 2025 season underscored the growing gap between talent and fantasy reliability, as he posted a .237/.283/.388 line with diminished power and run production over 106 games. After a dominant 2023 breakout, his OPS and quality-of-contact metrics have trended downward for two straight seasons, largely tied to health interruptions and inconsistent timing at the plate. While his athleticism still shows up with occasional steals and defensive flexibility, the overall offensive profile has slipped closer to below league average. FantasyPros 2026 projections remain cautiously optimistic, but until Lewis can stay on the field and sustain his early-career power, he profiles as a high-variance pick whose draft cost may outweigh the floor in standard formats.
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14.
Addison Barger
TOR
Addison Barger took a significant step forward in 2025, improving across the board with a .243/.301/.454 slash, 21 homers, and a league-average 105 OPS+ after struggling mightily as a rookie. The power growth was especially encouraging, supported by a jump in extra-base hits and a rOBA that climbed back to league average. While his strikeout rate remains elevated, everyday playing time and defensive versatility at third base and the corner outfield helped solidify his role. Projections reflect cautious optimism, positioning Barger as a late-round sleeper with legitimate 20-plus homer upside if the plate discipline continues to stabilize.
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15.
Alec Bohm
PHI
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16.
Colson Montgomery
CWS
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17.
Caleb Durbin
BOS
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18.
Mark Vientos
NYM
Mark Vientos failed to build on his 2024 breakout, with his 2025 season showing notable pullbacks in rOBA (.361 to .310), ISO (.249 to .179), and HR rate despite similar playing time. The plate skills did improve slightly (career-best strikeout rate to 24.8%), but the quality-of-contact gains from 2024 didn't hold, leaving him closer to league average overall production. The 2026 projections still lean on his raw power and everyday role potential, but expect more of a low-OBP, mid-20s HR corner bat rather than a true middle-of-the-order force. In fantasy, Vientos profiles best as a CI option in deeper leagues where power is scarce, with limited upside unless the 2024 batted-ball profile returns.
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19.
Carlos Correa
HOU
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20.
Jorge Polanco
NYM
Jorge Polanco rebounded in 2025, posting a .265/.326/.495 line with 26 home runs and a 134 OPS+ across 138 games for Seattle. The underlying metrics support the bounce-back: his 89.9 mph average exit velocity and 45.8% hard-hit rate were both career-best marks, while his strikeout rate dropped to 15.6% after spiking to 29.2% in 2024. The result was a .348 rOBA and 134 Rbat+, well above league average and a clear return to middle-of-the-order production. Looking ahead to 2026, projections that peg him closer to the low-.250s with 20-23 homers suggest some pullback from last year's career-high ISO (.229) and HR rate (5.0%). That's reasonable given his age and prior volatility, but the improved contact quality and stabilized plate discipline from 2025 give him a higher floor than most mid-tier second basemen. Durability remains the primary variable, yet if he approaches 140 games again, Polanco profiles as a strong MI option with 20-plus homer power and counting stats buoyed by everyday run production.
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21.
Brett Baty
NYM
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22.
Matt Shaw
CHC
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23.
Max Muncy
LAD
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24.
Kazuma Okamoto
TOR
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25.
Colt Keith
DET
Colt Keith took a meaningful step forward in 2025, improving his rOBA from .308 to .326 and his Rbat+ from 95 to 107 while boosting his walk rate from 6.5% to 10.3%. The power growth was supported by real skill gains, as his ISO jumped from .120 to .157 with a spike in hard-hit rate (35.3% to 43.7%) and average exit velocity (87.8 mph to 90.0 mph), even as his strikeout rate ticked up slightly. His more balanced batted-ball profile (lower GB%, higher FB%) suggests the 2025 power gains are sustainable rather than fluky. With 2026 projections building on that improved plate discipline and batted-ball authority, Keith profiles as a fantasy riser, especially in OBP formats. While he's unlikely to contribute much in steals, a potential jump into the 18-22 HR range with solid run production at second base gives him stable middle-infield value with room for another step forward entering his age-24 season.
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26.
Jose Caballero
NYY
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27.
Munetaka Murakami
CWS
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28.
Miguel Vargas
CWS
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29.
JJ Wetherholt
STL
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30.
Tommy Edman
LAD
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31.
Marcelo Mayer
BOS
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32.
Josh Jung
TEX
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33.
Brooks Lee
MIN
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34.
Ernie Clement
TOR
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35.
Willi Castro
COL
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36.
Chase Meidroth
CWS
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37.
Nolan Arenado
ARI
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38.
Jonathan India
KC
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39.
Connor Norby
MIA
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40.
Jordan Lawlar
ARI
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41.
Zach McKinstry
DET
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42.
Ryan McMahon
NYY
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43.
Josh Smith
TEX
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44.
Nolan Gorman
STL
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45.
Jared Triolo
PIT
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46.
Brady House
WSH
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47.
Luis Rengifo
MIL
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48.
Ke'Bryan Hayes
CIN
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49.
Gavin Lux
TB
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50.
Miguel Andujar
SD
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51.
Blaze Alexander
BAL
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52.
Javier Baez
DET
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53.
Brooks Baldwin
CWS
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54.
Ronny Mauricio
NYM
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55.
Mauricio Dubon
ATL
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56.
Yoan Moncada
LAA
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57.
Thomas Saggese
STL
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58.
Javier Sanoja
MIA
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59.
Sung-Mun Song
SD
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60.
Graham Pauley
MIA
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61.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
CIN
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62.
Casey Schmitt
SF
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63.
Kyle Karros
COL
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64.
Jeremiah Jackson
BAL
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65.
Max Muncy
ATH
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66.
Ben Williamson
TB
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67.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
BOS
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68.
Edmundo Sosa
PHI
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69.
Sebastian Walcott
TEX
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70.
Andruw Monasterio
BOS
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71.
Miguel Rojas
LAD
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72.
Jeimer Candelario
LAA
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73.
Enrique Hernandez
LAD
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74.
Amed Rosario
NYY
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75.
Dylan Moore
FA
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76.
Otto Kemp
PHI
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77.
Carlos Vargas
FA
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78.
Ezequiel Duran
TEX
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79.
Ryan Johnson
FA
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80.
Alex Freeland
LAD
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81.
Daniel Schneemann
CLE
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82.
Jose Tena
WSH
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83.
Max Anderson
DET
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84.
Oswald Peraza
LAA
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85.
Ramon Urias
STL
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86.
Jesus Made
MIL
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87.
Darell Hernaiz
ATH
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88.
Curtis Mead
CWS
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89.
Jon Berti
FA
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90.
Oswaldo Cabrera
NYY
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91.
Deyvison De Los Santos
MIA
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92.
Justin Turner
FA
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93.
Kyle Farmer
ATL
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94.
Maximo Acosta
MIA
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95.
Jose Iglesias
FA
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96.
Nacho Alvarez Jr.
ATL
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97.
Luis Urias
FA
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98.
Shay Whitcomb
HOU
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99.
Jace Jung
DET
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100.
Brett Harris
ATH
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101.
Jose Miranda
SD
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102.
Orlando Arcia
MIN
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103.
Santiago Espinal
LAD
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104.
Hao-Yu Lee
DET
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105.
Christian Koss
SF
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106.
Max Schuemann
NYY
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107.
DJ LeMahieu
FA
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108.
Paul DeJong
NYY
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109.
Gio Urshela
MIN
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110.
Brock Wilken
MIL
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111.
Nick Loftin
KC
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112.
Jadher Areinamo
TB
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113.
Nate Eaton
BOS
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114.
Jacob Reimer
NYM
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115.
Andy Ibanez
ATH
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116.
Vidal Brujan
NYM
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117.
Orelvis Martinez
WSH
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118.
Will Wagner
SD
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119.
Sam Antonacci
CWS
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120.
Tanner Murray
CWS
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121.
LuJames Groover
ARI
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122.
Bryan Ramos
BAL
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123.
Cesar Prieto
STL
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124.
Denzer Guzman
LAA
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125.
Cooper Kinney
TB
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126.
Brandon Drury
KC
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127.
Josh Rojas
KC
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128.
Nick Madrigal
LAA
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129.
Nicky Lopez
COL
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130.
Abraham Toro
KC
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131.
Jorbit Vivas
NYY
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132.
Aaron Schunk
ATL
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133.
Anthony Seigler
BOS
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134.
Yohandy Morales
WSH
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135.
Ben Cowles
TOR
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136.
Tsung-Che Cheng
BOS
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137.
Miles Mastrobuoni
SEA
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138.
Jack Winkler
HOU
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139.
A.J. Vukovich
ARI
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140.
Vimael Machin
COL
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141.
Kevin Newman
KC
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142.
Jonah Bride
TEX
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143.
Trey Lipscomb
WSH
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144.
Emmanuel Rivera
FA
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145.
Oliver Dunn
CWS
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146.
Davis Wendzel
PIT
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147.
Patrick Wisdom
SEA
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148.
Vinny Capra
BOS
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149.
Tristin English
ATL
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150.
Jose Rojas
NYM
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