Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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62.
Oneil Cruz
CF
Oneil Cruz followed up his 2024 breakout (21 HR, 22 SB, .773 OPS, 114 OPS+) with a steep regression in 2025, batting just .200 with an 87 OPS+ despite swiping a career-high 38 bases. The underlying power metrics remain loud — his 95.8 mph average exit velocity and 56.9% hard-hit rate were both elite and actually improved year over year — but a .262 BABIP and persistent 32.0% strikeout rate cratered his overall production. While his 11.8% walk rate was a career best, the contact issues and declining run production (RE24: -5.45) highlight the volatility in his profile. Looking ahead, Cruz's 2026 projections suggest a rebound toward his 2024 form, banking on normalization in batting average with continued 20/30 upside. If the BABIP corrects even partially, his rare combination of top-of-scale power and speed makes him a prime fantasy rebound candidate with high-variance upside — but managers must build around the batting average risk.
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94.
Bryan Reynolds
RF,DH
After years of steady production, Bryan Reynolds showed real signs of decline. His strikeout rate climbed to 26.5% — a jump of roughly four percentage points — and he posted a career-worst .245/.318/.402 slash line. Playing in a Pittsburgh lineup that offers little support only adds to the downside. As he enters his age-31 season, fantasy managers should be prepared for increased inconsistency. Reynolds is still projected for around 20 home runs, but his run and RBI totals will suffer in a weak offense, and his batting average is more likely to settle near .250 than his career .271 mark. At this stage, he profiles better as an OF3 or OF4 rather than a reliable, every-week fantasy starter.
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104.
Brandon Lowe
2B
Brandon Lowe rebounded in 2025, earning an All-Star nod while clubbing 31 home runs across 134 games, his highest total since 2021. His underlying metrics remained strong — a 91.1 mph average exit velocity and 46.7% hard-hit rate supported a healthy 5.6% HR rate — but a declining 6.9% walk rate and 26.9% strikeout rate capped his OBP at .307 despite a career-best .297 BABIP. The 2026 projections forecast another 30-homer campaign with a batting average in the .245-.255 range, reinforcing his profile as a power-first middle infielder with limited speed. Given his restored durability and steady batted-ball quality, Lowe profiles as a fantasy riser, particularly in formats that reward power from the second base slot, though his batting-average volatility keeps him just shy of elite-tier stability.
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151.
Konnor Griffin
SS
Konnor Griffin entered 2025 as one of the most highly regarded prospects in the lower minors and exceeded expectations after being widely considered the top prep position player in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound infielder combines elite speed and athleticism with impact power, slashing .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs, 65 steals, and a 21.7% strikeout rate across Single-A, High-A, and Double-A as a 19-year-old. His wRC+ improved at each level, finishing 75% above the Double-A average despite being the second-youngest hitter with 80 plate appearances, behind only Leo De Vries. Once questioned for his hit tool, Griffin now appears on track for a 2026 MLB debut, and a potential extension could accelerate his timeline. He offers defensive versatility but has primarily played shortstop.
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152.
Marcell Ozuna
DH
Marcell Ozuna's 2025 campaign marked a steep regression from his elite 2023-2024 peak, as his slash line fell to .232/.355/.400 with 21 home runs across 592 plate appearances. While his 15.9% walk rate buoyed his OBP, his power indicators slipped considerably — including a drop to a .168 ISO, 3.5% HR rate, and a career-low 89.9 mph average exit velocity. After posting rOBA marks of .384 and .394 the previous two seasons, he dipped to .342 (118 Rbat+), signaling a clear step back from middle-of-the-order dominance. Now eligible only at DH with the Pirates, Ozuna's lack of positional flexibility further caps his fantasy utility. He profiles as a fantasy faller, with 2026 projections pointing toward solid but no-longer-elite power production more in line with a mid-tier corner bat than a foundational fantasy piece.
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176.
Ryan O'Hearn
1B,RF,DH
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184.
Spencer Horwitz
1B
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219.
Jake Mangum
LF,CF,RF
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248.
Jared Triolo
1B,3B,SS
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259.
Nick Gonzales
2B
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275.
Jhostynxon Garcia
RF
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286.
Joey Bart
C
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318.
Henry Davis
C
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426.
Rafael Flores
1B
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438.
Nick Yorke
2B
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467.
Endy Rodriguez
1B
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487.
Esmerlyn Valdez
RF
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632.
Alika Williams
2B
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634.
Enmanuel Valdez
1B
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680.
Billy Cook
CF
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693.
Ronny Simon
LF
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700.
Dominic Fletcher
RF
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707.
Davis Wendzel
3B
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