Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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11.
Gunnar Henderson
SS
Gunnar Henderson backed up his 2024 breakout with a season during which he says he had a shoulder impingement for almost 75% of the year. His power dipped considerably, and even though he still stole 30 bags, it was obvious something was off. His 2026 projections expect a bounce-back year, projecting elite power production and strong run totals. Year-over-year gains in swing decisions suggest his profile is fully established rather than volatile. Shortstop is a stacked position, but Henderson remains one of the elite options for those looking to secure it early.
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20.
Pete Alonso
1B
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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82.
Taylor Ward
LF
Once again, Taylor Ward delivered a season that was as maddening as it was productive for fantasy managers. He set career highs across the board, launching 36 home runs with 86 runs scored and 103 RBIs, while adding his usual handful of steals (four). The downside was a rough .228 batting average, a reminder of Ward's well-documented inconsistency. His month-to-month splits tell the story: he caught fire in May with a .255 average and 10 homers, only to cool off in June, hitting .204 with four long balls. There are reasons for optimism heading into 2026, including a contract-year motivation, an upgraded offensive environment after his move to Baltimore, and back-to-back healthy seasons. A 30-homer campaign with roughly 75-80 runs is within reach, but expecting another 100-RBI season is likely a stretch. If you roster Ward, prepare for volatility—smooth rides have never really been part of the package.
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92.
Jordan Westburg
3B
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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101.
Adley Rutschman
C
Adley Rutschman enters 2026 as a clear fantasy rebound candidate after a disappointing, injury-shortened 2025 season. His production dipped across the board (.220/.307/.366, 90 OPS+), driven in part by a career-low .240 BABIP and a sharp decline in run value (89 Rbat+), despite maintaining solid underlying quality of contact (89.4 mph EV, 38.6% HardHit). The erosion from his 2022-2023 peak — when he posted back-to-back seasons with a 127+ Rbat+ and elite OBP skills — raises some concern, but his plate discipline remains above league average and the power indicators weren't catastrophic. With 2026 projections forecasting a bounce-back toward his career norms, Rutschman profiles as a discounted catcher who could outperform his draft slot if the batted-ball luck normalizes.
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113.
Jackson Holliday
2B
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140.
Samuel Basallo
C
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154.
Colton Cowser
LF,CF
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211.
Dylan Beavers
LF,RF
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250.
Tyler O'Neill
RF
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305.
Blaze Alexander
3B
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317.
Coby Mayo
1B
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325.
Ryan Mountcastle
1B,DH
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393.
Jeremiah Jackson
3B,RF
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397.
Enrique Bradfield Jr.
LF,CF
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459.
Heston Kjerstad
LF,RF
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463.
Leody Taveras
CF,RF
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526.
Payton Eeles
2B,SS,LF
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559.
Sam Huff
C
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588.
Maverick Handley
C
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619.
Bryan Ramos
3B
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681.
Jhonkensy Noel
RF
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685.
Weston Wilson
LF
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712.
Jose Barrero
2B,CF
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