Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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2.
Aaron Judge
RF,DH
Aaron Judge followed up his MVP-caliber 2025 with another elite power profile, delivering 53 HR, 1.144 OPS, and a career-best 12 SB. His 2026 projections still anticipate slight regression & around 43 HR and a .285 AVG, but the underlying rates (elite barrel%, top-tier OBP stability) remain intact. Even with natural aging curves factored in, Judge projects as one of the safest four-category anchors in fantasy. He remains a first-round bat with minimal risk thanks to bankable power and sustainable plate discipline.
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20.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
2B,3B
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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45.
Cody Bellinger
LF,CF,RF
Cody Bellinger silenced doubts during his stint in New York, showing that his resurgence in Chicago was no fluke. He finished the season with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases, while posting a strong .272/.334/.480 slash line. His batted-ball quality also trended in the right direction, as his HardHit rate climbed by five percentage points to 37.9%.
As he enters his age-30 campaign, his return to the Bronx is a boon to his fantasy value. A baseline projection in the range of 25 home runs with roughly 80 runs and 80 RBIs is a fair starting point. While his recent production has been far more stable, the downturns from 2021 and 2022 still loom as a reminder of his volatility. Fantasy managers should value the upside—but avoid paying a premium on draft day. |
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55.
Ben Rice
C,1B,DH
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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138.
Trent Grisham
CF
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165.
Jose Caballero
2B,3B,SS,RF
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169.
Jasson Dominguez
LF
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178.
Giancarlo Stanton
RF,DH
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185.
Anthony Volpe
SS
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207.
Austin Wells
C
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225.
Paul Goldschmidt
1B
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234.
Ryan McMahon
3B
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368.
Spencer Jones
CF
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377.
Amed Rosario
2B,3B
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428.
J.C. Escarra
C
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435.
Yanquiel Fernandez
RF,DH
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457.
Randal Grichuk
RF,DH
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515.
Oswaldo Cabrera
3B
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524.
Max Schuemann
2B,3B,SS
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534.
Paul DeJong
3B
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552.
Seth Brown
LF
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622.
Jorbit Vivas
2B,3B
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639.
Marco Luciano
LF
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