Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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13.
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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23.
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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68.
Kyle Bradish
SP
Kyle Bradish's road back from Tommy John surgery was long, but his return in August 2025 showed the potential for building on the breakout foundation he established during his 2023 Cy Young-caliber campaign. The 2026 projections appropriately price in strong ratios and strikeouts but stop short of a full starter's workload, capping his ceiling in volume-driven formats. Bradish profiles as a high-upside fantasy riser whose value spikes in leagues that prioritize ratios and strikeout efficiency over innings.
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134.
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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139.
Trevor Rogers
SP
Trevor Rogers' 2025 rebound was dramatic, highlighted by a 1.81 ERA, elite run prevention (223 ERA+), and sharp ratios driven by improved command (6.9 BB%) and a return to missing bats (24.3 K%). The advanced profile supports the breakout: opponents managed just a .503 OPS with a suppressed BABIP (.228), while his batted-ball mix stayed balanced and homer rate remained well below league average. After multiple injury- and performance-marred seasons from 2022-24, the Orioles stint unlocked stability and efficiency without a full return to peak strikeout volume. The 2026 projections understandably bake in some regression from ace-level run prevention, but Rogers profiles as a strong SP3 with upside in formats that reward ratios—especially if his walk gains hold.
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148.
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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164.
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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170.
Ryan Helsley
RP
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187.
Shane Baz
SP
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188.
Jackson Holliday
2B
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221.
Samuel Basallo
C
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256.
Colton Cowser
LF,CF
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308.
Zach Eflin
SP
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312.
Chris Bassitt
SP
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358.
Dylan Beavers
LF
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443.
Andrew Kittredge
RP
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447.
Dean Kremer
SP
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450.
Tyler Wells
SP
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460.
Tyler O'Neill
RF
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539.
Coby Mayo
1B
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563.
Ryan Mountcastle
1B,DH
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588.
Keegan Akin
RP
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602.
Cade Povich
SP
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625.
Yennier Cano
RP
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631.
Blaze Alexander
3B
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677.
Colin Selby
RP
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712.
Enrique Bradfield Jr.
CF
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741.
Jeremiah Jackson
RF
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747.
Dietrich Enns
RP
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757.
Felix Bautista
RP
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808.
Trey Gibson
SP
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845.
Heston Kjerstad
LF,RF
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874.
Anthony Nunez
RP
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918.
Yaramil Hiraldo
RP
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965.
Leody Taveras
CF,RF
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1021.
Grant Wolfram
RP
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1086.
Albert Suarez
RP
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1088.
Brandon Young
SP
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1117.
Hans Crouse
RP
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1151.
Tyson Neighbors
RP
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1158.
Rico Garcia
RP
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1202.
Jose Espada
RP
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1228.
Luis De Leon
SP
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1248.
Bryan Ramos
3B
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1257.
Cameron Foster
RP
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1421.
Jackson Kowar
RP
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1423.
Chayce McDermott
RP
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1487.
Sam Huff
C
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1502.
Maverick Handley
C
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1564.
Jhonkensy Noel
RF
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1568.
Weston Wilson
LF
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1595.
Jose Barrero
CF
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