Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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1.
Shohei Ohtani
There's no real debate at the top of 2026 fantasy drafts: In formats where he is considered one player, Shohei Ohtani remains the clear-cut 1.01 thanks to his unmatched two-way impact. Offensively, his 2026 projections again place him among the game's elite, with 45-plus home runs, triple-digit runs and RBI, and an on-base percentage north of .390 while continuing to anchor the Dodgers' lineup from the leadoff spot. The stolen base ceiling isn't what it was earlier in his career, but projected totals in the high teens still provide a valuable bonus atop his league-leading power and run production.
What truly separates Ohtani, however, is his return as a full-time starting pitcher. His 2026 projections peg him as a top-tier arm, capable of delivering ace-level strikeout totals, strong ratios, and double-digit wins in one of baseball's best team contexts. Even with some workload management baked in, Ohtani's ability to provide elite value on both sides of the ball gives fantasy managers a structural advantage no other player can match. As long as he's healthy, Ohtani isn't just the safest pick in fantasy baseball; he's still redefining what roster construction can look like. |
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11.
Kyle Tucker
RF
Kyle Tucker delivered another well-rounded fantasy season in 2025, pairing plus power with double-digit steals and elite run production. He also delivered another season of murky injuries that diminished his output. His 2026 projections remain remarkably stable, reflecting how consistent his plate discipline and contact quality have been year over year. While there's little growth left in the profile, there's also minimal downside other than the injury history. Tucker signed with the Dodgers, a landing spot that only helps his value, as his profile is that of a safe early-round outfielder who fits seamlessly into any roster build.
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28.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
SP
Yoshinobu Yamamoto followed up his MLB debut with a strong 2025, flashing elite command and swing-and-miss ability even as his workload was managed. That, however, went out the window when he threw 37-1/3 postseason innings, bringing his total to 210 in 2025. His 2026 projections show maintained excellent ratios and strikeout efficiency. The year-over-year improvement in pitch efficiency suggests he can work deeper into games moving forward. The biggest knock against Yamamoto is that he pitches for the Dodgers, who have a deep enough staff to go with a six-man rotation or rest elite starters down the stretch (fantasy playoffs) if they wish. In any case, Yamamoto profiles as a high-end fantasy starter whose value is anchored in ratios.
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41.
Mookie Betts
SS
Whether Father Time came calling or it was just a down year, Mookie Betts was one of the bigger disappointments in 2025. In his age-32 season, he saw a drop in his walk rate and posted the lowest batting average of his career. He also suffered a power outage, hitting 20 home runs across 150 games; by comparison, he hit 19 in 2024 across only 116 games. His HardHit rate plummeted to 35.8%, continuing a three-year decline. However, he still bats in the Dodgers lineup, scoring 95 runs and driving in 82 for the World Champions. He will only qualify at shortstop, a much deeper position than second base, in 2026. He still has plenty of value, but don't draft him based on his name alone. We've seen the best Betts has to offer.
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49.
Freddie Freeman
1B
Freddie Freeman remained a model of consistency in 2025, combining a strong batting average, on-base skills, and run production near the top of the Dodgers lineup. The only concerning stat on his profile was a large jump in strikeout rate to 20.4%, the first time since 2016 that it crossed the 20-percent mark. His 2026 projections show only modest age-related regression. If you draft him, you need to bake in lowered expectations regarding his consistency (147 games played each of the last two years) and fewer counting stats. Freeman remains a solid early-round corner infielder in fantasy, even factoring in that he will turn 37 in September, but he is not the pillar that he once was.
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64.
Edwin Diaz
RP
Edwin Díaz reaffirmed his elite closer status in 2025, posting a dominant 1.63 ERA with a .502 OPS allowed and strong underlying indicators, including a sub-0.90 WHIP and elite run-prevention metrics after his injury-lost 2023. While his strikeout rate (38.0%) was slightly below his 2022 peak, it remained well above league average and was paired with improved home-run suppression and stable command. The 2026 projections reflect continued ninth-inning dominance with high save volume and strong ratios, supported by his consistent bat-missing profile and ability to limit hard contact. As long as health cooperates and the Dodgers don't get too cute with their bullpen, Díaz remains a top-tier fantasy closer with realistic upside to finish among the league leaders in saves again.
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83.
Blake Snell
SP
Blake Snell remains one of fantasy baseball's most volatile aces, pairing elite strikeout ability with persistent workload and control risk. His 2025 season with Los Angeles featured a dominant 2.35 ERA and strong run prevention metrics, but it came in just 61.1 innings, reinforcing long-standing durability concerns. The 2026 projections again favor strong ratios and well-above-average strikeout rates, though modest innings expectations cap his overall fantasy ceiling. Snell's swing-and-miss stuff still plays at a Cy Young level when healthy, but his elevated walk rates continue to introduce WHIP volatility. Fantasy designation: High-risk SP2 / ratio-boosting upside play, best suited for managers willing to absorb innings risk in exchange for elite per-inning production.
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95.
Tyler Glasnow
SP
Tyler Glasnow followed up his 2024 All-Star campaign (3.49 ERA, 168 K in 134 IP) with a strong but abbreviated 2025, posting a 3.19 ERA and .177 BAA across 90.1 innings. The swing-and-miss remained intact (29% K rate), but his walk rate spiked to 11.7%, driving a 3.75 FIP and reminding fantasy managers that command volatility still lurks beneath the surface. His contact quality allowed stayed manageable (88.2 mph EV, 37.6% HardHit%), and he continued to suppress damage despite a slight dip in strikeout dominance year over year. The 2026 projections lean into a rebound in workload with frontline ratios and well north of a strikeout per inning, banking on improved control closer to his 2023-2024 levels. In Los Angeles, team context keeps his win ceiling elevated whenever he's active, but durability remains the swing factor after topping 120 innings just twice in his career. Glasnow profiles as a high-end SP2 with SP1 per-start upside — just be prepared to build in contingency plans for missed time.
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106.
Teoscar Hernandez
LF,RF
Teoscar Hernandez saw a dramatic step back in 2025 after posting a massive 25.6 offensive WAR the year before, finishing with just 0.4. His production dipped nearly across the board, and injuries limited him to 134 games. Hernández still managed 25 home runs with 89 RBI, scored 65 runs, and added five steals, but his efficiency cratered. He posted career lows with a .247/.285/.454 slash line, raising concerns about age-related decline as he enters his age-33 season. While hitting in the Dodgers lineup provides a strong run-producing environment, continued struggles could push him lower than a typical middle-of-the-order role. Power remains his calling card, but at this stage, Hernandez profiles best as a depth outfielder, ideally drafted as an OF3 or OF4 rather than a lineup anchor.
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116.
Will Smith
C
Will Smith rebounded in 2025 with one of the most efficient offensive seasons of his career, slashing .296/.404/.497 with a 152 OPS+ across 110 games. His underlying metrics fully supported the surge: a career-best 91.3 mph average exit velocity, 47.1% hard-hit rate, and .387 rOBA, while his walk rate jumped to 14.7% — well above league average and his career norm. The improved plate discipline helped offset a modest 20.4% strikeout rate, and his .345 BABIP wasn't entirely fluky given the quality of contact. Looking ahead to 2026, projections peg some batting average regression but maintain him as an elite offensive catcher thanks to stable power (mid-20s HR pace over a full season) and strong OBP skills in the middle of a loaded Dodgers lineup. His consistent fly-ball mix and above-average pull tendencies keep the power floor intact, while his role remains secure even with periodic DH days to preserve health. Smith should be drafted as a top-tier catcher in all formats, with OBP leagues especially benefiting from his elevated walk rate and run-production environment.
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129.
Andy Pages
LF,CF,RF
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132.
Emmet Sheehan
SP
Emmet Sheehan took a meaningful step forward in 2025, trimming his ERA from 4.92 in 2023 to 2.82 while improving nearly every underlying indicator. His strikeout rate jumped to 30.6% (up from 25.8%), supported by a 10.9 K/9 and a sharp drop in walk rate (7.6%), leading to a strong 4.05 K/BB ratio. Opponents managed just a .185 batting average and .568 OPS against him, and his HR rate was cut nearly in half (4.4% to 2.4%), signaling improved pitch execution and command within the zone. The profile isn't without volatility — his fly-ball lean (career 0.50 GB/FB) can create some homer risk in tougher matchups — but the swing-and-miss foundation is real, and his 2.93 FIP in 2025 backs up the breakout. If his 2026 projections hold near a double-digit K/9 with solid ratios, Sheehan profiles as a high-upside SP3 in 12-team formats with SP2 weeks when the command is dialed in. On a strong Dodgers roster, the win equity further boosts his fantasy appeal, making him a worthwhile mid-round target for managers chasing strikeouts without paying ace prices.
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230.
Roki Sasaki
SP
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258.
Max Muncy
3B
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281.
Tommy Edman
2B,3B,CF
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355.
Tanner Scott
RP
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470.
Hyeseong Kim
2B,SS,CF
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495.
Alex Vesia
RP
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506.
Dalton Rushing
C
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560.
Blake Treinen
RP
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594.
Brusdar Graterol
RP
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650.
Jack Dreyer
SP,RP
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655.
River Ryan
SP
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675.
Miguel Rojas
2B,3B,SS
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708.
Justin Wrobleski
RP
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717.
Evan Phillips
RP
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794.
Brock Stewart
RP
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798.
Gavin Stone
SP
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809.
Alex Freeland
3B,SS
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810.
Ben Casparius
SP,RP
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848.
Ryan Ward
1B,LF,RF
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914.
Edgardo Henriquez
RP
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923.
Kyle Hurt
RP
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966.
Bobby Miller
SP
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994.
Enrique Hernandez
1B,2B,3B,LF
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1058.
Will Klein
RP
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1084.
Alex Call
LF,CF,RF
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1162.
Ronan Kopp
RP
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1170.
Jack Suwinski
LF,CF,RF
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1200.
Josue De Paula
OF
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1222.
Paul Gervase
RP
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1245.
Landon Knack
SP
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1376.
Cole Irvin
SP,RP
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1472.
Santiago Espinal
2B,3B,LF,RF
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1497.
Eliezer Alfonzo
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1547.
Ryan Fitzgerald
SS
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1585.
Michael Siani
CF
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