Fantasy Baseball Player Notes
2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Notes
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5.
Cristopher Sanchez
SP
Cristopher Sanchez finished second for the Cy Young Award in 2025, and without a historic season from Paul Skenes, he would have been an easy choice. Sanchez threw 202 innings with a 2.50 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and 212 strikeouts. His K-rate jumped to 26.3%, and his walk rate remained microscopic at 5.5%. He also had a 176 ERA+, good for fifth in the majors. If you don't want to pay the massive cost for one of the Big 3 pitchers, Sanchez is about as great of a "consolation prize" as there is in starting pitching in 2026.
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22.
Jesus Luzardo
SP
In his first season in Philadelphia, Jesus Luzardo threw 183 2/3 innings, struck out 216 batters, and ended with a 3.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His xERA was 3.34, and his FIP was an impressive 2.90. Lizardo's strikeout rate of 28.5% was in line with his two best seasons in Miami in 2022 and 2023, and even though we don't chase wins, his 15-7 record was a nice addition in fantasy. He cut his HR/9 to 0.78, the lowest of his career as a starter. Heading into his age-28 season, Luzardo profiles as a solid SP2 in fantasy.
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23.
Jhoan Duran
RP
Jhoan Duran rebounded strongly in 2025, posting a 2.06 ERA across 70 innings with elite run suppression indicators, including a career-low 1.0% HR rate and a .564 OPS allowed, signaling a return to dominance after a shaky 2024. While his strikeout rate (27.9%) was down from his 2022-23 peak, improved command and consistently heavy ground-ball rates helped stabilize his ratios and WHIP. The 2026 projections continue to view him as a high-end closer with strong save totals and excellent ERA/WHIP support, even if the gaudy K/9 ceiling doesn't fully return. Given his age, power arsenal, and restored efficiency, Duran profiles as a reliable top-tier fantasy closer rather than the volatile arm he briefly appeared to be in 2024.
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50.
Zack Wheeler
SP
Zack Wheeler followed up his dominant 2024 with an even sharper skill set in 2025, posting a career-best 11.73 K/9 and 33.3% strikeout rate alongside a stellar 27.7% K-BB%. His 2.71 ERA was supported by a 2.48 xERA, though a spike to 1.14 HR/9 and a lofty 82.4% strand rate suggest some regression baked into that surface line. The question for Wheeler is how he will recover from the thoracic outlet surgery he underwent last season. Recovery is listed as 6 to 8 months, so the chances of him being ready for Opening Day are slim to none, but the latest report is that it "shouldn't be too long" after that. All of this makes him a high-risk, high-reward pitcher capable of being the SP1 he's been, but fantasy managers should count on some regression based on the injury and the fact that he will be 36 this season.
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71.
Aaron Nola
SP
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142.
Andrew Painter
SP
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206.
Brad Keller
RP
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219.
Orion Kerkering
RP
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240.
Jose Alvarado
RP
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305.
Tanner Banks
RP
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407.
Jonathan Bowlan
RP
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479.
Taijuan Walker
SP,RP
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613.
Gage Wood
SP
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621.
Tim Mayza
RP
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634.
Lou Trivino
RP
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637.
Max Lazar
RP
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638.
Zach McCambley
SP
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707.
Alan Rangel
RP
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711.
Kyle Backhus
RP
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716.
Chase Shugart
RP
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722.
Nolan Hoffman
RP
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727.
Daniel Robert
RP
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736.
Tucker Davidson
RP
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795.
Genesis Cabrera
RP
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821.
Zach Pop
RP
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836.
Yoniel Curet
SP
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840.
Seth Johnson
RP
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849.
Bryse Wilson
SP,RP
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850.
Jean Cabrera
SP
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