Fantasy Baseball 2026 Sleepers and Highlighting Pitchers, Sluggers to Target
With MLB's Opening Day drawing near, fantasy drafts are kicking off around the globe, with managers looking to build the best teams possible to ensure victory in their respective leagues.
Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Juan Soto are among the usual suspects certain to be taken high, but who are the other must-draft pitchers and hitters? More importantly for those seeking quality depth, who are the sleepers managers should have their eyes on?
Find out in this preview of the upcoming fantasy season.
Top 20 Pitchers to Target
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1. Shohei Ohtani, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Tarik Skubal, SP, Detroit Tigers
3. Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
4. Garrett Crochet, SP, Boston Red Sox
5. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
6. Hunter Brown, SP, Houston Astros
7. Christopher Sanchez, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
8. Logan Gilbert, SP, Seattle Mariners
9. Logan Webb, SP, San Francisco Giants
10. Bryan Woo, SP, Seattle Mariners
11. Chris Sale, SP, Atlanta Braves
12. Jacob deGrom, SP, Texas Rangers
13. Max Fried, SP, New York Yankees
14. Mason Miller, RP, San Diego Padres
15. Cole Ragans, SP, Kansas City Royals
16. George Kirby, SP, Seattle Mariners
17. Freddy Peralta, SP, New York Mets
18. Edwin Diaz, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
19. Jesus Luzardo, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
20. Dylan Cease, SP, Toronto Blue Jays
Top 20 Batters to Target
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1. Shohei Ohtani, DH, Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees
3. Juan Soto, OF, New York Mets
4. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals
5. Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians
6. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds
7. Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves
8. Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners
9. Fernando Tatis Jr., OF, San Diego Padres
10. Kyle Tucker, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
11. Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles
12. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
13. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
14. Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays
15. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies
16. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics
17. Jackson Chourio, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
18. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B, New York Yankees
19. Cal Raleigh, C, Seattle Mainers
20. Trea Turner, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
Sleeper: Francisco Alvarez, C, New York Mets
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The last two seasons have not been particularly kind to Alvarez as injuries have slowed his development. Still, despite missing time, the power-hitting catcher has shown flashes of excellence that could mean a big 2026 if he can stay healthy.
Alvarez went on a tear after the All-Star break last season, slugging .561 with eight home runs. He is still a threat to demolish any ball that comes his way, a true game-changing catcher.
In just 76 games in 2025, Alvarez averaged .256, with 32 RBI and 27 walks, and 63 hits. Showing improved plate discipline.
That he is just 24 years old, with plenty of baseball ahead of him, should encourage Mets fans and give fantasy managers something to think about when filling out their bench this draft season.
Coby Mayo, 1B, Baltimore Orioles
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The Orioles have struggled to find Mayo playing time and when they have, he has not exactly lit up the stat sheets. That is, until this year's Spring Training, where he has been an absolute menace at the plate.
Mayo is hitting .500, two runs, one home run, 10 RBI, and a stolen base. His OPS is an otherworldly 1.195.
The fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft has looked the part of a top prospect, which he has been hailed as for years now. Of course, the arrival of All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso in Baltimore will likely mean Mayo plays elsewhere, perhaps at the DH spot if anywhere, but he is an intriguing potential sleeper for managers in deeper leagues.
If anything, do not be surprised to see the young slugger dealt, not unlike Kyle Stowers last season. If so, his playing time could go way up, as could the likelihood of victory for some managers smart enough to recognize his potential now.
