Sport: MLB
Any fantasy manager can win the early rounds of fantasy baseball drafts, despite their knowledge or research. However, leagues are usually won by finding late-round picks that surpass expectations. These late-round sleepers allow fantasy managers to flex and show others that they know their stuff. Now it’s not that easy to find these players.
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There are times you may think you found a valuable player late in drafts, but they turn into a bust. Lucky for you, I’m here to help you navigate these slippery slopes. Below are five late-round sleepers that you can target in your draft.
5 Late-Round Sleepers in 2026 Fantasy Baseball
Kazuma Okamoto – 1B/3B, Toronto Blue Jays (ADP: 198)
Kazuma Okamoto brings over an impressive bat from Japan. He hit at least 25 home runs in seven straight seasons starting in 2018, before an elbow injury forced him to miss half of the season last year. He was on pace to extend that streak to eight seasons with 15 home runs before his season finished early. In our Fantrax consensus ratings, he’s ranked 18th among third basemen, despite my ranking him 16th.
The reason Okamoto is likely so low is that it takes some time for hitters to adjust to the American game and pitchers. He has shown, while in the NPB, that he can hit for power and contact consistently. It doesn’t make sense why Okamoto is being drafted behind Noelvi Marte, who has been a bust until a brief breakout last season, Royce Lewis, who can’t stay healthy, and Addison Barger, who is a left-handed platoon bat. I’d take Okamoto over all three of these players.
Adolis Garcia – OF, Philadelphia Phillies (ADP: 211)
Adolis Garcia is far from the player who hit 39 homers in 2023, but Globe Life Field has emerged as a heavy pitcher-friendly ballpark over the last two seasons. It’s flyball park factors have ranked near the bottom of MLB in that time. Garcia went from a near .250 hitter to hitting .224 and .227 over those seasons, respectively. However, his 24.7 percent in 2025 was his lowest strikeout percentage over his seven-year career.
One of the pluses for Garcia is that he’s been healthy over the last five seasons, playing in 135 or more games each season. He gets a massive boost in park factor with Citizens Bank Park having the fourth most home runs last season (117), compared to Globe Life Field having the third fewest (80). With a ballpark boost and a better lineup around him, Garcia will have ample opportunities to outperform his current ADP.
Jac Caglianone – 1B, OF – Kansas City Royals (ADP: 214)
The Kansas City Royals’ first-round pick in 2024 has generated massive hype for his power swing. Through every minor league level last season, he generated a total of 20 home runs over a combined 304 plate appearances. However, he struggled in his MLB debut, hitting only 7 long balls in 232 trips to the plate. He also struggled in the contact department, going from a .300 hitter in the minors to .157 in the big leagues.
Cags has been impressive this Spring Training and WBC, hitting .400 over 20 PAs in the Cactus League, and .375 in 11 PAs for Team Italy, with a home run for both teams. As a multi-position player, Caglianone can hit 20+ homers and be a .250 hitter. Look for a bounce back this season, and that’s not because of my Florida Gator fandom.
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JJ Wetherholt – 2B/3B/SS – St. Louis Cardinals (ADP: 237)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ rookie brings a five-tool skill set to the big leagues. Across Double- and Triple-A last season, he combined for 17 home runs, 82 runs, 59 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases, plus slashed .306/.421/.510. This skill set, plus being eligible for three positions, makes Wetherholt a prime late-round draft pick. He’s narrowly behind Konor Griffin and Nolan McLean for the NL Rookie of the Year Award at +500. So I’m not the only one expecting big things from the rookie.
Bryan Abreu – RP, Houston Astros (ADP: 256)
This pick is based on the Josh Hader news, starting on the 15-day injury list with bicep inflammation. Hader also had injury issues last season, having his season shut down early due to a shoulder capsule strain. Next in line for saves in Houston is Bryan Abreu. Abreu has been electric in his past seven seasons for the Astros. He’s had experience closing, converting seven last season, while Hader missed time and has 16 career saves.
Even when Hader returns, Abreu holds value with his 32.7 percent strikeout rate over his career. If you need a late-round option for saves and strikeouts, then Abreu is your guy. He’s thrown at least 70 games each of the last three seasons, making his durability a major boost for a sleeper pick.
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