{"id":628634,"date":"2026-03-17T19:11:32","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/628634\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T19:11:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T19:11:32","slug":"fantasy-baseball-breakouts-sleepers-targets-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/628634\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Baseball Breakouts, Sleepers, Targets (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Bubba <\/p>\n

March 17, 2026 <\/p>\n

Frank’s league-winning fantasy baseball prospects, sleepers and targets for the later rounds of 2026 drafts. These MLB rookie values have big fantasy upside.<\/p>\n

We’ve gone through my 10 league-winning hitters<\/a>, so now it’s time to take a look at prospects with a high upside. These can be hitters or pitchers with high ceilings to put your team over the top.<\/p>\n

Last year, we saw Nick Kurtz<\/a> crush expectations, so he’d be the benchmark in what we’re looking for in terms of upside for a prospect. Do note that I won’t be including any player from my top pitching prospects<\/a> or my top hitting prospects<\/a> columns. This is why Konnor Griffin<\/a>, Connelly Early<\/a>, and others aren’t listed here.<\/p>\n

We’re going to focus on players who are still eligible for Rookie of the Year for this article. We’ll use NFBC ADP as of February 10th. With that in mind, let’s dive in.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools<\/a> and resources:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

NFBC ADP<\/a>: 163.5<\/p>\n

Bubba Chandler, 101mph \u26fd\ufe0f in February.<\/p>\n

[I’ll save you the reply: “Ball.”] pic.twitter.com\/pbEiltsJfl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Bubba Chandler came into last season as the consensus top pitching prospect in baseball. But after Nolan McLean<\/a>, Cam Schlittler<\/a>, Trey Yesavage<\/a>, and Chase Burns<\/a> showed a lot of promise, Chandler has gotten a bit overlooked.<\/p>\n

It didn’t help that the Pirates’ righty was called up late in the year, and left a sour taste in the mouths of fantasy players after giving up nine runs against the Brewers.<\/p>\n

But now firmly entrenched in the Pirates’ rotation, Chandler will have a chance to show what he can do. This is a righty with excellent stuff, playing in a pitcher-friendly environment, so there’s a lot of upside here.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

NFBC ADP<\/a>: 169.2<\/p>\n

Samuel Basallo is widely considered to be the best catcher prospect in baseball, especially with the bat. This is a slugger who hit 23 homers in only 321 plate appearances across all minor league levels in his age-20 season.<\/p>\n

The Orioles signed him to an extension, so expect him to be a fixture in their lineup this year, even if it’s not always behind the plate. You could see Basallo earn playing time at designated hitter or in the outfield.<\/p>\n

If you wait on catcher, Basallo makes a lot of sense as a swing for the fences. In two-catcher leagues, I’m totally fine with him as my first catcher as well. There’s 30+ homer upside in this bat.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

NFBC ADP<\/a>: 183.7<\/p>\n

Sal Stewart made his MLB Debut on Sept 1st & hit 5 HR in his first 58 PA w\/ a 95.4 MPH Avg EV in a small 40 BBE Sample.<\/p>\n

Before the call, he was the only player in Minor League Baseball in 2025 w\/ 20+ HR, a 150 wRC+ or higher, & a K% below 17%. He also had 10 HR in just 38 AAA G. pic.twitter.com\/4MoBBMobyw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Sal Stewart is an excellent young hitter who slashed .309\/.383\/.524 with 20 homers and 17 steals in 494 plate appearances across all minor league levels in his age-21 season. You have to love how Stewart had a 15.6% strikeout rate during that stretch, signaling that he has upside to hit for a nice batting average in the big leagues.<\/p>\n

It also helps that Stewart is versatile, capable of playing second and third base in addition to first. Don’t forget about the sneaky speed, which you normally wouldn’t get from a corner infielder.<\/p>\n

I wouldn’t worry too much about Stewart’s playing time. You can make a legit case that he’s already the second-best hitter on the team, behind only Elly De La Cruz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

NFBC ADP<\/a>: 177.3<\/p>\n

Like Basallo in Baltimore, Carter Jensen is another talented catcher who will not only share time with Salvador Perez<\/a>\u00a0but also join him in the lineup at times.<\/p>\n

Jensen put up impressive minor league numbers last season, slashing .290\/.377\/.501 with 20 homers and 10 steals in his age-21 season. We also saw him crush the ball in a limited sample in the big leagues, as highlighted by a 20.8% barrel rate.<\/p>\n

With the fences moved in at Kauffman Stadium, it should become more of a hitter’s park, as some doubles will now become home runs. While I prefer Basallo in drafts, Jensen has a nice upside as well, even in one-catcher formats.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

NFBC ADP<\/a>: 292.6<\/p>\n

Chase DeLauter has been a touted prospect for a couple of years now, but he’s dealt with injuries, so we haven’t been able to see what he can do at the big league level in a larger sample. The 24-year-old outfielder has been impressive in spring training so far, slashing .400\/.444\/.640 with one home run in 27 plate appearances. You also love to see the 7.4% strikeout rate.<\/p>\n

The Guardians desperately need help on offense, so they’re going to give DeLauter all the playing time that he can handle, as long as he’s healthy. This is a polished hitter who can make an immediate impact for both the Guardians and your fantasy baseball teams.<\/p>\n

While there’s not much speed in DeLauter’s profile, he can hit 25+ home runs with a rock-solid batting average. That’s exactly what you want at this stage of the draft.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

NFBC ADP<\/a>: 423.9<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for power upside late in your drafts, look no further than Bryce Eldridge. The Giants’ slugger slashed .260\/.333\/.510 with 25 home runs in 433 plate appearances across Double-A and Triple-A last season.<\/p>\n

He’s currently slashing .250\/.413\/.500 with one homer in 46 plate appearances this spring. You have to love the 19.6% walk rate that Eldridge has shown so far. That type of patience could help keep him in the lineup even when he’s struggling. It’s also a major positive for OBP leagues.<\/p>\n

While it’s going to be tough for Eldridge to get 1B eligibility with Rafael Devers<\/a> there, he’s still worth a look later in drafts for his power upside.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

NFBC ADP<\/a>: 577.2<\/p>\n

We’re digging deep with our next league-winning prospect, heading to Tampa Bay by targeting Carson Williams. This is a 23-year-old shortstop with an enticing power-speed profile. Williams hit 23 homers with 22 steals in 451 plate appearances in Triple-A last season. While the batting average is a major risk, you can’t help but get intrigued by that category juice.<\/p>\n

Williams is slashing .364\/.375\/.455 in 24 plate appearances this spring, so there’s a chance that he can win a role with the team. The Rays have a major hole at shortstop right now with Taylor Walls<\/a> holding down the fort. They could use some more ceiling by taking a chance on Williams.<\/p>\n

At this stage of the draft, Williams is a rock-solid target to give you some ceiling. If you’re in shallower formats, add Williams to your watch list.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cole Young<\/a>, 2B, Seattle Mariners
\nNFBC ADP<\/a>: 616.2<\/p>\n

Cole Young remains the favorite to be the everyday second baseman for the Mariners. The 22-year-old can be an asset in batting average, having hit .270+ in the minors last year. He can also pitch in some speed, with 20+ stolen base upside.<\/p>\n

Playing in a good Mariners lineup and eligible at a thin position, Young is worth a look in super-deep formats.\u00a0 You can also take teammate Colt Emerson<\/a>, the better prospect, but one the Mariners may be more patient with.<\/p>\n

Target Young to add some speed to your build in the final rounds of the draft.<\/p>\n

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