{"id":654407,"date":"2026-03-31T12:59:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T12:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/654407\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T12:59:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T12:59:30","slug":"rookie-rankings-for-week-1-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/654407\/","title":{"rendered":"Rookie Rankings for Week 1 (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Konnor <\/p>\n

March 30, 2026 <\/p>\n

Eric Cross’ top 25 fantasy baseball prospects to stash in redraft for Week 1 (2026). His updated MLB rookie rankings for prospect call-ups to make 2026 impacts.<\/p>\n

Draft season is over, and the long grind of a fantasy baseball season has begun. In addition to my waiver wire article every Friday, I’ll once again be ranking and discussing the top-25 prospects to stash in redraft leagues each Monday here on RotoBaller.<\/p>\n

While several notable prospects like JJ Wetherholt<\/a>, Kevin McGonigle<\/a>, and Chase DeLauter<\/a> made their respective teams out of camp, there are still plenty of intriguing prospects who got sent to Triple-A to open the season.<\/p>\n

These prospect rankings are for 2026 redraft value only. These are MLB prospects who could potentially make a fantasy baseball impact in 2026 redraft leagues. You can also see our top fantasy baseball dynasty prospects rankings<\/a> for longer-term outlooks and our 2026 fantasy baseball rankings<\/a> dashboard for all other league formats.<\/p>\n

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

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Top 25 Prospects to Stash in Redraft Leagues<\/p>\n

My prospect write-ups are below the rankings. These rankings are for 2026 redraft value only, not dynasty. These are MLB prospects who could potentially make a fantasy baseball impact in 2026.<\/p>\n

Promoted Last Week: Deyvison De Los Santos<\/a> (MIA), Jeferson Quero<\/a> (MIL)<\/p>\n

Honorable Mentions (Hitters):\u00a0Lazaro Montes<\/a> (SEA), Harry Ford<\/a> (WAS), Ryan Clifford<\/a> (NYM), Kemp Alderman<\/a> (MIA), Kevin Alcantara<\/a> (CHC), Esmerlyn Valdez<\/a> (PIT), Gabriel Gonzalez<\/a> (MIN)<\/p>\n

Honorable Mentions (Pitchers):\u00a0Gage Jump<\/a> (ATH), Carlos Lagrange<\/a> (NYY), Elmer Rodriguez<\/a> (NYY), Hagen Smith<\/a> (CHW), Noah Schultz<\/a> (CHW), Jaxon Wiggins<\/a> (CHC), Trey Gibson<\/a> (BAL), George Klassen<\/a> (LAA)<\/p>\n

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Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings Analysis<\/p>\n

Konnor Griffin, Pittsburgh Pirates<\/p>\n

I’m sure those who drafted Konnor Griffin are a bit disappointed that he didn’t make the team out of camp. But it was the right move in my eyes. Pittsburgh has no reason to rush their uber-prospect, and giving him a month or two in Triple-A is the best move for his long-term development. And to no surprise, Griffin is off to a hot start in Triple-A, going 5-for-10 in his first three games with two doubles and two steals.<\/p>\n

Konnor Griffin to the wall!<\/p>\n

MLB’s No. 1 prospect (@Pirates<\/a>) whacks his first Triple-A XBH 332 ft for the @indyindians<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/sNlcbUlbdE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

If you drafted Griffin, you absolutely need to hold onto him, even in shallower formats. And if he’s for some reason available in your league, you need to change that quickly. Griffin is coming off a 21-homer, 65-steal season with a .333\/.415\/.527 slash line, and smacked three home runs in spring training. Even if he’s down in Triple-A for two months, the enormous upside is worth using a bench spot on.<\/p>\n

Colt Emerson, Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n

After impressing during spring training, Colt Emerson has already picked up five hits in his first three Triple-A games this season, including a double and a home run. Seattle is currently starting Cole Young<\/a> at second base and Leo Rivas<\/a> at shortstop while J.P. Crawford<\/a> (shoulder) is on the IL, so it’s not like Emerson is blocked at either position.<\/p>\n

With how advanced Emerson is, I’m not anticipating him being down in Triple-A for very long. Emerson slashed .285\/.383\/.458 in 130 games last season, along with 16 home runs, 14 steals, an 11.8% walk rate, and a 17.5% strikeout rate. While he’s probably more of a 15-20 homer and 15-20 steal threat long-term, those power and speed contributions should come with a good AVG and OBP. I’d bank on Emerson being up by the end of May at the latest.<\/p>\n

Travis Bazzana, Cleveland Guardians<\/p>\n

In a similar fashion, the Cleveland Guardians’ middle infield duo of Gabriel Arias<\/a> and Brayan Rocchio<\/a> isn’t going to hold back Travis Bazzana for very long. The 2024 top overall pick has two extra-base hits and three walks in his first three Triple-A games this season after slashing .381\/.435\/.857 with three home runs in 23 plate appearances during spring training, and hitting a homer during the WBC.<\/p>\n

Travis Bazzana home runs have arrived at the World Baseball Classic! \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa<\/p>\n

A 104 mph EV rocket from 2024’s first overall pick (@CleGuardians<\/a>), who is the highest-ranked position player prospect (No. 20) participating at this year’s event: pic.twitter.com\/be5ZRJESUo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The helium for Bazzana seems to have leaked out of his prospect balloon a little bit due to his .245 average last season, but there’s still plenty to like under the hood. Despite the lower average, Bazzana recorded an 80% contact rate, 17.6% walk rate, .389 OBP, .179 ISO, and was on a 17\/23 pace last season.<\/p>\n

Bazzana can provide a bit of everything without any red flags in the profile, making him an intriguing second base target once he gets the call, which might not be too far from now.<\/p>\n

Jett Williams, Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n

Jett Williams is a prospect I drafted in a few leagues, hoping he would break camp with the Milwaukee Brewers. That unfortunately didn’t end up happening, but it should only be a matter of time before Williams takes the spot of David Hamilton<\/a> at third base or Joey Ortiz<\/a> at shortstop. Williams has made two starts at third and one at shortstop through his first three games with Triple-A Nashville, picking up three hits, four runs, three walks, and three steals along the way.<\/p>\n

Williams is a prospect who can immediately make an impact in the stolen base department. He’s a plus runner with 93 career steals in 297 minor league games, at an 83% success rate. He’s also shown that he can draw walks and get on base at a high clip, currently sporting a career 16% walk rate and .389 OBP.<\/p>\n

Even if Williams isn’t more than a 12-15 homer bat, the all-around offensive profile would make him a viable fantasy infielder, in a Luke Keaschall<\/a>-lite type of way. I’d be shocked if he’s down in Triple-A for more than a month.<\/p>\n

Bryce Eldridge, San Francisco Giants<\/p>\n

The San Francisco Giants’ offense is off to a putrid start to the season, slashing .143\/.212\/.176 with only one run scored through their first three games. A prospect like Bryce Eldridge isn’t going to save the offense by himself, but I can’t imagine San Francisco is going to keep rolling with Casey Schmitt<\/a> at first base for very long.<\/p>\n

Effortless oppo from Bryce Eldridge \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/9irR7RnGIr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Eldridge didn’t do much in his cup of coffee with the Giants last season, but slashed .260\/.333\/.510 with 25 home runs in 102 minor league games, with around two-thirds of those coming at Triple-A. There are some contact and strikeout concerns with Eldridge, but the power upside is off the charts. In Triple-A last season, Eldridge recorded an elite 95.7 mph AVG EV, 63.5% hard-hit rate, and a 16.8% barrel rate.<\/p>\n

Robby Snelling, Miami Marlins<\/p>\n

The first big impact pitcher I’m expecting to get the call is Marlins’ left-handed pitching prospect, Robby Snelling. The 2025 season represented a return to top prospect status for Snelling, who finished with an impressive 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 7.1% walk rate, 30.3% strikeout rate, and a .222 BAA across 25 starts between Double-A and Triple-A.<\/p>\n

In Snelling’s first start of the 2026 season, he allowed one hit, one earned run, and two walks over four innings for Triple-A Jacksonville. Snelling’s swing and miss stuff ticked up in 2025, and he’s always shown above-average command and control throughout his minor league tenure. I’d expect him to overtake Chris Paddack<\/a> or Janson Junk<\/a> fairly quickly and make at least 20 starts with the Marlins this season. The upside is a top-50 fantasy SP once he’s up.<\/p>\n

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