As MLB Spring Training 2026 progresses, the buzz around Fantasy baseball drafts is intensifying, with more than a dozen games played daily. Shohei Ohtani stands out as the most popular first pick in early 2026 Fantasy baseball ADP data, joined in the first round by stars like Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt, Juan Soto, Jose Ramirez, and Elly De La Cruz. While these selections are widely anticipated, the true challenge for fantasy managers lies in uncovering hidden gems in the mid-to-late rounds to build a championship-worthy roster. With Opening Day scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, starting with the Yankees facing the Giants, fantasy players have roughly a month to finalize their draft strategies.
The key to gaining an advantage this season is to consult trusted 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets, such as those provided by SportsLine’s advanced projection model, before making draft decisions.
Cal Raleigh’s Breakthrough Season Validated by Projections
Last season, SportsLine’s Projection Model demonstrated exceptional accuracy by identifying key Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts, and busts well ahead of time. One of the most notable hits was Cal Raleigh‘s outstanding performance. The model ranked him as a top-five catcher, surpassing well-regarded players like Adley Rutschman and William Contreras before the season began. Raleigh rewarded fantasy owners by delivering a powerful 60-home run campaign, a rare feat for a catcher and a significant boon at a typically offense-challenged position. This success story has fueled anticipation for similar breakout candidates in 2026.
SportsLine’s expert team, who have contributed to projections for three major fantasy platforms, continues to update rankings daily to reflect player injuries, trades, and other MLB developments, helping fantasy managers stay ahead of the competition.
Promising Sleepers to Target in 2026 Fantasy Drafts
The model points to Pittsburgh Pirates‘ second baseman Brandon Lowe as a breakout sleeper worth considering. After moving from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Pirates during the offseason, Lowe is expected to become a central figure in Pittsburgh’s batting lineup. In 2025, Lowe enjoyed a power surge with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs, marking his strongest output in recent years. Despite this, Lowe’s average draft position is No. 132, which the model suggests undervalues him.
SportsLine projects Lowe as the sixth-best second baseman in 2026, ahead of notable players like Nico Hoerner, Marcus Semien, and Ozzie Albies, all commonly selected in the top 100 picks, making Lowe a potential late-round steal.
Breakout Players Gaining Momentum This Season
Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies is another breakout candidate who is underappreciated in early drafts. After struggling to hit above .200 during brief appearances in 2023 and 2024, Goodman blossomed in 2025 as the Rockies’ everyday catcher. Hitting .278 with an .843 OPS, 31 home runs, and 91 RBIs, he ranked second only to Cal Raleigh in home runs among catchers. Despite the boost provided by hitting in hitter-friendly Coors Field, Goodman is still being drafted late among the top 100 players, a gap the projection model recommends exploiting.
The model ranks Goodman as the second-best catcher for 2026, advising fantasy managers to draft him before players like Will Smith and Shea Langeliers, who often go earlier.
Players Projected to Disappoint in 2026 Fantasy Leagues
On the cautionary side, the model flags Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts as a prime Fantasy bust. Betts experienced a decline in 2025, posting career lows in batting average (.258) and OPS (.732), and his struggles carried into the postseason where he had a .648 OPS. Now entering his age-33 campaign, Betts’s projected production does not justify his current draft value, where he is typically selected at No. 47.
The model suggests that fantasy managers should avoid overvaluing Betts and instead target players who offer better upside later in drafts, such as Jeremy Pena, Corey Seager, and Willy Adames, who are generally chosen several rounds afterward but may produce more consistent contributions.
Uncovering Underrated Starting Pitching Options
Pitching rankings reveal potentially game-changing insights, as the SportsLine projection model identifies a certain starting pitcher outside the top 200 ADP who could outperform established aces like Max Fried, Chris Sale—fresh off a contract extension with the Braves—and Logan Webb. Finding this undervalued pitcher could be the pivotal move that determines league success or failure.
Fantasy managers eager to uncover this sleeper—and to explore comprehensive rankings for all positions backed by a proven model that predicted Cal Raleigh’s historic season—are encouraged to consult SportsLine’s up-to-date cheat sheets before their drafts commence.
Preparing for a Competitive 2026 Fantasy Baseball Season
With competition intensifying and the fantasy landscape continually shifting due to trades, injuries, and emerging talent, applying informed insights like those from SportsLine’s projection model is essential. From first-round stars to sleepers and busts, understanding where value lies this season will be key to securing a winning fantasy baseball roster. As managers prepare to finalize their drafts before Opening Day, embracing data-driven strategies offers the best chance to rise above rivals and make the most of the 2026 season.
