As the 2026 fantasy baseball draft season unfolds, managers are eager to uncover the best sleeper picks that can outperform their average draft positions. Among these rising talents, Sal Stewart stands out prominently, capturing significant attention as a potential game-changer for fantasy rosters. The 2026 season also brings a big media shift, with MLB’s return to NBC and Peacock, which will exclusively broadcast marquee games including Sunday Night Baseball and the entire Wild Card round.
Sal Stewart’s Breakout Performance with the Cincinnati Reds
Sal Stewart, the first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, made an impressive debut late last season, immediately distinguishing himself on a team otherwise lacking strong hitters. After excelling in the minors with a .309 average, .383 on-base, .524 slugging line, 20 home runs, and 17 stolen bases, Stewart continued his power surge in the majors, hitting five home runs in only 55 at-bats. This power display matched Gavin Lux’s total from 446 at-bats, signaling Stewart’s exceptional ability to impact the game quickly. Analysis from Statcast underscored his potential with an expected slugging percentage of .626, well above any regular Reds player.
Although there are uncertainties about his playing time and position in the lineup for 2026, many believe it would be unwise for the Reds to limit Stewart’s opportunities. With offensive upside comparable only to Elly De La Cruz on the team, Stewart is expected to hit for both average and power. Currently batting below Eugenio Suárez, he is projected to climb the lineup and may occupy the cleanup spot by season’s end. His fantasy value is further elevated by potential eligibility at second base, making him a top-10 candidate among first basemen. – Matthew Pouliot
Promising Starting Pitchers with Sleeper Potential
Cade Horton, a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, challenges the typical sleeper classification despite being one of the top pitchers in the latter half of last season and an N.L. Rookie of the Year runner-up. Horton’s modest average draft position, just inside the top 200, may underestimate his chance for improvement. While a repeat of his 2.67 ERA is unlikely, his second-half growth, including improved strikeout rates aided by effective changeup and sweeping slider pitches, points to a softer regression than projected. His low walk rate and strong defensive support add to his upside. – Jorge Montanez
Bubba Chandler of the Pittsburgh Pirates is another rising starting pitcher to consider. After a delayed debut due to service time manipulation and early struggles, Chandler shone in his seven-game audition, recording 31 strikeouts, just four walks, and a 0.93 WHIP across 31⅓ innings. Despite a 4.02 ERA skewed by one poor outing, his fastball that nears 100 mph, combined with a slider that challenges right-handed hitters and changeup effective against lefties, gives him the tools to emerge as the strongest performer among his first-year pitcher peers. A curveball is also in development, making him a strong candidate to be a top-30 fantasy starter. – James Schiano
Quinn Priester of the Milwaukee Brewers surprisingly remains under the radar. In 2025, he posted a 3.32 ERA over 157⅓ innings and helped the Brewers achieve the best record in the National League. Priester excelled at inducing ground balls (55.7%) and limiting hard contact. While his strikeout numbers were not elite, he possessed a 24.5% whiff rate that suggested some bad luck affected his 20.2% strikeout rate. A former first-round pick and once ranked among baseball’s top 50 prospects, Priester offers upside at age 25 if he continues developing. – Christopher Crawford
International Talent and Emerging Infielders to Monitor
Kazuma Okamoto, joining the Toronto Blue Jays from Japan, brings a proven power-hitting track record to the major leagues. At 29, his consistent power combined with contact ability suggests a smoother transition than many international players face. Slated to join one of baseball’s most potent lineups in the AL East, Okamoto is expected to hit around 25 home runs while maintaining a solid batting average with strong counting stats. Despite this, fantasy drafts show him falling well below other third basemen such as Matt Chapman and Manny Machado, creating an opportunity for savvy managers to capitalize on his relatively low draft position. – George Bissell
Luis García Jr. of the Washington Nationals is a quietly productive player often overlooked in drafts. Although entering his seventh MLB season at 25, García remains on the rise, consistently contributing across all five major fantasy categories. Over the past two years, he has averaged a .267 batting average, 17 home runs, and 18 steals per season, primarily hitting near the middle of the Nationals’ lineup. With eligibility at both second base and first base, he fills key positional needs in fantasy leagues. Acquiring him after pick 225 represents excellent value. – David Shovein
Young Prospects with Upside Despite Setbacks
Jordan Lawlar of the Arizona Diamondbacks carries significant upside but has encountered injury challenges. Ranked 11th among baseball’s prospects before 2024, Lawlar suffered thumb surgery and hamstring issues that limited him to 23 games that season. Though he started 2025 strong, continued hamstring problems restricted him to 91 games, and a difficult start in the majors led to a .182 batting average with a 35% strikeout rate. Despite this rough MLB initiation, his Triple-A performance (.313/.403/.564, 11 homers, 20 steals) and strong contact metrics suggest he could emerge as a 20/25 threat with more playing time. Lawlar is expected to compete for an outfield starting role in spring training. – Eric Samulski
Francisco Alvarez, catcher for the New York Mets, was once a hyped prospect but now qualifies as a sleeper entering his fourth major league season. His development path has been uneven due to hand injuries and a demotion to Triple-A. However, after mechanical adjustments, Alvarez produced a .276/.360/.561 line with eight home runs and 21 RBI in 41 games last season, all while showing elite quality of contact metrics. Post-surgery on a torn thumb ligament, he entered spring healthy and remains a potential 30-home run threat at a scarce position. His upside makes him an attractive fantasy option in all league formats. – D.J. Short
Additional Emerging Players Worth Considering
The 2026 fantasy landscape also features other intriguing talents such as third baseman Junior Caminero, outfielder Gavin Lux, and multiple promising pitchers including Nolan McLean, Chase Burns, Jacob Misiorowski, Cam Schlittler, and Trey Yesavage. These players have begun to generate buzz among fantasy managers despite lower draft positions, as they offer the potential to exceed expectations and deliver substantial value.
Why These Sleepers Matter for Your 2026 Draft Strategy
Identifying sleepers like Sal Stewart and his contemporaries could be the key to winning your 2026 fantasy baseball league. These players offer the chance to outperform their draft status significantly, providing valuable power, speed, and pitching depth. Whether it’s Stewart’s breakout power for the Reds, Horton’s growing command on the mound, or Okamoto’s power infusion into Toronto’s lineup, these athletes have the potential to alter draft room dynamics.
As MLB’s return to NBC and Peacock introduces new exposure and excitement, fantasy managers will need to balance known stars with high-upside sleepers. Monitoring their spring training opportunities and early-season roles will be critical for maximizing draft day success and securing early strategic advantages for the upcoming season.
