#fantasy-baseball

#fantasy-baseball

Whether you are trying fantasy baseball for the first time or are an experienced vet, the 2026 ESPN fantasy baseball draft guide has everything you need to help you crush your drafts. From rankings and mock drafts to sleepers, breakouts and who you should -- or should not -- draft, we've got you covered from every angle, all in one convenient place. This draft guide will be updated frequently, so keep checking in for more insight, analysis, and projections.

Tracking the offseason MLB trades and signings with fantasy baseball implications for the upcoming season, Eric Karabell and Tristan H. Cockcroft will analyze and provide an outlook for all of the key players involved. While players were allowed to sign with new teams as early as Nov. 6, things really started to heat up at the league's annual winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, which took place Dec. 7-10.

Nothing against Detroit Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal, Boston Red Sox LHP Garrett Crochet or Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Paul Skenes, but these excellent fellows were supposed to be rotation anchors in fantasy baseball this season. Each was among the top starting pitchers in ESPN ADP for good reasons and, while they produced fantastic statistics for investors in standard points formats and roto/categories leagues alike, they were not "draft day bargains."

Fantasy baseball's Week 25, the penultimate week of the MLB season, represents the first of two-week championship matchups in ESPN standard head-to-head leagues. It's the busier of the two weeks, as Week 25 has 96 total games and 12 teams scheduled to play seven times. Week 26, by comparison, has just 90 total games with all 30 teams scheduled for exactly six games apiece.

Cincinnati Reds 2B/3B Sal Stewart sure is doing his best to force the franchise to promote him to the major leagues soon, and fantasy managers must notice. Stewart, outside the top 100 prospects in the original Kiley McDaniel list entering this season, has thrived and is among the better options now, appearing at No. 31 on his updated list, published last week.

As the season dwindles, so too must your spectrum of usable starters, given how much more information you're working with. This necessitates a more strategic approach in roster management.

Warming Bernabel has enjoyed outstanding batted ball luck with a .394 BABIP and has struck out just eight times in 45 plate appearances across 11 MLB games.

Fantasy managers have an opportunity to significantly improve their rosters before the August 15 trade deadline, making a strong final push for championships.

Josh Naylor's trade to the Seattle Mariners will enhance their lineup, despite concerns over his offensive output potential in T-Mobile Park, known as a challenging hitting environment.

All 30 teams are scheduled to play exactly three games apiece during the July 18-20 weekend, ensuring no hidden volume advantage in weekly leagues.

Jurickson Profar delivered surprisingly wonderful numbers during the 2024 season, hitting .280/.380/.459 for the San Diego Padres over 158 games, with 24 HR, 85 RBI, 10 SB and 94 runs.

The volatility of rookie pitching prospects is evident in recent performances, highlighting the uncertainty faced by fantasy managers. Jacob Misiorowski's stellar outing contrasts sharply with Chase Burns' struggles.

"Ryan Pepiot of the Tampa Bay Rays has performed as well recently as nearly any other pitcher in the game besides Cy Young Award favorites."

"Despite losing 10-1, Grant Holmes' remarkable 15 strikeouts this week highlight a noteworthy trend of strong performances from Braves' pitchers."

Camilo Doval's resurgence as the Giants' closer highlights the volatility of fantasy baseball, where past performance does not guarantee future success.

"Buxton remains a unique talent...but many positives are overshadowed by his lack of durability. Fantasy managers find it difficult to trust his performance."

Judge is on pace for 714 fantasy points, potentially surpassing anyone since Barry Bonds in 2004, demonstrating an extraordinary level of performance this season.

summer vacation is a lie... it's a hellscape; please take heed when scheduling.

Philadelphia Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber has become a key fantasy option, improving his strikeout rate and dominating left-handed pitching, showing potential to finish top-10 this season.

Cal Raleigh's impressive power numbers last season could surprisingly propel him into the top-25 hitters this season, showcasing the volatility and unpredictability of MLB fantasy rankings.