2026 Fantasy Baseball: Top Shortstops & Draft Strategies

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Fantasy Sports Today

Emerging Top Picks in Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Bobby Witt Jr. and Elly De La Cruz are slated to be top 10 picks in almost every fantasy baseball league this year, reflecting their high expected value among fantasy players. Witt is considered particularly strong, not only for his overall performance but also because modifications to the ballpark in Kansas City, which brought the fences in, are anticipated to enhance his statistics further.

Other notable players discussed include Gunner Henderson, Francisco Lindor, Trey Turner, and Mookie Betts. Betts, notably, is going later in drafts than in previous years despite gaining shortstop eligibility and his versatile role on the field. On the rise is Zach Netto, who, after a standout season with 26 stolen bases, is now considered a top 10 fantasy shortstop.

Discussions also touched on players like Lindor and Corbin Carroll, who might be falling in draft picks due to injury concerns, specifically related to the hamate bone. Concerns about when strength would return to an injured hand or wrist were highlighted as factors that could influence a player's fantasy draft position and performance, potentially leading to shifts in when these players are picked in drafts.

Mookie Betts’s performance last season was mentioned as a reason for his lowered position in recent drafts. The consensus was that his continued issues might lead to him dropping more as fantasy managers become wary of his potential output. On a speculative note, discussions included drafting strategies, particularly about taking risks on players like Carroll in mock drafts versus real drafts, reflecting the different approaches fantasy managers might opt for depending on the format of the draft.

Overall, these player insights and drafting strategies highlight the nuanced decisions fantasy baseball participants face when preparing for their league drafts.