Top 10 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for 2026: Four Shortstops Lead

This article dives into Eric Karabell’s ranking of the top MLB prospects for fantasy baseball value in 2026. Karabell puts the spotlight on upside, opportunity, and risk.

He sticks to traditional prospects who still have rookie eligibility, leaving out incoming Japanese professionals with established résumés. That keeps the focus on young hitters and pitchers who might shake up 2026 drafts—if they can earn real major-league roles.

Understanding the Risk and Reward of Fantasy Prospects

Prospects drive dynasty leagues and have become a bigger deal in redraft formats. But let’s be honest, they’re unpredictable.

Karabell points out that even top prospects can stall, struggle, or get stuck behind veterans. For this ranking, he’s looking for players who have both raw talent and a believable shot at playing time.

That’s what separates the future fantasy stars from the names that just sound exciting on paper.

Why International Veterans Are Excluded

This list skips experienced Japanese imports, even though they often show up MLB-ready. Karabell wants to keep the focus on players still officially classified as rookies, so it’s all about development, not just adaptation.

Konnor Griffin Leads a Loaded Shortstop Class

Right at the top, Konnor Griffin (Pirates) stands out as a true five-tool shortstop. His minor-league production was just impossible to ignore.

Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 across three levels, showing off both power and elite speed. With 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases, he’s got the kind of fantasy upside that could make a real difference if Pittsburgh lets him run wild in 2026.

Kevin McGonigle Close Behind

Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle lands at No. 2 after tearing up the Arizona Fall League. He’s got advanced plate discipline, growing power, and the kind of glove that might win him an Opening Day job.

More Elite Infield Bats on the Way

The shortstop pipeline is still loaded. JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals) and Sebastian Walcott (Rangers) round out the top four.

Both offer big offensive upside and enough opportunity in their organizations to imagine them getting regular MLB at-bats. They’re not finished products yet, so it’s worth watching how they look in spring training.

Sal Stewart’s Power Projection

Sal Stewart (Cincinnati) brings something a little different. The 22-year-old righty slugger debuted in 2025 and looks like a steady .275 hitter with 25-homer power.

He might also pick up time at first base or DH, which adds some extra fantasy value, especially in deeper leagues.

Pitching Prospects Who Could Anchor Rotations

On the pitching side, Karabell highlights Nolan McLean (Mets) as the top arm. McLean overpowered Double-A hitters and then posted a 2.06 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP in eight big-league starts.

Trey Yesavage (Toronto) also gets some love after showing flashes of dominance in his 2025 outings and in the postseason.

Samuel Basallo’s Unique Fantasy Value

Not many prospects hit the ball harder than Samuel Basallo (Orioles). His MLB debut was rocky, sure, but his minor-league numbers—23 homers in just 76 games—and elite exit velocities make you pay attention.

Basallo could split time between catcher and DH, which gives him a nice dual-eligibility edge in most fantasy leagues.

Watch List Names for 2026 Drafts

Here’s a broader watch list of hitters and starters who might surge into fantasy relevance if things break their way. Promotions, injuries, and roster turnover always shake things up, so who knows who’ll break through?

If you’re a fantasy manager who’s willing to take some risks, these prospects could be the next wave of league-shaping talent in 2026.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Fantasy baseball: Quartet of shortstops leads top-10 prospects to consider for 2026