Top 10 Breakout Fantasy Baseball Targets for 2026 Season

Baseball America’s latest scouting notes highlight 10 MLB players who flashed serious impact potential in 2025. These guys look primed for fantasy breakout seasons in 2026.

The list runs from power-speed threats to steady two-way contributors. Their paths to big-league relevance depend on health, roles, and how much their teams actually believe in them. If you’re managing a fantasy squad, this list can help you double-check your upside bets and maybe even find a few sneaky draft or waiver-wire targets.

2026 Fantasy Breakout Watch List

Here are the ten players Baseball America flagged as top breakout candidates for 2026. Each one comes with quick context on their role, trajectory, and a few things to watch as spring training creeps closer. Maybe you’ll bump them up your draft board—or just keep an eye out for a cheap upside play.

Nolan Gorman Herrera (Cardinals)

He’s set to be the everyday designated hitter and cleanup guy for St. Louis. Gorman Herrera brings a solid mix of plate discipline and growing power.

If he can avoid the injury bug, his .286/.370/.436 line and a career-high 11% barrel rate show a ready-made fantasy floor. The ceiling? It’s real—especially if he keeps improving his swing and taps into a little more pop.

• Role: Everyday DH and cleanup hitter in St. Louis.
• 2025 baseline: .286/.370/.436 with strong approach; health is a question mark.
• Upside: More power and better angles could make him a multi-category fantasy piece.

Royce Lewis Mayo

Mayo’s career started slow, but he finished 2025 with a bang. That last month gave everyone a glimpse of his potential bargain value in fantasy leagues.

• Recent output: .301/.393/.548 in September 2025.
• Upside: Big pedigree and five-category skills make him a tempting buy-low option.
• Draft strategy: Worth a bench spot or more if his power-speed combo shows up early in 2026.

Arroyo Keaschall

After coming back from an April forearm fracture, Keaschall made noise right away. He mixed power and speed with a surprisingly mature approach at the plate.

If he can stay on the field, he’s got breakout written all over him. The risk is real, but so is the upside.

• Health trajectory: Returned from injury and produced immediately.
• Line drive potential and speed make for multi-category appeal.
• Upside: Could absolutely take off if the power/speed blend sticks.

Riley McGonigle

McGonigle is a top prospect who looks ready to debut soon. He’s got five-category upside and could shake up Detroit’s infield picture fast.

High risk, high reward—dynasty managers especially should keep close tabs. There’s sneaky pop and speed here.

• Prospect rank: No. 2 on Baseball America Top 100 Prospects.
• Position: Future shortstop with an all-around skill set.
• Fantasy appeal: Five-category upside in a young Detroit lineup.

James Lile

Lile rebounded late for Washington, stringing together a strong finish that highlighted his plate skills. He’s got a shot to hold down a middle-of-the-lineup job in 2026.

• Late-season form: .324/.370/.549 in his last 68 games.
• Projection: Middle-of-the-order bat with on-base chops and some pop.
• Fantasy angle: Could chip in across the board if he lands high in the batting order.

Bryan Marsee

Marsee pairs high contact with power and speed, and that mix finally showed up in 2025. He put up solid numbers for the Marlins in a limited run.

• 2025 line: .292/.363/.478 in 55 games, with five homers and nine steals.
• Metrics: Hard-hit numbers are trending up, hinting at more power.
• Upside: Looks like a well-rounded offensive option for mixed and deeper leagues.

John Bradish

Bradish made it back from Tommy John surgery late in 2025. He looked like his old self, which sets him up as Baltimore’s likely No. 2 starter in 2026.

• Health recovery: Strong return after TJ surgery.
• Role: Expected No. 2 in Baltimore’s rotation.
• Fantasy note: Good bet for ratios and wins, especially in deeper formats.

Michael Sheehan

Sheehan stands out as a rotation target, mainly for his solid return from surgery. He’s probably got a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation, which should mean steady fantasy value in 2026.

• Team: Dodgers rotation piece.
• Recovery: Looked good after surgery.
• Fantasy: Decent pick for ratios and depth in most leagues.

Cole Burns

Burns brings big velocity and a nasty slider. That combo helped him rocket through the minors and into Cincinnati’s rotation.

• Tools: Big fastball and a plus breaking ball.
• Role: Rotation depth in Cincinnati, with a shot at real starter innings in 2026.
• Upside: Could rack up strikeouts and help your ratios if things click.

Matt Soriano

Soriano broke out as a pitching candidate in 2025. He put up career-best ERA estimators and showed off four above-average pitches, plus much better command.

He’s got a clear path to fantasy relevance in 2026—worth a look late in drafts or as a streaming option.

• 2025 marks: Best ERA estimators yet, with sharper command (111 Location+).
• Stuff: Four above-average pitches and a more refined control profile.
• Fantasy outlook: Late-round or streaming play with breakout potential.

Final take: turning breakout potential into draft targets

For fantasy managers, it really comes down to pairing risk with reward. These 10 players from Baseball America’s report all have different ways to become relevant in 2026.

Some guys might jump in right away, while others need more time to develop. In drafts, I’d lean toward players with steady playing time and that tempting multi-category upside.

But don’t ignore health and what’s happening in their organizations. If you play it right, these breakout picks could end up anchoring your roster and maybe even help you chase a championship in 2026.

 
Here is the source article for this story: 10 Up-Arrow Fantasy Baseball Players To Target In 2026