While the 2nd basemen to target is a necessary evil like changing your underwear. This post, well, have you seen the top 20 shortstops for 2026 fantasy baseball? Dude, why did you not draft one of the glorious top top TOP guys? Did you show up late to your draft because they required you to wear pants? I’m hopeful that everyone rosters at least one shortstop prior to getting to the sleepers in this post, and likely two. Top shortstops are the bee’s knees, and bees have knees; I’m a scientist. This is a (legal-in-all-countries-except-Lichtenstein) supplement to the top 20 shortstops for 2026 fantasy baseball. The players listed have a draft rank after 150 on other sites. I love lots of top shortstops, but they’re not here because I didn’t see them after the draft price of 150. Click on the player’s name where applicable to read more and see their 2026 projections. Anyway, here’s some shortstops to target for 2026 fantasy baseball:
PSYCHE! Before the post, just wanted to say my top 500 and all my 2026 fantasy baseball rankings are updated as soon as possible (the latest, I moved Logan Henderson down in the top 100 starters, updated the pitchers pairing tool, added Kyle Harrison to the top 100 starters and moved up Brandon Sproat in the top 80 starters rankings). Also, Rudy’s War Room is updated multiple times per day, and in-season subscriptions are open for business. Buy a subscription and save a cowboy. Anyway, the shortstops to target:
Colson Montgomery (ESPN 160, NFBC 215) Do I think he’s going to be as good as he was last year but over a full season? That’s an interesting question to ponder. Ponder, we shall. In almost fifty more games, projections expect him to only hit one to three more homers. Does that sound plausible? If it does, I have a bridge in Chicago to sell you. It’s the Colson Montgomery Bridge to the Future and I’m on it, baby! Hop on! Only three shortstops made better contact: Corey Seager, Bobby Witt Jr. and Zach Neto. Does Colson have swing-and-miss tendencies? Yes, but if he makes enough contact, he’s going to hit 30+ homers.
Jacob Wilson (NFBC 171) Almost exact opposite of Montgomery. Wilson makes a ton of awful contact. He hit the ball 84.6 MPH on average. That’s basically 100% bloops. It’s okay, he makes a lot of contact, and is Luis Arraez in a great park. Call him Luis Iriseinagoodplace.
Xander Bogaerts (ESPN 203, 230) Similar to what I said about Brendan Donovan in the 2nd basemen sleepers. Do I love Bogaerts? Nogaerts. Ixnay on the Ogaertsbay, but he is the type to be more valuable than his preseason ranking, due to runs and RBIs.
JJ Wetherholt (ESPN 214, NFBC 245) Here’s my JJ Wetherholt fantasy. Since I wrote it, it looks a lot more likely he’s going to break camp with the team. Or at least be up very quickly. That’s good because the Cardinals have less than zero to look forward to outside of him.
Konnor Griffin (ESPN 210, NFBC 194) I wanna believe the Pirates will do the right thing and start the year with Griffin. Let’s see their recent past and how they operate with rookies and cost-cutting measures. [wavy lines] Why am I in a dream sequence? I wanted to research the Pirates, not dream up something. [wavy lines ending dream sequence, and instead now I’m an actuary] Hey, I don’t know what an actuary does. Can I just do some simple research! Geez! Anyway, let’s try my Konnor Griffin fantasy.
Kevin McGonigle (ESPN 212, NFBC 323) I hope I’m wrong, but this feels like one of those situations where the team is like, “Yeah, we want him to get reps everywhere,” and, “He’s got a real chance of breaking camp.” Then we get to a week before Opening Day and he’s reassigned. I really hope I’m wrong because I’ve now drafted McGonigle in a few leagues. (I have Konnor Griffin nowhere, but that’s more to do with cost; I do liek Griffin more.)
Ezequiel Tovar (ESPN 222, NFBC 198) Tovar is one of those where, I think, he’s completely off the radar, because the Rockies have been toe-tagged at the morgue and everyone is uninterested in DOA’s in Coors. It’s fair, Ezequiel sounds Amish, and last year was a-miss! Bam! High five me! No? Okay. He was a 26/5/.269 player only two years ago and he’s 24. Even though last year might have you rinsing your eyes with detergent, I wouldn’t call him washed.
Nasim Nunez (ESPN NR, NFBC 549) What if I could promise you Jose Caballero but 250 picks later, would that be something that might interest you? [a vague shrug that shows one’s interest is very tepid] Great! That’s what I thought.
Ha-Seong Kim (ESPN NR, NFBC 555) He went 11/22 in 2024 in 121 games. Braves said he’s due back early May, putting him in line for 121 games. Will he play that many? Eff if I know, but at the price of totally free? I’m like a reverse Eminem singing the virtues of Kim.
Hi Grey,
Appreicate all the work you do.
My league decided to switch up the format and have 13 categories (R, OBP, HR, RBI. SB, Strikeouts, Wins, K’s, ERA, WHIP, SVs)
Any players you think get upgraded or downgraded more in this format?
I have the 12th pick and paring suggestions?
Juan Soto, Bryce Harper, and Schwarber move up…we have OBP rankings…
Hey Grey,
10 team AL-only keeper league (one of the oldest in the country!). Should I trade S. Kwan $18 for Jac Cags$10?
absolutely yes
How’s everyone Razzslam going?
We have 4 teams averaging over 1 hour and 30 minutes with 2 teams over 2 hours and 30
A couple teams time out after 4 hours, come back in to turn auto off, then time out again.
This has happened multiple times
Only in round 18
Lol
Grey, 8 team NL only. Is it me, or are the NL corners SUPER shallow this year, like MAYBE 10 deep at first and even worse (7?) at 3b? By contrast, the MIs seem pretty deep. Generally, do you spend up at 1/3 knowing you can get late quality at 2/S?
Thank you!
I need to drop one of these RP: Beeter, Brash, Cleavinger, Estrada, Weaver, Whitlock
SV+HOLDs league where saves are worth double. Who’s the odd man out?
Cleavinger
Hi Grey, another season of anxiety awaits. I have to keep 8 players out of this group for my 12 team H2H points league. I did in order of how I have it currently. Tatis, Tucker, Devers, R.Greene, M.Garcia, Seager, Sale, H.Brown thats 8. Schlitler, Pivetta, King, Goodman, Altuve. Im thinking of keeping Cam or Pivetta over Seager, but he’s always so healthy! Any changes? thx in advance.
Haha exactly…I’d go Seager unless you have no room for an SS
Hey Grey, had my 1st draft yesterday, any thoughts? Pick 11 in a 12-team roto redraft.
C- Baldwin
1B- Vinnie P
2B- Keaschall
3B- Bregman
SS- Gunnar
MI- Garcia
CI- Bohm
OF- Carroll
OF- Wood
OF- Happ
OF- Jac Cag
OF- Carpenter
UT- Stewart
BN- Bogaerts
BN- Delauter
SP- Kirby, Bradish, Woodruff, Sheehan, Imai
RP- Miller, Estevez, Walker, Brash, Doval
I like your hitting but you look low on power, Bohm, Keaschall, Corbin, Bregman, etc. you get the picture…speaking of your pitching looks excellent
If you eliminate the big three SPs of Skenes and Crochet:
1. how would rank the following pitchers in a 10 point 10 manager Yahoo League
Woo
Brown
Gilbert
Yamamoto
Schanchez
Fried
Webb
Valdez
2Are any of the following must adds?
Glasnow, Lodolo,Bradish and Schlitter?
Thanks!
My rankings are on the site 2. Bradish
Which side in a dynasty?
A) $27 Devers
B) $12 Pivetta + $12 McLain
Devers
Grey,
You following the WBC at all? Vinnie P with 3 HR last night for Italia. Next game Saturday vs PR, doing the 9 9 9 challenge Italian Version, 9 innings 9 espressos 9 cannolis. What could go wrong?
Yeah, of course I’m watching… it’s pretty comical that team Italy is just Americans who drive an IROC
Oh Great Fantasy Master Lothario Grey Meister,
Hey to the hey. Eyeballed your top 500, now I’ve got to go thru your great advice columns. Thank you for all that you do, just amazing!!!
Just coming out of a Championship Hangover. The only reason, we’re drafting next Dursday:(. I guess I was figuring on riding your coattails of advice, again:).
Soooooo, why, why, and why, did you add Tovar to this list? Now the entire planet knows, I was going to go after him believing the same as you, still has a chance. Anywho, keep up the great love you have for the fantasy game:)!!!
Thank you for having everything in order, it makes cramming a lot easier.
CCC
Ha, excellent! No problem!
Hi Grey,
2.I was thinking of two hitters, two pitchers and then three hitters. Thoughts?
3, As I have done mock drafts, I have fumbled in the later rounds. Do you have any ideas as to specific players or how to approach these later rounds.
Thank you!!!
1. No 2. Seems fine, depends what’s there 3. In what way are you fumbling?
In the early rounds, I have a clear plan on who to draft and then have backups in my mind. When I get to later rounds, I don’t have a clear plan.
Thanks for asking for a followup question.
The later rounds are just complements for the earlier round, so if you go speed heavy early, you go power heavy later, that sorta thing
Thank you!
No problem
Drafted last night; looking for some Grey insight!
League context – 12 team ESPN, 5×5, head to head, 6 player keeper league (no limits)
C- Basallo
1b – Soderstrom
2b – Albies
3b – Lawler
SS – Gunnar (keeper)
OF (we start 5) – Carroll, Chourio, Tucker, Acuna, Tatis (all 5 were keepers)
Utility (we start 2) – McLain, Jacob Wilson
SP (we start 5) – Ryan, Bradish, Eury Perez, Lodolo, Abbot
RP (we start 3) – Devin Williams, Helsley, Abreu
Bench – DeLauter, Beavers, Ryne Nelson (SP/RP), McClanahan, Jack Leiter, Snell (got him crazy late; will put him on IL and pick someone else up)
My 6 keepers were bats, so I went pretty hard after pitchers in the early part of the draft.
Thanks for the feedback!
Think you’re missing a stabilizing force in your rotation, like a Gausman, Framber etc. (A strong #2)…It’s risky (the pitching) but not bad…I like the hitting, but it seems like it should be stronger with that pitching…It’s not bad, but think it has some work to do
Interesting, curious your thoughts on the 1-2 punch of Bradish and Ryan? You have them ranked as your #10 and #13 SP’s. Perhaps you like them but not in tandem?
No, I like them a lot, but Bradish is coming off partial season and Ryan had a back thing earlier in camp…I just would like a bit more boring like Gausman or Framber in addition rather than going for more upside…
That makes sense, thanks!
Plan to go with what I got at the beginning of the season, maybe I get lucky. Should be able to make some moves if needed as the season progresses. Thanks again for the feedback!
You could be totally fine, it’s not a disaster by any means
Site maintenance question: will ad-free subscriptions be ad-free at some point?
Baseball question: I’m currently reading “The Last Manager: How Earl Weaver Tricked, Tormented, and Reinvented Baseball by John W. Miller” (a terrific read) which has me wondering if managers were more of a difference-maker back in the day than they are nowadays.
Grey question: which format do you enjoy more head-to-head or Roto?
Thanks
Ad free should be ad free, if it’s ever not send an email to Rudy at razzball dot com
Roto
I have ad-free and I don’t see any ads
Grey
When will you be comparing your rankings with Yahoo and ESPN?
Thank you
I talked about it in my catchers targets…yahoo no longer has rankings and I don’t think it’s worth doing ESPN
+1
Maybe do a comparison with the CBS rankings? Their rankings are kept mostly up-to-date.
Time’s running out on that stuff, tbh
Lol ESPN’s rankings are insane…they’ve been asleep at the wheel for years now!
I don’t think we’re gaining anything by comparing something they’re not paying attention to to ours, which are updated daily
Agreed!
Yahoo is retarded I think. All 10 team leagues. I won’t do it.
Morning Grey, keeper league question for you…shallow league (10 teams), unlimited IL spots. Knowing its shallow and unlimited IL spots, if you are weighting guys for say 50% this year to help, and 50% weighting for 2027, how high would you move up the injured stud SPs (Wheeler, Cole, Hunter)? Like would they be in the Gausman Framber area (just my guess), or what? Thanks Grey as always!
Yeah, up to Framber, that makes sense
H2H league with Avg and TBs. I am keeping Caminero and Neto. Will likely be choosing between Gunnar and Vlad with my first pick. Do I lock up 1b since have Neto already or go Gunnar and go with a Harper/Olson type at 1b later? I know you love the Gunnar/Junior combo Gray but keeping Neto adds a wrinkle. I keep flip flopping and would love to get your thoughts.
Vlad
Time to grab a committee guy in hopes he emerges as the closer. Please pick top two dart throws to begin the year:
C Martin, Cleavinger, Sands, Ginkel, O’Brien, Seward, Pomeranz.
Riley, Ginkel
Mr. Grey, final keeper, 15th round Stowers or 23rd round Ivan Herrera? Herrera will need to re-earn C eligibility if that’s a factor in your decision.
Stowers
Good Morning Grey!
I can’t believe this is my 15th year following Razzball. Man how time flies! Your rankings, recaps, and advice has been greatly appreciated as well as profitable.
I’m entering my 24th year of an NL-Only, 10-TM, H2H, 5×5 (OBP), Auction Keeper league. We have a $280 CAP and can keep up to 5 guys. For sure I’m keeping Carroll (43), Chourio (28) and Swanson (12). My last two are fromEd. Diaz (22), Peralta (21), and Veen (1). The easy choice would be Diaz and Peralta who are both at good prices. However, I’d be going into the draft with $126 spent, which really tightens my budget for the remaining 18 roster spots.
A) The reason why I am even entertaining Veen is that I am not sure I want to spend $21 on Peralta as it would limit me from spending money elsewhere for the limited hitting available, and I feel there are better deals out there. Also, Veen would be a dart throw for $1. I’ll end up spending $1 later on 4-6 guys, so I might as well get one out of the way.
B) I hate the Closer situation and have Diaz at a discount in a Dodger fan league. He’d probably go for around $30. I was thinking about trying to trade him away before the draft for one of Noelvi (1), Lawlar (2), or Baldwin (1). How is Dave Roberts going to handle the 9th? Could be great for Diaz, or Roberts could play matchups and Diaz could be awesome in a SvHLD league, which mine is not.
By trading Diaz, I could actually afford going after Soto (65-70) or go for two more $30/$40 power bats while still getting a lesser closer and utilize SAGNOF. Lawlar sticks out most with power/speed in an OBP Keeper league even though there’s a big risk (although cheap). I’m a little hesitant about Marte (even with your Fantasy) because of his low OBP and Cincy’s depth if he struggles. Baldwin seems the safest.
I really appreciate your thoughts.
Grey would like more details if possible next time
Haha
Haha. First post in several months. Making up for lost time I guess.
edwin, freddy
Thanks! Was on that path, but was also trying to think outside the box at spending on two more big hitters.
No problem
Grey, final keeper, 15th round Stowers or 23rd round Ivan Herrera?
Stowers
Grey, final keeper, 15th round Stowers or 23rd round Ivan Herrera?
Gonna say Stowers
I didn’t think they should start Griffin.
It wouldn’t be fair to guys who performed better. If we look from that perspective.
Gotta see what they have with Jared Triolo
Hi,
Keeper league : Neto or Lindor ?
Lindor
what about a redraft?
https://razzball.com/top-500-for-2026-fantasy-baseball/
disregard, went back to the rankings and saw Neto with a slight edge. Close call
Very close
Hey Grey! I’m in a 10 team keeper Yahoo league, 6×6 (OBP, SLG / WHIP, SV+HLD). I can keep five players, here’s where I’m at right now:
My alternatives are:
Any reason to consider these? Or stick with my initial list?
The 5 you have
12 team, 5×5 roto (saves only).
Good Morning Grey! We had our draft last night, how did I do?
C: Alvarez
1B:Pasquantino
2B: Keaschall
3B: JRam
SS: Abrams
OF: Chourio
OF: Yordan
OF: Soderstrom
UTIL: Lile
BN: Varsho
SP: Bradish, Ohtani, Pepiot, Rasmussen, Ray
RP: Megill, Fairbanks, Abreu, Suarez, Cleavinger, Stephenson
I like the pitching, it’s solid, but looks a tad light on IP…I imagine you’re gonna need to lose an RP or 3 and grab an SP or 3…The hitting looks great! Solid team overall
Hey Grey,
Would you trade PCA for Rooker?
15 team keep 11 – r h hr rbi sb k obp slg
C 1 2 3 Ss Lf CF Rf Ut
Keepers are Yandy Keachall Bregman Gunnar PCA Gilbert Sheehan Gray Gore and one of Harris Butler Simpson
Was leaning Harris but him and PCA are both CF so one would go util. Rooker is Lf and RF.
Thanks man !
Yes
Hey Grey – any chance I can get your SP’s to target before my draft this weekend? Lol
Listen to his SP podcast 😔
And targets after 200 podcast
Maybe this will help: https://razzball.com/category/fantasy-baseball-sleepers/
Thanks Bill
And sleepers
There’s rankings where I go over everyone
True thanks all
No problem