Draft season is upon us! With that in mind, here’s my rankings for 2026 fantasy baseball season.
These are roto rankings that are primarily aimed at 12 team, 1 catcher leagues. What does that mean? How does that matter? Well, in a 10 or 12 team league, I’m much more likely to chase upside than consistent production. You need both to construct your roster, but the shallower the league, the more of that replacement level or boring production type is available on waivers or cheaply in a trade. I also tend to push down pitching and catching. Pitching is readily available for streaming, so more of an anchor ace strategy (term stolen from football). The rankings will keep changing, mostly in small moves, based on news, lineups, promotions (and demotions), general whims of the day, etcetera.
I don’t particularly love rankings in general, especially overall rankings, but I get it, it’s the easiest way to show how one thinks that players should be drafted. Some go with more of the, how they will finish approach, and that’s fine. I don’t think you should draft a pitcher in the first round of a snake, and I rank as such even though there will undoubtedly be a pitcher in the first round player rater values every season. I do prefer positional rankings as they more easily show drop offs and category limitations, but overall is a loose guide. Don’t become a slave to ADP or rankings. Draft based on what your roster needs from a statistical and positional standpoint.
Alright, time for some well earned company promotion. Check out Rudy’s War Room if you’ve never tried it. It’s an amazing tool that tracks and advises and does pretty much everything you need in a draft. And of course, listen to the Razzball Fantasy Baseball Podcast with Grey and I.
ADP – Average Draft Position
Why is CJ Abram’s so high? 25 seems crazy to me. His savant page hitting is literally all blue and his speed is only 70 percentile. What am I missing?
Hey B Don,
I am trying to pick my last keeper in a 12 team roto league that has both avg and obp. 3OF, no CI or MI. I see you are really high on Abrams. My last keeper is between Abrams and Naylor. In this league structure, who do you prefer? Already have Soto, JRam, JRod, crochet, Gilbert and woo. Thanks!
Go with Naylor. First base is pretty shallow this year and I don’t get the love for Abram’s.
What gives with Busch? Does your rankings reflect his new found *every day* status as opposed to his previous S/S platoon status? And I’m guessing you feel he will be able handle LHP well enough to give him that boost in the rankings?
hey man, if you were in a keeper….and you were keeping Soto already….would you keep Henderson with a 6th round value (lose the pick) or Nick Kurtz with your last round value (28th round or something)…6×6 with OPS…thanks!!!!
Keep Kurtz. It’s an easy decision with where you get to keep him.