{"id":458423,"date":"2026-02-09T16:10:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T16:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/458423\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T16:10:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T16:10:10","slug":"2026-fantasy-baseball-draft-rankings-expert-picks-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/458423\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings: Expert Picks &#038; Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It can be helpful to get an early sense of where the experts stand in terms of initial <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantasypros.com\/mlb\/rankings\/overall.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fantasy baseball draft rankings<\/a>. We\u2019ll have you covered as we approach the spring and new season, but for now let\u2019s take a look at 2026 fantasy baseball rankings.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/draftwizard.fantasypros.com\/baseball\/mock-draft-simulator\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-537215 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mlb_draft_wizard_1470_650-1024x453.jpg\" alt=\"Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Simulator\" width=\"1024\" height=\"453\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>2026 Fantasy Baseball Rankings<\/p>\n<p>RK<br \/>\nPLAYER NAME<br \/>\nTEAM<br \/>\nPOS<br \/>\nBEST<br \/>\nWORST<br \/>\nAVG.<br \/>\nSTD.DEV<br \/>\nECR VS. ADP<\/p>\n<p>1<br \/>\nShohei Ohtani<br \/>\nLAD<br \/>\nDH1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n0<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>2<br \/>\nAaron Judge<br \/>\nNYY<br \/>\nOF1<br \/>\n1<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n1.8<br \/>\n0.4<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>3<br \/>\nBobby Witt Jr.<br \/>\nKC<br \/>\nSS1<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n3.1<br \/>\n0.3<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>4<br \/>\nJuan Soto<br \/>\nNYM<br \/>\nOF2<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n4.2<br \/>\n0.6<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>5<br \/>\nJose Ramirez<br \/>\nCLE<br \/>\n3B1<br \/>\n4<br \/>\n10<br \/>\n5.9<br \/>\n1.1<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>6<br \/>\nTarik Skubal<br \/>\nDET<br \/>\nSP1<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n15<br \/>\n7.6<br \/>\n2.2<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>7<br \/>\nCorbin Carroll<br \/>\nARI<br \/>\nOF3<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n12<br \/>\n7.8<br \/>\n1.4<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>8<br \/>\nRonald Acuna Jr.<br \/>\nATL<br \/>\nOF4<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n13<br \/>\n7.9<br \/>\n1.9<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>9<br \/>\nJulio Rodriguez<br \/>\nSEA<br \/>\nOF5<br \/>\n7<br \/>\n13<br \/>\n9.5<br \/>\n1.1<br \/>\n3<\/p>\n<p>10<br \/>\nElly De La Cruz<br \/>\nCIN<br \/>\nSS2<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n14<br \/>\n9.7<br \/>\n2.2<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>11<br \/>\nPaul Skenes<br \/>\nPIT<br \/>\nSP2<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n14<br \/>\n10.5<br \/>\n2<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>12<br \/>\nGarrett Crochet<br \/>\nBOS<br \/>\nSP3<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n19<br \/>\n12.2<br \/>\n2.2<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>13<br \/>\nGunnar Henderson<br \/>\nBAL<br \/>\nSS3<br \/>\n10<br \/>\n16<br \/>\n13.9<br \/>\n1.4<br \/>\n6<\/p>\n<p>14<br \/>\nKyle Tucker<br \/>\nLAD<br \/>\nOF6<br \/>\n7<br \/>\n23<br \/>\n14.1<br \/>\n3.4<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>15<br \/>\nFernando Tatis Jr.<br \/>\nSD<br \/>\nOF7<br \/>\n8<br \/>\n20<br \/>\n14.1<br \/>\n1.7<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>16<br \/>\nJunior Caminero<br \/>\nTB<br \/>\n3B2<br \/>\n10<br \/>\n42<br \/>\n15.2<br \/>\n2.2<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>17<br \/>\nFrancisco Lindor<br \/>\nNYM<br \/>\nSS4<br \/>\n15<br \/>\n18<br \/>\n16.4<br \/>\n0.9<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>18<br \/>\nCal Raleigh<br \/>\nSEA<br \/>\nC1<br \/>\n18<br \/>\n21<br \/>\n19.1<br \/>\n0.8<br \/>\n-2<\/p>\n<p>19<br \/>\nVladimir Guerrero Jr.<br \/>\nTOR<br \/>\n1B1<br \/>\n12<br \/>\n26<br \/>\n19.3<br \/>\n1.7<br \/>\n3<\/p>\n<p>20<br \/>\nJackson Chourio<br \/>\nMIL<br \/>\nOF8<br \/>\n12<br \/>\n47<br \/>\n19.9<br \/>\n2.1<br \/>\n3<\/p>\n<p>21<br \/>\nNick Kurtz<br \/>\nATH<br \/>\n1B2<br \/>\n16<br \/>\n22<br \/>\n19.9<br \/>\n1.8<br \/>\n-1<\/p>\n<p>22<br \/>\nKyle Schwarber<br \/>\nPHI<br \/>\nDH2<br \/>\n19<br \/>\n32<br \/>\n22<br \/>\n1.3<br \/>\n-1<\/p>\n<p>23<br \/>\nJazz Chisholm Jr.<br \/>\nNYY<br \/>\n2B1<br \/>\n15<br \/>\n36<br \/>\n22.4<br \/>\n1.1<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>24<br \/>\nPete Alonso<br \/>\nBAL<br \/>\n1B3<br \/>\n23<br \/>\n33<br \/>\n24.8<br \/>\n2.5<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>25<br \/>\nTrea Turner<br \/>\nPHI<br \/>\nSS5<br \/>\n21<br \/>\n76<br \/>\n26.6<br \/>\n2.9<br \/>\n4<\/p>\n<p>26<br \/>\nKetel Marte<br \/>\nARI<br \/>\n2B2<br \/>\n23<br \/>\n34<br \/>\n27.9<br \/>\n3.6<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>27<br \/>\nYoshinobu Yamamoto<br \/>\nLAD<br \/>\nSP4<br \/>\n22<br \/>\n38<br \/>\n29.5<br \/>\n3<br \/>\n-2<\/p>\n<p>28<br \/>\nCristopher Sanchez<br \/>\nPHI<br \/>\nSP5<br \/>\n26<br \/>\n40<br \/>\n30.2<br \/>\n2.7<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>29<br \/>\nZach Neto<br \/>\nLAA<br \/>\nSS6<br \/>\n26<br \/>\n41<br \/>\n31.3<br \/>\n3.2<br \/>\n5<\/p>\n<p>30<br \/>\nYordan Alvarez<br \/>\nHOU<br \/>\nOF9<br \/>\n25<br \/>\n40<br \/>\n31.6<br \/>\n3.5<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>31<br \/>\nManny Machado<br \/>\nSD<br \/>\n3B3<br \/>\n21<br \/>\n51<br \/>\n33.6<br \/>\n4.8<br \/>\n0<\/p>\n<p>32<br \/>\nPete Crow-Armstrong<br \/>\nCHC<br \/>\nOF10<br \/>\n26<br \/>\n133<br \/>\n34.2<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n-2<\/p>\n<p>33<br \/>\nBryce Harper<br \/>\nPHI<br \/>\n1B4<br \/>\n26<br \/>\n51<br \/>\n36<br \/>\n5.5<br \/>\n3<\/p>\n<p>34<br \/>\nJames Wood<br \/>\nWSH<br \/>\nOF11<br \/>\n27<br \/>\n64<br \/>\n36.1<br \/>\n7.8<br \/>\n-1<\/p>\n<p>35<br \/>\nLogan Gilbert<br \/>\nSEA<br \/>\nSP6<br \/>\n29<br \/>\n43<br \/>\n36.1<br \/>\n3.9<br \/>\n5<\/p>\n<p>36<br \/>\nChris Sale<br \/>\nATL<br \/>\nSP7<br \/>\n26<br \/>\n51<br \/>\n36.6<br \/>\n5<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>37<br \/>\nMatt Olson<br \/>\nATL<br \/>\n1B5<br \/>\n24<br \/>\n61<br \/>\n36.9<br \/>\n6<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>38<br \/>\nHunter Brown<br \/>\nHOU<br \/>\nSP8<br \/>\n30<br \/>\n60<br \/>\n37<br \/>\n4.3<br \/>\n-3<\/p>\n<p>39<br \/>\nRafael Devers<br \/>\nSF<br \/>\n1B6<br \/>\n27<br \/>\n52<br \/>\n38.4<br \/>\n7.3<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>40<br \/>\nBryan Woo<br \/>\nSEA<br \/>\nSP9<br \/>\n17<br \/>\n54<br \/>\n41.2<br \/>\n4.3<br \/>\n-3<\/p>\n<p>41<br \/>\nJacob deGrom<br \/>\nTEX<br \/>\nSP10<br \/>\n38<br \/>\n73<br \/>\n42.7<br \/>\n2.4<br \/>\n6<\/p>\n<p>42<br \/>\nLogan Webb<br \/>\nSF<br \/>\nSP11<br \/>\n33<br \/>\n62<br \/>\n43.4<br \/>\n8.6<br \/>\n6<\/p>\n<p>43<br \/>\nMookie Betts<br \/>\nLAD<br \/>\nSS7<br \/>\n34<br \/>\n64<br \/>\n44.1<br \/>\n5.6<br \/>\n-1<\/p>\n<p>44<br \/>\nHunter Greene<br \/>\nCIN<br \/>\nSP12<br \/>\n38<br \/>\n58<br \/>\n45.8<br \/>\n4.9<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>45<br \/>\nCole Ragans<br \/>\nKC<br \/>\nSP13<br \/>\n28<br \/>\n63<br \/>\n47.9<br \/>\n4.8<br \/>\n7<\/p>\n<p>46<br \/>\nBrent Rooker<br \/>\nATH<br \/>\nOF12<br \/>\n27<br \/>\n140<br \/>\n49.6<br \/>\n15.1<br \/>\n-3<\/p>\n<p>47<br \/>\nWyatt Langford<br \/>\nTEX<br \/>\nOF13<br \/>\n29<br \/>\n85<br \/>\n51.3<br \/>\n8.3<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>48<br \/>\nMax Fried<br \/>\nNYY<br \/>\nSP14<br \/>\n41<br \/>\n67<br \/>\n51.5<br \/>\n7<br \/>\n-4<\/p>\n<p>49<br \/>\nRoman Anthony<br \/>\nBOS<br \/>\nOF14<br \/>\n28<br \/>\n150<br \/>\n53<br \/>\n16.3<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>50<br \/>\nBrice Turang<br \/>\nMIL<br \/>\n2B3<br \/>\n44<br \/>\n79<br \/>\n53.6<br \/>\n7.5<br \/>\n-5<\/p>\n<p>51<br \/>\nMason Miller<br \/>\nSD<br \/>\nRP1<br \/>\n28<br \/>\n201<br \/>\n53.8<br \/>\n15.9<br \/>\n3<\/p>\n<p>52<br \/>\nEdwin Diaz<br \/>\nLAD<br \/>\nRP2<br \/>\n27<br \/>\n82<br \/>\n56.6<br \/>\n15.1<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>53<br \/>\nJosh Naylor<br \/>\nSEA<br \/>\n1B7<br \/>\n50<br \/>\n100<br \/>\n57.3<br \/>\n5.6<br \/>\n3<\/p>\n<p>54<br \/>\nRiley Greene<br \/>\nDET<br \/>\nOF15<br \/>\n41<br \/>\n80<br \/>\n58<br \/>\n6.1<br \/>\n4<\/p>\n<p>55<br \/>\nAustin Riley<br \/>\nATL<br \/>\n3B4<br \/>\n35<br \/>\n79<br \/>\n59.3<br \/>\n9.9<br \/>\n9<\/p>\n<p>56<br \/>\nCJ Abrams<br \/>\nWSH<br \/>\nSS8<br \/>\n41<br \/>\n83<br \/>\n59.3<br \/>\n9.3<br \/>\n7<\/p>\n<p>57<br \/>\nJoe Ryan<br \/>\nMIN<br \/>\nSP15<br \/>\n51<br \/>\n72<br \/>\n59.6<br \/>\n5.1<br \/>\n10<\/p>\n<p>58<br \/>\nJackson Merrill<br \/>\nSD<br \/>\nCF1<br \/>\n48<br \/>\n89<br \/>\n59.7<br \/>\n7.1<br \/>\n8<\/p>\n<p>59<br \/>\nJarren Duran<br \/>\nBOS<br \/>\nOF16<br \/>\n33<br \/>\n86<br \/>\n61.5<br \/>\n10.7<br \/>\n2<\/p>\n<p>60<br \/>\nGeorge Kirby<br \/>\nSEA<br \/>\nSP16<br \/>\n45<br \/>\n77<br \/>\n61.5<br \/>\n3.9<br \/>\n11<\/p>\n<p>61<br \/>\nFreddie Freeman<br \/>\nLAD<br \/>\n1B8<br \/>\n28<br \/>\n96<br \/>\n61.9<br \/>\n10.5<br \/>\n-10<\/p>\n<p>62<br \/>\nWilliam Contreras<br \/>\nMIL<br \/>\nC2<br \/>\n45<br \/>\n81<br \/>\n63.2<br \/>\n7.6<br \/>\n-7<\/p>\n<p>63<br \/>\nFreddy Peralta<br \/>\nNYM<br \/>\nSP17<br \/>\n47<br \/>\n87<br \/>\n63.4<br \/>\n10.5<br \/>\n-6<\/p>\n<p>64<br \/>\nCody Bellinger<br \/>\nNYY<br \/>\nOF17<br \/>\n45<br \/>\n77<br \/>\n64.8<br \/>\n8<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>65<br \/>\nSpencer Schwellenbach<br \/>\nATL<br \/>\nSP18<br \/>\n53<br \/>\n88<br \/>\n65.6<br \/>\n7.4<br \/>\n16<\/p>\n<p>66<br \/>\nAndres Munoz<br \/>\nSEA<br \/>\nRP3<br \/>\n39<br \/>\n83<br \/>\n66.8<br \/>\n11.5<br \/>\n-7<\/p>\n<p>67<br \/>\nDylan Cease<br \/>\nTOR<br \/>\nSP19<br \/>\n52<br \/>\n107<br \/>\n68.5<br \/>\n13<br \/>\n9<\/p>\n<p>68<br \/>\nJhoan Duran<br \/>\nPHI<br \/>\nRP4<br \/>\n35<br \/>\n260<br \/>\n69.4<br \/>\n12.1<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>69<br \/>\nBen Rice<br \/>\nNYY<br \/>\n1B9<br \/>\n48<br \/>\n108<br \/>\n70.1<br \/>\n10.5<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>70<br \/>\nGeraldo Perdomo<br \/>\nARI<br \/>\nSS9<br \/>\n46<br \/>\n92<br \/>\n70.4<br \/>\n10.4<br \/>\n-8<\/p>\n<p>71<br \/>\nJesus Luzardo<br \/>\nPHI<br \/>\nSP20<br \/>\n59<br \/>\n99<br \/>\n71<br \/>\n6.1<br \/>\n9<\/p>\n<p>72<br \/>\nKyle Bradish<br \/>\nBAL<br \/>\nSP21<br \/>\n45<br \/>\n142<br \/>\n72.3<br \/>\n7.6<br \/>\n11<\/p>\n<p>73<br \/>\nCade Smith<br \/>\nCLE<br \/>\nRP5<br \/>\n38<br \/>\n264<br \/>\n73.5<br \/>\n19.9<br \/>\n1<\/p>\n<p>74<br \/>\nVinnie Pasquantino<br \/>\nKC<br \/>\n1B10<br \/>\n43<br \/>\n87<br \/>\n73.9<br \/>\n10.8<br \/>\n4<\/p>\n<p>75<br \/>\nShea Langeliers<br \/>\nATH<br \/>\nC3<br \/>\n53<br \/>\n118<br \/>\n75.6<br \/>\n16.2<br \/>\n-15<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/draftwizard.fantasypros.com\/baseball\/cheat-sheets\/\" target=\"_blank\" onclick=\"mp_keyactionclick(&#039;2024_mlb_cheat_sheets&#039;, &#039;article_promo_banner&#039;);\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-promo size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mlb-custom-cheat-sheet.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>What is Fantasy Baseball?<\/p>\n<p>Fantasy baseball is an online game where participants act as managers of virtual baseball teams based on real-life Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The performance of these players in actual games determines the results in the fantasy league. It\u2019s a blend of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck, akin to the real-world decisions team managers must make.<\/p>\n<p>Basic Strategy for Fantasy Baseball Success<\/p>\n<p>1. Understand Your League\u2019s Format and Scoring<\/p>\n<p>Before drafting your team, it\u2019s essential to understand the scoring system and rules of your specific league, as this will influence your drafting and management strategy. Knowing whether you\u2019re in a points-based, category-based, or head-to-head league will guide you in selecting players whose strengths align with the scoring system.<\/p>\n<p>2. Drafting Your Team Wisely<\/p>\n<p>A solid draft is the foundation of a successful season. Here are a few tips for the drafting phase:<\/p>\n<p>Balanced Team: Ensure you have a balanced team with a mix of power hitters, average hitters, speedsters, starting pitchers, and relievers.<br \/>\nPosition Scarcity: Be aware of the depth of talent at each position. Some positions, like shortstop, may have fewer high-quality players, making it beneficial to draft a top player at that position early.<br \/>\nHigh-Floor Players: Early in the draft, focus on players with a proven track record of consistency.<br \/>\nUpside Picks: In the later rounds, look for \u201cupside\u201d players. These are athletes who have the potential to outperform their draft position.<\/p>\n<p>3. In-Season Management<\/p>\n<p>Stay Active: Constantly look for ways to improve your team through waivers, trades, and free-agent pickups.<br \/>\nMind the Matchups: Pay attention to player matchups, platoon splits, and ballparks. Starting a pitcher in a hitter-friendly park, for example, can be risky.<br \/>\nInjury Management: Stay on top of player injuries and have backups ready for your key players.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/draftwizard.fantasypros.com\/baseball\/draft-assistant\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-474271 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/MLB-Draft-Assistant-3x2-min-min-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Fantasy Baseball Draft Advice\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Subscribe: <a href=\"https:\/\/dts.podtrac.com\/redirect.mp3\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/fantasypros-baseball-podcast\/id1099324246?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Apple Podcasts<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/dts.podtrac.com\/redirect.mp3\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0SoTNEiky8Y8URHkJuM2pC?si=__7yp49lQzuBKVO7V7h1OQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Spotify<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5zb3VuZGNsb3VkLmNvbS91c2Vycy9zb3VuZGNsb3VkOnVzZXJzOjIwOTk1OTQ1OS9zb3VuZHMucnNz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Google Podcasts<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/dts.podtrac.com\/redirect.mp3\/soundcloud.com\/fantasypros-baseball-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">SoundCloud<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iheart.com\/podcast\/256-fantasypros-fantasy-baseba-30994124\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">iHeartRadio<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It can be helpful to get an early sense of where the experts stand in terms of initial&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":458424,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[363,99],"class_list":["post-458423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=458423"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/458423\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/458424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=458423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=458423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=458423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}