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Kipp's $1 auction draft fantasy baseball sleepers, hitters and pitchers to target for $1. These are low-cost 2026 fantasy baseball auction values with upside.
Auction drafts are clearly a different animal than your standard fantasy baseball snake drafts, which I am sure you are more than aware of if you are reading this article. Both drafts have their time and place, and auction drafts can often be a bit more fun, as you can spend up on a player if you really believe in him.
However, if you choose to spend on a player or two, you will need to find value players to complement your roster. That is where this article comes into play.
In this article, we will highlight 10 players with average auction values of $1 (taken from NFBC drafts as of February 15) that should offer the most value. Be sure to check out more of RotoBaller's fantasy baseball auction draft articles as well.
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Parker Messick, SP, Cleveland Guardians
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Parker Messick made his debut with the Guardians last season and had a pretty solid amount of success in limited action. Across 39 2/3 IP, Messick posted a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and struck out 38 batters. Although he did not qualify for Statcast metrics, his numbers here were very solid.
Overall, he allowed just a 29,8% hard-hit rate. He also posted just a 5.8% barrel rate while allowing an average exit velocity of just 88.1 mph. His xERA was even better than his actual ERA at 3.07, and he posted just a 3.6% walk rate. These underlying metrics show that he could be a very steady pitcher in your rotation.
It is also no secret that the Guardians know how to develop pitching, so getting a youngster within this organization who has already shown success at the big league level for $1 in auction drafts is definitely a chance worth taking.
Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Los Angeles Angels
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Nolan Schanuel is not a guy you want to add to your lineup for power, but he can definitely provide some value in terms of batting average, and he has a solid ability to get on base.
In 2025, he posted just a 12.6% K rate, 15% whiff rate, and 24% chase rate. This placed him in the 75th percentile or better in each metric, and he also ranked in the 74th percentile with a 10.5% walk rate.
These metrics resulted in him posting a .264 AVG and .353 OBP, which can certainly help you in leagues that reward on-base percentage and/or walks. He will also provide a little pop, as noted by the fact that he has double-digit home runs in each of the previous two seasons.
Jameson Taillon, SP, Chicago Cubs
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Jameson Taillon is a steady arm for your rotation at a very low price in auction leagues this season. While he will not strike out a ton of batters, as noted by the fact that he posted just an 18.9% K rate in 2025, he will likely give you an ERA below 4.00 with the potential to rack up some wins.
Last season, he pitched the tune of an 11-7 record with a 3.68 ERA across 129 2/3 innings pitched. It was his second consecutive season with an ERA below 4.00 and double-digit wins.
He derives his value from posting a low walk rate, which was just 5.2% in 2025, and ranked him in the 93rd percentile. So, he will not beat himself out there. Additionally, he does not allow a ton of hard contact, as his 88.3 mph average exit velocity allowed last season ranked him in the 75th percentile.
He isn't flashy, but he will get the job done for you at $1.
Carson Kelly, C, Chicago Cubs
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Carson Kelly is our second Chicago Cub on this list, and he makes for a great value selection given that he plays the catcher position, which is very difficult to fill.
In 2025, Kelly hit 17 home runs while slashing .249/.333/.428, but it is the ability to put the ball in play and limit strikeouts that really stood out. He ranked in the 75th or better percentile in chase rate (21.9%), whiff rate (20.6%), and walk rate (10.7%).
The 17 home runs were a bonus; however, 10 of those came at Wrigley Field, so he does enjoy the friendly confines. Again, Kelly will not blow you away with power, but he will knock a few out of the park while providing production in other areas in a tough position to fill on your fantasy roster, especially in deeper two-catcher leagues.
Jonathan India, 2B/3B/OF, Kansas City Royals
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Jonathan India is another player in the same mold as Kelly: he will not hit many home runs, but he will not strike out much and will post some walks. Additionally, India has a bit of extra value considering he plays three different positions.
In 2025, India ranked in the 97th percentile with a chase rate of just 18.6% and paired that with a respectable whiff rate of 19.9% and K rate of 18.7%. It was rather surprising that he did not steal any bases in 2025, as his sprint speed of 28.2 ft/sec ranked him in the 71st percentile, so those should tick up. After all, in 2024, India stole 13 bases.
India makes for a nice bench piece that you can use to plug into your lineup on days that your starters have off. While he will not provide a ton of power, he should be able to help out with runs, walks, and steals.
Gavin Sheets, OF, San Diego Padres
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Gavin Sheets is the guy you want to add to your roster if you want some power off the bench and are alright with using a platoon scenario.
Sheets hit a total of 19 home runs last season, but 17 of those came off right-handed pitching while posting a .777 OPS. The overall power metrics he posted were pretty solid as well. He ranked in the 70th percentile or better in xwOBA (.340), xBA (.263), LA Sweet-Spot rate (38.8%), and bat speed (74.8 mph).
Sheets has now hit double-digit home runs in every season since 2021, and the 19 home runs last season were the most in his career, so the trajectory could be trending up. He makes for a nice addition at $1 to help you get some power off the bench vs. right-handed pitching.
Lenyn Sosa, 1B/2B, Chicago White Sox
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Lenyn Sosa is a guy I am really looking to see have a solid season in 2026. In 2025, he posted a slash line of .264/.293/.434 with 22 home runs, 75 RBI, and 57 runs scored. The home runs really stood out, and the power metrics behind them looked pretty solid as well.
He ranked in the 70th percentile or better in xBA (.263), xSLG (.467), and LA Sweet-Spot rate (39.2). Additionally, he ranked in the 60th percentile or better in average exit velocity (90.7 mph) and barrel rate (10.4%).
Sosa is just 26 years old and could be tapping into his talent. He is eligible at first and second base in most leagues and makes for a great addition to your roster. I would not be all that surprised if he shines so much in 2026 that he becomes an everyday player in your lineup.
Will Vest, RP, Detroit Tigers
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
I have Will Vest on here for all of the leagues that reward holds, but I will say that he could have a shot to take over the closer role if Kenley Jansen struggles mightily, which is possible.
Vest struck out 75 batters across 68 2/3 IP in 2025 while locking down 23 saves for the Tigers. He pitched in 64 games and also racked up six wins, so he can reward you here on occasion. His metrics were also superb.
His xERA, fastball velocity, barrel rate, and ground-ball rate all ranked in the 84th percentile or better. It should also be noted that he only gave up four home runs across those 68 2/3 IP. Add him if your league rewards holds or if you can plug him in for counting stats while you wait for him to hopefully take back the closer's role if Jansen struggles.
Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
Travis Bazzana is almost certainly not going to break camp with the Guardians this spring, but it should not be too long before he is a staple in their lineup. If you can afford to draft him for $1 and stash him until his call-up, it might be worth your while.
He plays at second base, which is a premium position in fantasy baseball, and while he has had some bad luck with injuries in the minors, he has performed well when on the field.
Overall, he slashed .243/.384/.417 with 12 HRs, 51 RBI, 91 R, 83 BB, and 17 SBs across his 496 PA. Not too shabby, and the ability to draw walks is a big plus for younger talent. Again, nothing super flashy here, but I do like to take chances on younger players when the price is right, and you can't get better than $1 in an auction league.
Justin Steele, SP, Chicago Cubs
$1 AAV (Average Auction Value)
I am all for stashing an injured player that has solid potential in auction leagues, especially when you can acquire them for only $1. Justin Steele (elbow) has already started to face live batters and is expected back in mid-to-late May, which makes him a very reasonable target.
This is a guy who has posted a near-3.00 ERA in each of his previous two seasons before injury. He is also a K/9 guy, so the strikeouts are plentiful. The Cubs also bolstered their offense in 2026 with the addition of Alex Bregman, so wins should be a stat Steele can rack up this season upon his return.
It was not so long ago (2024) that Steele was in the Cy Young discussions, and at this point, he is only 30 years old, so he makes a ton of sense to grab in your auction drafts at this cost.
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