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Jamie looks at five outfield prospects who are set to breakout in 2026 fantasy baseball. These five prospects should be stashed in dynasty and keeper leagues. His top picks include Justin Crawford, Carson Benge, more.
Preparation for the 2026 fantasy season is already underway. Drafts are happening, and we're getting a clearer picture of what to expect with players' ADP (Average Draft Position). While it's a useful guide for redraft leagues, those in dynasty and keeper leagues will have different draft preparation.
Some of you will be looking to win your leagues in 2026. Some of you will be using the season to rebuild and retool your teams. Regardless of your goals for the year, being able to add some players set to help you later in the season and beyond can go a long way to helping you achieve your targets.
Here, we'll be looking at five outfield prospects who are unlikely to be taken in most redraft leagues but should still help fantasy teams in 2026. They make ideal targets for dynasty and keeper leagues as stashes for later in the year. Don't forget to follow the RotoBaller team for all your offseason news and articles.
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Chase DeLauter, Cleveland Guardians
DeLauter made his major league debut in 2025. If you blinked, you may have missed it. He was a surprise call-up in the postseason and played twice for the Guardians in their AL Wild Card series against the Tigers. In seven plate appearances, DeLauter got a hit, a walk, and struck out once.
His most notable effort in those two games came on defense, saving a run by throwing out Zach McKinstry at third base. While DeLauter's defense won't necessarily help fantasy managers, it's another reason why DeLauter is set to be a prominent player for Cleveland in 2026 and beyond.
It's more likely than not that we see DeLauter starting for Cleveland on Opening Day. Despite that, his very early ADP is still outside the top 300. The main reason for that will be DeLauter's health. It's been a problem for him since he was drafted.
DeLauter broke his foot in 2022 and didn't make his professional debut until 2023. He was limited to just 57 games that year. DeLauter starred in spring training for the Guardians in 2024. He hit .520/.600/1.040 in 13 games, homering four times.
Unfortunately, DeLauter broke his foot again in April 2024 and required additional surgery to repair it. He only played 39 games that year. Even with the injury struggles, DeLauter was still regarded as one of the Guardians' top prospects heading into 2025.
There was hope he would be a prominent fixture in their lineup throughout 2025. However, DeLauter underwent hernia surgery in March and had more surgery in July following a fractured hamate bone. That restricted him to just 42 minor league games this year.
When healthy, it's clear to see why DeLauter is still widely regarded as a top-3 prospect in the Cleveland organisation. Across three seasons, DeLauter has played a total of 138 games, hitting .302/.384/.504 with 20 homers and eight stolen bases.
DeLauter only struck out 80 times in the minors, while walking 70 times. Those are numbers teams covet, especially the Guardians and the way they generate runs. DeLauter's contact ability and developing power should see him as a regular in the heart of the Cleveland lineup.
As well as all the typical difficulties rookies face, DeLauter will need to stay healthy to be a fantasy asset. That is something that has alluded him so far. But his numbers are good enough that if he had stayed healthy throughout his minor league career, there'd be a lot more hype around him in 2026.
In dynasty and keeper leagues, DeLauter is someone who should be 100% rostered. Provided he remains healthy for the first couple of months of the season, DeLauter could easily end up being the most-added player in-season and a candidate for Rookie of the Year honours.
Justin Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies
Crawford came to prominence in 2025. He played 112 games at Triple-A, hitting .334/.411/.452. What really caught the eye were the 46 stolen bases. That's on the back of a 2024 season in which Crawford stole 42 bases in 110 games at the High-A and Double-A levels.
There's no doubt that speed is the main part of Crawford's fantasy value. But that should not detract from how good a hitter he is. Since being drafted in the first round by the Phillies in 2022, Crawford has played 325 games. His minor league slash line across the four seasons is .322/.385/.446.
Crawford hasn't shown much power yet. But has homered 19 times in the minors, with seven coming last year in Triple-A and nine the previous season. At 21 years old, there are plenty of reasons to believe he can continue to develop more power.
Phillies' President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, mentioned last month that Crawford is in their plans for next year. There's no shortage of speculation that a good spring could see Crawford break camp with the Phillies.
The post-mortem has ended. Dombrowski identified OF as an area for change, and highlighted Justin Crawford as someone in their plans. He wouldn’t reveal much. He did said he’d be “surprised” if José Alvarado ($9.5 mm club option) isn’t back.
Phillies will hire a new bench coach.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 16, 2025
Given the Phillies have some holes to fill in their lineup, Crawford has a great chance to start the year in the majors. Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Max Kepler, and Harrison Bader all entered free agency this offseason. The Phillies will likely look at their farm system to fill a couple of the gaps left.
The one question mark lingering over Crawford right now is his defense. The expectation is that he'll play center field for the Phillies. However, Dombrowski didn't commit to anything and hinted that Crawford's defense could still use some improvement.
While his speed will make up for some things in the outfield, Crawford may find himself starting the season in the minors to finesse a bit of his defense. That reflects in his very early ADP, with Crawford currently going well outside the top-300 in redraft leagues.
Even if he doesn't start the season in the majors, Crawford is someone worth stashing in all keeper leagues. And one to target in first-year dynasty league drafts. His speed will certainly vault up Crawford's fantasy value. But his bat looks good enough to make him more than a one-trick pony.
Unless he does make the Opening Day roster and then starts the season on fire, Crawford will likely hit in the bottom part of the lineup. That will cap his potential lineup. But few rookies in 2026 are set to have the impact Crawford can make on fantasy teams.
Ryan Waldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
After being taken in the first round of the 2024 draft by Arizona, Waldschmidt ended 2025 as the organisation's number one prospect (according to MLB Pipeline). That was after he hit .289/.419/.473 in his first full season as a pro (134 games).
It's no surprise that Waldschmidt is also being considered a potential Opening Day starter for the Diamondbacks. Waldschmidt certainly looks like he has the tools to succeed in the majors. He hit for power, with 18 home runs, and showed his speed with 29 stolen bases.
As well as the physical aspects, Waldschmidt showed good discipline at the plate. His 17.9% K% is solid, but Waldschmidt's 16.0% BB% stood out. Across all minor league levels, Waldschmidt was the only player who had 18+ homers, 29+ steals, and at least a 0.90 BB/K (minimum of 300 plate appearances).
Waldschmidt missed most of the 2023 college season after suffering an ACL injury. The fact that he stole 29 bases in 2025 suggests we shouldn't be concerned about his health or his ability to utilise his speed. Something the Diamondbacks may be careful with.
While Waldschmidt's name has been mentioned as a potential Opening Day starter with Arizona, it's more likely he starts the season in the minors. He's only played 148 minor league games since being drafted and could do with some more seasoning.
Waldschmidt's swing is regarded as one of the fastest in the minors. If he can show an ability to draw walks and keep the strikeouts down, there's no reason we don't see Waldschmidt playing for the Diamondbacks at some point in 2026. There's little to suggest he can't do just that.
Once he gets called up, Waldschmidt should be able to stick with the Diamondbacks. He is definitely worth stashing in keeper leagues, while having the potential to be a mainstay in many dynasty leagues.
Carson Benge, New York Mets
Benge is another prospect who appears to have a shot at making his MLB debut on Opening Day. While the Mets have Juan Soto and Brandon Nimmo locked into the corner outfield spots, center field is a position where they could do with some help.
This year was Benge's first full season as a pro, and he didn't waste time progressing through the minor leagues. After starting the year in High-A, Benge finished in Triple-A. Across all levels, Benge had a .281/.385/.472 slash line with 15 homers and 22 steals (116 games).
That power and speed combo certainly is a tantalizing prospect for fantasy purposes, especially with a solid hit tool and Benge's ability to draw walks (13.1% BB%). Benge's hit tool is his most significant asset, and he should have no problem being a 20+ home run hitter in the majors as he develops.
Given how quickly he's developed this year, Benge will have eyes on the majors in 2026. Mets' President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, said that Benge will have an opportunity to make the Opening Day roster. That's far from a given, and with only 131 professional games under his belt, it seems unlikely.
Especially when we see Benge's numbers at each level, although they're small samples, Benge hit .302/.417/.480 at High-A (60 games), .317/.407/.571 at Double-A (32 games), and .178/.272/.311 at Triple-A (24 games).
There is an argument that Double-A can be tougher than Triple-A. And Benge hit eight of his 15 homers at the Double-A level. It'll still be a massive jump to the majors with only 56 games above the High-A level. That suggests Benge will start the season in the minors.
That also leads us to making Benge a high target to stash for later in 2026. Provided he can carry his 2025 progress into 2026, Benge should find himself in the majors at some point next year. His power and speed combination will make him a popular pick-up in redraft leagues.
Benge's ability to get on base and his solid strikeout numbers (17.7% K%) make him more than just an athletic specimen. We saw the Mets were aggressive in calling up pitching prospects this past season, such as Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong. If they continue in that vein, Benge could be on a fast track to the big league.
Provided Benge can prove he's ready for the majors in 2026, we should see him debut for the Mets next year. Benge is someone who should be stashed in keeper leagues and is another outfielder that should be pretty high on dynasty league draft boards.
Jordan Sprinkle, Chicago White Sox
While others on this list will be players many in dynasty and keeper leagues will know, Sprinkle may not be. The White Sox outfielder isn't on many top prospect lists and doesn't even make the White Sox top-30 prospects on MLB Pipeline.
Sprinkle has primarily been a middle infielder in the White Sox farm system. Last season, he spent more time in left field than at any other position. Sprinkle showed he is capable of making plays in the outfield and could be a utility option in the majors.
It's not his defense that we're interested in. However, that may help his chances of making the majors. Sprinkle's speed is what we're really interested in. In 100 games this year, Sprinkle stole 80 bases, which was the second most among all minor leaguers.
The reason why Sprinkle is someone I'd monitor more closely than others is that his route to the majors should be easier. The White Sox aren't exactly flush with talent at the Major League level. At 24 years old, Sprinkle isn't going to develop much more.
Sprinkle has no power, as evidenced by his seven home runs in 293 minor league games. And he's only got a .230 batting average in that time. But Sprinkle does walk enough to utilise his speed, as he had a 15.5% BB% last season.
The White Sox know what they have. A utility player with a ton of speed and defensive acumen could be enough to get Sprinkle called up next season. He's certainly not someone I'd be banking on or touting as a must-roster option.
If you're coming to the end of your draft and your team looks like it's lacking stolen bases, picking up Sprinkle with the last pick isn't the worst idea. Being his only offensive asset, Sprinkle would likely run a lot if he were to get called up. So even 30 stolen bases in half a season isn't beyond the realms of possibility.
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