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Early starting pitcher (SP) fantasy baseball rankings, tiers for 5x5 mixed roto leagues (December updates). Nick Mariano's tiered SP rankings for 2026 drafts.
Pitchers are among the most volatile positions in fantasy due to injuries and inconsistency. Fantasy managers might wait until the middle rounds to draft their first pitcher as opposed to going after that ace like Paul Skenes in the first. However, aside from Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet are the only other pitchers listed in the top 12 overall rankings at RotoBaller. Today, you will find our MLB teams' 2026 fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings and tiers for 5x5 mixed roto leagues. These December rankings cover the top 90 starting pitchers for 2026.
There were several key transactions and rumors about floating trades/signings this offseason involving starting pitchers. Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Blue Jays this offseason. The Tigers are in serious talks about trading ace Tarik Skubal, while multiple teams are inquiring about Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. After signing Pete Alonso, the Orioles are looking to improve their staff by signing free agent Framber Valdez or acquiring MacKenzie Gore or Edward Cabrera via trade.
The starting pitcher rankings below are specifically designed for traditional 5x5 Roto Mixed Leagues, put together by RotoBaller's lead MLB forecaster Nick Mariano. We're also writing fresh articles all throughout the off-season for fantasy baseball prospects, fantasy baseball dynasty, and so much more. Win more in 2026!
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2026 Fantasy Baseball SP Rankings (December)
Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher (SP) News
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Detroit Tigers "surprised teams by engaging in serious talks" around the possibility of trading starting pitcher Tarik Skubal at the winter meetings this week. Nightengale predicts that Detroit will retain Skubal, but it's still noteworthy that the team is apparently willing to listen to offers for its star pitcher. The 29-year-old has won back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards.
Across 195 1/3 innings (31 starts) in 2025, Skubal pitched to a 13-6 record with a 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 241 strikeouts. While the Tigers presumably expect to contend, Skubal can be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season. If the team is unwilling to shell out a monster contract, it could decide that getting a trade return for Skubal is better than watching him leave for nothing.
Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic report that the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Houston Astros are among the teams with interest in acquiring current Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. The 29-year-old Peralta is coming off an excellent 2025 season in Milwaukee. Across 176 2/3 innings (33 starts), he recorded a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts.
While the Brewers won 97 games in 2025 and appear to be in win-now mode, they could look to move Peralta, given that he has just one season left under team control. Peralta slightly outperformed his underlying metrics and could see some regression in 2026. Still, he's established himself as a front-end starting pitcher, sporting a career 3.59 ERA and 29.9% strikeout rate. While Rosenthal and Sammon report that "no deal appears close" and "talks are fluid," it appears Peralta has multiple suitors. It could just be a matter of time before a deal comes together.
Framber Valdez, Free Agent
The Baltimore Orioles have had talks with free-agent left-hander Framber Valdez, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Despite agreeing to a five-year, $155 million contract with first baseman Pete Alonso on Wednesday, the Orioles remain engaged with the top end of the starting pitching market this offseason. Baltimore has reportedly been discussing a potential trade for Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, too.
Valdez, 32, is expected to be too expensive for Houston's taste as they search for younger, controllable starting pitchers. The veteran southpaw isn't a big strikeout guy, instead leaning on inducing ground balls, but he's been one of the most consistent starters in baseball since 2020. He's also one of just five pitchers to throw 900 innings in the last four years. A move to the AL East wouldn't be ideal for Valdez's fantasy value, but his penchant for keeping the ball on the ground would certainly help.
Eury Perez, Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins and Eury Perez are reportedly getting closer to agreeing on a five or six-year extension, according to Craig Mish of the SportsGrid. Earlier this spring, the Marlins opened contract-extension talks with Pérez, but the two sides were initially about $15 million apart. That gap appears to have been resolved.
The 22-year-old flashed legitimate upside in the majors last season, posting a 4.25 ERA (3.80 SIERA) and a 27.3% strikeout rate across 95⅓ innings. Durability and command have been his main shortcomings, but he reached a career-high 118 innings last year while lowering his walk rate. Looking ahead to 2026, Pérez has the ceiling of a fantasy ace, and he won't cost you a top-75 pick.
MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals
The Baltimore Orioles have had steady communication about Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB Network. There is no indication that a deal is close, though. The Orioles have yet to complete a trade with the Nationals since the franchise moved to D.C. ESPN's Buster Olney recently reported that several front offices believe the Nationals will definitely trade Gore this offseason.
The 26-year-old southpaw was heading for a breakout 2025 campaign in the first half before fading in the second half while missing time due to ankle and shoulder injuries. He finished with a 5-15 record, 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 185 strikeouts, and 64 walks in 30 starts (159 2/3 innings) in his fourth MLB season. It would be quite a splash for the O's, who just signed superstar first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal.
Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are in discussions with the Baltimore Orioles about a possible trade involving right-hander Edward Cabrera, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. The 27-year-old remains under club control for three more years and is projected to earn $3.7 million in arbitration for 2026.
After dealing Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels, the Orioles are seeking another high-end starter to pair with left-hander Trevor Rogers and right-hander Kyle Bradish. In 2025, Cabrera delivered a strong campaign, posting a 3.53 ERA (3.72 SIERA) with a career-high 17.6 K-BB% across 137⅔ innings. For fantasy, a move out of the pitching-friendly LoanDepot Park could be offset by the potential to win more games in Baltimore.
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