Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Know - Kevin McGonigle, Travis Bazzana, Connelly Early, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Max Clark, George Klassen

February 5, 2026

2026 fantasy baseball prospects that can make big impacts - Kevin McGonigle, Travis Bazzana, Connelly Early, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Max Clark, George Klassen. Target these top prospects in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.

Targeting emerging prospects in the final rounds of your draft can provide your fantasy team with high upside. While some of these players may take time to find their footing in the big league,s once they do, they could become must-start players like Logan Henderson and Nick Kurtz were last season.

In this piece, we will spotlight six emerging prospects in the minor leagues and determine if they are worth selecting in the final rounds of the 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.

Who are six high-upside prospects managers should keep on their radar heading into draft season? Let's dive in!

• Fantasy baseball draft kit
• Fantasy baseball rankings
• Team Sync platform and Draft Assistant
• Fantasy baseball mock draft simulator
• Fantasy baseball draft cheat sheets
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
• Fantasy baseball prospects

Kevin McGonigle, INF, Detroit Tigers

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 88 G, .305/.408/.583, 31 2B, 19 HR, 10 SB

The Detroit Tigers have invited shortstop prospect Kevin McGonigle to big-league spring training this year, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Per MLB Pipeline, McGonigle is the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball entering the 2026 season, behind only the Pirates' Konnor Griffin. The 21-year-old is an advanced hitter for his age and slashed an impressive .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 88 games over three minor-league levels last season.

In addition to being able to play the 6, he'll be an option at second and third base for the Tigers at the next level. However, McGonigle is expected to stick at short for now, which is the biggest need in Detroit. The left-handed hitter might need some time to mature and develop his power and speed, but there's no question he's already among the best pure hitting prospects in baseball.

Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 84 G, .245/.389/.424, 17 2B, 9 HR, 12 SB

New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Nolan McLean will pitch for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. Per MLB Pipeline, McLean is the No. 11 prospect in the game heading into next season. The 24-year-old looked the part after making his MLB debut this past season, posting a 2.06 ERA with 57 strikeouts over 48 innings (eight starts).

He'll be joining a Team USA rotation that will be headlined by Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. In addition to McLean, the team announced that Mets right-hander Clay Holmes and Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan will pitch for USA in the WBC. The 24-year-old former two-way player has a diverse arsenal and plenty of different ways to generate swings and misses. McLean isn't going to crack the 200-inning mark in his first full year in the big leagues, especially after pitching in the WBC, but he's got one of the highest ceilings of any young arm in the game.

Connelly Early, SP, Boston Red Sox

Current Level: MLB
2025 MLB stats: 19 1/3 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 29 SO, 4 BB

Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Connelly Early could enjoy a breakout season in 2026. The team's No. 4-ranked prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) made his MLB debut in the second half and looked quite comfortable, logging 19 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.33 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. During this stint, the southpaw struck out an eye-catching 29 hitters while allowing only four free passes. He began the 2025 campaign with Double-A but was able to reach Triple-A Worcester after just 71 2/3 innings.

Connelly Early's first 9 MLB innings:
0 R
16 K pic.twitter.com/p1IT03p1nZ

— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2025

With Double-A, he tallied 96 punchouts with a 2.51 ERA and contended to show similar productivity at Triple-A, logging 28 2/3 innings with a 2.83 ERA. However, managers should closely monitor his status in camp as he may not be guaranteed a spot in the rotation. With the Red Sox bringing in Ranger Suarez and having other budding arms like Payton Tolle, Early may have to earn his spot in spring training. If he can claim the No. 5 spot, he would become a top late-round target in all formats, given his high-end command and elite strikeout upside.

Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Minnesota Twins

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 65 G, .269/.421/.409, 9 2B, 6 HR, 10 SB

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect EmManuel Rodriguez is a name to closely monitor during spring training as he could crack the Opening Day roster. According to MLB.com, Rodriguez is viewed as the No. 69 overall-ranked prospect in the sport and the No. 4-ranked in the Minnesota system. Rodriguez has battled numerous injuries during his minor league career, but has flashed immense upside when on the field.

Last summer, the 22-year-old appeared in only 65 games in the minor leagues. He spent most of the year with Triple-A St. Paul (52 games), where he held a .258/.429/.423 line with seven doubles, six home runs, and nine stolen bases. While Byron Buxton is slated to cover center field, the corner outfield positions could be open for Rodriguez to claim. Managers in deeper five-outfielder leagues should keep a close eye on Rodriguez during spring training.

Max Clark, OF, Detroit Tigers

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 111 G, .271/.403/.432, 17 2B, 14 HR, 19 SB

The Detroit Tigers invited outfield prospect Max Clark to major-league spring training this year, according to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold. Clark, who is considered the No. 10 overall prospect in baseball this year, hit a combined .271/.403/.432 with an .835 OPS, 14 home runs, 67 RBI, 85 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases in 111 games with High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie last year.

Here is Max Clark's first Double-A home run!#RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/xPpIkyCIdM

— Erie SeaWolves (@erie_seawolves) July 9, 2025

The left-handed-hitting former third overall pick in 2023 has plus tools with his bat, legs, arm, and glove. Power from the left side might be his biggest weakness, but he figures to develop more of it as his 6-foot, 205-pound frame matures. Clark had a 135 wRC+ AND 16.7% strikeout rate at Double-A, so he figures to open the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo. If Clark picks up where he left off in the minors in 2026, it may not be long before he's starting in center field in Motown at the major-league level.

George Klassen, SP, Los Angeles Angels

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 108 2/3 IP, 5.22 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 134 SO, 47 BB

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitching prospect George Klassen is a name to monitor during spring training. Klassen is currently considered the No. 3-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com. In 2025, the right-hander spent the majority of the year in Double-A Rocket City before earning a brief six-inning stint at Triple-A Salt Lake. Across 102 2/3 innings at Double-A, the former sixth-round selection from the 2023 MLB Draft posted a hefty 5.35 with a 1.48 WHIP.

However, over his last 23 innings at Double-A before earning the promotion, Klassen posted a dominant 1.17 ERA with 32 punchouts. At Triple-A, Klassen totaled eight strikeouts across this brief stint, while allowing two runs with one free pass. Given Los Angeles's weak pitching depth, Klassen could be in strong consideration for a promotion early in the season.

Prospect Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Who are the top fantasy baseball prospects to know? Check out our latest 2026 prospect fantasy baseball rankings which are updated regularly:

LIKE ROTOBALLER?

CLICK HERE, ENTER ROTOBALLER.COM, THEN CHECK THE BOX

More Fantasy Baseball Prospects and Rookies