6 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Sleepers for 2026

February 11, 2026

Six fantasy baseball prospect sleepers to know for 2026 drafts - upside fantasy baseball rookies and call-ups like Noah Schultz, Konnor Griffin, Carson Benge.

Targeting high-impact prospects in the back half of your draft can set your team above your opponents. Managers who were willing to invest in high-end prospects like Nick Kurtz in the final rounds were rewarded with a must-start player as soon as he earned the call to the majors.

In this piece, we will spotlight six high-end prospects who could make a major impact in the big leagues this summer.

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

Noah Schultz, SP, Chicago White Sox

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MLB stats: 73 IP, 4.68 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 76 SO, 45 BB

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect Noah Schultz (knee) believes that he will make his major-league debut in 2026 and also said his right knee "feels great." "Having no issues. It's been great. Did PT through the offseason and in a good spot, and it's not an issue," Schultz said about his knee. The 22-year-old southpaw, who is ranked as the No. 49 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, was shut down last September due to tendinitis in his knee, but he's expected to be a full-go for the start of this season.

Schultz had a 3.34 ERA and 1.56 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 36 walks in 12 starts (56 2/3 innings) at Double-A Birmingham before struggling to a 9.37 ERA in five starts at Triple-A Charlotte to end his 2025 campaign. The 6-foot-10 hulking lefty was the 26th overall pick in 2022. Schultz will go undrafted in single-year leagues, but he's a firm stash and hold in dynasty/keeper formats.

Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 122 G, .333/.415/.527, 21 HR, 65 SB

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, the consensus top prospect in baseball entering the 2026 season, made it look way too easy in his first year of pro ball in 2025, reaching Double-A at just 19 years old.

The former ninth overall pick by the Bucs in 2024 hit .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases in 122 games (563 plate appearances) with Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Double-A Altoona.

The Pirates might want to practice some patience with Griffin since he has played in just 21 games above A ball, but MLB.com speculates that it might be hard for Pittsburgh to keep him off the Opening Day roster if he continues to do what he did last year in spring training.

Griffin has plus-plus speed, amazing athleticism, and is physical at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. He has all the makings of a future superstar. Griffin should already be rostered in all keeper leagues, and his current 241 ADP should only continue to rise this spring in single-year leagues.

Carson Benge, OF, New York Mets

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 116 G, .281/.385/.472, 15 HR, 22 SB

The New York Mets extended a non-roster invitation to outfield prospect Carson Benge on Monday. Despite adding Luis Robert Jr. in a trade this offseason, Benge is expected to compete for a starting job in the Mets' outfield in spring training this year.

His primary competition for the left-field job will be Tyrone Taylor, MJ Melendez, and Brett Baty. The 23-year-old hit .281/.385/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 116 games at three minor-league levels last year. Benge is a former two-way star who should already be stashed in dynasty/keeper leagues.

Carson Benge has his first Triple-A home run! pic.twitter.com/b5Ueal84xX

— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) August 30, 2025

While his upside remains high long term, don't be surprised if the Mets use him in a platoon role at the big-league level against right-handed pitchers. He slugged only .326 in 123 plate appearances against lefties last year. MLB Pipeline has Benge ranked as the No. 16 overall prospect entering the 2026 season.

Carlos Lagrange, P, New York Yankees

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 120 IP, 3.53 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 168 SO, 62 BB

The New York Yankees have invited right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange to MLB spring training. Lagrange is currently viewed as the team's No. 2-ranked prospect on MLB.com and the No. 74 overall prospect in baseball.

Lagrange began the 2025 campaign with High-A Hudson Valley, but would eventually spend the second half with Double-A Somerset. Through 41 2/3 innings at High-A, the right-hander would hold a modest 4.10 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. He would rack up 64 punchouts during this stint.

However, once he made the jump to Double-A, Lagrange looked far more productive. Across 78 1/3 innings, the right-hander struck out 104 hitters while carrying a 3.22 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. While his strikeout upside remained high, Lagrange walked 50 batters. If Lagrange can improve his command, he should be in the mix to reach Triple-A early in 2026, opening the door for a midseason MLB promotion.

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, Washington Nationals

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 130 G, .257/.356/.479, 25 HR, 4 SB

The Washington Nationals acquired first-base prospect Abimelec Ortiz, along with Gavin Fien, Alejandro Rosario, Devin Fitz-Gerald, and Yeremy Cabrera from the Texas Rangers, in return for left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore earlier this offseason.

Gore saw his name in many trade discussions throughout the winter, and the Nationals were able to acquire several high-end prospects in return.

ABI 💣

Abimelec Ortiz launches his 14th home run of the year!

E8 | FRI 4, SA 2 #LetsRide pic.twitter.com/xOPjuThqry

— Frisco RoughRiders (@RidersBaseball) July 30, 2025

Oritz was viewed as the No. 18-ranked prospect in the Texas system on MLB.com prior to the trade. Last summer, the first baseman opened the campaign with Double-A but was able to join Triple-A Round Rock after an 89-game stint.

With Double-A, Ortiz held a .247/.343/.444 line with 19 doubles, 16 home runs, and three stolen bases. During his first taste of Triple-A, Ortiz looked quite comfortable, holding a .283/.388/.565 line with a .953 OPS and nine home runs (across 41 games). Given Washington's lack of options at first base, Ortiz could make a strong case to begin the season in the big leagues. He is a name to closely monitor heading into camp.

Mikey Romero, INF, Boston Red Sox

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 111 G, .245/.300/.452, 17 HR, 5 SB

Boston Red Sox infield prospect Mikey Romero is in line to make his MLB debut sometime during the 2026 campaign. Romero joined the Red Sox in the opening round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Orange Lutheran HS. Romero opened the 2025 season with Double-A Portland, where he looked quite comfortable, holding a .254/.315/.440 line with eight home runs, four stolen bases, and a 74:23 K:BB.

He was then moved up to the top club in the Boston system, Triple-A Worcester, for his 45 games of the campaign. During this stint, the infielder carried a lower .232/.276/.469 slash line. However, he did flash high power upside, launching nine long balls over this short taste. While Romero will likely be behind Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer in projected playing time, he should be in the mix to debut in Boston later in the 2026 season.

2026 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:

More Fantasy Baseball Prospects and Rookies