4 Fantasy Baseball Prospects With Upside to Know for 2026 Drafts

February 20, 2026

Andy analyzes 4 high-upside fantasy baseball prospects, breakouts, sleepers for 2026. These are impact MLB prospect call-ups and rookies for fantasy baseball including Robby Snelling, Andrew Painter, Konnor Griffin, more.

Targeting high-end prospects can provide your fantasy team with elite upside. While some prospects may not make the MLB roster out of camp, they are still worth targeting with your final draft selections, as they could be league-winning assets.

In this piece, we will spotlight four high-end prospects who could be worth a late-round pick in this year's fantasy drafts.

Who are four high-impact fantasy baseball prospects managers should keep on their radar heading into draft season? Let's dive in!

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Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 122 G, .333/.415/.527, 23 2B, 21 HR, 65 SB

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly told Pittsburgh sportscaster Shelby Cassesse that "it would be a tough ask" for shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin to make the Opening Day roster, according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan. "Keep in mind he's only had a handful of at-bats at Double-A," Kelly said. Spring training games have yet to begin, but it sounds like the Bucs are pretty set on having Kriffin, the consensus top prospect in the game, start at Triple-A Indianapolis in 2026.

And now Konnor Griffin clears the batter’s eye. What is that 440? 450? That’s a poke. pic.twitter.com/r1t6rDZZe0

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) February 18, 2026

The ninth overall pick in 2024 made it all the way to Double-A Altoona in his first pro season in 2025, slashing a combined .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases in 122 games played at three different levels. Griffin will still be a stash candidate in all single-year leagues, even if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster, but keep in mind that the Pirates generally have not rushed their top prospects to the majors.

Andrew Painter, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 118 IP, 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 123 SO, 47 BB

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter's command is back in spring training, according to Devan Kaney of 94WIP.com. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that command was the main aspect of Painter's game that needed to improve after his season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025.

The 22-year-old has a legitimate shot to win an Opening Day rotation spot with the Phillies out of camp after going 5-6 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 111:46 K:BB in 106 2/3 innings over 22 starts for the Iron Pigs last year. Understandably, his command wasn't in top form since it was his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. Command issues aside last year, Painter's stuff was intact, making him an attractive buy-low candidate in redraft leagues. Painter is MLB Pipeline's No. 28 overall prospect going into 2026 and could be part of Philly's rotation for most, if not all, of the season.

Robby Snelling, SP, Miami Marlins

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 136 IP, 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 166 SO, 39 BB

Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling may not be a lock to make the Opening Day rotation. Earlier in camp, the Marlins announced that veteran Chris Paddack would be joining the rotation, which gives Snelling one fewer starting position. Additionally, Max Meyer and Braxton Garrett are both fully healthy in the early stages of spring training. Both would have the edge over Snelling, given their previous MLB experience. As a result, Snelling currently sits as the team's No. 6 starter, on the outside of the five-man rotation.

Last summer, Snelling looked quite comfortable in his first taste of Triple-A, logging 63 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and an 81:17 K:BB. Managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears the 22-year-old might be ticketed for Triple-A to begin the season if the Marlins opt to deploy a five-man rotation.

Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 114 G, .267/.340/.470, 17 2B, 21 HR, 7 SB

Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia has looked impressive on the defensive side of the ball during the early stages of camp. According to Pirates manager Don Kelly, the young outfielder has held his own in the outfield when fielding flyballs. Kelly noted that Garcia's impact and ceiling" is "really high." The Pirates acquired Garcia from the Red Sox earlier in the winter, and he will have a chance to compete for a bench spot on the MLB roster out of spring training. Last summer, Garcia appeared in his first five MLB games and went 1-for-7 at the plate.

However, at Triple-A, the 23-year-old held his own, posting a .271/.334/.498 slash line with 12 doubles and 18 home runs. Garcia is a name to monitor in deeper NL-only formats as he could earn a utility role in the Pittsburgh outfield. Managers should not expect him to earn a starting job as Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O'Hearn, and Oneil Cruz are slated to be the team's primary outfielders.

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