5 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Risers, Sleepers: Breakout Rookies for 2026

February 22, 2026

Andy analyzes 5 fantasy baseball prospect breakouts, sleepers for 2026. Impact MLB prospect call-ups and rookies risers include Kevin McGonigle, Thomas White, others.

Every season, managers look to find league-winning prospects in the final rounds of their draft. Last season, Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz took the crown, as he finished as a top-15 hitter in all formats.

In this piece, we will spotlight five high-upside prospects who could make a major impact in the majors this season.

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

Kevin McGonigle, INF, Detroit Tigers

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

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle will start at shortstop in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reports that McGonigle "has taken reps mostly at shortstop" in camp, and it's clear that the Tigers still view him as a long-term shortstop.

Kevin McGonigle SMOKES a triple to left.

105.6 mph EV pic.twitter.com/drNIJbKTQd

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) November 7, 2025

Nobody in the Tigers organization has done anything to shut the idea of McGonigle making the Opening Day roster down. "His actions at shortstop look smoother than they did a year ago at this time," writes Stavenhagen. The 21-year-old is still stating his case for a shot to open the 2026 season in the big leagues. The consensus No. 2 prospect in the sport is the purist minor-league hitter, while his power and speed are still developing. McGonigle figures to be in the big leagues sooner than later as Detroit's starting shortstop and potential No. 2 hitter.

Carlos Lagrange, SP, New York Yankees

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

New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange has impressed early in spring training and has a shot to win a spot on the Opening Day roster as a reliever, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Lagrange doesn't have the best command, but his fastball is capable of hitting triple digits when he's fully built up, and the 6-foot-7, 248-pound Dominican hurler can also generate plenty of spin on the ball. "We're excited about him for good reason," manager Aaron Boone said.

"I think Carlos has a very bright future." Lagrange is a consensus top-100 prospect, but he has yet to pitch at Triple-A. He had a 3.53 ERA and a 33.4% strikeout rate in 120 innings split between High-A and Double-A last year. Lagrange lowered his walk rate from 20% to 12.3% last year, but he's still on the wild side and has more developing to do. Boone has compared Lagrange to former reliever Dellin Betances, and with the Yankees short on sure things in their bullpen, the 22-year-old may get a chance in short stints out of the bullpen if he makes his major-league debut in 2026. He's an arm to watch.

Thomas White, SP, Miami Marlins

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 89 2/3 IP, 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 145 SO, 51 BB

MLB.com's Christina De Nicola reports that the Miami Marlins are expected to go with pitchers Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Chris Paddack in their five-man starting rotation to begin the 2026 season, leaving left-handed pitching prospect Thomas White on the outside looking in. It shouldn't come as a big surprise, as White is only 21 years old and has made only two starts for Triple-A Jacksonville. He will most likely begin this season back at Jacksonville, but if injuries arise to Miami's starting rotation during the year, he'll be one of the team's top options to plug any holes.

In three minor-league levels in 2025, White went 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 145:51 K: BB in 89 2/3 innings over 21 starts at High-A Beloit, Double-A Pensacola, and Jacksonville. The 6-foot-5 southpaw is a great dynasty/keeper league stash, but he must tighten up his control before he'll be allowed to make his MLB debut.

Ricky Tiedemann, SP, Toronto Blue Jays

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: Did not pitch in 2025 due to injury

Toronto Blue Jays left-handed prospect Ricky Tiedemann could be deployed in a relief role this season, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The young lefty is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has looked quite impressive in the early stages of camp. According to Matheson, while Tiedemann has "all the time in the world" as a 23-year-old prospect, the team is keeping the door open for him to see time as a relief pitcher in 2026.

While the team still hopes for the young southpaw to return to a starter's workload later in his career, the bullpen may be his easiest path to making an impact in 2026. In 2023, Tiedemann logged 44 innings to the tune of a 3.68 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and an 82:23 K:BB. Managers should continue to monitor his status as he could have some sleeper appeal if he were to earn a high-leverage relief role later in the summer.

Carter Jensen, C, Kansas City Royals

Current Level: MLB
2025 MLB stats: 20 G, .300/.391/.550, 6 2B, 3 HR, 12 SO, 9 BB

Kansas City Royals catching prospect Carter Jensen is a top breakout candidate heading into the 2026 regular season. Jensen made his MLB debut later in the second half last summer and immediately flashed upside. Through his first 20 MLB games, the former third-round selection posted a .300/.391/.550 slash line with three long balls. Under the hood, Jensen's production was even more impressive as he generated an elite .447 xwOBA, .336 xBA, and a .633 xSLG.

Carter Jensen hit this baseball 482 feet 😳 pic.twitter.com/CE151rFkIk

— MLB (@MLB) September 28, 2025

Earlier in the campaign, the 22-year-old looked just as dominant in the upper minor leagues, across 111 games shared between Double-A and Triple-A. In this stint, Jensen posted a .290/.377/.501 line with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases. With Jensen ticked for a near every-day role, sharing time at DH and behind the dish, he possesses immense five-category upside at the catcher position in his first full season in the big leagues.

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