7 Must-Have Fantasy Baseball Prospects

March 21, 2026

Draft these must-have fantasy baseball prospects, breakout rookies for 2026. These fantasy baseball rookie sleepers, studs can be league winners when called up.

Finding high-upside prospects in the final rounds of your draft can provide a major boost to your fantasy baseball team. Last season, managers saw Nick Kurtz, Jacob Misiorowski, and Cam Schlittler all flash high-end upside during their respective MLB debuts.

In this piece, we will spotlight seven prospects that are prime late-round targets as they have a clear path to a breakout campaign in 2026.

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

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 was not listed among the team's latest batch of roster cuts on Tuesday. As the Pirates inch closer to trimming their Opening Day roster to 26 players, it appears that Griffin remains in the mix for a spot. It would be a remarkable story if he ends up making the team, as he's just 19 years old and was drafted out of high school less than two years ago. Griffin tore up the minors to the tune of a .333/.415/.527 slash line last year, and he also added 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases.

He plays terrific defense at shortstop with some additional pro experience in center field. His slash line has dropped to .206/.270/.588 against big-league pitching this spring, but he has still jolted four homers with an above-average 110 wRC+. Media projections have been torn on whether Griffin will break camp with the major league squad, but the fact that he survived Tuesday's cuts is another step in the right direction. As it stands, the Pirates have 13 more cuts to make within the next nine days.

Even if Griffin doesn't make the Opening Day roster, he'll start the year in Triple-A and should mount a pretty quick push to make his MLB debut.

Konnor Griffin has nine batted balls this spring.

Four of them have an EV of 104.8 mph or higher. pic.twitter.com/ZvkA45gOFS

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) February 25, 2026

Kevin McGonigle, INF, Detroit Tigers

Current Level: Double-A

2025 MiLB stats: 88 G, .305/.408/.583, 19 HR, 10 SB

Detroit Tigers shortstop prospect Kevin McGonigle is staying in big-league camp on Wednesday rather than playing in the spring breakout game, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. "Their focus is in big-league camp and continuing trying to make an impression, state their case to be part of our puzzle," manager A.J. Hinch said. With just over a week to go until Opening Day next week, McGonigle remains in the Tigers' big-league camp in spring training.

The former first-rounder has hit .242 (8-for-33) with two home runs, six RBI, eight runs scored, two stolen bases, and a 7:10 K:BB in 44 plate appearances over 16 Grapefruit League games, and he continues to play well beyond his years. Even if Detroit decides to have the 21-year-old start in the minors, it shouldn't be long before he's contending for starting duties at the 6 in Detroit.

McGonigle needs to be stashed in all redraft formats and should already be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Andrew Painter, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Current Level: Triple-A

2025 MiLB stats: 118 IP, 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 123 SO

On Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter made what is likely his final spring appearance before the regular season gets underway, twirling four innings of one-hit ball against the Braves, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out three. The Phils' top pitching prospect had a bumpy outing his last time out (three earned runs), but Wednesday's performance made it three scoreless appearances out of four this spring with an 8:2 K:BB in a total of 11 2/3 innings of work.

The 6-foot-7 hurler is expected to be the team's fifth starter once the regular season begins, and if he lives up to the former hype, the right-hander could remain there for the rest of the season. The former first-rounder struggled to a 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 13.7 percent K-BB% in 106 2/3 innings at Triple-A in 2025, his first time pitching in minor league regular-season games since 2022 after elbow problems and eventually Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2023 and 2024.

Most fantasy managers may want to wait and see before rostering the tall right-hander, but proactive managers in deeper leagues with available bench space may consider stashing him in the event his spring success carries over into the regular season.

Really excited to see what Andrew Painter can do this season. He had a tough 2025 season (5.26 ERA), but he's looked solid in ST.

4IP, 1H, 1BB, 3Ks today vs. Braves
9 whiffs
31 CSW%@fangraphs roster resource has him as the 5th starter for the Phils. pic.twitter.com/02qLrKejCL

— Nicho Roessler (@NichoRoessler) March 18, 2026

Robby Snelling, SP, Miami Marlins

Current Level: Triple-A

2025 MiLB stats: 136 IP, 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 166 SO, 39 BB

The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reassigned left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling to minor-league camp. Snelling, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, just couldn't win an Opening Day roster spot out of spring training while competing with left-hander Braxton Garrett and right-hander Janson Junk for the final two starting rotation spots.

The 22-year-old southpaw will have to wait to make his major-league debut, but he doesn't have a ton left to prove down on the farm, so fantasy managers should expect him in the big leagues in 2026 sooner than later. Snelling had a 7.56 ERA in Grapefruit League play over four outings (8 1/3 innings), but he did strike out 13 batters while walking four. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has a high floor with a fastball that showed more velocity in 2025. Snelling also features a slider, sweeper, and changeup.

Stash him in dynasty/keeper leagues as a potential mid-rotation starter.

JJ Wetherholt, INF, St. Louis Cardinals

Current Level: Triple-A

2025 MiLB stats: 109 G, .306/.421/.510, 17 HR, 23 SB

St. Louis Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt has continued to perform at a high level in the Grapefruit League as he launched his second home run on Monday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles. Through nine games, Wetherholt has gone 5-for-18 with two long balls, one stolen base, and a strong 4:7 K:BB. The top shortstop appears to be a clear favorite to be in the team's Opening Day lineup and is performance in spring training further supports this. According to MLB.com, the former seventh overall pick is considered the sport's No. 5 overall prospect.

Last season, Wetherholt spent his campaign with Double-A and Triple-A and held an overall .306/.421/.510 line with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, and 23 stolen bases. Given his five-category profile and potential for everyday at-bats, Wetherholt is a top late-round breakout selection for all fantasy formats.

Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

Current Level: MLB

2025 MiLB stats: 42 G, .264/.379/.473, 7 HR, 1 SB

Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter is looking comfortable at the plate this spring, collecting at least one hit in seven of the nine games he's played, going 10-for-25 (.400) with three doubles, a home run, and a 2:2 BB:K. The Guardians' second-ranked prospect is expected to break camp as the team's everyday right fielder and could be set up for a big year at the plate.

The former first-round draft pick owns highly-rated hit and power tools, and has registered a .302/.384/.504 slash line with 20 home runs in 138 career minor league games. His problem, though, has been staying healthy, playing in no more than 57 games in a single season to date. With his health issues finally behind him, the team felt comfortable enough in allowing the youngster to make his big league debut in the postseason last year, so it shows the confidence they have in his abilities.

Slated to bat sixth in the order in 2026, the left-handed slugger could live up to his first-round pedigree and return value on his ADP of 198 overall.

Carson Benge, OF, New York Mets

Current Level: Triple-A

2025 MiLB stats: 116 G, .281/.385/.472, 15 HR, 22 SB

New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge remains on track to make the team's Opening Day roster. The Mets optioned outfielder MJ Melendez to Triple-A on Tuesday, clearing away some of Benge's competition for the role of right fielder. The Mets' top offensive prospect has continued to put together a strong spring, now 13-for-32 (.406) with a 3:5 BB:K while adding one stolen base.

The former first-rounder produced a .281-15-73-87-22 line in 116 games across three levels of the minor leagues last year, and although he might have initially appeared ticketed to start 2026 with Triple-A, the departure of Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto's move to left field opened a hole in right field. With just over a week before the regular season begins, the 23-year-old is in the driver's seat for the job, and with a solid power/speed combo, the left-handed slugger is worth a look at the end of drafts, currently with an ADP of 345 overall since the beginning of March.

Carson Benge with a homer the other way to get the Mets on the board vs. Team Israel! pic.twitter.com/PDaTHK689T

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 4, 2026

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