8 Breakout Hitters For Fantasy Baseball Drafts: Jarod Rupp's Picks

Identifying hitters who are on the precipice of a breakout season is one way to have a successful fantasy draft and is a stepping stone toward having a championship-caliber fantasy season. It is because many of these breakout hitters will be very cheap, potentially providing a high return on investment, while you stack your team […]

Will Tommy Troy be Fantasy Relevant in Redraft Leagues in 2026?

Arizona Diamondbacks infield prospect Tommy Troy impressed during his first taste of big-league camp this year, going 12-for-32 (.375) with eight singles and four doubles. The D-backs' fourth-ranked prospect wasn't necessarily expected to make the Opening Day roster, however, his performance reinforced the success he saw in 2025. The former first-round draft pick began the […]

When Will Noah Schultz Make His MLB Debut?

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Noah Schultz was reassigned to minor league camp earlier this month after making a pair of Cactus League appearances. The former first-round draft pick showed well in his limited action, offering glimpses of his strikeout potential with five punchouts in 4 1/3 innings pitched while walking none. The 6-foot-10 hurler […]

CJ Kayfus the Odd Man Out in Cleveland Outfield?

Cleveland Guardians first baseman/outfielder CJ Kayfus has been competing for a spot on the team's big league roster this spring, but could be the odd man out when it comes to final roster cuts. The left-handed slugger played some first base down the stretch for the Guardians in 2025, but with the team's signing of […]

Ryan Waldschmidt to Begin Season at Triple-A Reno

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt will begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Reno, according to Sam Dykstra of MLB.com. The D-backs' top-ranked prospect was invited to big league camp this year and held his own, going 10-for-39 (.256) with a home run, a stolen base, and producing some eye-opening exit velocities on his batted […]

Connelly Early Shines in Final Spring Audition

Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Connelly Early made his final case for an Opening Day roster spot on Wednesday, tossing five shutout innings against the Yankees in his fifth Grapefruit League appearance, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven. He was also charged with a wild pitch and hit a batter […]

When Will Jesus Made Make His Major League Debut?

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made earned an invitation to big league camp this spring after cruising through three levels of the minor leagues last year with a .285/.379/.413 slash line, nine home runs, and 47 steals in 115 games, finishing the year in Double-A as an 18-year-old. The Dominican slugger was reassigned to minor-league […]

Abimelec Ortiz Optioned to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that they optioned first baseman/designated hitter Abimelec Ortiz to Triple-A Rochester. The left-handed slugger had spent his entire career in the Texas organization before being acquired this offseason in the MacKenzie Gore trade. He showed well in his first taste of Triple-A pitching in 2025, slashing .283/.388/.565 with nine […]

Andrew Painter Fires Four Scoreless in Final Spring Tune-Up

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 […]

Matthew Liberatore Named Cardinals Opening Day Starter

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore will get the nod as the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, taking on the Tampa Bay Rays at home on Thursday, March 26. The left-hander was second on the team in wins, quality starts, and strikeouts last season behind Sonny Gray, who is no longer with the […]

Gerrit Cole Sees Good Velocity in Abbreviated Spring Debut on Wednesday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) made his first Grapefruit League start of 2026 on Wednesday against the Red Sox, and although the one-inning outing was short, it was encouraging. The veteran threw only 10 pitches, but his fastball averaged 97.1 mph and topped out at 98.7 mph; for reference, the right-hander's fastball […]

Edward Florentino a Powerful Bat to Keep an Eye on in 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Edward Florentino broke in with the team as a 17-year-old playing in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, then dominated the Florida Complex League in 2025 to the tune of a .347 batting average, six home runs, and a 1.085 OPS in 29 games before earning a promotion to Single-A. The […]

Chase DeLauter Looking Like a Potential Breakout Candidate in 2026

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 […]

Could Colt Emerson Make the Mariners' Opening Day Roster?

Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect Colt Emerson remains in camp with the team with just over a week until the regular season begins. It's a near certainty that Emerson will debut with the club in 2026, but it's trending toward being sooner rather than later. Ambuguity around the health of J.P Crawford's ailing shoulder could be […]

Carter Jensen Continues to Look Like a Value Pick at Catcher

Kansas City Royals catching prospect Carter Jensen appears poised to break camp as the team's designated hitter for 2026, while also likely to spell veteran Salvador Perez behind the plate on occassion. The Royals' top-ranked prospect surged through the upper levels of the minor leagues last year, culminating with an impressive 20-game debut in the […]

Carson Benge Remains on Track to Begin Season in the Majors

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) […]

Later-Round Fantasy Baseball Prospects for 2026 - Drafts Targets, Sleepers, and Stashes

Rookies are a great way to build your fantasy baseball team with some exciting new talent, and there are some exciting young players ready to emerge onto the scene in 2026. Some rookies are being drafted very early in drafts, but others can bring great value late in drafts with one of your last few […]

Zach Neto Expected to Return to Game Action on Tuesday

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (wrist) will return to game action on Tuesday, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. It could either be a minor league game or the Angels' Cactus League game against the Cubs. Regardless of which it is, it appears his return from a sprained left wrist is […]

Matt McLain to Bat Second in the Cincinnati Lineup

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain will bat second in the lineup this season, per manager Terry Francona. The 26-year-old is scorching hot this spring, hitting .553 (21-for-38) with six home runs, a pair of steals, and a 5:4 BB:K. The former first-rounder showed a strong blend of contact, power, and speed potential in his […]

Jackson Holliday to Progress to Live At-Bats This Week

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) stated that he expects to take live at-bats during camp this week with the big league club, but is unsure whether or not he'll get a chance to see game action before the spring season is over. The 22-year-old is expecting to open the regular season with Triple-A […]

Chase Burns Possibly Starting the Year at Triple-A?

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns was removed from his start this past Friday after throwing just 24 pitches. Manager Terry Francona has stated that Burns is fully healthy despite the early hook, and although that still seems to be the case, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, the team "didn't like how […]

Konnor Griffin Trending Towards Making Opening Day Roster?

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin is one of just three non-roster position players remaining in camp with the big league club with just a week and a half left before the regular season begins. MLB's top-ranked prospect has made a solid case with his bat to crack the team's Opening Day roster, going 7-for-33 […]

Luis Pena Looking to Show Improvement in 2026

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena impressed at Single-A in 2025, slashing .308/.375/.469 with a low 13.3 percent strikeout rate and 41 steals through 71 games as an 18-year-old. The showing earned him a promotion to High-A, where things did not go as smoothly, slashing just .168/.220/.297 with a 24.8 percent strikeout rate and three […]

Will Slade Caldwell Take Another Step Forward in 2026?

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Slade Caldwell was the 29th overall pick in the 2024 Draft and performed admirably in his first taste of professional baseball in 2025. The left-handed slugger hit .294 at Single-A with an almost unfathomable 20.4 percent walk rate in 48 games there, leading to a superb .460 on-base percentage (OBP). While […]

Kaelen Culpepper Continuing to Trend Upward

Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper was invited to major league camp this spring and has not disappointed, going 6-for-19 (.316) with a double and a stolen base, a continuation of the success he saw a season ago. The Twins' second-ranked prospect spent half of 2025 at High-A and the other half at Double-A, posting […]

Could Josue De Paula Make His MLB Debut in 2026?

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula made a strong impression during his first major league camp this spring, going 9-for-24 (.375) with a 4:8 BB:K, and although he was reassigned to minor-league camp, he could still make an impact with the Dodgers this year. The team's top-ranked prospect has shown well in professional […]

Aidan Miller Reassigned to Minor-League Camp

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop prospect Aidan Miller (back) was reassigned to minor-league camp on Thursday. It's no surprise at this point, as the youngster has been dealing with a back issue since late February, having not registered a single at-bat in Grapefruit League play this spring, and with Trea Turner and Alec Bohm holding down the […]

Fantasy Baseball Prospects With The Best Hit Tools - Top Rookie Breakout Candidates (2026)

There are plenty of exciting young prospects in today's game, and this year, more so than in recent years, there seems to be more than a few who have yet to make their MLB debut who appear ready to help fantasy teams from the onset of the regular season. In this article, we're going to […]

Griffin Jax the Favorite for Early Saves in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Griffin Jax could be the early favorite for the closer role in Tampa Bay once the regular season gets underway. The right-hander was superb for the Twins from 2022 through 2024, but despite an elite 36.4 percent strikeout rate (29.8 percent K-BB%) in 50 appearances for Minnesota in 2025, the 6-foot-2 […]

Logan Henderson Scheduled to Throw Off Mound on Thursday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Logan Henderson (elbow) is scheduled to "throw a mound session" on Thursday. The right-hander experienced mild elbow soreness last week and hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since March 4. Assuming Thursday's session goes well, the 24-year-old is expected to return to game progression on Sunday, which should still put […]