10 Breakout Players for Fantasy Baseball Drafts: Scott Engel's Picks

March 16, 2026

Scott Engel's 2026 fantasy baseball breakouts, sleepers to target in drafts. His favorite undervalued hitter and pitcher fantasy baseball sleepers to break out.

Is there really such a thing as a fantasy sleeper anymore? Fantasy baseball players are the most studious and dedicated competitors in fantasy sports, so any possible gem has a hard time escaping the radar of such savants. But there are always many players who can perform better than expected for their draft position.

The player pool also goes deeper in fantasy baseball than any other sport, so there are good values to pinpoint throughout the draft process, along with some true breakout players that can perform much better than their Average Draft Position might indicate.

Pinpointing sleepers is no longer about finding complete unknowns but rather exploring for value plays at every level of the draft, starting after pick 100 or so. We look at all types of potential sleepers here, from somewhat earlier picks to deep in the draft, while digging for bargains all along. The players featured in this rundown can also provide more production for your bucks in auction formats. All ADP referenced is from NFBC drafts since March 1.

Cam Schlittler, SP, New York Yankees

NFBC ADP: 132

I have no problem drafting the Yankees’ No. 2 projected starter at the current ADP. Schlittler can dominate at times with his fastball and cutter, and if he can polish up the secondary offerings this season, he could turn out to be a good value for where you draft him. In 14 starts for the Yankees in 2025, Schlittler registered a 27.6 K% while posting a 2.96 ERA.

With a 3.77 xFIP last year and a projected walk rate via ATC of 9.0%, there may be some natural regression over more starts this season. Still, he should be a steady starter on fantasy baseball staffs, and any slippage in ERA might be minor. Get on board for a full season of strikeout promise.

Ivan Herrera, DH/C, St. Louis Cardinals

NFBC ADP: 169

An elbow injury limited Hererra to 14 games played at catcher last season, so the anticipated offensive ascension was delayed by at least one year. He also has limited lineup maneuverability to open the new campaign, as Herrera only qualifies at DH. But it may not be too long before he qualifies as a catcher in many formats, and he will give fantasy players a notable edge at the thinnest position in the game.

He could also possibly see some work at first base and/or the outfield.

In just 107 games played in 2025, Herrera hit 19 home runs and displayed a quality approach at the plate, with 18.6 K% and a 9.5 BB%. The batting average of .284 and the OBP of .373 also added to the potential reflected in his offensive profile. Herrera has dealt with some injury issues at times, but if he can play most of the schedule this season, ATC projects him to hit .268 with a .353 OBP, and Herrera definitely has 25-plus HR power.

Matt McLain, 2B, Cincinnati Reds

NFBC ADP: 165

McLain is penciled in to bat second in the Cincinnati lineup, and if spring training is any indication of a potential return to his 2023 production, we could see him pick up where he left off that year, while putting a frustrating 2024 campaign behind him. In his first 10 exhibition games in 2026, McLain raked to the tune of a .607 batting average with five homers, a 1.179 slugging percentage, and a 1.846 OPS.

According to reports, McLain is taking a more advanced approach to hitting, spraying the ball all over the yard while showing more power to the opposite field. A healthier McLain could have a floor of 20 homers and 25 steals, while possibly hitting closer to his .252 xBA of 2023. His possible journey to greater fantasy relevance may resume in 2026.

He is now two years removed from shoulder surgery.

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers

NFBC ADP: 242

Much of the prospect hype spotlight is hogged by Konnor Griffin, but McGonigle is the top rookie to target among American Leaguers. His ADP is gradually climbing as it appears he will have a good shot at making the Opening Day roster. McGonigle has not looked overmatched by MLB pitching in spring training so far, and he has a good plate approach for a 21-year-old.

Will Kevin McGonigle break camp with the Tigers Big League club?

Harold is convinced after watching the second-ranked prospect in baseball put on a show against Team DR. pic.twitter.com/tETS1U7htM

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 6, 2026

At three levels in 2025, McGonigle slashed 305/.408/.583 with 31 doubles, 19 home runs, 10 steals, and logged more walks (59) than strikeouts (46), as noted by RotoBaller’s Eric Cross. Despite his young age, McGonigle has impressed the Tigers staff with his seasoning so far.

“Every at-bat for him is a singular event against a pitcher with a plan,” A.J. Hinch told MLB.com. “That’s the maturity that I know we have seen in the minor leagues. We’re seeing it in big league camp.”

Many projection systems forecast that McGonigle will hit under .260, with some mid-teens numbers in homers and double figures in steals. Even though rookies naturally struggle at times, even if they start quickly, McGonigle is a good bet to outperform his ADP and projections.

Ryan Weathers, SP, New York Yankees

NFBC ADP: 251

New York traded away a quartet of prospects for Weathers during the offseason, despite him never fully realizing his considerable promise to this point. He will open the season in the New York rotation, but his ADP is slightly lowered because of the possibility that he might not remain a starter over the full season. Injuries have haunted Weathers throughout his career, but if he can stay healthy in 2026, it might be hard to ultimately send him to the bullpen.

Weathers mainly features three pitches: the four-seamer, changeup, and sweeper. The sweeper has been a weapon over the last two seasons, as opponents have hit .174 and .116 against the pitch, per Baseball Savant.

Absorbing advice from veterans such as Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodon could also pay off for Weathers this season. Beyond pure numbers, taking in pointers from more experienced starting pitchers could possibly elevate his performance.

“They’ve really helped me just simplify the game and trust my stuff over the heart of the plate,” Weathers told MLB.com. “In this league, you have to pitch to contact.”

Aaron Boone said he has been impressed with Weathers’ velocity this spring, and wearing the same uniform that his father once did (former Yankees reliever David Weathers) will no doubt be exciting for Weathers.

Despite his consistent health concerns, the Yankees clearly invested in the former Marlin in the offseason and view him as an essential starter to open the year. Take the shot at the current ADP.

Dillon Dingler, C, Detroit Tigers

NFBC ADP: 235

In two-catcher leagues, I like to target Dingler as a later pick, especially as a second starter at the position. He is working his way back from an elbow injury, but published reports indicate the 27-year-old should be ready for the start of the regular season.

After spending significant time in the minors from 2021 to 2024, Dingler played his first full season in the majors last year and hit a respectable .278 with 13 home runs in 126 games. His xBA was actually at .290, and his .475 xSLG was actually 50 points higher than his SLG. Dingler also won a Gold Glove, which doesn’t help directly in fantasy baseball, but does assure regular at-bats, which is always important at catcher as you get deeper into drafts.

Dingler does need to walk more, and there is not too high a power ceiling past 15 or so home runs. But for where he is being drafted, he can be a good value play for at least a respectable offensive floor. He displayed more promise in the second half of the 2025 campaign, as he hit .296 with a .355 OBP, five HRs, and 21 RBI in 186 at-bats.

Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

NFBC ADP: 265

Carl Crawford was a valuable fantasy player in the 2000s and 2010s, and now his son is definitely draftable. Justin was a first-round pick for Philadelphia in 2022 and now appears set to man center field for the big club, while also being an inviting late-round fantasy pick for batting average and stolen bases.

"I dont feel like there has been enough talk about the impact Justin Crawford has a chance to make... Take a look at what he did in AAA last year. He hit .334, on base over .400, Slg over .500, and stole 46 bases... How many active players have ever had a year?... It's 1. Ronald… pic.twitter.com/SFOuTuJnh7

— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) March 4, 2026

In 2025, Crawford hit .334 with 46 stolen bases and 88 runs scored in 112 games at Triple-A. He was a career .322 hitter in the minors, and there is nothing left for him to prove at those levels. Working with great batting minds such as bench coach Don Mattingly and hitting coach Kevin Long can only help him adapt to MLB pitching this year.

Crawford has annually stolen 40-plus bases in the minors over the past three seasons. If he can prove himself defensively and hit at least .270, he will be a fixture for the Phillies this year, while being a great late source of speed in fantasy baseball leagues.

Braxton Ashcraft, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

NFBC ADP: 265

While Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler get most of the attention from fantasy leaguers who scout the Pirates, Ashcraft could emerge as the best value on the staff. Pittsburgh may be building something special with a starting pitching trio of Skenes, Chandler, and Ashcraft.

Ashcraft is already set to open the regular season in the Pirates’ rotation, and after dealing with injuries over a few years, he logged a quality season in 2025 between the majors and minors. Ashcraft posted a 2.78 FIP with a 9.17 K/9 and 3.10 BB/9 in eight starts with the big club. Opponents hit .225 vs. his slider and .122 on his curveball.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Ashcraft was also experimenting with using his sinker more in spring training games. “There have been a few things I’ve been working on in bullpens and stuff, so it’s fun to see the work you put in on a daily basis pay dividends on the field,” Ashcraft told the Tribune-Review.

Last year, Ashcraft started out as a reliever, but it’s now very apparent he is ready for regular turns as a starter. If he remains available regularly, Ashcraft can well outperform his ADP.

Chase Burns, SP, Cincinnati Reds

NFBC ADP: 117

With Hunter Greene out after elbow surgery until at least July, Burns appears to be even more firmly locked into one of the two final spots in the Cincinnati rotation. His strikeout upside is immense, but there are also concerns about harnessing his control. In eight starts for the Reds last year, Burns posted a 35.6 K% and his xFIP was 2.68.

But the 8.5 BB% needs to be dealt with for Burns to reach his ceiling. Still, he should outperform his ADP and help you compete in Rotisserie and Head-to-Head categorical formats. The K% numbers should normalize over more starts, and finding consistency will be the goal.

Kyle Stowers, OF, Miami Marlins

NFBC ADP: 130

The Miami roster could be a source of a few sleeper and value plays, and Stowers is a favorite among many fantasy analysts. Last season, Stowers launched 25 home runs and batted .288 in 117 games, with an exciting ISO of .256. His xBA was at .265, and the .537 xSLG was not far behind the SLG of .544.

Kyle Stowers broke out in a HUGE way in 2025 with the @Marlins 💪

The All-Star slugger debuts on the #Top100RightNow at No. 68. pic.twitter.com/eXHqf0JwKj

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 15, 2026

Stowers may not hit above .260 over a full season, but he has certain 30-homer power, and his ATC projected BB% of 9.9 also shows a discerning eye at the plate and even some more possible upside at the current ADP.

Deeper Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Pitchers: Jonah Tong (NFBC ADP of 600), Clayton Beeter (349), Cade Cavalli (320), Robby Snelling (354), Matt Svanson (539)

Hitters: Victor Scott II (NFBC ADP of 349), Carson Benge (345), Owen Caissie (455), Edgar Quero (382), Harry Ford (526)

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