10 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Frank Ammirante's 2026 Picks

March 21, 2026

Frank Ammirante's 10 fantasy baseball bold predictions for the 2026 MLB season, including predictions for Jac Caglianone, Eury Perez, Kyle Bradish, and more.

We're in the stretch run of fantasy baseball draft season, making it the ideal time to drop my bold predictions. You'll find 10 of my favorite targets, each with a high upside for the 2026 MLB season.

I'll include each position in these 10 bold predictions, including one catcher, one corner infielder, one middle infielder, three outfielders, three starters, and one reliever.

So without further ado, here are my 10 bold predictions for 2026 fantasy baseball. Don't forget to check out other longshot picks from RotoBaller's MLB team as part of our yearly Bold Predictions series.

Bo Naylor Hits 25+ Home Runs

Bo Naylor's career high is 14 home runs in 414 plate appearances, which came last season. ATC projects Naylor to homer 17 times in 446 plate appearances this year. I'm betting that Naylor smashes his previous career-high with 25+ home runs in 2026.

For one, Naylor has rock-solid batted ball metrics, including 9.7% barrel rate and 110.6 MPH maximum exit velocity last year.

But, more importantly, there's a tangible change here.

Bo Naylor fixed his swing, then slashed .290/.333/.548 in September.

Also hit 1 HR in 8 PAs in the playoffs.

Still only 25 years old.

The breakout is coming this year.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) February 6, 2026

The fact that Naylor's mechanical change produced immediate results has me hopeful for 2026.

If you're in a two-catcher league, Naylor looks like a terrific target, especially if you waited on your second catcher. I've taken him several times throughout draft season. For those of you in one-catcher, add Naylor to your watch list.

Munetaka Murakami Hits 40+ Home Runs

Munetaka Murakami is a polarizing player. Consensus believes that he's going to be a huge drain on your batting average because of his 28+% strikeout rate in his last three seasons in Japan. However, my problem with that is it prioritizes his most recent sample too much, while ignoring what he did earlier in his career.

Let's remember that Murakami put up one of the best seasons in NPB history as a 22-year-old, homering 56 times with a 20.9% strikeout rate. We can't just overlook those numbers. Add in the fact that he's consistently put up double-digit walk rates, and I think the community is selling Murakami short.

Reminder:

Munetaka Murakami has a clause in his contract that states that he can't be sent down to the minors without his permission.

The rebuilding White Sox will let Murakaki play through any potential struggles.

We could see 600+ PAs.

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) February 4, 2026

There's elite power here, plus the White Sox will play him every day. Murakami has a clause in his contract that states that he needs to approve being sent down, so we don't need to worry about that.

ATC projects Murakami to hit 28 home runs this year, so 40+ qualifies as a bold prediction in my eyes.

Bobby Witt Jr. Goes 40-40

Bobby Witt Jr. is the top player on my board this year, meaning I'd take him as high as first overall. With the Royals moving the fences in at Kauffman Stadium, I'm betting that we see Witt Jr. hit 40+ home runs for the first time in his career.

ATC projects 28 homers and 34 steals from Witt, so 40-40 would qualify as a bold prediction.

Now entering his age-25 season, I still think that we haven't seen Witt's best production just yet. This will be the best supporting cast of his career, with a full season of Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen providing protection in this lineup.

The sky is the limit for Witt this season.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Steals 40+ Bases

It may sound weird that Acuña stealing 50+ bases is bold, but after he only swiped nine bags in 412 plate appearances last year, it definitely qualifies. ATC projects Acuna to get 25 steals, so 40+ would smash projections.

In honor of the GOAT @MatthewBerryTMR, here is my Ride or Die pick for 2026 fantasy baseball:

Ronald Acuña Jr.

My pick in fantasy football was Jaxon Smith-Njigba, so this will be another home run.

How can a first-round pick be my Ride or Die?

Easy. He's egregiously mispriced.… pic.twitter.com/kFOuC5jjdY

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) February 15, 2026

Acuna ran wild in the Venezuelan League as well as the World Baseball Classic. He feels fully healthy, so expect him to be much more aggressive on the basepaths. The only reason why there was a lack of production last year was that it was his first year off a torn ACL.

Then you have to consider that the Braves' new first base coach is Antoan Richardson, who helped Juan Soto steal 38 bases last year after he never stole 15+ before. Richardson is renowned as a baserunning guru, which bodes well for Acuna as well.

Jac Caglianone Hits 30+ Home Runs

This time last year, Jac Caglianone was considered to be on the same level as Nick Kurtz as prospects. But after Kurtz took off and Caglianone struggled, that's an easily overlooked fact.

While Caglianone put up a 46 wRC+ in 232 plate appearances last year, the good news is that he kept the strikeout rate in check (22.4%) and hit the ball hard (12.0 Barrel%).

With the fences moved in at Kauffman Stadium, that bodes well for a breakout. The Royals' slugger has a .733 slugging percentage in spring training so far, which is also encouraging. ATC projects 19 home runs in 493 late appearances. I'll bet that Caglianone smashes that number.

Wilyer Abreu Hits 30+ Home Runs

Wilyer Abreu homered 22 times in only 417 plate appearances last year, as he was often subbed out of the lineup against left-handed pitchers. However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has already made it clear that Abreu will play every day this year, so we can expect a huge uptick in playing time.

If Abreu gets to 550+ plate appearances, there's a good chance that we'll see 30+ home runs. You have to love the 12.3% barrel rate and the elite defense that keeps his bat in the lineup.

This has been one of my favorite picks all draft season, as he often comes at a nice price. Don't sleep on Abreu in 2026.

ATC projects 22 homers, so 30+ still counts as a bold prediction.

Cole Ragans Tallies 230+ Strikeouts

Cole Ragans put up a 38.1% strikeout rate in 61.2 innings last season. The only question here is health, but right now, all looks good, so there's no reason for me to believe that we'll see any innings limits.

ATC projects Ragans to go 154 innings with 191 strikeouts, but if he's fine like I'm predicting, you won't see the Royals hold him back. They badly need him to keep pace with the Tigers in the AL Central.

With that in mind, it's not crazy to see 170+ innings from Ragans, who could be an AL Cy Young candidate with those elite strikeout numbers. That type of volume can get him to 230+ strikeouts.

Eury Perez Puts Up A Sub-2.50 ERA

Eury Perez was absolutely dominant in his last few starts in 2025, allowing a combined six earned runs with 33 strikeouts in 20 innings. I believe that this is a preview of what's to come.

Now fully healthy and entering his age-23 season, there's a ton of upside here.

We're talking about a pitcher who put up a 118 Stuff+ last season.

Add in the fact that he's in a pitcher-friendly environment in Miami, and you can see why I'm boldly calling a sub-2.50 ERA. ATC projects 3.91 ERA, baking in some risk that Perez is still unproven, but I think as long as he's healthy, you're going to see a dark horse NL Cy Young candidate.

Kyle Bradish Tallies Up 200+ Strikeouts

Kyle Bradish returned from injury to show off elite strikeout rates, putting up a 37.3 K% in 32 innings. It's clear that the stuff came back for Bradish, which is an encouraging sign for the 2026 season.

ATC projects 146 strikeouts in 135 innings, but that doesn't account enough for Bradish's elite stuff in a small sample from last year.

I also don't buy that we're going to see an innings limit. The Orioles desperately need Bradish to perform like an ace if they're going to keep pace in the AL East. If he's healthy and pitching well, I doubt that we'll see them scale him back.

I can see 160+ innings from Bradish this year. With the K% he showed last year, that could put him in play for 200+ strikeouts.

Cade Smith Earns 50+ Saves

Cade Smith takes over for Emmanuel Clase as the latest elite closer for the Guardians. There's a chance that Smith can become the best closer in baseball this year. We've seen him put up a 2.32 SIERA and 34.7% strikeout rate last year, which is as good as any reliever in the league.

It's also worth noting that the Guardians play in several close games, resulting in a bunch of save opportunities.

For context, Smith had 13 saves from August 1st until the end of the season. Don't be surprised if he leads the league in saves this year.

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