Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Know - Bubba Chandler, Robby Snelling, Konnor Griffin, Andrew Painter, Thomas White, Carson Benge

January 16, 2026

2026 fantasy baseball prospects that can make big impacts - Bubba Chandler, Robby Snelling, Konnor Griffin, Andrew Painter, Thomas White, Carson Benge. Target these top prospects in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.

Every season, fantasy managers look to find the top budding stars in the minor leagues. While some of these players may take some time to find their footing, many become league-winning picks.

In 2025, first baseman Nick Kurtz, starting pitchers Cam Schlittler and Cade Horton were just some of the top prospects who got the call and became must-start players as soon as they reached the major leagues.

Who are six high-upside prospects managers should keep on their radar heading into draft season? Let's dive in!

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Bubba Chandler, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Level: Pittsburgh Pirates
2025 MLB stats: 31 1/3 IP, 4.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 31 SO, 4 BB

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler has seen his fantasy stock rise following his strong conclusion to the season, as he appears poised for a breakout campaign in 2026. Chandler made his MLB debut with the Pirates in late August of 2025. Through his first 31 1/3 innings in the big leagues, the right-hander posted a modest 4.01 ERA with a stellar 0.93 WHIP. However, his ERA is significantly inflated due to the nine-run outing on September 7.

First MLB strikeout for Bubba Chandler 👏 pic.twitter.com/hrzjOZoYCG

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 23, 2025

Removing this one fluke outing, the 23-year-old would have instead carried a dominant 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 28:1 K:BB across 28 2/3 innings in the big leagues. While Chandler struggled at times at Triple-A before his promotion, once he reached Pittsburgh, the top prospect looked like his typical self. Seeing that he showed elite command and above-average strikeout upside, Chandler could enjoy an impressive first full season in the big leagues and is worth viewing as an SP3/SP4 with upside.

Robby Snelling, SP, Miami Marlins

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 136 IP, 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 166 SO, 39 BB

Miami Marlins pitching prospect Robby Snelling appears poised to compete for a starting job in the rotation during spring training. Over the past week, the Marlins have sent two of their starting pitchers, Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers, to competing teams in exchange for top prospects. As a result, Snelling faces even less competition to crack the rotation next month. Last summer, the southpaw was one of the most dominant pitchers at the Triple-A level.

While he had a modest start to the season at Double-A, where he posted a 3.61 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP across 72 1/3 innings, he reached a new level with Jacksonville. Through 63 2/3 innings at the top level of the minor leagues, Snelling posted an elite 1.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, with an 81:17 K:BB.

Snelling is a name to closely monitor in spring training, as he would carry high-end sleeper appeal given the strikeout upside he flashed against the top hitters in the minor leagues if he begins the season in the majors.

Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 122 G, .333/.415/.527, 21 HR, 65 SB

Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect Konnor Griffin is considered the No. 1 prospect in the entire sport on MLB.com and is quickly climbing the minor leagues. Last summer, the former ninth-overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft made his professional debut with Low-A but finished the season with Double-A Altoona. Through 101 games split between Low-A and High-A, the 19-year-old posted an elite .332/.414/.524 line with a .937 OPS.

He hit 16 home runs and swiped 59 bases. Then, during his first 21 games at Double-A, Griffin continued to play at an elite level, carrying a .337/.418/.542 line with five home runs and six stolen bases. Given his impressive rise through the minor leagues, Girffin could be in play to not only make his MLB debut early in 2026 but potentially out of spring training.

Reports earlier this offseason suggest that the Pirates may give Griffin an opportunity to claim the shortstop job. Even if it is unlikely for Griffin to debut in the majors at the start of this season, he should be in the mix to reach the big leagues by the second half.

Andrew Painter, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 118 IP, 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 123 SO, 47 BB

Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter was in the mix to make his MLB debut last season, but was unable to earn the call from Triple-A. After battling numerous injuries throughout his young career, including Tommy John surgery, Painter was able to log a career-high 118 innings in the minor leagues last season, most of which were spent with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Through his first 106 2/3 innings with the top team in the Phillies' system, Painter struggled, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP.

During this stretch, Painter struck out 111 hitters but allowed a rather high 46 walks. Over the last 38 2/3 innings of the season, the former 13th overall pick struggled even further, posting a high 6.05 ERA. However, with Zack Wheeler (shoulder) working his way back from injury and Ranger Suarez now in Boston, Painter could make a case to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training, given the state of their rotation. He is worth monitoring as he could be an intriguing late-round option if Wheeler's recovery is delayed.

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

Miami Marlins top pitching prospect Thomas White could make a case to push for an earlier-than-expected MLB debut. The Miami Marlins have traded two of their current starting pitchers this past week, which will open the door for their budding prospects to compete for a job in spring training. The Marlins shipped Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs in return for top outfield prospect Owen Caissie and then moved left-hander Ryan Weathers to the Yankees in return for several hitting prospects.

While Robby Snelling appears to be a favorite to claim one of the openings as he finished this season pitching at a high level with Triple-A, managers should also monitor White, the team's top arm.

A Thomas White strikeout on a big league mound.

Looks like the future to us.#FuturesGame pic.twitter.com/8isKv8ixEi

— Pensacola Blue Wahoos (@BlueWahoosBBall) July 12, 2025

MLB.com's No. 22-ranked prospect logged 89 2/3 innings last season, spent primarily with High-A and Double-A before earning a brief stint at Triple-A. Through these innings, White held a stellar 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP with a 145:51 K:BB. If White can turn in a dominant spring training, the left-hander could make a case to begin the 2026 season in Miami or join the Marlins relatively early in the first half.

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 is a name to closely monitor during spring training. As reported by Sam Dykstra of MLB.com, Benge is in the mix to win a starting job in the outfield out of spring training. Following the departure of Brandon Nimmo, Benge could make a strong case in spring training to claim the open role in the outfield.

Currently, the Mets are slated to put Tyrone Taylor in center field and Juan Soto in right field. While they have been linked to free agents like Cody Bellinger, as of now, a corner outfield position appears to be open for the taking.

Last season, Benge opened the campaign with High-A but was able to end the season with Triple-A. Across 116 total games, the No. 21-ranked prospect in the sport posted a .281/.385/.472 line with an .857 OPS. Managers should closely monitor Benge's production in the spring, as he could be a top late-round target in drafts if he can claim the open role in the outfield.

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:

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