Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Know - J.J. Wetherholt, Justin Crawford, Tommy Troy, Ryan Waldschmidt, Aidan Miller, Jurrangelo Cijntje

February 2, 2026

2026 fantasy baseball prospects that can make big impacts - J.J. Wetherholt, Justin Crawford, Tommy Troy, Ryan Waldschmidt, Aidan Miller, Jurrangelo Cijntje. Target these top prospects in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.

With spring training a few weeks away, managers should begin to familiarize themselves with some of the top emerging prospects in the sport.

In this piece, we will spotlight six high-end prospects who could hold value during the 2026 campaign, including some who can break camp with the MLB roster.

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

J.J. Wetherholt, INF, St. Louis Cardinals

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 109 G, .306/.421/.510, 17 HR, 23 SB

According to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals plan to give top infield prospect J.J. Wetherholt a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Goold noted that the team will give him "every opportunity" to be in the team's Opening Day lineup. Wetherholt, who is viewed as St. Louis' top prospect and the No. 5 overall prospect in the sport on MLB.com, was in strong contention to debut in the second half of 2025.

ALERT: JJ Wetherholt HAS HIT A LEADOFF @HueysRestaurant HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/V4GkGZakYL

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) July 29, 2025

The former seventh overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft opened the season with Double-A but needed just 62 games to reach Triple-A Memphis. Through his first 47 games with Triple-A, Wetherholt held a stellar .314/.416/.562 line with 14 doubles, 10 home runs, and nine stolen bases. With third baseman Nolan Areando now in Arizona, Wetherholt faces even less competition to earn a key role. Managers should closely monitor his status in camp as he would become a must-draft player in all formats once named to the final roster.

Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 112 G, .334/.441/.452, 7 HR, 46 SB

Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect Justin Crawford has earned an invite to spring training. Crawford is currently considered the team's No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and is the No. 54 overall prospect in the entire sport. Last season, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft spent his entire season with Lehigh Valley. Through 112 contests with the Iron Pigs, the outfielder posted a .334/.411/.452 line with an .863 OPS.

During this stretch, Crawford hit 23 doubles, added seven home runs, and swiped an impressive 46 bags. In 2024, Crawford held a similar .313/.360/.444 line with 25 doubles, nine home runs, and 42 stolen bases across 110 games, placed between High-A and Double-A. Managers should expect Crawford to compete for the starting center field role in camp. If he does earn the job, he will carry sleeper appeal in category leagues given his elite contact skills and speed.

Tommy Troy, INF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 125 G, .289/.382/.451, 15 HR, 24 SB

The Arizona Diamondbacks have officially invited infield prospect Tommy Troy to MLB spring training. Troy was a fast riser in the system last season and is now in a great position to compete for a role on the Opening Day roster in 2026. Troy began the 2025 campaign with Double-A Amarillo and held a .286/.382/.461 slash line with 20 doubles, 12 home runs, and 21 stolen bases.

He was then bumped up to Triple-A Reno to close out the campaign, where he continued to perform at a high level. Through 38 games, Troy held a .295/.381/.429 line. He posted an .810 OPS with three home runs and three stolen bases. Currently, Troy figures to compete for a utility role in the infield, serving as a backup option to third baseman Nolan Arenado or shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. He is a name to watch in deeper formats given his five-category upside.

Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 134 G, .289/.419/.473, 18 HR, 29 SB

The Arizona Diamondbacks have invited top outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt to big league camp. Waldschmidt is considered the team's top-ranked prospect on MLB.com and the overall No. 66-ranked prospect in the sport. Waldschmidt joined the Diamondbacks in the 2024 Draft and is now knocking on the MLB door. Last summer, the Kentucky product began the season in High-A but reached Double-A by the second half.

RYAN WALDSCHMIDT ARE YOU KIDDING ME 💣

Ryan Waldschmidt hits his 4th home run in the past 3 games & puts the Soddies ahead in the first! pic.twitter.com/mRWYVqONze

— Amarillo Sod Poodles (@sodpoodles) August 17, 2025

Through 68 games with High-A, Waldschmidt held a .268/.415/.447 slash line with 13 doubles and nine home runs. During his first taste of Double-A, the outfielder took a step further, holding a stellar .309/.423/.498 line with a .921 OPS. Given Arizona's current outfield, Waldschmidt is a name to closely monitor as he could be in the mix to jump Triple-A and begin the season in the major leagues.

Aidan Miller, INF, Philadelphia Phillies

Current Level: Triple-A
2025 MiLB stats: 116 G, .264/.392/.433, 14 HR, 59 SB

Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Aidan Miller earned an invite to spring training. Miller is considered one of the top shortstop prospects in the sport on MLB.com and is viewed as the team's No. 2 overall prospect. The 21-year-old joined Philadelphia in the opening round (27th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft. The infielder began the 2025 campaign with Double-A Reading, where he held a .259/.382/.427 line with an .809 OPS.

Miller hit 25 doubles, 13 home runs, and stole 52 bases. He then finished the season with a brief eight-game stint at Triple-A, where Miller posted a strong .333/.514/.519 line with one home run and an impressive seven stolen bases. Given that Miller has only had a brief stint in Triple-A, he will likely begin the 2026 season there. However, if he has a successful spring training, he may contend for an early 2026 MLB debut.

Jurrangelo Cijntje, SP, Seattle Mariners

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 108 1/3 IP, 3.99 ERa, 1.22 WHIP, 120 SO, 51 BB

Seattle Mariners switch-pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje is expected to focus entirely on right-handed pitching during spring training. Cijntje joined the Mariners with the 15th overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State. Cijntje spent his debut campaign splitting time across High-And Double-A, pitching from both sides. However, the Mariners will look to have Cijntje focus solely on right-handed pitching this spring.

Through 74 2/3 innings with High-A, Cijntje held a 4.58 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He struck out 83 batters. Through his first 33 2/3 innings at Double-A, the 22-year-old posted a strong 2.67 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, with a 37:16 K:BB. When facing right-handed batters (pitching with his right hand), Cijntje was far more effective, posting a 76:12 K:BB compared to the rough 44:39 K:BB he held as a left-hander. If he progresses well in camp, he could debut in Triple-A early in the first half.

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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