Impact Fantasy Baseball Prospects To Know - J.J. Wetherholt, Logan Henderson, Jonah Tong, Connelly Early, Sebastian Walcott, Tyler Bremner

January 20, 2026

2026 fantasy baseball prospects that can make big impacts - J.J. Wetherholt, Logan Henderson, Jonah Tong, Connelly Early, Sebastian Walcott, Tyler Bremner. Target these top prospects in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts.

As we approach 2026 fantasy drafts, managers will begin to identify high-upside prospects who could provide league-inning upside for their team in the upcoming season. In 2025, managers saw Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz become a league winner, while Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler became a viable starter in the second half.

In this piece, we will spotlight six high-end prospects who could make a major impact in 2026 redraft leagues.

Who are six high-upside breakout prospects that 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,  28 2B, 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. 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.

Can we interest you in a JJ Wetherholt leadoff @HueysRestaurant home run? pic.twitter.com/LtpByN8eaJ

— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 15, 2025

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.

Logan Henderson, SP, Milwaukee Brewers

Current Level: Milwaukee Brewers
2025 MLB stats: 25 1/3 IP, 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 33 SO, 8 BB

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect Logan Henderson looked quite comfortable in his first taste of the majors last season and appears primed to take on a large role in 2026. Through his first 25 1/3 innings with the Brewers (five starts), the former fourth-round pick posted an elite 1.78 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP. Henderson struck out 33 batters and allowed free passes at an 8.1% rate. He generated a strong 32.8% hard-hit rate and a 32.6% chase rate, suggesting his strikeout totals should remain high over a full season.

However, the right-hander saw his workload closely monitored and dealt with injuries and was eventually shut down with a flexor strain in the second half. Fortunately, he is not expected to face any limitations in spring training. With Freddy Peralta's name in many trade discussions, Henderson appears poised not only for a spot in the rotation but also to take on a significant role in the pitching staff in the upcoming season.

Jonah Tong, SP, New York Mets

Current Level: New York Mets
2025 MLB stats: 18 2/3 IP, 7.71 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 22 SO, 9 BB

New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong is a name to closely monitor in spring training. Tong progressed through the Mets' system quite quickly in 2025, but stumbled as soon as he reached the big leagues. Through his first 18 2/3 innings with the Mets, Tong posted a hefty 7.71 ERA with a 1.177 WHIP. He struck out only 22 hitters while allowing walks at a high 10.3% rate.

However, in the minor leagues, Tong looked like a budding ace as he tossed 113 1/3 innings (primarily at Double-A) to the tune of a 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 179:42 K:BB. At Double-A, he held an incredible 1.59 ERA across 102 innings. While he possesses high upside, he may not be guaranteed a spot in the rotation out of camp, as he will likely be in contention for the final spot alongside Clay Holmes and Brandon Sproat. Given his unexpected role, he is only worth targeting in deep 12+ team leagues in early drafts.

Jonah Tong is FIRED UP after his 6th strikeout of the night 😤 pic.twitter.com/68Ola9Gih3

— MLB (@MLB) August 30, 2025

Connelly Early, SP, Boston Red Sox

Current Level: Boston Red Sox
2025 MLB stats: 19 1/3 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 29 SO, 4 BB

Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Connelly Early could enjoy a breakout season in 2026. The team's No. 4-ranked prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) made his MLB debut in the second half and looked quite comfortable, logging 19 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.33 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. During this stint, the southpaw struck out an eye-catching 29 hitters while allowing only four free passes.

He began the 2025 campaign with Double-A but was able to reach Triple-A Worcester after just 71 2/3 innings. With Double-A, he tallied 96 punchouts with a 2.51 ERA and contended to show similar productivity at Triple-A, logging 28 2/3 innings with a 2.83 ERA. However, managers should closely monitor his status in camp as he may not be guaranteed a spot in the rotation. With the Red Sox bringing in Ranger Suarez and having other budding arms like Payton Tolle, Early may have to earn his spot in spring training.

If he can claim the No. 5 spot, he would become a top late-round target in all formats, given his high-end command and elite strikeout upside.

Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers

Current Level: Double-A
2025 MiLB stats: 124 G, .255/.355/.386, 19 2B, 13 HR, 32 SB

Top Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott is expected to make a strong push to join Triple-A at the start of the 2026 regular season. Last summer, the No. 6-ranked prospect in all of baseball (according to MLB Pipeline) spent the entire campaign with Double-A Frisco and was able to hold his own, suggesting he is ready for a promotion. Across 125 contests, the infielder posted a .255/.355/.386 slash line with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, and an eye-catching 32 stolen bases. He held a 108:70 K: BB and scored 71 runs.

In 2024, Walcott spent most of his time with High-A and held a similar .261/.342/.443 line before earning a brief five-game taste of Double-A. If the 19-year-old can join Triple-A Round Rock early in the campaign, he could push for a second-half MLB debut. He is worth closely monitoring in all dynasty leagues and deeper redraft leagues, as he could be in the mix to debut in the back half of the regular season.

Tyler Bremner, SP, Los Angeles Angels

Current Level: N/A
Drafted by the Angels with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft

Los Angeles Angels top pitching prospect, Tyler Bremner (elbow), is cleared to participate in spring training. The Angels selected Bremner with the second overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft out of UC Santa Barbara. Bremner was diagnosed with right elbow soreness and was eventually shut down late in the season. However, their budding ace avoided any serious injury and will be a full-go in camp.

According to MLB.com, Bremner boasts an impressive fastball and changeup, both of which were given 65 scouting grades. The right-hander spent all three seasons of his college career at Santa Brabra, where he held an overall 3.58 ERA, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. Through 222 1/3 innings, he struck out 295 batters and allowed just 57 walks. He is worth closely monitoring, as Bremner could push for his MLB debut later in 2026.

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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