January 30, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Emmet Sheehan is likely to be considered for a starting role to begin the 2026 regular season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. That will especially be the case if manager Dave Roberts opens the year with a hybrid or six-man rotation. Both
Shohei Ohtani and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will miss a large chunk of spring training for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. It was quite impressive what Sheehan did last year for the Dodgers, as he was returning from Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. The 26-year-old had a 2.82 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 89 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 15 outings (12 starts) over 73 1/3 innings in his second MLB season. Sheehan mostly relies on his slider and changeup for whiffs and has plenty of strikeout upside for fantasy managers to dream on if he ever gets a full-time shot at a starting spot in L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
January 30, 2026
The Atlanta Braves and free-agent left-hander
Martin Perez agreed to a minor-league deal on Friday, sources told Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media. Perez, who will turn 35 years old in April, had a 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 44:22 K:BB in 56 innings over 11 outings (10 starts) with the Chicago White Sox last season. In his 14-year major-league career, the veteran Venezuelan hurler has posted a 4.41 ERA (4.44 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP with a weak 16.3% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate over 1,631 2/3 innings pitched for six different clubs. Perez made the All-Star team once, back in 2022 with the Texas Rangers, when he went 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 32 starts. He missed most of last year with elbow and shoulder injuries, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of spring training. Perez isn't much of a fantasy asset, but he'll give Atlanta some starting depth with
Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow),
Grant Holmes (elbow), and
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) all rehabbing injuries in the offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: Just Baseball Media - Aram Leighton
January 30, 2026
The Cleveland Guardians announced on Friday that infield prospect
Travis Bazzana has received a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. Bazzana, who was the first overall pick in 2024 out of Oregon State, hit .245/.389/.424 with an .813 OPS, nine home runs, 39 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 84 games at three minor-league levels in 2025. The 23-year-old Australian's season ended early due to left-flank soreness, and he also missed almost two months earlier in the year with a right-oblique strain. So far, Bazzana hasn't looked like a No. 1 overall pick, although he has gotten on base regularly with a .384 on-base percentage. MLB Pipeline has Bazzana ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect going into the 2026 season. He's an extremely patient hitter and has 20/20 upside at the second base position. Bazzana could be a candidate for his MLB debut in the second half of 2026, depending on how he looks at Triple-A Columbus.
--Keith HernandezSource: GuardsInsider
January 30, 2026
When healthy, Texas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager remains one of the best left-handed hitters in baseball. Across 445 plate appearances in 2025, the 31-year-old posted a .271/.373/.487 slash line with 21 home runs, 50 RBI, 61 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Unfortunately, consistent health has been elusive for Seager for the majority of his MLB career. Since 2018, Seager has topped 550 plate appearances in a season just once. From a fantasy perspective, the lack of availability limits Seager's ability to rack up counting stats across all categories and minimizes the benefit of his strong batting average. He's also never recorded more than four stolen bases in a season, so building a roster around Seager means accepting below-average speed from the shortstop position. All that being said, Seager should be healthy entering 2026 Spring Training. If he can somehow manage a full season's worth of playing time, Seager could easily out-produce his current average draft position of pick number 88. He's a risky selection, but one that could pay off in a big way for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher
Robert Suarez was one of the top closers in fantasy baseball while pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2025, posting a 2.97 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 69 2/3 innings and racking up 40 saves, 75 strikeouts, and four wins. Suarez's stellar performance was enough to land him a three-year $45 million contract with Atlanta this past December. However, the Braves have long-time closer
Raisel Iglesias in place in the ninth inning, and reportedly plan to use Suarez in a high-leverage setup role. Suarez profiles as the lead candidate to assume the closer role if Iglesias struggles or suffers an injury. Still, Suarez's fantasy value is greatly diminished for as long as he remains siloed to a setup role, at least in redraft formats. In dynasty leagues, Suarez could jump right back into the ninth-inning role in Atlanta in 2027, as Iglesias will hit free agency at the end of 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Across 589 plate appearances in 2025, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio posted a .270/.308/.463 slash line with 21 home runs, 78 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. The 21-year-old's overall output was solid, but he didn't quite deliver on the full-scale breakout that some were hoping for heading into the year. Chourio missed time during the year due to a hamstring injury, which held down his counting stats and may have impacted his performance. Heading into 2026, Chourio should be fully recovered and locked into an everyday spot at or near the top of a Brewers lineup that finished second in the National League in runs scored (806) in 2025. While Chourio's top-level production in 2025 looks similar to the numbers he posted in 2024, he improved his barrel rate from 7.8% to 9.7% while cutting his strikeout rate from 21.1% to 20.5%. With improved health in 2026, Chourio could provide first-round caliber five-category fantasy production.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong had a spectacular season overall in 2025, posting a .247/.287/.481 slash line with 31 home runs, 95 RBI, 91 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases across 647 plate appearances. However, the 23-year-old's production fell off in the second half of the year. Across 246 plate appearances after the All-Star break, Crow-Armstrong hit .216/.262/.372 with just six home runs and struck out at a 25.6% rate, up from 22.9% in the first half. The lefty-swinging Crow-Armstrong also showed a notable platoon split throughout the season, logging a .594 OPS across 188 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Heading into 2026, Crow-Armstrong should remain an everyday staple in the Cubs lineup thanks to his elite defense in center field. He also posted a 13% barrel rate in 2025 and has 64 career stolen bases across 293 MLB games, so his power/speed profile appears legit. However, fantasy managers may want to anticipate a drop in counting stats and potentially a decline in batting average in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher
Paul Skenes established himself as one of MLB's premier hurlers in 2025, posting a 10-10 record with a 1.97 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 216 strikeouts across 187 2/3 innings pitched. The 23-year-old was unanimously named the National League Cy Young Award winner in just his second big-league season. With a career K-BB rate of 25% across 320 2/3 MLB innings, Skenes' underlying numbers support his dominance. From a fantasy perspective, wins are the one category where Skenes provided middling production in 2025, particularly relative to other high-end starting pitching options. While the Pirates don't profile as a juggernaut in 2026, they have made some steps towards contention this offseason by adding veteran infielders
Brandon Lowe and
Ryan O'Hearn. With a better supporting cast around him, Skenes could reach yet another level in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
JR Ritchie is an emerging arm in the Atlanta system and is expected to make his MLB debut in 2026. Ritchie began the campaign with High-A Rome but was able to reach Triple-A Gwinnett in the second half. At High-A, the right-hander was impressive, logging 41 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.30 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. At Double-A, Ritchie took a slight step back, carrying a 3.49 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 38 2/3 innings of work. However, during his first look at Triple-A, the 22-year-old rounded back into form, posting a strong 3.02 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP. During these 59 2/3 innings, Ritchie struck out 61 hitters while allowing 27 walks. Managers should keep a close eye on his status during camp as he could contend for an early 2026 debut.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
The Chicago White Sox have invited top outfield prospect
Braden Montgomery to big-league spring training. Montgomery joined the White Sox with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Texas A&M. He made his professional debut in 2025 with Low-A, but quickly progressed through the lower levels, ending the regular season at Double-A Birmingham. Through 87 total games shared between Low-A and High-A, Montgomery posted a .269/.360/.455 line with 11 long balls and 11 stolen bases. During his first 34 contests at Double-A, the 22-year-old continued to play well, posting a .272/.364/.416 line. However, he would only hit one long ball during this stint. While Montgomery may not reach the majors until later in the second half, a strong showing in spring training could earn him a ticket to Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: Chicago White Sox
January 30, 2026
Texas Rangers top prospect
Sebastian Walcott has received an invite to big-league spring training. The young infielder is currently considered the team's top prospect and the No. 6 overall-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com. The 19-year-old spent the entire 2025 campaign with Double-A Frisco and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Across this stint, Walcott posted a strong .255/.355/.386 line with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, and an impressive 32 stolen bases. He held a 108:70 K:BB. In 2024, Walcott spent the majority of the campaign with High-A, where he posted a .261/.342/.443 line across 116 games. While Walcott is unlikely to compete for an early MLB debut, he could begin the season at Triple-A, which would keep him in play for a second-half promotion to Texas.
--Andy SmithSource: Shawn McFarland
January 30, 2026
According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, Baltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo has lost 15 pounds in the offseason. Basallo is poised to spend the entire 2026 season in the major leagues and appears to have entered camp in great physical shape. Basallo began the 2025 season with the Norfolk Tides and posted a strong .270/.377/.589 slash line with 17 doubles and 23 home runs across a 76-game stint. He was then promoted to Baltimore in the second half and held a modest .169/.229/.330 line over his first 31 games. During this brief taste, the game's top catching prospect hit four home runs, added six doubles, but carried a 30:6 K:BB. Basallo is expected to split time behind the dish and at DH with
Adley Rutschman. With the potential to see an everyday role in the lineup, Basallo is a top breakout pick at the catcher position, given his elite raw power.
--Andy SmithSource: Jake Rill
January 30, 2026
Miami Marlins top pitching prospect
Thomas White has earned an invite to MLB spring training. This is an excellent sign for the budding southpaw, who now appears to be in serious consideration for a spot on the Opening Day roster. According to MLB.com, White is viewed as the No. 22-ranked prospect in the entire sport. Last summer, the 21-year-old opened the season with High-A but was able to reach Triple-A Jacksonville in the second half. Across 80 1/3 innings with High-A and Double-A, White posted a strong 2.13 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP. He tallied an eye-catching 128 punchouts with 41 walks during this stretch. In his brief 9 1/3-inning stint at Triple-A, White struck out 17 batters and allowed five runs. With the Marlins trading two starters this winter in
Ryan Weathers and
Edward Cabrera, White is a name to closely monitor in camp as he could begin the season in the big leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Miami Marlins
January 30, 2026
The Miami Marlins have invited left-handed pitching prospect
Robby Snelling to big league spring training. Snelling was on the verge of making his MLB debut last summer and is now in serious contention to break camp with the MLB roster. He began the 2025 season with Double-A Pensacola, where he logged 72 1/3 innings with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. During this stint, the southpaw struck out 85 hitters and allowed only 22 walks. However, once he moved up to Triple-A, he took a massive step forward. During his first 63 2/3 innings at Triple-A, Snelling posted an impressive 1.27 ERA with a stellar 0.99 WHIP. He struck out 81 hitters while allowing only 17 free passes. With
Ryan Weathers and
Edward Cabrera shipped to new clubs this winter, Snelling appears to be in a great position to break camp with the MLB roster. He is a prime late-round target with high strikeout upside.
--Andy SmithSource: Miami Marlins
January 30, 2026
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Houston Astros could look to target Boston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu before spring training. The Astros have expressed interest in adding a left-handed bat and would have the assets to acquire Abreu from Boston. Their infield is currently quite crowded, and third baseman
Isaac Paredes has also been linked to Boston throughout the winter, as they have a need at the hot corner. Abreu turned in a solid 2025 campaign, posting a .241/.317/.469 line with 22 home runs and six stolen bases. He generated an above-average .355 xwOBA with a strong .475 xSLG. He is also an elite defender, placing in the 94th percentile in range and 77th percentile in arm value. If Abreu were to join Houston, he would likely take on a full-time role in right field, which would limit the playing time of both
Jesus Sanchez and
Cam Smith.
--Andy SmithSource: Chandler Rome
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