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Scott Engel's fantasy baseball bold predictions for the 2026 MLB season, including predictions for Spencer Torkelson, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Carson Benge and more.
When you become a regular RotoBaller reader and radio listener, it quickly becomes apparent that the majority of our fantasy baseball writers and analysts are expert statistical mechanics. They can examine a player’s profile as well as a top auto technician can diagnose issues with the alternator or braking systems.
To complement our staff, I take a unique approach to scouting Major League Baseball players for fantasy purposes. Yes, I do include certain key advanced statistics to support my views, but having been on the MLB beat for more than a decade, I also pick out intangible factors and foundational baseball principles that can also affect fantasy outlooks.
These are my most confident predictions for the 2026 fantasy baseball season. I go in-depth on some of my favorite hitters to watch and include quick hits on select starting pitchers and closer changes. Not every prediction may be overly “bold”, but I feel strongly about all of the fantasy forecasts included here.
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Catcher
Ivan Herrera hits 28 homers and steals 12 bases: Staying healthy is an apparent hope for Herrera, and while he will start the season at DH only, he may earn catcher eligibility at some point. Last season, Herrera hit 19 homers and stole eight bases in 388 at-bats.
The Cardinals eye him as a key hitter for now and the future, so I was willing to spend 10 dollars on him in the Tout Wars Mixed Auction draft. Herrera can be quite valuable if and when he qualifies at catcher.
Carter Jensen emerges as a staple starter: Look for the Kansas City rookie to quickly ascend to No. 1 fantasy catcher status. Don’t be surprised if he wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Jensen has a discerning eye at the plate and can also hit for good power, and he will log many at-bats for fantasy purposes as he slides between catcher and DH.
Do not leave your upcoming drafts without Carter Jensen.
Currently going 198.0 overall according to NFBC ADP.
The kids Baseball Savant page is decked out in red and is backed up by his Minor league stats.
He should get close to every day playing time.
— Nicho Roessler (@NichoRoessler) February 22, 2026
Dillon Dingler will rise to No. 1 fantasy catcher status: He might start the season slowly after recovering from an elbow injury, and Dingler is ranked No. 20 at catcher by RotoBaller. Last season, Dingler posted a .290 xBA, and his .475 xSLG was 50 points higher than his SLG.
Dingler displayed good power in the minors, so he could approach 20 home runs with at least a .270 batting average, which would be well above preseason projections.
First Base
Spencer Torkelson approaches 40 home runs: Last season, Torkelson put a disappointing 2024 season behind him, adjusting his stance on his way to a breakout year. Entering 2026, he is wondering if he can get even better now that he started to find more of a groove last season.
“I still believe I haven’t proven much in this game,” Torkelson told MLive.com. “So it’s pretty easy to light a fire every single day knowing, or trying to figure out, ‘How good can I be?’ That’s the motivation.”
In the offseason, Torkelson hit the gym regularly with other major leaguers. Altering his stance last season fueled his improved production, and now Torkelson comes into 2026 more comfortable with a significant season of success behind him.
He doesn’t have to make any significant tweaks this year, so he can pick up where he left off last season as an emerging power source. I was glad to get him as a $10 corner infielder in Tout Wars.
Sal Stewart starts fast, finishes strong: The Reds’ first baseman is being viewed as one of the top young breakthrough hitters for 2026. As RotoBaller’s No. 19-ranked player at the position and carrying an ADP of 189, Stewart can be a league-winner if he outproduces the preseason outlook. He has looked very good in the spring and can ride that momentum into the early part of the regular season.
Like many rookies, Stewart will likely fall into a cold spell at some point, but remain patient as he continues to adjust to regular playing time in the majors. In limited MLB action last year, Stewart did not quite look ready for the big time against off-speed pitches and breaking balls.
There might be some growing frustrations midway through the year, and that will be when you should trade for Stewart, who combines a good walk rate with very promising all-around hitting potential.
Second Base
Jazz Chisholm Jr. flops: The production has never quite matched the flashy exterior for Chisholm, who would be a true superstar in New York if he could fully tap into his potential. Last season, Chisholm was a 30/30 player for the first time in his career, and many have drafted him with similar expectations for 2026.
In 2025, Chisholm also struck out at a 27.9% rate, and his xBA was just .234. He hit .185 against breaking pitches. Expecting better numbers than last year will be a swing and a miss, because Chisholm isn’t going to get any better as a hitter. Durability has always been a concern, too. Second base is thin, but give me Ketel Marte every time instead.
Matt McLain enjoys a career season: Many fantasy players are expecting a good bounce-back season from McLain, but I believe he will exceed expectations in 2026. McLain has been ripping it up this spring, and he will continue to shine during the regular season.
WKRC TV in Cincinnati pointed out that McLain has displayed a new approach at the plate for this season, taking pitches on the outer half the other way and laying off low and away sliders. I predict McLain will look more like his 2023 self, as he hits 25 homers and steals 20 bases. That will make him quite the bargain at his current ADP.
Third Base
Matt Shaw resurfaces: After a disappointing rookie year, the Cubs acquired Alex Bregman in the offseason, and suddenly, Shaw started to generate some trade rumors. But Chicago decided to keep him and has been trying him out in the outfield and at first base this spring. There have been some defensive frustrations, but it appears that the Cubs want to hold onto Shaw and give him as many at-bats as possible in a super utility role.
In the minors, Shaw regularly hit for a high average, and he hit 21 homers and stole 31 bases in 121 games at two levels in 2024. Look for him to cut down on the 21.5% K rate and get more in tune with his lower strikeout percentages from the minors. His walk rate of 8.7% last year should improve. The fact that the Cubs kept him around signals they still like his bat a lot, and you can still take a flier for a potential 25 HR, 25 SB season.
Matt Shaw is putting together a nice spring:
.333/.400/.467
1 HR | 4 SB
4 K | 3 BB
50.0% Hard Hit | 13.2% WhiffThe bat-to-ball has looked great and he’s making much better contact than last season.
pic.twitter.com/ngBIgY3f9h— Carson Wolf (@TheWrigleyWire) March 12, 2026
Junior Caminero disappoints: At the end of the year, it will become clear that Caminero was not worth the first-round pick this year. Moving from George M. Steinbrenner Field to Tropicana Field might hurt his batting average more. In 2025 on the road, he hit .218 with a .286 OBP in road games. The HR/FB rate of 24.5% will also not quite hold at the same level this year.
The Tampa Bay lineup is also mediocre overall, and there isn’t much protection behind Caminero, so he will be challenged less consistently and approached differently by opposing pitchers. The lineup falls off significantly after Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Caminero. I believe Caminero will not score 85 runs or drive in 100.
Shortstop
Kevin McGonigle breaks out: Even if he begins the year in the minors, the Tigers cannot hold the top prospect in the AL off their roster for too long. At an ADP of 252 this preseason, the Detroit rookie is going to prove to be a tremendous value.
Last season in the minors, McGonigle posted a 14.9% walk rate and an 11.6% K rate. He hit 19 HRs and stole 10 bases in 88 games. When a top prospect has shown enough in the minors, they sometimes bypass any extensive time at Triple-A. I won’t be surprised to see McGonigle go 20/20 as a rookie.
Outfield
Carson Benge becomes a quality fantasy regular: The Mets’ rookie went overlooked in just about every one of my drafts this season. When I put him out at one dollar in Tout Wars, I was taken aback that no one bid even two dollars on Benge in a room full of sharps.
To me, it was apparent that Benge was ticketed to be the opening day right fielder in Queens, as the only competition that was brought in was Mike Tauchman, while Juan Soto moved to left field. Benge has looked very competent in spring training.
In 2025, Benge hit .281 with 15 HRs and 22 steals with 87 runs scored in 116 minor league games. He has the potential to hit 20 homers and steal 25 bases as a rookie, and I nearly landed his fantasy rights for free in three leagues this year.
Carson Benge has now reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances tonight. This was one of his better struck hits all spring, 108 mph off the bat.
Benge's Grapefruit League batting average is up to .406. pic.twitter.com/y8Js1DCqPc
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 17, 2026
Daylen Lile shines over a full season: According to The Athletic, Lile has been generating much internal positive buzz in Washington. He is lauded for his sweet swing and disciplined approach at the plate. Washington is a good place for a young, potential star to get regular quality playing time, and Lile should benefit from good power and speed numbers.
From June 24 to the end of last season, Lile registered eight home runs and 10 triples, batting .326 and slugging at a .534 clip. Some full-season struggles will be natural, but Lile could still end up hitting near .270 with 15 homers and 25 steals over the full campaign.
Starting Pitcher
Eury Perez will dominate: The Marlins’ new ace was going at a cool 89.7 ADP on NFBC drafts since March 1, and he could be one of the top pitchers in fantasy baseball this season.
Nolan McLean blossoms: The Mets’ top young starter is not being asked to anchor the rotation, so expect an ERA under 3.00 with over 10 Ks per 9.
The rise of Cam Schlittler as a fantasy starter: The Yankees like him so much that Schlittler is opening the season as their second starter due to key injuries on the staff. He showcases an excellent fastball and cutter, and the strikeout numbers will be impressive.
Enjoy a healthy Kris Bubic: He was putting together a breakout season last year and will pick up where he left off in 2025.
Relief Pitcher
Relievers that will take over as the top closers on their teams: Robert Suarez, Zach Agnos, Kyle Finnegan, Lucas Erceg, Matt Svanson, and Cole Henry.
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