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Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) lists the top hitting prospects to target in fantasy baseball redraft leagues for 2026. His top prospects to target in redraft leagues include JJ Wetherholt. Konnor Griffin, Carson Benge, more.
Drafting prospects is a great way to hit home runs on your late-round picks in fantasy baseball. Every season, there are plenty of key contributors who get called up and provide a boost to fantasy teams. Last year, some of the impactful prospects included Nick Kurtz, Roman Anthony, Jacob Wilson, Cade Horton, and Drake Baldwin. Kurtz was the cream of the crop, as he absolutely shattered even the most optimistic projections.
On this page, we're going to try to find 10 hitting prospects who can help out your fantasy baseball teams in 2026 redraft leagues. To define "prospect," we're not just merely choosing rookies that barely played last year, so Bubba Chandler and Jac Caglianone don't qualify for this list. The focus is on hitting prospects who aren't guaranteed to start the season in the big leagues on Opening Day.
Remember, when building a team, you don't want to go overboard with prospects because sometimes, they either disappoint (Caglianone) or take much longer than expected to be called up (Chandler). So, without further ado, let's dive into my 10 favorite hitting prospects for the 2026 fantasy baseball season.
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Fantasy Baseball Hitting Prospects for 2026 Redraft Leagues
Each of the 10 hitters on this list is highly likely to be up in the big leagues for the majority of the season; they just aren't guaranteed a role right out of the gate. However, there's still a chance that they can win a starting job in spring training. This is why I didn't include Samuel Basallo, who seems much more likely to start the year with the Orioles. I included some sleepers in this list to appeal to those who play in deeper formats.
Remember, this isn't just the 10 best prospects. It's a ranking of my favorites based on current costs, using recent ADP from the NFBC since January 1. Only prospects outside the top-190 ADP were included. One more note: this list is ordered by ADP, not preference.
Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
NFBC ADP: 194.00
Konnor Griffin is not only one of the best prospects in baseball, but he also plays a very fantasy-friendly game. Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases in 563 plate appearances across all levels as a 19-year-old. We saw him keep the strikeout rate in check (21.7%) while drawing walks at a decent clip (8.9%).
The Pirates have signaled their intentions this offseason: they want to win now while they still have Paul Skenes. We saw this when they traded for Brandon Lowe and brought in Ryan O'Hearn. To that end, there's a good chance that they'll be much more aggressive with Griffin than they were with Chandler last year.
Griffin could immediately become one of their best hitters. We may see him get steamed up in drafts with a strong spring, so if you're in early leagues, it's a good time to buy right now.
JJ Wetherholt, SS, St. Louis Cardinals
NFBC ADP: 274.95
Can we interest you in a JJ Wetherholt leadoff @HueysRestaurant home run? pic.twitter.com/LtpByN8eaJ
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) August 15, 2025
JJ Wetherholt is a polished hitter with terrific plate discipline, putting up a 14.5% walk rate and 14.7% strikeout rate across all levels in his age-22 season. This is a player who can contribute in power and speed, as highlighted by his 17 homers and 23 steals in 496 plate appearances last year.
The Cardinals have embraced the youth movement, shipping away veterans like Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado. There's a chance that they're not done yet, with Brendan Donovan and even Lars Nootbaar potentially on the move.
That means that Wetherholt has a spot open to win a starting job in the infield. While Masyn Winn has shortstop locked up because he's a good defender, Wetherholt can play second base if they move Donovan or third base to replace Arenado. Even if Wetherholt isn't up on Opening Day, it won't take long for him to be with the big club.
Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers
NFBC ADP: 291.30
"I do see a lot of Chase Utley in him..."
See where @jimcallisMLB and @MLBPipeline rank Kevin Kevin McGonigle on tonight's Top 100 Prospects show!
📺 8pm ET on MLB Network pic.twitter.com/eY4KMyWUC9
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 23, 2026
Kevin McGonigle is considered to be a superior prospect over Wetherholt, but the Tiger goes later in drafts because it may take longer for him to be called up. This is a 21-year-old who only saw limited action in Double-A last year. The Tigers may want to get McGonigle some at-bats in Triple-A before bringing him up. Additionally, this is a contending team, whereas the Cardinals are in full-out rebuild mode.
With that said, you could tell yourself a story of an aggressive approach from the Tigers here. What if they want to push all their chips in while they can in what is likely Tarik Skubal's final season with the team?
You have to like the skills here, as McGonigle put up 19 homers and 10 steals with a 14.9% walk rate and 11.6% strikeout rate in 397 plate appearances at all levels last season. The Tigers have Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry at short, so there's a wide-open spot for McGonigle. His stock can rise with a big spring.
Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
NFBC ADP: 294.35
Justin Crawford is highly likely to open the season as the Phillies' everyday centerfielder, although that could change if the team decides to target a veteran option, as there's still a lot of time left in free agency at the time of this article.
The main appeal with Crawford is his speed. The 21-year-old swiped 46 bags in 506 plate appearances. If you're behind on stolen bases at this stage of your draft, Crawford makes a lot of sense as a dart throw.
You also have to love the hit tool, as he consistently put up a .300+ BA in the minors, including .334 last year. Unlike other speedsters, Crawford likely isn't going to hurt you in average. With that said, you may only get 6-8 home runs from him.
Carson Benge, OF, New York Mets
NFBC ADP: 363.70
Carson Benge had a chance to start the year with the Mets, but after they traded for Luis Robert, this prospect is now blocked in center field. Perhaps Benge can take the left field role, but there's a risk that the Mets start the year with Brett Baty there.
But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take Benge in deeper formats. The 23-year-old slashed .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers and 22 steals in 519 plate appearances across all levels last year. That came with a 13.1% walk rate and 17.7% strikeout rate.
Benge is the type of multi-category contributor worth taking a shot on late in deep formats, especially in draft-and-holds. If he can win a job in the outfield, you have to like the team context with the Mets.
Joshua Baez, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
NFBC ADP: 457.70
Joshua Baez is one of my favorite prospects to take late in drafts. As mentioned above, the Cardinals are going to let their young players have a chance to show what they can do. There are opportunities in the outfield, especially if the team trades Nootbaar, which appears to be likely. If Jordan Walker or Victor Scott II struggles, there's a path there as well.
Just take a look at these numbers from Baez in the minors last season: .287/.384/.500 slash line with 20 homers and 54 steals in 499 plate appearances. Those are mouth-watering stats that could be huge in fantasy baseball.
You also have to factor in that the Cardinals will probably be among the worst teams in baseball this season. Would it shock you to see Baez run wild on the basepaths if he's called up? With that in mind, make Baez a priority in your draft-and-holds.
Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Arizona Cardinals
NFBC ADP: 479.15
Here is my other favorite hitting prospect to target at cost. Ryan Waldschmidt is a polished hitter who put up .289/.419/.473 slash line with 18 homers and 29 steals in 601 plate appearances across all levels last year.
When you look at the Diamondbacks' outfield outside of Corbin Carroll, you see Alek Thomas, Jordan Lawlar, and Blaze Alexander as candidates to occupy the other spots. That's not too much competition. Thomas is underwhelming at the plate, Alexander is more of an infielder, and Lawlar hasn't gotten it done at the big league level.
There's a clear need here, and Waldschmidt looks like he's ready to play. Like Baez, albeit with less upside, Waldschmidt is exactly the type of outfielder you want to round out your roster.
Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians
NBFC ADP: 510.75
Travis Bazzana is a former first overall pick who put up a 138 wRC+ at Triple-A last season. With nine homers and 12 steals in 374 plate appearances across all levels, Bazzana can be an immediate 15-15 threat with enough playing time.
When you look at the Guardians' roster, they currently have Gabriel Arias as the likely second baseman to start the year. Bazzana can easily take over that job. This lineup needs a bit more thump to hit, which Bazzana can bring to the table.
If you're looking for a second baseman to round out your draft-and-hold, Bazzana makes sense. Those in conventional leagues can add him to their watch lists to start the year.
Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers
NFBC ADP: 599.30
Jett Williams was blocked with the Mets, but after being part of the Freddy Peralta trade, there's some opportunity with the Brewers. Joey Ortiz is the current shortstop, but he was underwhelming last season, putting up a 67 wRC+ in 506 plate appearances. That's simply not going to cut it for a contender.
Williams put up a 136 wRC+ with 17 homers and 34 steals across all levels last season in his age-21 year. If the Brewers want some more juice at shortstop, we can definitely see Williams come up at some point. If you missed out on a bench shortstop (which thins out early), it makes sense to take a shot on Williams.
Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, Washington Nationals
NFBC ADP: 729.35
OH MY, ABI 😅
Abimelec Ortiz now has 3 home runs and 9 RBI in his first 2 Triple-A games!#Rockin25 | #RRExpress pic.twitter.com/tuFf8xrFYR
— Round Rock Express (@RRExpress) August 6, 2025
Here we have a super deep sleeper for you. Abimelec Ortiz was traded to the Nationals in the MacKenzie Gore deal. You look at this rebuilding team's lineup, and you see converted second baseman Luis Garcia currently penciled in at first base. That means that Ortiz has some opportunity here.
The 23-year-old registered a 124 wRC+ with 25 homers in 556 plate appearances across all levels last year. At this stage of the draft, you're just looking for someone who has a chance to play. With Washington, Ortiz has that now.
Those of you in conventional formats can view Ortiz as a potential streamer if he wins the first base job or gets called up later in the year.
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