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Three Fantasy Baseball Sleepers For 2026

  • Writer: Mason Linken
    Mason Linken
  • 7m
  • 4 min read

It’s that time of year again. The 2025 MLB season is all wrapped up, and you’re looking to get a head start on 2026. After all, it’s never too early for fantasy baseball. Whether you’re a reigning champion looking to continue building your dynasty, or coming off your worst year yet, sleeper players are an important part of successful teams.


Late round steals can help shape a great draft, but identifying the right fits can be a daunting task. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered. Here are three (of many) fantasy baseball sleepers for 2026:


Roster %: ESPN

Fantasy Points (FPTS): CBS Sports

Draft Rank: Fantasy Pros



Miguel Vargas - 1B, 3B, LF (18%),

  • Draft Rank (ECR): H #169


Vargas endured a rough ride in 2025, as the White Sox lost 100+ games for the third straight season. While the future looks rough for the Sox, Vargas’ individual trajectory is trending sharply upward. 2025 was his best season to date, and he’ll be looking to improve on a couple of key parts of his game heading into 2026. 


In 2025 Vargas slashed .234/.316/.401 with 16 homers and 60 RBI in 138 GP, culminating in 366 FPTS (2.7 FPTS/G). The stats don’t immediately stick out as ultra valuable, but Vargas took huge steps forward in 2025. His BA jumped up 84 points from the previous season (.150 in 2024), his OPS was up by 209 points (.506 in 2024), and he improved his wOBA by 81 points (.233 in 2024 to .314 in 2025). 


Things look solid under the hood for Vargas as well, with his quality of contact looking much improved in 2025. Average Exit Velocity was +3.7 (86.2 MPH to 89.7 MPH), Squared-Up% was up 6.6% (23.0% to 29.6%), and Vargas maintained a strong Pull-Air% (23.1%). Pulling the ball in the air is huge for Vargas, as it makes up for his semi-lackluster exit velocity numbers (more simply explained as more juice to the pull-side). Vargas’ K% dropped 6.5% (24.1% to 17.6%), while he boasted a chase rate in the 89th percentile (21.6%). 


Fantasy Outlook: If Vargas can continue the sustained growth he showed last year, he’s bound to be a valuable asset. He was a serviceable back-up option this past season, but it’s looking like the 25 year old will be a big can’t miss at a late draft pick in 2026.



Braxton Ashcraft - SP, RP (2%)

  • Draft Rank (ECR): Pitcher #144


After a rough start to the season down in AAA, Pittsburgh's No. 7 prospect earned himself a call-up in late May. From that point on Ashcraft righted the ship, where he excelled out of the Pirates bullpen for the majority of the year. Though he only started eight games in 2025, the 26 year old righty looks to factor into Pittsburgh’s rotation in a bigger role in 2026.


While Ashcraft contributed in a limited role in 2025, much of his best stuff was on display. By year's end he posted a 2.71 ERA, 2.78 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP, while striking out 71 opposing hitters in 69.2 IP. Ashcraft’s season resulted in 142.5 FPTS (5.5 FPTS/G) for the few managers whom he was rostered by, with most of his value coming as a spot starter once he slotted into the rotation. 


Ashcraft’s ability to limit loud contact has helped expand his ceiling, and will be a thing to watch in 2026. Opposing hitters' average exit velocity against Ashcraft was just 88.0 MPH, ranking in the 80th percentile. Even more encouraging is a 4.6% barrel rate (94th percentile), and 50.8 GB% (85th percentile). As a result, Ashcraft excelled at preventing home runs, allowing just three in 2025. 


Fantasy Outlook: Ashcraft looks due for some regression, as he boasted a 3.58 xFIP and 3.37 xERA in 2025. Even so, he pitched exceptionally well down the stretch and is worth a roster spot in 2026.



Romy Gonzalez - 1B, 2B, SS (6%)

  • Draft Rank (ECR): H #259


After struggling through the first four years of his career, Gonzalez took massive strides forward with Boston in 2025, playing a massive role in the Red Sox’s playoff hunt. If he can continue to build upon his recent success, he’ll look to be a huge piece for fantasy managers fighting for a playoff spot in the 2026 season. 


Gonzalez’s 2025 season saw a great increase in quality of contact, where he slashed .305/.343/.483 with a .352 wOBA and 123 wRC+, while also blasting nine homers and driving 53 runners in. The utility man’s value expanded to fantasy as well, where he was worth 239.5 FPTS (2.5 FPTS/G) in 96 GP. Gonzalez’s Hard-Hit% (57.3%, 99th percentile) and average exit velocity (93.3 MPH, 95th percentile) have always been strong suits, but his 2025 success can be attributed to a steep increase in barrel rate (8.3% in 2024 -> 12.6% in 2025). The difference may not seem all that great, but it led to over 18 more barrels for Gonzalez in 2025 (12 -> 30), albeit in over 100 more PA. 


The power output for Gonzalez has increased as a result, with his xWOBA jumping 45 points (.312 in 2024 -> .358 in 2025), and an 86 point increase in xSLG (.415 in 2024 -> .501 in 2025). Even with the promising developments in quality of contact, Gonzalez needs to work on plate discipline, as he struck out 23.8% of time while walking just a 5.3% clip.


Fantasy Outlook: Although some concern remains with Gonzalez’s strikeout tendencies, he looks to be a must draft in 2026. An avenue to more playing time could be available with the departure of Alex Bregman, and Gonzalez boasts the ability to earn a starting role. At best he looks to be a breakout pick, and at worst a very valuable utility player.




Cover photo: Minda Haas Kuhlmann via Flickr



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