With elite prospects reaching the majors on increasingly accelerated timelines, it’s imperative for fantasy managers to identify which newcomers are poised to make the biggest impact. After finally recovering from Jordan Walker‘s unforgettable Home Run Derby performance, Rotoworld’s resident prospect scribes, Chris Crawford and George Bissell, got together for a first-year player mock draft, breaking down the top fantasy prospects from the recently completed 2026 MLB Draft.
The goal here isn’t to simply rank the best long-term major leaguers, but to identify the players we believe will have the greatest fantasy impact. Whether you’re already looking ahead to offseason first-year player drafts or simply looking to stay ahead of the next wave of potential future stars, consider this an early roadmap to one of the most complicated draft classes in recent memory.
1) Grady Emerson, SS, Tampa Bay Rays
It really just comes down to ceiling versus floor. Roch Cholowsky was absolutely deserving of being the first pick of the draft, and if this didn’t have a fantasy angle, he’d be the player I’d take. Obviously, this has a pretty significant fantasy angle, and I just think Emerson is a little more likely to fill out all five categories, so he’s the guy. – Chris Crawford
2) Roch Cholowsky, SS, Chicago White Sox
Don’t overthink this one. As tempting as it might be to steer the metaphorical ocean liner in an unconventional direction, Cholowsky offers too high of a present and long-term floor to justify passing on him with Emerson off the board. The 21-year-old is widely regarded as the most polished collegiate shortstop to enter the draft in at least a decade and projects as a reliable source of power with enough hit-tool projection to envision a respectable batting average. He’s unlikely to provide much in the stolen-base department, which caps his realistic fantasy upside, and is the lone bugaboo in an otherwise pristine profile. Cholowsky has all the ingredients to become one of the franchise cornerstones of Chicago’s rapidly improving young core. – George Bissell
3) Vahn Lackey, C, Minnesota Twins
I’d consider Lackey here even if he wasn’t a catcher, but the fact that he has a chance to excel at the position obviously adds to the intrigue. I expect him to hit for average and power, and it won’t shock me a bit if he’s the best player in this class. – Chris Crawford
4) Jacob Lombard, SS, Miami Marlins
It wasn’t exactly flabbergasting to see Lombard still on the board in this exercise, especially with Lackey projecting as an impact contributor at a much thinner position. Still, it qualifies as a mild surprise considering Lombard is likely to be in the mix for the second-overall pick in most first-year player drafts this offseason. The 18-year-old prep shortstop pairs elite athleticism, explosive bat speed and tantalizing raw tools with an advanced offensive approach, giving him arguably the highest fantasy ceiling in this entire draft class. That may sound hyperbolic, but Lombard has a legitimate chance to develop into a five-category force with above-average power and speed at a premium defensive position. His blend of upside, polish and youth makes him a slam-dunk top-five selection in first-year player drafts. – George Bissell
5) Drew Burress, OF, Athletics
So yeah, my strategy backfired. I thought George might go with a college bat or Jackson Flora the pick before, and he was too smart for that, so he gets the guy (Lombard) that I should have taken at three – all due respect to Lackey. I’m happy to get Burress, however, as an outfielder with a chance for above-average tools across the board and a real chance to move quickly through the A’s system. – Chris Crawford
6) Jackson Flora, SP, San Francisco Giants
The board is ostensibly wide open after the consensus top four, making Flora an appealing option in this range given the gap between his realistic upside and the rest of this year’s pitching class. According to pre-draft scouting reports from Baseball America, he’s made significant strides with his secondary offerings, giving him a more complete arsenal to complement a mid-to-upper-90s fastball that already grades out as a plus pitch. He doesn’t project as a frontline starter, but he has the ingredients to develop into a bat-missing, mid-rotation arm capable of making a meaningful fantasy impact in the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park. There are never any guarantees with pitching prospects in dynasty formats, but this is the point in the draft where fantasy managers should feel comfortable rolling the dice on Flora. – George Bissell
7) Eric Booth Jr , OF, Baltimore Orioles
Booth is such a volatile prospect, but that volatility comes with a chance to be among the league leaders in steals, and even if the swing isn’t exactly what Tom Emansky would teach, he makes it work. If the Orioles can untap some power he has a chance to be a five-tool player. If not, he should get on enough to help me in a few others in this hypothetical league. – Chris Crawford
8) Justin Lebron, SS, Cincinnati Reds
Lebron is the type of tantalizing prospect I can’t help but gravitate toward, like a moth to a flame. The 21-year-old may be the most gifted athlete in this year’s class, but legitimate concerns about his hit tool leave him with one of the widest ranges of outcomes. If everything clicks, he possesses some of the loudest fantasy-relevant tools in the group, pairing above-average power with elite speed. There’s undeniable bust potential here, but once the consensus top tier is off the board, he’s exactly the type of high-upside gamble worth taking. If he comes anywhere close to reaching his immense ceiling, he’ll emerge as one of the most productive fantasy players in the class. – George Bissell
9) Trevor Condon, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Take everything I said about Booth and take away a little bit of power and add in a little bit of a higher floor because he’s a better defensive player. Again, if the Cards can unlock some power with Condon he’s got a chance to be as good as any prospect in this class, but it’s certainly possible he’s nothing more than organizational depth. Risk beats reward in this case. – Chris Crawford
10) Ryder Helfrick, C, Arizona Diamondbacks
The catcher position has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years thanks to an influx of exciting young talent, but impact power remains a scarce commodity. Helfrick has a chance to become a difference-making fantasy contributor despite legitimate concerns about his hit tool. He’s far from a sure thing, but he’s improved enough defensively to have a realistic chance of sticking behind the plate, and we’re extremely confident the power will translate at the highest level. At this stage, that’s a gamble worth taking. – George Bissell
11) Tyler Bell, SS, Colorado Rockies
Bell isn’t someone I anticipated drafting early, but I have to admit that the potential to hit in Coors Field did create a little added intrigue. He’s also some safety in a draft where I have attacked the high school side pretty darn hard. There’s no big plus tool here, but everything has a chance to be average or slightly better, and the fact he can play shortstop makes him as likely to be a regular as any of these selections. – Chris Crawford
12) Derek Curiel, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
This is ultimately a bet on an above-average hit tool and Pittsburgh’s recent track record of developing homegrown talent being able to maximize his offensive skillset. Curiel was a surprise choice at fifth overall, but recent history, most notably Tigers phenom Kevin McGonigle, suggests there’s plenty of value in betting on elite hit-over-power prospects. The 21-year-old doesn’t offer a stratospheric fantasy ceiling, but his advanced bat-to-ball skills provide an appealing floor. Simply put, I’m more confident Curiel’s hit tool will carry him to the majors than the louder, but riskier, alternatives available at this stage of the draft. – George Bissell
13) Jared Grindlinger, OF, Los Angeles Angels
Grindlinger is one of the more volatile prospects, and a little easier to stomach after taking someone with a little bit more floor like Belle. I actually like him better on the mound, but it sounds like the outfield is the plan, and it’s understandable with a smooth swing that could allow him to hit for average and power when he’s ready. Just be prepared to wait a while, considering he doesn’t turn 18 until next April. – Chris Crawford
14) Ace Reese, SS, Seattle Mariners
Sorry, Chris. I had to do it. Reese is essentially the inverse of Curiel. His standout tool is plus raw power, while the biggest questions surround the hit tool and whether his aggressive approach will translate against big-league pitching. The 21-year-old slugging infielder, who is likely headed for a new long-term defensive home, has enough pop to profile as a middle-of-the-order threat. The key will be improving his swing decisions and overall plate discipline to unlock that offensive upside. – George Bissell
15) Liam Peterson, RHP, Cleveland Guardians
After Flora went, I really wasn’t sure if I was going to take a pitcher, but, I kind of feel like it’s necessary for this exercise, plus George stole my pick again. I’m also intrigued by what Cleveland can do with someone with Peterson’s stuff, even if the command needs a lot of work. If it can be average, he can miss enough bats to be a relevant starter. – Chris Crawford
16) Zion Rose, OF, Kansas City Royals
This is the draft equivalent of trying to hit a single instead of swinging for the fences. Rose was one of the biggest surprises of the first round when Kansas City selected him sixth overall, but he’s the type of polished collegiate hitter whose well-rounded skill set lacks any glaring weaknesses. Unless the Royals overhaul his swing to add a few degrees of launch angle, his fantasy ceiling appears somewhat limited. Still, he’s one of the safest bets in this class to reach the majors and provide steady fantasy value, making him an ideal high-floor selection in a range of the draft where there are more questions than answers. – George Bissell
17) Bo Lowrance, 3B, Los Angeles Dodgers
Lowrance is one of the more volatile prospects in the draft, but that volatility certainly comes with a high ceiling as a 6-foot-5 left-handed hitter who has the frame to suggest plus power, but actually might be more advanced in the hit. The Dodgers will do everything they can to tap into the former, and they do a pretty darn good job of it. – Chris Crawford
18) Sawyer Strosnider, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Strosnider is an absolute toolshed, as the kids say. The 21-year-old possesses tremendous athleticism and elite bat speed, allowing him to generate plus raw power while remaining a stolen-base threat. Questions about his hit tool and offensive approach are the primary reasons he slipped to the end of the second round, but he couldn’t have landed in a much better organization. Milwaukee’s player development engine has earned a reputation for maximizing offensive talent, and if the Brewers can help Strosnider tighten his swing decisions, the physical tools are loud enough for him to develop into an impact fantasy contributor. He was my favorite fantasy prospect entering the draft, and it’s hard to imagine a better landing spot to unlock his immense upside. – George Bissell
19) Chris Hacopian, 2B, Washington Nationals
I considered a few more prep bats, but I’m going to choose to bet on the player Hacopian was in 2025 and suggest his slightly disappointing -- but still certainly respectable -- 2026 campaign was at least somewhat limited by his back injury. I don’t have any questions about the hit tool, and even if you move to left field, there’s offensive upside. – Chris Crawford
20) Brody Bumila, SP, Texas Rangers
Full disclosure, I was hoping Hacopian would be there after reaching for Strosnider. Well played, Crawford. I’ll go completely off the board here with perhaps the biggest question mark in the entire draft. Bumila slipped to the third round after an MRI revealed lingering elbow issues that will require Tommy John surgery. The injury concerns make the risk factor astronomical, especially from a long-term fantasy standpoint. However, the 6-foot-9 southpaw is just 18 years old and touches triple digits with his fastball. Assuming the stuff bounces back to pre-surgery levels, he has the raw talent necessary to pitch in the majors someday. – George Bissell
