As we gear up for a new fantasy baseball season, it’s time to uncover which teams offer the best fantasy value and which ones pose the toughest challenges. Determining where the hidden gems lie is key for any serious fantasy player aiming to dominate their league.
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We’ll count down from the bottom at No. 30 all the way to the top, much like Casey Kasem’s classic approach. The excitement builds steadily until we reach the peak.
30. Chicago White Sox
The White Sox have lost 324 games over the past three seasons, and prospects for 2026 don’t show much improvement. While Colson Montgomery struck out a lot, he still managed 21 homers in 255 at-bats, which is impressive for a player valued around pick 160. Manager Will Venable keeps save opportunities spread out, with no reliever grabbing more than seven saves last year.
29. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are a difficult fantasy proposition because their pitching staff—except for the closer—is largely off-limits, and their offense has struggled recently. Their only top-200 prospects are catcher Hunter Goodman and outfielder Brenton Doyle. Rookie Willi Castro could see everyday time at third base, providing potential value.
28. Los Angeles Angels
Zach Neto emerges as the clear rising star in a lineup that otherwise feels uncertain. Jo Adell’s good performance last year offers hope, and the health of Mike Trout remains a big question mark. Logan O’Hoppe struggled with his swing mid-2025, and despite the Trout-Ohtani era, the Angels have never posted a winning record during their time together, with the current outlook looking even bleaker.
27. Miami Marlins
The Marlins aren’t as desolate as one might think, with seven players ranked in the top 200 by ADP. Otto Lopez stands out as a sleeper pick—his high-contact ability combined with power and speed makes him very intriguing.
26. Washington Nationals
James Wood shows star potential but needs to improve his contact rate. CJ Abrams looks poised for a rebound after an inconsistent 2025. Pitching ace Mackenzie Gore will head to Texas, where a crowded closer competition awaits.
25. St. Louis Cardinals
The lineup is likely top-heavy, so investing in the upper tier of players is advised. Brendan Donovan offers versatility across three positions and ranks near 196 in ADP. Riley O’Brien is favored over Jojo Romero for the closer role.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
Paul Skeens has achieved something extraordinary—beyond mere hype. Bubba Chandler is a promising backup runner, and Dennis Santana was an effective closer last season. However, the team’s prolonged offensive struggles continued, with Pittsburgh scoring a league-low 583 points last year.
23. Cleveland Guardians
Despite winning the AL Central, Cleveland ranked 28th in runs allowed, with solid pitching performances largely confined to a few pitchers like Gavin Williams. Jose Ramirez remains a top-round pick, and closer Cade Smith is a reasonable asset, but the rest of the roster offers mostly depth options.
22. Tampa Bay Rays
Junior Caminero became a star suddenly, but many other players are yet to reach their potential. The Rays traditionally rely on strategic roster building, efficiency, and affordable talent, evidenced by their 194 stolen bases last year. Unfortunately, this did not translate to winning, as the team ended below .500 for a second consecutive season.
21. Athletics
Known as baseball’s nomads, the A’s have a fun offense ranking 12th in scoring and play in a hitter-friendly ballpark. Four players are in the top 100 of ADP worldwide, with six more inside the top 170. However, there’s still no clear closer, and starting pitchers will largely begin the season available on waivers.
20. Minnesota Twins
Their starting rotation unexpectedly fell apart in 2025, posting an ERA of 4.51, 23rd in the league, while the offense was similarly ranked 23rd. After a 70-92 finish, all players carry some value, with pitching under close review. Byron Buxton has shown superstar-level play in the limited time he’s stayed healthy.
19. Detroit Tigers
Coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Tigers face uncertainty regarding free agent Tarik Skubal. Spencer Torkelson’s comeback season was entertaining, but his high strikeout rate and plate discipline remain concerns.
18. Kansas City Royals
Six Royals players are ranked within the top 100 in global ADP before the depth drops sharply. Bobby Witt Jr. still has significant room to improve, and Michael Garcia emerged as one of the National League’s most improved players last year.
17. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds’ playoff berth was a surprise, given only three hitters performed above league average. Elie Delacruz and Hunter Green are promising fantasy targets, and while Andrew Abbott isn’t highly valued, his flyball pitching profile could be underrated.
16. San Francisco Giants
Willie Adames has settled in well, but Rafael Devers’ power is dampened by the ballpark. Logan Webb’s ability to induce groundballs and maintain good control increases his workload, though he sometimes suffers from bad luck in batting average on balls in play. San Francisco’s parks are chilly for nighttime games, so fans should dress accordingly.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks
The offense looks promising early in the season, but their pitching staff largely consists of unproven options. Gerardo Perdomo stood out as the National League’s most improved player, earning seven wins in his breakout campaign.
14. Baltimore Orioles
Gunnar Henderson is a must-bind player, and Pete Alonso remains consistently productive. However, the underperformance of Baltimore’s young talent last year raises concerns, especially as Adley Rutschman’s career trajectory eerily mirrors Matt Wieters’.
13. Houston Astros
A healthy Yordan Alvarez could be baseball’s best hitter, though his knees show wear. Jeremy Pena was Houston’s most reliable position player, yet remains underappreciated. Hunter Brown’s emergence adds excitement to the pitching staff.
12. Toronto Blue Jays
Despite being a World Series contender, the Blue Jays don’t boast as many top fantasy picks as expected. Only three players rank in the global top 100, including the veteran George Springer. Their rotation offers several strong options, but the closer role remains shaky.
11. Texas Rangers
Last year’s rotation ERA was the best ever, largely thanks to Jacob deGrom’s 30 starts. While deGrom still captivates fans every five days, his ADP around pick 60 at age 38 is hard to justify. If the Rangers’ lineup remains healthy, a division title seems within reach.
10. Atlanta Braves
Once boasting a historic offense, recent injuries and declining production have created uncertainty. The team has about nine players in the top 100 ADP worldwide, but many come with clear weaknesses. Veterans Chris Sale and Raisel Iglesias showed resilience but aren’t safe draft bets due to their age.
9. San Diego Padres
Hall of Famer Manny Machado and potentially the same for Fernando Tatis Jr. lead the team. Impressively, the Padres won 90 games last season despite injuries to key players like Jackson Merrill and Michael King.
8. Milwaukee Brewers
Much like old Rays teams, the Brewers repeatedly make postseason runs with greater returns than many rivals. Their superb infield defense supports investing in their pitching rotation, with Framber Valdez shining. Bryce Turan’s breakout and balanced skill set make him another bargain pick, while Christian Yelich looks to continue his strong late-career phase.
7. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox had a rough year, with Aroldis Chapman struggling and inconsistency in the infield. Roman Anthony could break out, and the acquisition of Garrett Crochet was a savvy move. However, the team still grapples with Alex Bregman’s performance issues but has enough outfield depth to consider a major pre-season trade.
6. Philadelphia Phillies
Kyle Schwarber is a steal in the second round. His batting average worries seem overstated; combined with potential stolen bases and RBIs, he’s a fantasy dream. Catcher JT Realmuto’s production declined, signaling workload wear over time.
5. Chicago Cubs
Their offense ranked in the top five last season. If the team stays healthy, they could replicate or even improve this success. The lineup boasts a balanced mix of handedness, patience, power, and speed, and the rotation has more depth than standout stars. The Cubs appear well-positioned to win over 90 games again and thrive over a long season.
4. New York Mets
Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor are stellar picks, and acquiring Freddy Peralta made sense despite his recent struggles. The retooled offense includes Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco, and Marcus Semien, along with some speculative but promising players.
3. Seattle Mariners
Drafting as many pitchers as possible is wise here, thanks to a spacious ballpark. Offense is highlighted by Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh. Fans hope this is the year the Mariners finally break through to the World Series.
2. New York Yankees
With the highest slugging percentage and most walks last year, the Yankees outscored many teams. Cody Bellinger took time to find his stride but should be a solid pick around ADP 70. Right-handed fireballer Cam Schrittler impressed late in games and offers upside.
1. Los Angeles
The won’t push as hard to surpass 100 wins as they did earlier this decade, but their consistent high-floor makes them the top fantasy team. Age is a factor, with Freddie Freeman entering 36, Mookie Betts at 33, and Max Muncy at 35. Pitchers might experience load management given the team’s flexibility.
Fan Take: This ranking offers critical insights for fantasy baseball enthusiasts aiming to maximize their draft strategies by highlighting which teams bring the most value and which are riskier bets. For baseball fans, understanding these dynamics helps anticipate shifts in player development and team competitiveness, enriching the overall viewing and fantasy experience.
