10 Late-Round Picks Experts Love (2026 Fantasy Baseball) (2026)

Unleash Your Fantasy Baseball Potential: 10 Late-Round Picks Experts Love (2026)

Are you ready to take your fantasy baseball game to the next level? Prepare to dive into the world of late-round picks that could be the secret weapons in your 2026 fantasy baseball drafts. While the early rounds are crucial for locking down star power, the late rounds offer a treasure trove of hidden gems that can make or break your season. So, get ready to explore some of the most intriguing players who are flying under the radar but could be the key to your league title.

The Expert Consensus: Navigating the Draft

When it comes to fantasy baseball, the amount of information can be overwhelming. That's where expert consensus rankings come in handy. By comparing these rankings to the average draft position (ADP), you can identify players that experts are willing to reach for at ADP and others they are not drafting until much later than average. This strategy allows you to make informed decisions and potentially gain an edge over your league mates.

10 Late-Round Picks to Watch

Here are 10 late-round picks that experts love, along with their rankings, player names, teams, positions, and key statistics:

Andy Pages (LAD, OF26)
- Best: 106
- Worst: 193
- ECR: 128.1
- STD.DEV: 11.3
- VS. ADP: 16
Nathan Eovaldi (TEX, SP36)
- Best: 91
- Worst: 165
- ECR: 130.1
- STD.DEV: 20.6
- VS. ADP: 22
Sandy Alcantara (MIA, SP38)
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- Best: 88
- Worst: 285
- ECR: 135.5
- STD.DEV: 28.4
- VS. ADP: 27
Bubba Chandler (PIT, SP43)
- Best: 104
- Worst: 367
- ECR: 143.1
- STD.DEV: 10.8
- VS. ADP: 30
Ranger Suarez (BOS, SP48)
- Best: 116
- Worst: 189
- ECR: 154.2
- STD.DEV: 11.6
- VS. ADP: 22
Willson Contreras (BOS, 1B14)
- Best: 101
- Worst: 219
- ECR: 159.4
- STD.DEV: 30.7
- VS. ADP: 42
Xavier Edwards (MIA, SS17)
- Best: 126
- Worst: 231
- ECR: 161.2
- STD.DEV: 17.4
- VS. ADP: 24
Jonathan Aranda (TB, 1B15)
- Best: 121
- Worst: 213
- ECR: 165.1
- STD.DEV: 15.7
- VS. ADP: 37
Spencer Torkelson (DET, 1B16)
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- Best: 102
- Worst: 211
- ECR: 167.4
- STD.DEV: 15.4
- VS. ADP: 17
Edward Cabrera (CHC, SP54)
- Best: 138
- Worst: 249
- ECR: 175.6
- STD.DEV: 13.9
- VS. ADP: 29

Willson Contreras: A New Chapter in Boston

Willson Contreras' fantasy profile takes on a new meaning after his move to the Boston Red Sox. His first base eligibility removes the positional advantage that once made his bat stand out. While his 2025 production remains solid by raw numbers, the same power-and-average output now plays closer to replacement level at a deeper offensive position. The shift away from catcher should help with durability and volume, yet it also raises the bar for fantasy relevance compared to his peers.

In 2026 drafts, Contreras is better viewed as a corner infield depth option than a lineup anchor, with real-life value exceeding his fantasy impact. His new role as a first baseman in Boston could be a game-changer, offering a fresh perspective on his fantasy value.

Nathan Eovaldi: Dominance Redefined

Nathan Eovaldi delivered one of the most dominant seasons of his career in 2025, posting a microscopic 1.73 ERA with elite run suppression backed by a .194 opponent average and a career-best 26.0% strikeout rate. While the ERA was aided by luck (xERA 3.02, career-low BABIP of .243), the underlying skills support much of the breakout, as his walk rate dropped to 4.2% and his hard-hit rate fell below 40%.

Even though durability remains the primary concern entering his age-36 season, the 2026 projections still view him as a high-quality rotation anchor with strong ratios and solid strikeout volume when healthy. In fantasy formats, Eovaldi profiles as a calculated upside SP2 whose value hinges on workload but whose efficiency can meaningfully outperform his draft cost.

What is Fantasy Baseball?

Fantasy baseball is an online game where participants act as managers of virtual baseball teams based on real-life Major League Baseball (MLB) players. The performance of these players in actual games determines the results in the fantasy league. It’s a blend of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck, akin to the real-world decisions team managers must make.

Basic Strategy for Fantasy Baseball Success

Understand Your League’s Format and Scoring
- Before drafting your team, it’s essential to understand the scoring system and rules of your specific league, as this will influence your drafting and management strategy. Knowing whether you’re in a points-based, category-based, or head-to-head league will guide you in selecting players whose strengths align with the scoring system.
Drafting Your Team Wisely
- A solid draft is the foundation of a successful season. Here are a few tips for the drafting phase:
  - Balanced Team: Ensure you have a balanced team with a mix of power hitters, average hitters, speedsters, starting pitchers, and relievers.
  - Position Scarcity: Be aware of the depth of talent at each position. Some positions, like shortstop, may have fewer high-quality players, making it beneficial to draft a top player at that position early.
  - High-Floor Players: Early in the draft, focus on players with a proven track record of consistency.
  - Upside Picks: In the later rounds, look for “upside” players. These are athletes who have the potential to outperform their draft position.
In-Season Management
- Stay Active: Constantly look for ways to improve your team through waivers, trades, and free-agent pickups.
- Mind the Matchups: Pay attention to player matchups, platoon splits, and ballparks. Starting a pitcher in a hitter-friendly park, for example, can be risky.
- Injury Management: Stay on top of player injuries and have backups ready for your key players.

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