1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., TOR – It’s hard to believe that Vlad Jr. won’t be turning 27 until mid-March. He might not have the gaudiest home run totals, or the highest RBI numbers but the overall package provides a safe solid floor in which to lead both the Jays and your Fantasy squad when chasing a title in 2026.
2. Nick Kurtz, ATH – His current NFBC ADP is 17.36 and he’s the first at first to go off the board, roughly two spots ahead of Vlad Jr. We saw the massive power on display in his ROY season and there is no doubt it is prestigious, but a little bit more on the resume will be needed before I’m prepared to name him the #1 First baseman in the game.
3. Pete Alonso, BAL – Put 35 home runs and 110 RBI in the bank. In the case of the homers, spread them evenly across the outfield bleachers at his new home, Camden Yard.
4. Matt Olson, ATL – Olson hasn’t found a way to duplicate that 54 home run total from 2023, but is still a consistent force as over the past two years has hit 29 homers each year and 98 and 95 RBI respectively. There is no reason to anticipate change.
5. Vinnie Pasquantino, KCR – With Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. batting ahead of “Vinnie P” in the Kansas City order, there will be no shortage of RBI opportunities. A string of 30-100 type seasons is about to commence.
6. Bryce Harper, PHI – It’s beginning to look like it’s time to down shift on Bryce Harper. Over the past three seasons Harper has slugged 30 or more homers, once. He has driven in 80 or more runs, once. 90 or more runs scored, not a once. He’s still a fine player but heading into his age-34 season, second round fine is questionable based on the level of production we’ve seen over the past three seasons.
7. Freddie Freeman, LAD – He’s no spring chicken and the days of him stealing double-digit bases is clearly in the rear view mirror but there’s something to be said for a boring 20 homer, 85 RBI season with 80+ runs scored and a high BA.
8. Rafael Devers, SFG – The walks and strikeouts both soared as he wound up with the fifth highest total strikeouts in the game. A 30% whiff rate across the board and closing in on 40% on the off-speed stuff Is concerning, no it’s flat out alarming. Yes, he hits the ball hard and is coming off a 35 homer 109 RBI season, but the warning signs are starting to appear. Don’t totally ignore them.
9. Ben Rice, NYY – Enjoy the power production at catcher as Rice will be primarily occupying first base in 2026. 600 at-bats are on the table and with a statcast page that is redder than the carpet at the Oscar’s, move early or watch from the sidelines. C-36
10. Michael Busch, CHC – The numbers are just fine and any semblance of a return to the .712 OPS against southpaws posted in 2024 would be a bonus. Pencil in 30+ homers and enjoy the ride.
11. Josh Naylor, SEA – Seattle liked Josh Naylor and with the off-season signing it is apparent that Josh Naylor feels the same way. Naylor bested his career high 10 stolen bases in 2024 by a whopping 20 thefts last year. Am I betting on a repeat of that 30 stolen base total? Not a chance.
12. Tyler Soderstrom, OAK – A sophomore slump wasn’t in the cards for Tyler Soderstrom as he boosted his home run total from 9-to-25 and his RBI totals from 26-to-93. Enjoy the first base/CI option as Nick Kurtz will be owning First Base for many years to come and 2026 is more than likely the last year of 1B eligibility for Soderstrom. OF-107
13. Salvador Perez, KCR – Is there another 30-100 season in the tank as Perez heads into his age-36 season? I wouldn’t bet against it occurring. C-92
14. Christian Walker, HOU – 25-to-30 home runs, 70-to-80 RBI, and a .230-to-.240 BA are very solid totals for a 13’th-to-15’th round pick.
15. Spencer Torkelson, DET – The Tigers should simply be content and learn to live with the 30 HR/90 RBI production and .230 BA. The 2025 results mirrored very closely the strong rookie campaign with more of the same in store for 2026.
16. Yandy Diaz, TBR – There’s so much to like when looking at the Yandy Diaz profile. The only serious concern that jumps out is the launch angle. How did he ever manage to slug 25 home runs with a five degree launch angle. Well, he did hit 18 of those homers at home, which last year was Steinbrenner Field. The Rays are preparing to return to Tropicana Field in 2026 and with it 15-to-20 homers for Diaz should prove to be a much safer bet.
17. Jonathan Aranda, TBR – If, and/or when Jonathan Aranda can find a way to boost those power numbers into the 20+ HR range, there is a Top 10 CI waiting to be rostered. Will 2026 be the year that comes to fruition?
18. Sal Stewart, CIN – Sal Stewart slugged five homers in his first 55 at-bats and no one seems to be talking up this youngster as a serious 2026 NL ROY candidate.
19. Kyle Manzardo, CLE – Hitting in the cleanup slot and one of if not the only true bopper in the Guardians lineup, enjoy the big-time power potential and live with the .230ish BA. If it’s not broken, don’t attempt to fix it.
20. Willson Contreras, STL – The universal consensus heading into 2025 was that Willson Contreras and the increased at-bats with the move to first base would prove to be an upside opportunity. A 20 homer 80 RBI season left most disappointed. It’s time to temper the expectations and be content with a solid floor.
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