Bold Predictions for Sleepers and Undervalued Players in 2026 Fantasy Baseball

Story by

Josh Wallen

Sat, Feb 28, 2026 ·

5 min read

Hello soon-to-be drafters! With spring training getting underway, we will begin to have some super bold predictions for many popular sleepers and under-the-radar players. As these may seem like absolute best outcomes, they are in the range of possibilities for each player.

Some of these overlooked names have the potential to win you your league. After all, it is typically the later rounds and waiver wire that determine your season’s outcome.

Bold Predictions for Hitters

Colson Montgomery’s power growth creates a real path to 30 home runs and 90 RBI.

These undervalued bats have potential to deliver big in 2026.

Jackson Merrill (SDP)

Bold Prediction:Merrill will produce first-round value

Merrill had an awesome rookie year, posting 24 HR to go along with 16 SB and a .292 batting average. A freak athlete who can play anywhere on the field, he has major bounce-back potential after an injury-ridden 2025. Now fully healthy, we should see numbers closer to 2024 and increased production across all five categories.

Colson Montgomery (CHW)

Bold Prediction:Logs a 30-HR, 90-RBI season with a .250+ batting average

With shortstop being a thin position due to injuries to studs such as Francisco Lindor , sleepers like Montgomery can really help deliver in the power department. Colson has shown that the power is there, hitting 21 home runs in only 71 rookie-year games. His average was low, but this will likely improve as he sees more big-league pitching. Montgomery has the ability to finish as a top 10 shortstop in only his second year in the MLB .

Brandon Lowe (PIT)

Brandon Lowe’s post-hype discount hides 25-30 home run middle-infield upside.© Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images&NewLine;&NewLine;
(© Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images&NewLine;&NewLine;)

Bold Prediction:Hits 30+ home runs in his first season as a Pirate

Similarly to Montgomery, Lowe has the ability to provide a ton of power at a position that typically does not give you many home runs. He has had big seasons in the past but should still come cheap on draft day due to his extensive injury history. The Pirates are also shockingly improving by adding decent free agents like Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O’Hearn, so this will provide Lowe with more RBI opportunities than he saw at the Trop.

Bold Predictions for Pitchers

Cade Smith has the skill profile and opportunity to reach 50 saves.© Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

These overlooked arms may reward drafters with high-upside seasons.

Cade Smith (CLE)

Bold Prediction:Leads the MLB with 50+ saves in his first full season as a closer

After taking over the closer role in 2025 due to the gamblin’ man’s scandal, Smith greatly impressed, posting a sub-3 ERA to go along with a 1.00 WHIP and lots of strikeouts. Smith’s 2025 xERA was much lower, at 2.51, so expect to see more of the same in 2026. A top 5 closer by ADP, he has a high chance of finishing as the No. 1 when 2026 is all said and done due to his ability and his age.

Emmet Sheehan (LAD)

Bold Prediction:Has the most productive 2026 of all Dodgers starters not named Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Sheehan should be one of the biggest sleeper targets in your 2026 drafts after posting a 2.82 ERA through 73 innings in 2025 on the best team in baseball. A younger guy with something to prove, he does not carry the same concerns (injury, inning limits) as the other starters on LA - Glasnow, Snell, Ohtani. The expected numbers back it up as well - Sheehan finished with a 3.00 xERA and 2.93 FIP. Draft solidly in the middle rounds and enjoy those wins and ratios, and maybe even strikeout upside.

Carlos Rodón (NYY)

Carlos Rodón’s workload stability and strikeouts create top-15 starter value potential.© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images&NewLine;&NewLine;
(© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images&NewLine;&NewLine;)

Bold Prediction:Rodón destroys his ADP and finishes as a top-15 starter

Carlos Rodón has had quite an interesting career. After spending his first few years battling injuries, he finally broke out in 2021 with the White Sox. Majorly inconsistent since then, he has managed to string together a bit of success with the Yankees in 2024/2025 posting 3.96 and 3.09 ERAs respectively while tossing 175+ innings each year. FantasyPros has him ranked as the No. 55 starter, which is outrageous considering he has proved that he is an innings-eater with K upside and tons of win potential with a solid Yankees offense. Draft him as your third/fourth starter, but reap the benefits of an ace or No. 2.

Conclusion

These predictions may seem bold but actually have a strong chance of delivering. Pay attention to these guys’ health and spring training reports to determine where in your draft you should target them.

Good luck! Many leagues are won with sleepers and breakouts, not the expected.

People Want to Know About Undervalued Players for 2026 Fantasy Baseball

What are bold predictions for sleepers in 2026 fantasy baseball ?Jackson Merrill produces first-round value, Cade Smith leads with 50 saves, and Colson Montgomery logs a 30-90 season.

Which undervalued players to watch in 2026 fantasy baseball?Brandon Lowe, Kevin McGonigle, and Thomas White top the list for breakout potential.

Should I draft Cade Smith in 2026 fantasy baseball?Yes, target him late for high-save upside if he secures the closer role.

How do spring training stats predict sleeper success?Strong performance against big-league pitching can signal sustainable fantasy value.

What is the fantasy upside for Jackson Merrill in 2026?A 30-home run, 20-steal season that returns first-round production.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.