Scott Pianowski’s Fantasy Baseball ‘My Guys’ for 2026 Draft Season

As the 2026 fantasy baseball draft season approaches its climax, the excitement is palpable. With approximately 80% of the drafting process complete, it’s the perfect moment to shine a light on the players that have consistently found their way onto my rosters. While it can be challenging to accumulate multiple shares of the same early-round players due to varying draft slots, I’ve identified a group of athletes I’m particularly enthusiastic about.

In the current landscape, Milwaukee has emerged as a model for lower-market teams, reminiscent of the Rays in their heyday. They excel at maximizing their resources, crafting a strong defense, and assembling a lineup of versatile players. One name that stands out is Brice Turang, whose second-half surge showcased his potential power and well-rounded skill set. Similarly, Andrew Vaughn has transformed into a classic post-hype sleeper, showing marked improvement after last season’s trade.

While some of my picks, like Jace Misiorowski and Colton Henderson, lean towards the speculative side—especially with Henderson currently nursing an injury—I’m eager to bolster my roster with promising talent. I also find myself wishing for more opportunities to draft rising stars like Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich.

Typically, I shy away from investing heavily in closers, but Emmanuel Clase stands out as a reasonable option, priced just slightly lower than other top-tier choices. His impressive strikeout and walk rates, combined with the Guardians’ ability to win tight games, make him a compelling selection.

Another player on my radar is Alec Burleson, who successfully navigated left-handed pitching in 2025 and has eliminated the threat of platooning. His exceptional contact skills suggest he could evolve into a 25-30 home run hitter—a valuable asset in any lineup.

Trevor Story, who finally enjoyed a healthy season after several injury-plagued years, delivered an impressive 25 home runs and 31 stolen bases last year. While there’s no guarantee he’ll replicate that performance over a full 157-game season, his average draft position of around 120 in Yahoo leagues presents a tempting opportunity to invest in a deep lineup.

When it comes to power hitters, Kyle Schwarber is a prime candidate for the second round. With the potential to hit a minimum of 40 home runs, he’s positioned to thrive in a strong batting order. His batting average risk has diminished, and while I won’t overpay for his stolen bases, he has shown the capability to swipe a few.

Manny Machado, often overlooked despite his Hall of Fame potential, is the ideal third-round pick. His contributions span all five major categories, and his durability is a significant asset, particularly in a year where third base is not particularly deep.

In terms of late-round value, Tommy Edman is a versatile player who can fill multiple positions, making him a valuable addition. Despite the Seattle park not providing a significant boost, the Mariners boast a stronger lineup than the Cardinals, and Edman could find himself batting leadoff, enhancing his run-scoring potential.

Brandon Nimmo’s versatility makes him a solid pick, while MacKenzie Gore is a player to watch as he transitions to a better team and pitching environment. Rhys Hoskins, though not a traditional power hitter, can deliver around 20 home runs and is likely to find himself in a strong Philadelphia lineup, which could mitigate the impact of his previous mediocre season.

Pitching-wise, both Logan Webb and George Kirby stand out as legitimate aces on winning teams, capable of handling heavy workloads. Their ability to perform consistently makes them worth the attention of fantasy managers.

While I have my reservations about Hunter Brown, his performance since 2024 has been nothing short of Cy Young-caliber. With a refined pitch mix, he’s a strong candidate to be your top arm in the fourth round.

Finally, my late-round picks include players like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Gleyber Torres, who provide solid averages and pop, while the likes of Josh Bell and Carlos Carrasco present intriguing options that could yield additional profit if they continue to perform well.

As the draft season progresses, I find myself regretting missed opportunities on players like Roman Anthony and Wyatt Langford, who could become valuable assets in the coming season. Keep an eye on these names as we head into the final rounds of drafting.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.