{"id":1164250,"date":"2026-02-23T15:42:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/?p=1164250"},"modified":"2026-02-23T15:42:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T20:42:20","slug":"2026-fantasy-baseball-dynasty-mock-draft-roman-anthony-nick-kurtz-konnor-griffin-on-the-rise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/sports\/2026-fantasy-baseball-dynasty-mock-draft-roman-anthony-nick-kurtz-konnor-griffin-on-the-rise\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Mock Draft: Roman Anthony, Nick Kurtz, Konnor Griffin on the rise"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With the Super Bowl slipping into the rearview, fantasy managers trade the confetti and finality for backfields, bullpen sessions, and small sample Statcast extrapolations. Spring training arrives with its annual deluge of information: injuries, velocity bumps, new swings, position changes, vague quotes about adding muscle or shedding weight. It\u2019s chaotic, intoxicating, and just convincing enough to make you rethink everything you believed in the offseason.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, we gathered some of the sharpest minds in the dynasty space to join Rotoworld\u2019s staff for a startup mock draft \u2014 a room full of heavy-hitters who understand that roster construction in February is less about certainty and more about conviction.<\/p>\n

The goal wasn\u2019t consensus; it was pressure-testing assumptions. How early is too early for youth? When does stability outweigh ceiling? And at what point does upside stop being theoretical and start becoming actionable? What followed was equal parts philosophy, projection, and quiet overreaction \u2014 which is exactly what makes dynasty season feel alive.<\/p>\n

\u26be\ufe0f\u00a0Coming soon:\u00a0MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026<\/a><\/span>! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, \u201cOpening Day\u201d and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.<\/p>\n

The Basics: 12 teams. 22 rounds. Standard 5×5 roto categories. Rosters: C (1), 1B (1), 2B (1), 3B (1), SS (1), CI (1), MI (1), OF (5), UT (1), P (9).<\/p>\n

Draft Order<\/h3>\n

1. Matt Heckman \u2014 PitcherList
\n 2. Darren Eisenhauer \u2014 Prospects Live
\n 3. James Anderson \u2014 Rotowire
\n 4. Nick Shlain \u2014 Rotoworld
\n 5. George Bissell \u2014 Rotoworld
\n 6. Greg Hoogkamp \u2014 Prospects Live
\n 7. Eric Samulski \u2014 Rotoworld
\n 8. Dave Shovein \u2014 Rotoworld
\n 9. Tim Kanak \u2014 Fantasy Pros
\n 10. Martin Sekulski \u2014 PitcherList
\n 11. D.J. Short \u2014 Rotoworld
\n 12. Matthew Pouliot \u2014 Rotoworld<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/div>\n
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2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep: Rankings, strategy, sleepers, mock draft results<\/a><\/div>\n
Everything you need for 2026 fantasy baseball draft season.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Rotoworld Staff<\/a>,<\/span><\/div>\n
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Round 1: Setting The Table<\/h3>\n

Having a newborn means spending a surprising amount of time half-awake, watching whatever happens to be on TV at 2:17 AM, which in my case has been a steady rotation of Maine Cabin Masters. The show is basically a weekly reminder that nothing flashy matters if the foundation is shaky \u2014 you can add beams, lofts, and character later, but if the base is wrong, everything else eventually tilts. Dynasty roster construction works the same way. The first round isn\u2019t about creativity or cleverness; it\u2019s about setting something stable enough to build on for years. Get that pick right and the rest of the roster starts to make sense almost automatically. Miss it, and you spend the next dozen rounds compensating, reinforcing, and hoping the structure holds.<\/p>\n

1.1 Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals (Heckman)
\n 1.2 Shohei Ohtani, UT\/P, Dodgers (Eisenhauer)
\n 1.3 Juan Soto, OF, Mets (Anderson)
\n 1.4 Corbin Carroll, OF, Diamondbacks (Shlain)
\n 1.5 Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds (Bissell)
\n 1.6 Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees (Hoogkamp)
\n 1.7 Julio Rodr\u00edguez, OF, Mariners (Samulski)
\n 1.8 Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez, 3B, Guardians (Shovein)
\n 1.9 Paul Skenes, SP, Pirates (Kanak)
\n 1.10 Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox (Sekulski)
\n 1.11 Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr., OF, Braves (Short)
\n 1.12 Gunnar Henderson, SS, Orioles (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 6 OF, 3 SS, 1 3B, 1 SP, 1 UT<\/p>\n

It qualifies as a mild surprise that Ohtani wasn\u2019t the first overall selection. He overtook Witt for the top spot in Rotoworld\u2019s dynasty rankings early last season and hasn\u2019t budged from that lofty perch. The substantial age gap makes Witt a worthy top-overall pick and that\u2019s the internal debate fantasy managers in start-up dynasty formats will wrestle with for the next few years. As expected, Skenes was the lone pitcher taken in the opening round with perennial first-round stalwarts Judge and Ram\u00edrez representing the only non-Ohtani players over the age of 30 to come off the board.<\/p>\n

The Long View: Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox<\/p>\n

This pick is less about what Anthony is now and more about what we believe he\u2019s about to become \u2014 the projection of a future that feels inevitable. He\u2019s the ultra-rare top prospect who\u2019s lived up to the astronomical hype, displaying virtually zero weaknesses in his offensive profile despite being just 21 entering next season. He wasted little time establishing himself as Boston\u2019s franchise cornerstone once he arrived in the majors and likely would\u2019ve posted even gaudier numbers had he not spent nearly three months languishing at Triple-A Worcester. His blend of moxie, elite talent and opportunity to anchor an emerging Red Sox lineup in the AL East\u2019s hitter-friendly parks make him an easy first or second-round pick in all dynasty drafts.<\/p>\n

Round 2: Start Your Engines<\/h3>\n

Dynasty roster construction in the opening rounds of a startup draft feels a lot like dropping into the Yoshi Valley track in Mario Kart for Nintendo 64: the map is wide open, the routes are unclear, and everyone is convinced their path is the fastest even though no one can quite prove it yet. You can go aggressive, conservative, future-facing, win-now, or some strange hybrid that only makes sense if everything breaks right. Early on, the freedom is intoxicating. However, he second round is where the fog starts to lift. Choices begin to narrow, timelines quietly reveal themselves, and the roster stops being a collection of ideas and starts becoming a direction. From there, you\u2019re no longer just driving \u2014 you\u2019re committing to a lane, even if the finish line is still somewhere off the screen.<\/p>\n

2.13 Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers (Pouliot)
\n 2.14 Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics (Short)
\n 2.15 Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers (Sekulski)
\n 2.16 Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates (Kanak)
\n 2.17 Garrett Crochet, SP, Red Sox (Shovein)
\n 2.18 Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays (Samulski)
\n 2.19 Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays (Hoogkamp)
\n 2.20 Fernado Tatis Jr., OF, Padres (Bissell)
\n 2.21 Zach Neto, SS, Angels (Shlain)
\n 2.22 James Wood, OF, Nationals (Anderson)
\n 2.23 Kyle Tucker, OF, Dodgers (Eisenhauer)
\n 2.24 Wyatt Langford, OF, Rangers (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 5 OF, 2 1B, 2 SS, 2 SP, 1 3B<\/p>\n

Statement Pick: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics<\/p>\n

Kurtz surpassing Guerrero Jr. in dynasty conversations feels like the kind of move that usually gets filed under recency bias \u2013 the new thing glowing brighter simply because it\u2019s new. Prospect helium has a way of distorting perspective, especially when the tools are loud and the timeline feels infinite. But sometimes recency bias isn\u2019t bias at all; it\u2019s just the market adjusting in real time. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is established, known, and comfortably slotted into our expectations. Kurtz, on the other hand, represents possibility \u2014 and in dynasty formats, possibility often carries more weight than precedent. The question isn\u2019t whether the shift feels premature. It\u2019s whether the ceiling calculus quietly justifies it.<\/p>\n

The Long View: Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a legitimate case to be made for taking Griffin in the first round of dynasty drafts, even if it feels early in the way all future-facing bets tend to feel early. The soon-to-be 20-year-old is one of the most tantalizing power-speed prospects to enter the fantasy conversation since Mike Trout announced himself with a 30-homer, 49-steal rookie season in 2012. A dominant showing in Grapefruit League play could fast-track him onto Pittsburgh\u2019s Opening Day roster, but even without that immediate payoff, it increasingly feels like a question of when, not if, Griffin arrives as the organization\u2019s next franchise cornerstone \u2014 and a first-round-caliber fantasy asset once the timeline catches up to the precocious talent.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Round 3: Uncharted Territory<\/h3>\n

This is where things get interesting with a pair of the top prospects in the fantasy landscape \u2014 Kevin McGonigle and JJ Wetherholt \u2014 coming off the board. Meanwhile, Cal Raleigh settles in as a mid-third round selection after delivering a historic 60-homer campaign that shattered just about every offensive record for a full-time catcher. There\u2019s some undeniable regression looming, but he projects as an elite fantasy backstop for at least a couple additional seasons. A trio of upper-echelon starting pitchers \u2014 Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Logan Gilbert and Hunter Brown \u2014 came off the board while power\/speed combo threats Trea Turner, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Francisco Lindor were all top 30 picks.<\/p>\n

3.25 Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, Dodgers (Heckman)
\n 3.26 Trea Turner, SS, Phillies (Eisenhauer)
\n 3.27 Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B\/3B, Yankees (Anderson)
\n 3.28 Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers (Shlain)
\n 3.29 Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners (Bissell)
\n 3.30 Francisco Lindor, SS, Mets (Hoogkamp)
\n 3.31 Jackson Merrill, OF, Padres (Samulski)
\n 3.32 Logan Gilbert, SP, Mariners (Shovein)
\n 3.33 JJ Wetherholt, 2B\/SS, Cardinals (Kanak)
\n 3.34 Pete Alonso, 1B, Orioles (Sekulski)
\n 3.35 Hunter Brown, SP, Astros (Short)
\n 3.36 Yordan Alvarez, UT, Astros (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 4 SS, 3 SP, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 C, 1 OF, 1 UT<\/p>\n

Statement Pick: JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve collectively endorsed the \u201caggressively pursue your top targets while still trying to extract as much value as possible\u201d as a general strategic approach in dynasty formats at Rotoworld, which is why we\u2019re giving the Wetherholt pick a standing ovation. There are some immediate risks as he acclimates to life in the majors, but the 23-year-old top prospect possesses the advanced hit tool and emerging power skillset to be a colossal difference-maker at second base.<\/p>\n

The Long View: Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers<\/p>\n

McGonigle\u2019s ability to generate consistent hard contact at such a young age makes it strangely difficult to imagine a future where he isn\u2019t an impactful fantasy contributor. The hit tool is so steady, so structurally sound, that betting against it feels almost contrarian for the sake of being contrarian. It\u2019s a bit like the enduring weirdness of no Canadian NHL team winning a Stanley Cup since 1993 \u2014 the longer it goes on, the more it feels like a statistical glitch in the matrix. Eventually, you assume gravity must reassert itself. With McGonigle, the underlying skills suggest gravity is already on his side. At some point, consistency that loud tends to convert into production that\u2019s unavoidable.<\/p>\n

Round 4: Do It Again<\/h3>\n

Were last year\u2019s leaps repeatable or extreme outliers? Pete Crow-Armstrong went full supernova in his age-23 campaign with a 31-homer, 35-steal breakthrough. Riley Greene made a jump in the power department with a career-high 36 round-trippers. Hunter Greene was limited to just 19 starts but showed flashes of elite fantasy potential with a 2.76 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 107 2\/3 innings. This round also featured an assortment of proven fantasy stalwarts like Ketel Marte, Rafael Devers, Kyle Schwarber and Matt Olson in addition to dynamic top shortstop prospects Jes\u00fas Made and Leodalis De Vries.<\/p>\n

4.37 Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs (Pouliot)
\n 4.38 Ketel Marte, 2B, Diamondbacks (Short)
\n 4.39 Rafael Devers, 1B, Giants (Sekulski)
\n 4.40 Riley Greene, OF, Tigers (Kanak)
\n 4.41 CJ Abrams, SS, Nationals (Shovein)
\n 4.42 Jes\u00fas Made, SS, Brewers (Samulski)
\n 4.43 Hunter Greene, SP, Reds (Hoogkamp)
\n 4.44 Kyle Schwarber, UT, Phillies (Bissell)
\n 4.45 Leodalis De Vries, SS, Padres (Shlain)
\n 4.46 Cristopher S\u00e1nchez, SP, Phillies (Anderson)
\n 4.47 Matt Olson, 1B, Braves (Eisenhauer)
\n 4.48 Eury P\u00e9rez, SP, Marlins (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 3 SS, 3 SP, 2 OF, 2 UT, 1 1B, 1 2B<\/p>\n

The Long View: Jes\u00fas Made, SS, Brewers<\/p>\n

Made\u2019s stateside debut had the feel of the X-Files pilot \u2014 the mythology wasn\u2019t fully formed, the long-term arc still fuzzy, but the chemistry was unmistakable. You could see the components aligning in real time, the kind of underlying structure that hints at something bigger than the immediate box score. The fantasy starter kit was already on display: bat speed that feels intentional, athleticism that translates, tools that don\u2019t need embellishment. The full narrative might take time to reveal itself, but the signal was strong enough to believe this is the beginning of something that escalates quickly. In dynasty terms, that\u2019s usually how a meteoric rise starts \u2014 subtle at first, then impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n

Round 5: The Opposite<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a famous Seinfeld episode where George Costanza decides his entire life has been a mistake and resolves to do the exact opposite of every instinct he\u2019s ever had. The logic is absurd, which is precisely why it works. After years of preaching patience and future-focused roster construction in startup dynasty drafts, I found myself leaning the other way in this one. Bryce Harper became my version of ordering chicken salad on untoasted rye instead of tuna on toast \u2014 not revolutionary, just deliberately contrary to my own established pattern. Dynasty drafts have a way of forcing that kind of improvisation. You enter with a blueprint, but somewhere around the fourth or fifth round you\u2019re making decisions in real time: take the proven veteran who\u2019s sliding because he\u2019s approaching his mid-30\u2019s or reach for the infinite possibility of someone like electrifying top pitching prospect Chase Burns. It\u2019s less about philosophy at that point and more about timing \u2013 deciding on the fly whether stability and proven track records are undervalued or upside is irresistible.<\/p>\n

5.49 Ben Rice, C\/1B, Yankees (Heckman)
\n 5.50 Maikel Garcia, 3B, Royals (Eisenhauer)
\n 5.51 Sebastian Walcott, SS, Rangers (Anderson)
\n 5.52 Manny Machado, 3B, Padres (Shlain)
\n 5.53 Bryce Harper, 1B, Phillies (Bissell)
\n 5.54 Jackson Holliday, 3B, Orioles (Hoogkamp)
\n 5.55 Bryan Woo, SP, Mariners (Samulski)
\n 5.56 Brice Turang, 2B, Brewers (Shovein)
\n 5.57 Tyler Soderstrom, 1B\/OF, Athletics (Kanak)
\n 5.58 Chase Burns, SP, Reds (Sekulski)
\n 5.59 Luke Keaschall, 2B, Twins (Short)
\n 5.60 Sal Stewart, 1B, Reds (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 3 1B, 3 2B, 2 3B, 2 SP, 1 OF, 1 SS<\/p>\n

Statement Pick: Ben Rice, C\/1B, Yankees<\/p>\n

The central questions for dynasty managers surrounding Rice is whether he builds on last year\u2019s 26-homer breakout and how long he\u2019ll retain catcher eligibility. There\u2019s a plausible path where he logs enough starts behind the plate over the next couple of seasons to preserve that highly valuable designation. However, if he truly evolves into a middle-of-the-order fixture, it would be difficult to justify exposing him to the inherent injury risk that comes with donning the tools of ignorance.<\/p>\n

The Long View: Sebastian Walcott, SS, Rangers<\/p>\n

We held this draft before the revelation that the Rangers top prospect was scheduled to undergo elbow surgery, which will cause him to miss a significant portion of the upcoming minor league season. The soon-to-be 20-year-old prodigy was unlikely to ascend to the big leagues this year, but the lost development time pushes back his arrival even further. His impressive plate skills and elite raw power upside keep him in the mix as one of the top handful of prospects in the fantasy landscape until further notice.<\/p>\n

Round 6: Miller Time<\/h3>\n

Padres strikeout artist Mason Miller became the first closer off the board while Orioles mashing backstop Samuel Basallo was the lone prospect in this range. It\u2019s worth noting that Austin Riley likely would\u2019ve gone a couple rounds earlier at this time last year, which makes him a strong value in this range if he bounces back from an injury-plagued age-28 season. We held this draft prior to the Spencer Schwellenbach injury development, which further highlights the volatility associated with selecting any pitcher at this early stage of a dynasty format.<\/p>\n

6.61 George Kirby, SP, Mariners (Pouliot)
\n 6.62 Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles (Short)
\n 6.63 Austin Riley, 3B, Braves (Sekulski)
\n 6.64 Bo Bichette, SS, Mets (Kanak)
\n 6.65 Mason Miller, RP, Padres (Shovein)
\n 6.66 Cole Ragans, SP, Royals (Samulski)
\n 6.67 Freddy Peralta, SP, Mets (Hoogkamp)
\n 6.68 Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers (Bissell)
\n 6.69 Joe Ryan, SP, Twins (Shlain)
\n 6.70 Brent Rooker, OF, Athletics (Anderson)
\n 6.71 Nico Hoerner, 2B, Cubs (Eisenhauer)
\n 6.72 Spencer Schwellenbach, SP, Braves (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 5 SP, 1 RP, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 C, 1 SS, 1 UT<\/p>\n

Statement Pick: Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers<\/p>\n

Freeman feels like a dinosaur in the modern dynasty ecosystem \u2014 not because he\u2019s obsolete, but because he\u2019s so firmly rooted in a different era of roster logic. He\u2019s reliable, boring in the way only excellence can be boring, and therefore easy to overlook when the room is chasing upside and theoretical timelines. But this is usually where dynasty markets get sloppy. Aging veterans like Freeman tend to be discounted as if decline is a certainty rather than a possibility, even though their skills erode slowly and predictably. And in the worst-case scenario \u2014 if the roster fractures or the window closes faster than expected \u2014 players like Freeman don\u2019t vanish. They become currency. Proven production always has a home, and contenders will always trade for a dinosaur that hasn\u2019t fossilized yet.<\/p>\n

The Long View: Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a strange psychological shelf life for elite prospects, and Basallo may be brushing up against it. When a player doesn\u2019t immediately validate the hype with fireworks, the conversation subtly shifts from anticipation to impatience. Nothing catastrophic happened \u2014 the skills are still there, the power still real \u2014 but the absence of instant dominance creates a kind of narrative drift. In dynasty leagues, silence can feel louder than production. And sometimes prospect fatigue isn\u2019t about performance at all; it\u2019s about the market getting bored before the talent gets comfortable.<\/p>\n

Round 7: Elder Statesmen<\/h3>\n

With most of the consensus elite prospects already spoken for, the draft room subtly recalibrated in this round, with Tigers speedster Max Clark being the lone non-debuted talent coming off the board. The conversation shifted from projection to production, from theoretical ceilings to track records that require less imagination. It wasn\u2019t about abandoning upside, but about recognizing that stability has value too \u2014 especially once the obvious future stars are no longer available. It\u2019s worth noting that Mookie Betts and Michael Harris II were top 50 picks at this time last year, which shows how their long-term value hasn\u2019t slipped a ton despite last season\u2019s underwhelming results. Geraldo Perdomo might be the most challenging hitter to forecast long-term since his breakthrough was so convincing and unexpected at the same time.<\/p>\n

7.73 Max Clark, OF, Tigers (Heckman)
\n 7.74 Jarren Duran, OF, Red Sox (Eisenhauer)
\n 7.75 Kyle Bradish, SP, Orioles (Anderson)
\n 7.76 Andy Pages, OF, Dodgers (Shlain)
\n 7.77 Jeremy Pe\u00f1a, SS, Astros (Bissell)
\n 7.78 William Contreras, C, Brewers (Hoogkamp)
\n 7.79 Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers (Samulski)
\n 7.80 Josh Naylor, 1B, Mariners (Shovein)
\n 7.81 Emmet Sheehan, SP, Dodgers (Kanak)
\n 7.82 Cody Bellinger, OF, Yankees (Sekulski)
\n 7.83 Geraldo Perdomo, SS, Diamondbacks (Short)
\n 7.84 Michael Harris II, OF, Braves (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 5 OF, 3 SS, 2 SP, 1 1B, 1 C<\/p>\n

Statement Pick: Josh Naylor, 1B, Mariners<\/p>\n

Naylor is one of the more complicated players to project in dynasty formats, mostly because last season didn\u2019t follow the script. Thirty steals isn\u2019t something you casually add to a resume at this advanced stage of a career \u2014 it\u2019s the kind of number that forces everyone to reconsider what they thought they knew. The question isn\u2019t whether the power plays; it\u2019s whether the speed spike was evolution or anomaly. Dynasty managers are left deciding if they just witnessed a new version of Naylor, or a statistical outlier that arrived without warning.<\/p>\n

Round 8: Volatility For Days<\/h3>\n

Selections like Nolan McLean, Aidan Miller, and Jacob deGrom embody three very different kinds of volatility \u2014 projection risk, developmental uncertainty, and physical fragility. McLean and Miller represent the allure of sky-high potential, while deGrom offers elite production wrapped in durability questions that never fully disappear. The upside is obvious in all three cases, but so is the variance. In dynasty formats, that\u2019s the trade-off: chasing impact while quietly accepting that the range of outcomes is wider than anyone wants to admit.<\/p>\n

8.85 Max Fried, SP, Yankees (Pouliot)
\n 8.86 Nolan McLean, SP, Mets (Short)
\n 8.87 Alex Bregman, 3B, Cubs (Sekulski)
\n 8.88 Aidan Miller, SS, Phillies (Kanak)
\n 8.89 Logan Webb, SP, Giants (Shovein)
\n 8.90 Andr\u00e9s Mu\u00f1oz, RP, Mariners (Samulski)
\n 8.91 Randy Arozarena, OF, Mariners (Hoogkamp)
\n 8.92 Jacob deGrom, SP, Rangers (Bissell)
\n 8.93 Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, Royals (Shlain)
\n 8.94 Shea Langeliers, C, Athletics (Anderson)
\n 8.95 Agust\u00edn Ram\u00edrez, C, Marins (Eisenhauer)
\n 8.96 Michael Busch, 1B, Cubs (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 4 SP, 2 1B, 2 C, 1 3B, 1 OF, 1 SS, 1 RP<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Round 9: Prove-It Territory<\/h3>\n

Jo Adell, Kyle Stowers, Ceddanne Rafaela and Noelvi Marte are coming off breakout campaigns. Will they build on it? Byron Buxton played more than 125 games last year for the first time since 2017. Drake Baldwin emerged as an upper-echelon fantasy backstop while Jac Caglianone flopped in his first shot at the highest level. Dylan Beavers is on the precipice of breaking into the big leagues as an intriguing all-around talent. There are more unknowns with this group of players than an obscure Jeopardy category.<\/p>\n

9.97 Jo Adell, OF, Angels (Heckman)
\n 9.98 Kyle Stowers, OF, Marlins (Eisenhauer)
\n 9.99 Ceddanne Rafaela, 2B\/OF, Red Sox (Anderson)
\n 9.100 Jhoan Duran, RP, Phillies (Shlain)
\n 9.101 Byron Buxton, OF, Twins (Bissell)
\n 9.102 Jordan Westburg, 3B, Orioles (Hoogkamp)
\n 9.103 Drake Baldwin, C, Braves (Samulski)
\n 9.104 Jac Caglianone, OF, Royals (Shovein)
\n 9.105 Dylan Beavers, OF, Orioles (Kanak)
\n 9.106 Dylan Cease, SP, Blue Jays (Sekulski)
\n 9.107 Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners (Short)
\n 9.108 Noelvi Marte, 3B\/OF, Reds (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 7 OF, 1 SP, 1 RP 1 3B, 1 C, 1 SS<\/p>\n

Statement Pick: Jordan Westburg, 3B, Orioles<\/p>\n

This draft took place before the news broke that Westburg has been diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his elbow and is facing an extended absence. The 27-year-old struggled to stay healthy last year, but he felt like a strong value in this spot at the time the pick was made. The big question is how his elbow will respond to the rest-and-rehabilitation route since Tommy John surgery would necessitate a longer absence.<\/p>\n

The Long View: Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners<\/p>\n

Emerson is the kind of prospect who doesn\u2019t necessarily overwhelm you at first glance \u2014 there\u2019s no single tool screaming for attention \u2014 but the longer you watch, the more everything starts to make sense. The consistent bat-to-ball skills and developing over-the-fence pop are the biggest reasons to believe in his future. Sometimes the most convincing prospects aren\u2019t the loudest; they\u2019re the ones who quietly remove reasons to doubt them.<\/p>\n

Round 10: Are You Feeling Lucky?<\/h3>\n

There’s no shortage of intrigue in this range of a dynasty draft with fascinating pitching prospects like Bubba Chandler and Trey Yesavage coming off the board in addition to rising slugger Bryce Eldridge. Perhaps the biggest surprise is how far Corey Seager tumbled after last year\u2019s disappointing, injury-marred season.<\/p>\n

10.109 Oneil Cruz, OF, Pirates (Pouliot)
\n 10.110 Chris Sale, SP, Braves (Short)
\n 10.111 Bubba Chandler, SP, Pirates (Sekulski)
\n 10.112 Carter Jensen, C, Royals (Kanak)
\n 10.113 Luis Robert Jr., OF, Mets (Shovein)
\n 10.114 Seiya Suzuki, OF, Cubs (Samulski)
\n 10.115 Corey Seager, SS, Rangers (Hoogkamp)
\n 10.116 Trey Yesavage, SP, Blue Jays (Bissell)
\n 10.117 Cade Smith, RP, Guardians (Shlain)
\n 10.118 Edwin D\u00edaz, RP, Dodgers (Anderson)
\n 10.119 Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants (Eisenhauer)
\n 10.120 Josh Hader, RP, Astros (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 3 SP, 3 RP, 2 OF, 2 UT, 1 C, 1 SS<\/p>\n

Round 11: Halfway There<\/h3>\n

(Editor’s Note: This draft took place before news of Pablo L\u00f3pez’s Tommy John surgery)<\/p>\n

11.121 Lawrence Butler, OF, Athletics (Heckman)
\n 11.122 Cam Schlittler, SP, Yankees (Eisenhauer)
\n 11.123 Jes\u00fas Luzardo, SP, Phillies (Anderson)
\n 11.124 Addison Barger, 3B\/OF, Blue Jays (Shlain)
\n 11.125 Edward Florentino, OF, Pirates (Bissell)
\n 11.126 Blake Snell, SP, Dodgers (Hoogkamp)
\n 11.127 Ryan Pepiot, SP, Rays (Samulski)
\n 11.128 Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals (Shovein)
\n 11.129 Jacob Misiorowski, SP, Brewers (Kanak)
\n 11.130 Pablo L\u00f3pez, SP, Twins (Sekulski)
\n 11.131 Isaac Paredes, 3B, Astros (Short)
\n 11.132 Iv\u00e1n Herrera, UT, Cardinals (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 6 SP, 3 OF, 2 3B, 1 UT<\/p>\n

Round 12: The Calendar Problem<\/h3>\n

George Springer is the kind of dynasty puzzle that exposes how uncomfortable we are with aging curves. He was one of the most productive outfielders in fantasy last season, which should simplify the conversation \u2014 except he\u2019s entering his age-36 campaign, and might only have a couple years left in the tank. The production says one thing; the calendar says another. And somewhere between those two realities sits his true value, fluctuating based on whether you believe decline is imminent or simply inevitable but not yet scheduled.<\/p>\n

12.133 Daylen Lile, OF, Nationals (Pouliot)
\n 12.134 George Springer, OF, Blue Jays (Short)
\n 12.135 Willy Adames, SS, Giants (Sekulski)
\n 12.136 Walker Jenkins, OF, Twins (Kanak)
\n 12.137 Hunter Goodman, C, Rockies (Shovein)
\n 12.138 Jakob Marsee, OF, Marlins (Samulski)
\n 12.139 Wilyer Abreu, OF, Red Sox (Hoogkamp)
\n 12.140 Jose Altuve, 2B\/OF, Astros (Bissell)
\n 12.141 Nick Pivetta, SP, Padres (Shlain)
\n 12.142 Eduardo Quintero, OF, Dodgers (Anderson)
\n 12.143 Alec Burleson, 1B\/OF, Cardinals (Eisenhauer)
\n 12.144 Michael King, SP, Padres (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 6 OF, 2 SP, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 C, 1 SS<\/p>\n

Round 13: All Pitchers (Almost)<\/h3>\n

13.145 Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles (Heckman)
\n 13.146 Trevor Megill, RP, Brewers (Eisenhauer)
\n 13.147 Royce Lewis, 3B, Twins (Anderson)
\n 13.148 Framber Valdez, SP, Tigers (Shlain)
\n 13.149 Zack Wheeler, SP, Phillies (Bissell)
\n 13.150 Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Guardians (Hoogkamp)
\n 13.151 Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Tigers (Samulski)
\n 13.152 Kevin Gausman, SP, Blue Jays (Shovein)
\n 13.153 Devin Williams, RP, Mets (Kanak)
\n 13.154 Nick Lodolo, SP, Reds (Sekulski)
\n 13.155 Carson Benge, OF, Mets (Short)
\n 13.156 Sonny Gray, SP, Red Sox (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 5 SP, 2 RP, 1 1B, 1 3B, 1 C, 1 OF, 1 UT<\/p>\n

Round 14: Foreign Affairs<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s notable that both Japanese offseason imports \u2014 Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai \u2014 went with back-to-back selections just outside the top 160 overall range. Murakami arrives stateside with some serious contact concerns that threaten to extinguish his fantasy appeal, despite possessing upper-echelon raw power potential.<\/p>\n

14.157 Xavier Edwards, 2B\/SS, Marlins (Pouliot)
\n 14.158 David Bednar, RP, Yankees (Short)
\n 14.159 Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Diamondbacks (Sekulski)
\n 14.160 Thomas White, SP, Marlins (Kanak)
\n 14.161 Munetaka Murakami, 3B, White Sox (Shovein)
\n 14.162 Tatsuya Imai, SP, Astros (Samulski)
\n 14.163 MacKenzie Gore, SP, Rangers (Hoogkamp)
\n 14.164 Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees (Bissell)
\n 14.165 Bryce Rainer, SS, Tigers (Shlain)
\n 14.166 Justin Steele, SP, Cubs (Anderson)
\n 14.167 Jeff Hoffman, RP, Blue Jays (Eisenhauer)
\n 14.168 Steven Kwan, OF, Guardians (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 5 SP, 2 RP, 2 OF, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SS<\/p>\n

Round 15: Hitting Our Stride(r)<\/h3>\n

Matt Shaw and Spencer Strider would\u2019ve gone off the board roughly 100 picks earlier at this time just one year ago, which provides some insight into how far their long-term appeal has slipped. There are bounce-back cases for both but it feels like a bit of wish-casting to completely overlook and dismiss their lackluster on-field performances last year. Drew Rasmussen feels like an outstanding value at this stage of the draft. Even with the workload concerns baked into the final projection, transitioning back to pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field from the veritable hitter\u2019s paradise that was George M. Steinbrenner Field should drive considerable gains in the run-prevention department.<\/p>\n

15.169 Ezequiel Tovar, SS, Rockies (Heckman)
\n 15.170 Trevor Rogers, SP, Orioles (Eisenhauer)
\n 15.171 Matt Shaw, 3B, Cubs (Anderson)
\n 15.172 Spencer Strider, SP, Braves (Shlain)
\n 15.173 Luis Pe\u00f1a, 2B\/SS, Brewers (Bissell)
\n 15.174 Colton Cowser, OF, Orioles (Hoogkamp)
\n 15.175 Joshua Baez, OF, Cardinals (Samulski)
\n 15.176 Gavin Williams, SP, Guardians (Shovein)
\n 15.177 Brandon Woodruff, SP, Brewers (Kanak)
\n 15.178 Jackson Jobe, SP, Tigers (Sekulski)
\n 15.179 Drew Rasmussen, SP, Rays (Short)
\n 15. 180 Daniel Palencia, RP, Cubs (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Positional Breakdown: 6 SP, 2 OF, 2 SS, 1 3B, 1 RP<\/p>\n

Round 16<\/h3>\n

16.181 Willson Contreras, 1B, Red Sox (Pouliot)
\n 16.182 Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets (Short)
\n 16.183 Josue De Paula, OF, Dodgers (Sekulski)
\n 16.184 Robby Snelling, SP, Marlins (Kanak)
\n 16.185 Roki Sasaki, SP, Dodgers (Shovein)
\n 16.186 Brenton Doyle, OF, Rockies (Samulski)
\n 16.187 Cade Horton, SP, Cubs (Hoogkamp)
\n 16.188 Tyler Glasnow, SP, Dodgers (Bissell)
\n 16.189 Will Smith, C, Dodgers (Shlain)
\n 16.190 Heliot Ramos, OF, Giants (Anderson)
\n 16.191 Andrew Painter, SP, Phillies (Eisenhauer)
\n 16.192 Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Round 17<\/h3>\n

17.193 Grant Taylor, RP, White Sox (Heckman)
\n 17.194 Connelly Early, SP, Red Sox (Eisenhauer)
\n 17.195 Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins (Anderson)
\n 17.196 Daulton Varsho, OF, Blue Jays (Shlain)
\n 17.197 Carlos Rod\u00f3n, SP, Yankees (Bissell)
\n 17.198 Abner Uribe, RP, Brewers (Hoogkamp)
\n 17.199 Ozzie Albies, 2B, Braves (Samulski)
\n 17.200 Jasson Dom\u00ednguez, OF, Yankees (Shovein)
\n 17.201 Jonathan Aranda, 1B, Rays (Kanak)
\n 17.202 Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (Sekulski)
\n 17.203 Owen Caissie, OF, Marlins (Short)
\n 17.204 Ryan Helsley, RP, Orioles (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Round 18<\/h3>\n

18.205 Christian Yelich, UT, Brewers (Pouliot)
\n 18.206 Zebby Matthews, SP, Twins (Short)
\n 18.207 Trevor Story, SS, Red Sox (Sekulski)
\n 18.208 Shane McClanahan, SP, Rays (Kanak)
\n 18.209 Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox (Shovein)
\n 18.210 Jared Jones, SP, Pirates (Samulski)
\n 18.211 Shane Baz, SP, Orioles (Hoogkamp)
\n 18.212 Shane Bieber, SP, Blue Jays (Bissell)
\n 18.213 Brandon Nimmo, OF, Rangers (Shlain)
\n 18.214 Mike Trout, OF, Angels (Anderson)
\n 18.215 Kristian Campbell, 2B, Red Sox (Eisenhauer)
\n 18.216 Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, Blue Jays (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Round 19<\/h3>\n

19.217 Kade Anderson, SP, Mariners (Heckman)
\n 19.218 Eugenio Su\u00e1rez, 3B, Reds (Eisenhauer)
\n 19.219 Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals (Anderson)
\n 19.220 Bryson Stott, 2B, Phillies (Shlain)
\n 19.221 Nathan Eovaldi, SP, Rangers (Bissell)
\n 19.222 Kerry Carpenter, OF, Tigers (Hoogkamp)
\n 19.223 Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (Samulski)
\n 19.224 Taylor Ward, OF, Orioles (Shovein)
\n 19.225 Brett Baty, 2B\/3B, Mets (Kanak)
\n 19.226 Grayson Rodriguez, SP, Angels (Sekulski)
\n 19.227 Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez, OF, Dodgers (Short)
\n 19.228 Joe Musgrove, SP, Padres (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Round 20<\/h3>\n

20.229 Aroldis Chapman, RP, Red Sox (Pouliot)
\n 20.230 Carlos Est\u00e9vez, RP, Royals (Short)
\n 20.231 Corbin Burnes, SP, Diamondbacks (Sekulski)
\n 20.232 Payton Tolle, SP, Red Sox (Kanak)
\n 20.233 Noah Cameron, SP, Royals (Shovein)
\n 20.234 Pete Fairbanks, RP, Marlins (Samulski)
\n 20.235 Bryce Miller, SP, Mariners (Hoogkamp)
\n 20.236 Caleb Bonemer, SS, White Sox (Bissell)
\n 20.237 Ian Happ, OF, Cubs (Shlain)
\n 20.238 Yandy D\u00edaz, 1B, Rays (Anderson)
\n 20.239 Kris Bubic, SP, Royals (Eisenhauer)
\n 20.240 Matt McLain, 2B, Reds (Heckman)<\/p>\n

Round 21<\/h3>\n

21.241 Edward Cabrera, SP, Cubs (Heckman)
\n 21.242 Riley O\u2019Brien, RP, Cardinals (Eisenhauer)
\n 21.243 Rainiel Rodriguez, C, Cardinals (Anderson)
\n 21.244 Robbie Ray, SP, Giants (Shlain)
\n 21.245 Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays (Bissell)
\n 21.246 Evan Carter, OF, Rangers (Hoogkamp)
\n 21.247 Spencer Steer, 1B, Reds (Samulski)
\n 21.248 Raisel Iglesias, RP, Braves (Shovein)
\n 21.249 Griffin Jax, RP, Rays (Kanak)
\n 21.250 Yainer Diaz, C, Astros (Sekulski)
\n 21.251 Matt Chapman, 3B, Giants (Short)
\n 21.252 Tanner Bibee, SP, Guardians (Pouliot)<\/p>\n

Round 22<\/h3>\n

22.253 Anthony Volpe, SS, Yankees (Pouliot)
\n 22.254 Ranger Su\u00e1rez, SP, Red Sox (Short)
\n 22.255 AJ Smith-Shawver, SP, Braves (Sekulski)
\n 22.256 Ryan Clifford, 1B\/OF, Mets (Kanak)
\n 22.257 Jurickson Profar, OF, Braves (Shovein)
\n 22.258 Ian Seymour, RP, Rays (Samulski)
\n 22.259 Jeremiah Estrada, RP, Padres (Hoogkamp)
\n 22.260 Brody Hopkins, SP, Rays (Bissell)
\n 22.261 Troy Melton, SP, Tigers (Shlain)
\n 22.262 Miguel Vargas, 1B\/3B, White Sox (Anderson)
\n 22.263 Ryan Weathers, SP, Yankees (Eisenhauer)
\n 22.264 Jaxon Wiggins, SP, Cubs (Heckman)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u200bhttps:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/2026-fantasy-baseball-dynasty-mock-154220363.html<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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