As it's the start of the season, it is always a fun time to dream about what could be. What will this 2026 Major League Baseball season bring us? There are always surprises and things we never saw coming, it is part of the beauty of baseball. Sometimes it is fun to dream big, so here are seven bold predictions for the upcoming fantasy baseball season.
Bold Predictions for the 2026 Fantasy Baseball Season
Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes leads the National League in wins. He has been electric his entire career. He has carried that over to the World Baseball Classic and spring training. If he isn’t the best pitcher in the game, he is absolutely top three. I don’t think we’ve seen the best season yet from Oneil Cruz, the team brought in Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna for some power bats, and what team do you trust in the division? The Cardinals are rebuilding, while you have to believe that the Cubs and Brewers will take a step back offensively. It doesn’t take much for the Pirates to go from a 71-win team to an 85-win team if things going right, and if Skenes gets some run support that win total can spike.
Jackson Merrill
Jackson Merrill will be a top-eight fantasy outfielder. Three different injuries cost him time and derailed what was supposed to be a sophomore shine. But Merrill finished very strong with seven home runs and 16 RBI in the last month of the season. Assuming his hamstring and ankle injuries are behind him there’s no reason to think he can’t be a 30-home run and 20-steal guy with a solid batting average. There will likely be an injury or two to the top performing fantasy outfielders which coupled with a big bounce back for Merrill will put him in the upper echelon of the position.
Carter Jensen
Carter Jensen is a top-five fantasy catcher. Yes, Salvador Perez is still on the team, but he is in his mid-30s and will certainly love to have some days off behind the dish, and Jensen’s bat should keep him at DH plenty. He wasn’t up long for the Royals last season, but he made an immediate impact with three home runs in 69 plate appearances. He has a great batting eye, solid enough speed to expect double-digit stolen bases, and he has already shown 25+ home run power in the minors. If given enough opportunities, this is in his range of outcomes.
Royce Lewis
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Royce Lewis plays 155 games. Last year he played 106 games and that was almost more than he played the rest of his major-league career. He has a ton of talent, but he has not been able to stay healthy. This was kind of a joke, but also bold, although it is based on nothing.
Robert Suarez
Robert Suarez saves 30 games for Atlanta. He held the closer's job last season in San Diego AFTER the team traded for Mason Miller, who in my opinion is the best closer in the game. Why do we not think that Suarez can quickly overtake a 36-year-old declining closer in Raisel Iglesias for the Braves? Suarez has nasty stuff and I worry more about getting save chances for the Braves than I do him not having the closer's job after a few weeks into the season.
Daylen Lile
Daylen Lile goes 25/25. I am less worried about the 25 steals than I am the 25 home runs. Most of the reason for that is he didn’t show a lot of power against left-handed pitching last season. His hard-hit rate and exit velocity says 25 home runs might be a little lofty, but he can surely work on that in his first full season in the majors. He had just 56 strikeouts in 91 games, and that kind of batting eye can help him improve his barrel rate and get those home run totals going. He’s always had wheels, and had eight steals in 91 games last season, so a little improvement and a full season of games, and that 25-steal mark should be in the bag.
Shane Smith
Shane Smith strikes out 200. I admit I picked him up out of just desperation for starting pitching last season, and outside of his win total obviously being depressed by pitching for the White Sox, I was pleasantly surprised with his production. He has had a rough spring, but he is the Opening Day starter for the White Sox. I expect him to log 29-31 starts for a team dying to find new stars. He didn’t show elite strikeout stuff last season, but his K/9 were consistently in the 10-11 range, and in the lower minors he had it up to 14 per nine. He finished last season strong with six or more strikeouts in five of his last six starts and looks to be a guy to finally get some attention in the fantasy world with a big 2026.
Fantasy Managers Have Lots More Questions About The 2026 MLB Season
What are bold predictions for the 2026 fantasy baseball season?
Bold predictions include Paul Skenes leading the National League in wins, Jackson Merrill emerging as a top-eight outfielder, and Shane Smith reaching 200 strikeouts.
Can Paul Skenes lead the league in wins in 2026?
If the Pittsburgh Pirates improve offensively and provide consistent run support, Paul Skenes has the talent to lead the National League in wins.
Is Jackson Merrill a breakout candidate in fantasy baseball?
Yes, Jackson Merrill showed strong late-season production and has the skill set to deliver a 30-home run, 20-steal campaign if healthy.
Who could be a surprise top fantasy catcher in 2026?
Carter Jensen has the opportunity to become a top-five fantasy catcher if he earns enough playing time alongside Salvador Perez.
Which under-the-radar pitcher could rack up strikeouts in 2026?
Shane Smith is a deep sleeper who could reach 200 strikeouts if he maintains a high K/9 rate over a full workload.
Can Robert Suarez become the Braves’ closer?
Robert Suarez has the skill set to take over closing duties in Atlanta if Raisel Iglesias declines or loses effectiveness early in the season.
