While the 2026 rookie class may not be as impactful compared to the 2025 one from a fantasy perspective, there’s plenty of young talent who could come at a bargain this season. Samuel Basallo, Sal Stewart, and Carter Jensen, all of whom made their MLB debut last season, are just three of the many potential impact fantasy rookie hitters for 2026.
Samuel Basallo
We’ll start with Orioles catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo, one of the few locks to make his team’s Opening Day roster. After all, the Orioles trusted Basallo’s future development by handing him a multi-year extension late in 2025.
Basallo ripped through the International League last season, as the 21-year-old belted 23 home runs and 40 total extra-base hits across 76 contests in Norfolk. He posted the highest Barrel% in the Triple-A circuit last season, and hit four home runs and 10 extra-base hits across limited action with Baltimore last season.
Any catcher with power – and on top of that, one who may play every day – has to be on the radar for fantasy baseball players. And as we’ve seen over the years, rookies can make an immediate impact. Basallo has the tools to do just that, especially with support around him in the lineup.
Travis Bazzana
Last season was a difficult one for Travis Bazzana. Injuries limited him to 84 games last season between Double-A and Triple-A. Heading into 2026, the former first overall pick will look for better as he tries to crack the MLB roster with Cleveland.
His 2025 season wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination. As we noted in our Guardians farm recap, Bazzana made regular contact and got on base a lot, although his power numbers were down from what he produced at Oregon State. Still, the projection of Bazzana being an all-around offensive threat remains very much alive.
The question, though, is whether Bazzana will make the team out of camp or head back to Triple-A for more work.
Justin Crawford
The Phillies have tried different outfield alignments during this team’s current window. A new, more permanent option could make his debut as early as Opening Day 2026: Justin Crawford. Last season was a big one for the center fielder, as Crawford slashed .334/.411/.452 with 147 hits (second-most in International League) and 46 stolen bases (third).
For Crawford, the game is less about power and more about contact and stolen bases. The former first-round pick made a lot of contact with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, although he will expand out of the zone often. However, Crawford has never had a double-digit home run season in the Minors (he came close in 2024, with nine).
With Harrison Bader gone and Brandon Marsh better suited in a platoon role, Crawford could work his way into a regular role fast.
Konnor Griffin
One of the most interesting prospects in MLB camp this year is Konnor Griffin, likely the future shortstop for the Pirates.
Griffin, a non-roster invite, blew through three levels of the Minors last season. The 19-year-old hit 21 home runs and stole 65 bases across 122 games, all while showcasing an advanced approach at the plate. He finished 2025 with a .960 OPS across 21 games with Double-A Altoona.
Given that the Pirates are in a major push to make the playoffs in 2025 – this is the final year that Paul Skenes will be on a pre-arbitration deal – Griffin could be a tool to fortify the team’s infield. However, Grififn himself is a major piece of the Pirates’ future. So, will the team give him the reins right away if he earns it? Or, send him to the Minors for more work.
Carter Jensen
The early returns from Carter Jensen last season were good.
Jensen, arguably the top prospect in the Royals’ system, had a fantastic September in Kansas City. Across 20 games with the Royals, Jensen slashed .300/.391/.550 with three home runs, nine extra-base hits, as well as a sub-20% K%. It followed up on what was a loud run in Double-A and Triple-A for the young catcher.
The Royals only have two catchers on the 40-man roster: Jensen and Salvador Perez. Perez has flipped between catcher, first, and DH over the last few seasons, a strategy that’s kept him fresh and his bat in the lineup. Expect a similar deployment, meaning Jensen should get regular at-bats.
Spencer Jones
This is the point to address Spencer Jones, the Yankees’ slugging outfield prospect with power, but also flaws in his game.
Look, Jones’ combined numbers from 2025 were exceptional. The 24-year-old hit 35 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A, and nearly had a 30-30 season, as he stole 29 bases. However, Jones’ main issues lie with how much projected future contact he’ll make. Jones whiffed a lot in the Minors. And, a core issue lies with whether or not Jones, who has a long swing, can catch up to fastballs consistently. In Triple-A, his Whiff% on four-seamers was 37.9%.
The Yankees added Jones to the 40-man roster in November, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. Thus, the Yanks have options to spare and can demote him back to Triple-A. Does he have anything left to prove in the Minors? Probably not. But does he have a spot to take on the Yankees’ tentative Opening Day roster? Unless an injury arises, the answer to that may be no.
Emmanuel Rodriguez
While Walker Jenkins will be a trendy name in Twins camp, the real name to watch is Emmanuel Rodriguez. Simply, because Rodriguez is A) older and B) on the 40-man roster, unlike Jenkins.
Rodriguez had multiple IL stints last season. He was slowed by oblique trouble in the summer, and the 22-year-old only played in 52 games last season with Triple-A. His peripherals were fine, as Rodriguez hit six home runs and 14 extra-base hits, and also tallied nine stolen bases. However, there are flaws in his game.
Like Jones, Rodriguez has big swing-and-miss concerns. While Rodriguez won’t expand often (15.7% Chase%), the fastball has been a problem for the 22-year-old. His 39.3% Whiff% on four-seamers were 10th-most at the Triple-A level (min. 100 swings off 4SFB) last season.
Sal Stewart
After a good run in Double-A last season, Sal Stewart, one of three of these rookies in our preseason top 200, proceeded to blast his way to the Majors just in time for the Reds’ stretch to a Wild Card berth last season.
Stewart torched Triple-A pitching, as he hit 10 home runs in 38 games to force a move to Cincinnati. The 22-year-old didn’t see a ton of plate appearances after his promotion but made the most of his time. Stewart hit five home runs over 58 plate appearances with the Reds during the final month of 2025.
Between the hitter-friendly confines and Stewart’s overall polish, he has the potential to be one of the best rookie prospect options on this list.
JJ Wetherholt
Heading into the 2024 MLB Draft, JJ Wetherholt entered it as one of the most polished players available. Less than two years later, Wetherholt could make his MLB debut in short order.
The middle infielder blew through Double-A and Triple-A last season, as Wetherholt notched 17 hits, 23 stolen bases, and batted a combined .306. Three years ago, Wetherholt was the Division I batting champion (.449), and those bat-to-ball skills were on full display in the Minors. He didn’t swing and miss much and was one of the better power hitters in Triple-A after he made the move up.
Given how the Cardinals have ripped out nearly every foundational piece not nailed down, Wetherholt has a lane to make the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster. Should he do that, he would immediately become one of the must-own players on this list of 10.
Jett Williams
The last player on our list is not Carson Williams – who, despite his power & speed, has major AVG concerns – but Jett Williams.
Williams, the 22-year-old who was the headliner in the Freddy Peralta trade, is close to a finished product. The ex-Mets prospect had arguably the best eye in the organization over the past few years, could catch up to velocity, and hit for power. Williams hit 17 combined home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last season, and added 34 stolen bases.
The new Brewer showed himself to be versatile in the Minors. He played second, short, and center field in the Mets organization, which could come in handy at the MLB level.
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