The clock is ticking down for the 2026 fantasy baseball season. Over the last four weeks, we’ve gotten good looks at some interesting pitchers who could be breakout options for fantasy this year. That list includes a couple of former first-round picks, plus young pitchers who pitched very well over the second half in 2025.
Mick Abel
There are several interesting names to watch for the Twins this season. Taj Bradley pitched very well to this point down in Grapefruit League action. However, Mick Abel has been the one who’s caught the most attention.
Abel, acquired in the Jhoan Duran trade last July, was nothing but spectacular over his first four spring starts. Seventeen strikeouts over 13.1 IP, and a pristine ERA of 1.35. He’s walked only one and netted himself a swing-and-miss rate of over 30% in the spring.
Yes, spring data should not be overanalyzed, a theme I’ll reiterate often here. However, there are some interesting takeaways from Abel in the 2026 spring action. One, he’s used the changeup more, and in fact has done so more than his curveball, which was his primary secondary offering in the Majors last year.
That changeup had a 40% Whiff% on it. Again, spring data shouldn’t be overanalyzed too much, given that it’s a time for players to work on things. However, given how well that pitch worked for Abel thus far, it could lead to more silly swings in a year where he should have some opportunity.
Mike Burrows
Speaking of pitchers with good changeups, Mike Burrows used that pitch effectively last season with the Pirates. Now with the Astros, Burrows has the chance to be something special for fantasy players.
Over his first four Grapefruit League starts, the right-hander gave up only six hits in 12 innings and no earned runs. He struck out 15 batters in those innings.
Burrows has been floating around in the very late rounds in drafts this spring. In deeper, 12-team formats, Burrows is a must-grab. But even in 10-team leagues, he is very much worth a late-round stash.
Joey Cantillo
Again, sometimes it’s important not to overanalyze spring peripheral data too much.
Joey Cantillo had a tough start to his spring, as the left-hander surrendered three home runs and 17 total hits over 15 innings down in the Cactus League. However, Cantillo has struck out 15 over 15 innings, continuing what has become a good trend for the left-hander.
The 26-year-old had a great second half, as he struck out 54 over 54.1 IP, posted a sub-4.00 ERA, and had the fifth-lowest HR/9 (.50) in the Majors last season (min. 50 IP, SP). And this spring, he’s been effective at changing speeds. As a matter of fact, no pitcher with a changeup this season posted
| Player | Changeup Whiff% |
|---|---|
| Joey Cantillo | 70.6% |
| Michael Wacha | 62.5% |
| Cam Sanders | 61.9% |
Provided that Cantillo is on the roster & healthy this year, he should have the opportunity to nab more than five wins on a team that should be competitive in 2026.
Bubba Chandler
Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler is not only a rookie to watch but also a potential breakout star for Pittsburgh.
Chandler has been spectacular in his first spring as a Major League pitcher. The right-hander currently owns a swing-and-miss rate over 38% in camp, part of a stretch where Chandler has 17 strikeouts over 17 innings. The real blemish on his spring is the 11 walks over 11 innings.
However, there is a lot of good news. One, Chandler was electric in his most recent start, with eight strikeouts against the Braves in a shutdown performance. You have to watch the likely innings restrictions on the righty. However, elite strikeout potential and a better Pirates team make Chandler a must-own in all formats.
Jack Leiter
Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter established himself last season as a reliable option after early struggles at the MLB level. Leiter found comfort with a new changeup grip, which gave him a missing piece to his arsenal.
So far, Leiter has been fine. The right-hander has given up three home runs in the boondoggle that is the Cactus League. Leiter has 12 strikeouts over 12 innings, and he’s gotten swing-and-miss off the secondary stuff.
Leiter was able to keep the ball in the park (1.0 HR/9) reasonably well over the second half last season. And more importantly, the 79 strikeouts he had over that span firmly put him on the fantasy radar.
Emmet Sheehan
Things are working out very well for Emmet Sheehan to have a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ rotation.
Sheehan, who finished with the fifth-best K/9 (11.4) rate in the second half last season, has been fine in limited action this spring. The right-hander struck out six in six Cactus League action. And that four-seamer of his, a weapon even though it doesn’t have premium velocity, has a Whiff% over 28%. That percentage put him in the top 25% of all pitchers in spring action.
Injuries have mounted, as Gavin Stone and Blake Snell will likely be unavailable to start the year. That gives Sheehan not just a clear path to be in the rotation at the start of the year — but also to stay there.
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