The 2026 MLB Draft is in the books, and with it comes the launch of our 2027 First-Year Player Draft Rankings, featuring the top 100 names fantasy managers and dynasty league owners need to know. The FYPD rankings represent the most comprehensive look yet at how this year’s draft class stacks up in terms of long-term fantasy value, future grades, and development timelines.
Our latest update to the Top 700 fantasy baseball prospect rankings infuses the fresh blood into the system, integrating the top incoming amateur talent alongside all of the other minor leaguers. This class offers a fascinating mix of ultra-advanced college performers at the very top, followed by an incredibly high-upside wave of high school shortstops and dynamic prep arms.
The Elite Tier: Clean sweeps and West Coast vibes
1. Vahn Lackey, C, Minnesota Twins (Georgia Tech)
- Future Grades: 55 Hit / 50 Power / 50 Speed / 60 Fielding
- The Outline: Lackey takes the crown as our early #1. A dynamic, athletic catcher who bucks the traditional slow-moving profile at the position. With a 55-grade bat and rare 50-grade speed behind the dish, he’s a potential multi-categorical monster in fantasy formats.
2. Drew Burress, OF, Athletics (Georgia Tech)
- Future Grades: 50 Hit / 55 Power / 50 Speed / 55 Fielding
- The Outline: Keeping it in the Yellow Jackets family, Burress slots in right behind his college teammate. He brings a slightly louder power profile (55-grade) to the grass and projects as an impact, everyday run-producer who won’t kill your average or chip-in speed categories.
3. Roch Cholowsky, SS, Chicago White Sox (UCLA)
- Future Grades: 55 Hit / 60 Power / 50 Speed / 65 Fielding
- The Outline: Cholowsky (pictured above) boasts perhaps the highest floor-to-ceiling combo among the top three. His 60-projected power from the shortstop position makes him a premier dynasty asset, and his elite defensive traits (65 fielding) ensure his bat will get every opportunity to sink or swim in the upper minors.
2027 FYPD trends to watch
- The Prep Shortstop Wave: If you miss out on the top college bats, the high school shortstop market is loaded. Tyler Bell (#4), Grady Emerson (#5), and Jacob Lombard (#7) represent elite tier-two targets with massive ceiling if you can afford to wait on their 2028/2029 ETAs.
- Speed Demons: Looking for pure wheels to anchor your roster? Keep an eye on Eric Booth (#6), who boasts an elite 80-grade speed tool, and Tre Broussard (#60) with a blazing 70-grade.
- High-Octane Fastballs: If you want to gamble on pure velocity in the mid-tiers, Brody Bumila (#53) and Carson Wiggins (#83) both carry an astronomical 80-grade fastball.
A quick look at the Top 20 players
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| No. | Name | Pos | Team | B/T | Level | Age |
| 1 | Vahn Lackey | C | MIN | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 2 | Drew Burress | OF | ATH | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 3 | Roch Cholowsky | SS | CHW | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 4 | Tyler Bell | SS | COL | S/R | n/a | 21 |
| 5 | Grady Emerson | SS | TB | L/R | n/a | 18 |
| 6 | Eric Booth | OF | BAL | L/L | n/a | 18 |
| 7 | Jacob Lombard | SS | MIA | R/R | n/a | 18 |
| 8 | Jackson Flora | SP | SF | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 9 | Derek Curiel | OF | PIT | L/L | n/a | 21 |
| 10 | AJ Gracia | OF | ATL | L/L | n/a | 21 |
| 11 | Sawyer Strosnider | OF | MIL | L/L | n/a | 21 |
| 12 | Ace Reese | 3B | SEA | L/R | n/a | 21 |
| 13 | Justin Lebron | SS | CIN | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 14 | Trevor Condon | OF | STL | L/R | n/a | 18 |
| 15 | Zion Rose | OF | KC | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 16 | Chris Hacopian | 2B | WAS | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 17 | Cameron Flukey | SP | DET | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 18 | Gio Rojas | SP | TEX | R/L | n/a | 19 |
| 19 | Liam Peterson | SP | CLE | R/R | n/a | 21 |
| 20 | Jared Grindlinger | OF | LAA | L/L | n/a | 17 |