RotoProspects releases Fantasy Baseball Rookie Rankings for 2026

The RotoProspects.com Fantasy Baseball Rookie Rankings for 2026 underscore what has become a defining theme of the modern rookie class: a convergence of high-end pitching, advanced international hitters, and young players already impacting big-league rosters. Here’s a closer look at the Top five names to know, plus a few other of interest.

Click here for the Top 50 Fantasy Baseball Rookie Rankings, with scouting grades and ETAs.

1. Munetaka Murakami, 1B/3B, White Sox

Murakami (pictured above) sits atop the rankings as the most complete offensive force in the rookie class. A left-handed masher with 70-grade power, he brings a proven middle-of-the-order profile that translates immediately to fantasy formats. While his hit tool is more average than elite, the sheer damage potential and positional flexibility at the corners give Murakami one of the highest offensive ceilings among rookies entering 2026. While he’s the most hyped NPB bat since Shohei Ohtani thanks to his power metrics and exit velocity, projections caution that his high strikeout rates could temper batting average value despite expected 30+ HR output.

2. Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets

McLean is one of the true breakout arms from 2025. After dominating upper minors with a sub-2.50 ERA and striking out more than a quarter of batters, he carried that into the majors with a 2.06 ERA over 48 innings in his debut. He showed good command, multiple quality offerings, and his strikeout/walk metrics project him as a frontline fantasy asset in 2026. His arsenal is anchored by a plus slider (70) and a deep mix that allows him to neutralize both right- and left-handed hitters. Already contributing at the MLB level, McLean profiles as a high-floor SP2 with strikeout upside—exactly the type of arm that stabilizes fantasy rotations.

3. Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, Blue Jays

Toronto’s addition of Okamoto injects another elite international bat into the rookie pool. A disciplined hitter with above-average power, Okamoto projects as a reliable run producer rather than a category-carrying slugger. At age 30, the upside is more capped than some younger peers, but the immediate production and lineup context keep him firmly inside the top tier.

4. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays

Yesavage continues Toronto’s pitching presence near the top of the list. The right-hander features a well-rounded four-pitch mix with no true weakness, allowing him to handle big-league lineups despite his age. He didn’t just contribute late in the 2025 season — he shined in the postseason. After just three regular-season starts, he became only the first pitcher in MLB history to start multiple World Series games within his first eight career outings, including a record-setting 12-strikeout performance in Game 5 of the World Series where he struck out all nine hitters in the Dodgers’ starting lineup in just one outing. His postseason strikeouts (39 in 27.2 innings) outpaced his regular-season total, and his historic World Series outing cemented his breakout stature entering 2026.

5. Chase Burns, RHP, Reds

Burns brings the loudest pure stuff in the class. With a 70-grade fastball and slider, he can overwhelm hitters in short bursts or dominate as a starter when his command is dialed in. The strikeout upside here is immense, and even with some volatility, Burns profiles as a potential fantasy ace if everything clicks.

Others to watch:

Samuel Basallo (Orioles) continues to trend upward as one of the most dangerous young power bats in baseball. A 20-year-old catcher/first baseman with 70-grade raw power, Basallo’s offensive profile alone keeps him firmly entrenched in the top 10.

Bubba Chandler (Pirates) may not get as much national attention as Burns, but his athleticism and explosive fastball give him frontline starter traits. His ability to miss bats while limiting hard contact elevates his long-term value.

Roki Sasaki (Dodgers) headlines the hybrid starter/reliever group. Few pitchers in the world can match his fastball velocity and splitter combination, and even in a flexible role, his fantasy impact could be massive in strikeouts and ratios.

Konnor Griffin (Pirates) represents the future of the list. At just 19, Griffin’s blend of speed, power projection, and defensive value gives him one of the highest ceilings in the Top 50, with a realistic path to five-category fantasy relevance.

A quick look at the Top 10 Rookies for 2026