The Braves noticed their seven-year playoff streak come to an finish final year as a variety of their gamers underperformed. The likes of Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Jurickson Profar, who was simply suspended for all of this season, all ended up as Fantasy baseball busts, whether or not on account of damage, suspension, ineffectiveness or a mix. As anybody coming into 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts is aware of, composing a profitable squad will probably be as a lot about hitting in your prime Fantasy baseball picks as will probably be about avoiding choosing Fantasy baseball busts 2026.
Others like Mookie Betts, J.T. Realmuto, Zac Gallen and Devin Williams are additionally coming off down years and failing to stay as much as their Fantasy baseball ADP. Thus, you are confronted with a call as to if final year was the beginning of a development of if they’re going to bounce again and are value taking in 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts. Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy baseball draft prep, remember to see the 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
Last season, SportsLine’s Projection Model recognized a number of prime Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts, together with Braves beginning pitcher Spencer Strider.
Strider led MLB in each wins (20) and strikeouts (281) in 2023 earlier than lacking most of 2024 on account of damage. He returned final year however the model predicted he would battle to regain his pre-injury kind and would not stay as much as his lofty Fantasy baseball ADP (97.81). Strider was the SP30 by common draft place, however SportsLine had him barely cracking the highest 75 beginning pitchers in its rankings.
The consequence: Strider posted a 7-14 file, with a 4.45 ERA and never even half as many strikeouts (131) as his dominant 2023 season. He additionally missed over a month of motion on account of one other damage and ended up barely making the highest 100 beginning pitchers in Fantasy factors, a lot nearer to SportsLine’s projection of SP74 somewhat than his ADP of SP30. Anybody who adopted the model’s recommendation and averted Strider of their Fantasy baseball drafts averted a serious headache of their Fantasy baseball lineups.
The SportsLine model is engineered by the identical individuals who powered projections for all three main Fantasy websites. And that similar group is sharing its 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings and cheat sheets over at SportsLine, serving to you discover Fantasy baseball sleepers, breakouts and busts lengthy earlier than your competitors. Their cheat sheets, accessible for leagues on many main websites, are up to date a number of occasions every single day.
Any time extra MLB information comes out about MLB free company signings or Fantasy baseball accidents, the group at SportsLine updates its projections. Go to SportsLine now to see these proven Fantasy baseball cheat sheets.
Top 2026 Fantasy baseball busts
One of the Fantasy baseball busts 2026 the model is fading: Brewers beginning pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. A June call-up final year, the rookie grew to become the primary pitcher in over 60 years to file 11 no-hit innings to start out his profession after which made MLB historical past by changing into an All-Star after simply 5 begins. He had the majors’ fifth-highest common fastball velocity (99.3 m.p.h.) throughout his 66 common season innings after which posted a microscopic 1.50 ERA throughout 12 postseason innings.
However, in between the All-Star Game and the playoffs, Misiorowski seemed each bit like a novice on the mound. He had a 6.03 ERA over his final eight begins as batters adjusted to seeing his arsenal, whereas Misiorowski did not make changes to hitters. Many Fantasy homeowners are being overly influenced by his scorching begin as his 107 Fantasy baseball ADP places him amongst the highest 30 starters. However, SportsLine’s model has him barely cracking the highest 100 beginning pitchers, making Misiorowski one to keep away from in Fantasy baseball drafts 2026.
Another of the 2026 Fantasy baseball busts the model initiatives will not stay as much as their ADP: Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso. After seven years in Queens, Alonso left the Mets for Baltimore within the offseason, on the heels of a season with 38 homers, 126 RBI and an .871 OPS. He’s going within the fourth spherical, on common, in 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts with a imply draft place of 28.
However, Alonso’s metrics from final year needs to be a bit regarding. His batting common on balls in play (BAbip) was a career-best of .305, indicating he was a bit fortunate and will regress to the imply. Additionally, his dwelling run price (5.4%) was the second-lowest of his profession, whereas his stroll price (8.6%) was the bottom of his seven seasons. Alonso’s biggest power is his dwelling run energy, however the two lowest HR charges of his profession have come within the final two seasons because the 31-year-old could possibly be on the decline. The model has Alonso on par with Michael Busch in its Fantasy baseball 2026 rankings, however Alonso is being drafted seven rounds earlier on common. See more busts at SportsLine.
How to seek out proven 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings
SportsLine’s model can be fading a shocking ace who’s coming off the board within the sixth spherical on common in early 2026 Fantasy baseball drafts. The model is predicting this All-Star fails to stay as much as his lofty daft standing finishes outdoors the highest 30 at his place. Avoiding him till afterward could possibly be the distinction between profitable your league or going dwelling with nothing. You can solely see who it is here.
So which 2026 Fantasy baseball busts do you have to keep away from in your upcoming drafts? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy baseball rankings for every single position, all from the model that predicted Spencer Strider’s falloff in 2025, and discover out.
