By Ben Gale

July 13, 2026 • 12:04 AM EDT

Updated 2 days ago

The 2026 MLB Draft is in the rear-view mirror, and now comes the part fantasy players live for: working out which new names actually matter for your roster. Some guys from this year’s class could reach the show in a season, while others need time—or might never make it at all. Getting in early on the right prospects can change your whole year, so the big questions are always who has real upside, where are the risks, and what makes each of these guys stick out?

This year, we’ve got a really intriguing group. Fantasy gold usually means a combo of power, speed, and a knack for handling big-league arms. For pitchers, it’s all about strikeouts and the potential to settle in near the top of a rotation. With that in mind, here are the 10 prospects from this weekend’s draft you need to keep on your radar for fantasy. I’ve included which categories they can help you in and why they could be difference-makers down the line.

According to Yahoo Sports, Grady Emerson leads the way—he’s not just the second overall pick, but the clear number one for fantasy impact thanks to his rare blend of contact, power, and speed. But don’t sleep on prep bats like Jacob Lombard, college standouts like Roch Cholowsky, or even catcher Vahn Lackey, who brings a high floor to the most unpredictable spot in fantasy.

Who stands out and why?

• Grady Emerson (Rays, SS): Top fantasy upside, lefty bat with plus-plus hit tool, legit speed, and emerging power. Not as safe as some, but the ceiling is massive. Help: AVG, R, HR, SB.
• Roch Cholowsky (White Sox, SS): Polished college hitter, strong chance to stick at short, not a burner but projects 30-homer seasons with solid average. Help: AVG, HR, RBI.
• Jacob Lombard (Marlins, SS): Huge tools, big stolen base upside, but real contact risk. If it all clicks, there’s superstar potential. Help: R, HR, RBI, SB.
• Vahn Lackey (Twins, C): Bat-first college catcher, unusual for the position. Not much risk of total bust, might lack the ceiling of others, but projects as a top-10 fantasy catcher. Help: AVG, HR, RBI.
• Drew Burress (Athletics, OF): No single elite tool, but projects as an all-round contributor and could reach the majors quickly—handy in dynasties where proximity matters. Help: AVG, R, HR, SB.
• Jackson Flora (Giants, RHP): Only pitcher in the top 10 for fantasy value, he brings swing-and-miss stuff and the type of velocity that could rack up strikeouts. Not a Skenes-level prospect, but rotation material. Help: W, ERA, WHIP, SO.
• Eric Booth Jr (Orioles, OF): One of the fastest in the class. Power might be limited, but league-leading stolen base upside if he gets on base often enough. Help: AVG, R, SB.
• Justin Lebron (Reds, SS): Top-notch base stealer with legit right-handed power. Big whiff concerns, so fantasy value depends on whether the hit tool holds up. Help: HR, RBI, SB.
• Trevor Condon (Cardinals, OF): Elite defender and 70-grade runner, should chip in with batting average and steals. Power lags behind others, but solid across the board. Help: AVG, R, SB.
• Ryder Helfrick (Diamondbacks, C): Sneaks in on positional value—should provide power and OBP for a backstop. Batting average is a question, but the power is real. Help: HR, RBI.

Key developments from the draft

• Grady Emerson goes second overall but is the top fantasy play, thanks to a rare four-category profile.
• Only one pitcher (Jackson Flora) cracks the fantasy top 10, highlighting how hitter-heavy this class is for upside.
• Vahn Lackey’s rise as a bat-first catcher cements him as a safer play at a volatile spot.
• Drew Burress is tipped to be the fastest to reach the majors, which could pay off for those looking for early returns.
• Multiple multi-category threats (Cholowsky, Lombard, Burress) bring a mix of power, speed, and durability to the table.

What does this mean for your fantasy draft?

If your league rewards risk and star potential, Emerson and Lombard should be at the top of your list. Need reliability or playing time soon? Cholowsky and Burress stand out. For those in two-catcher or deeper formats, Lackey and Helfrick could outproduce more hyped bats simply by being good at a thin position. And if your league is counting on pitchers, Flora is the lone name with top-50 fantasy starter upside. Missed the boat on these guys? Derek Curiel, Jared Grindlinger, Ace Reese, and Zion Rose also look like solid late lotto tickets.

Key takeaways

• Grady Emerson’s speed makes him the most exciting fantasy bat from this class.
• Cholowsky is the safest pick if you want average and power without much risk.
• Lombard is a boom-or-bust prospect who could carry a fantasy team if his contact game develops.
• Vahn Lackey is the rare college catcher worth an early fantasy pick due to both hit and power tools.
• Drew Burress offers the best blend of upside and big-league proximity at outfield.
• Jackson Flora is the only pitcher worth significant dynasty investment.
• Helfrick and Lackey get a boost in value due to the lack of depth at catcher.
• Speed is a theme, with several prospects capable of 30-plus steals once they develop.

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