Mid-Round Pitchers Key in 2026 Fantasy Drafts

As fantasy baseball drafts for the 2026 Major League Baseball season gear up, experts are pointing to mid-round starting pitchers as potential difference-makers capable of elevating average rosters to championship contenders. With average draft positions between picks 60 and 120 in consensus rankings, several arms stand out for their blend of strikeout prowess, ratio potential and untapped upside, offering owners a chance to outperform expectations without reaching for early-round stars.

Kyle Bradish of the Baltimore Orioles emerges as a prime target around the 79th overall pick. The right-hander has maintained an ERA under 2.85 and a WHIP below 1.08 over the past three seasons, striking out more than a batter per inning while limiting home runs to 0.71 per nine frames since 2023. Though an innings limit near 150 is anticipated due to past injuries, analysts note that such concerns are already reflected in his draft value, positioning him for outsized returns if he remains healthy.

Jacob Misiorowski, now with the Milwaukee Brewers, draws similar praise for his elite velocity, regularly touching triple digits on his four-seamer, which held opponents to a .193 average last year....