2026 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Sleepers, breakouts, busts by model that nailed Cal Raleigh's huge season
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Lewis
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
2026 Fantasy baseball draft season is heating up, with experts turning to advanced models to identify hidden gems, breakout stars, and potential busts. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which accurately predicted Cal Raleigh’s historic 2025 season, has already simulated the 2026 MLB season over 10,000 times to uncover key insights for fantasy players. This model, trusted by three major Fantasy sites, provides a competitive edge by revealing undervalued sleepers and high-impact breakouts long before they hit the top of draft boards.
One standout sleeper is Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe, projected as the No. 6 second baseman despite being picked around pick 159 in early ADP drafts. After a strong 2025 campaign with 31 home runs and 83 RBI, Lowe is poised to become a offensive centerpiece for the Pirates in 2026. Meanwhile, Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is emerging as a breakout star, having hit .278 with an impressive .843 OPS, 31 home runs, and 91 RBI in 2025. Despite his success, Goodman remains undervalued, with Fantasy players overlooking him until late rounds.
On the flip side, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is flagged as a potential bust. After declining averages and reduced stolen base output last season, Betts’ fantasy value may not justify his high price tag in 2026. These projections highlight the importance of staying ahead of trends in Fantasy baseball, where identifying undervalued players can make or break a championship roster.
SportsLine’s cheat sheets, updated multiple times daily with the latest MLB news and injuries, serve as an invaluable resource for fantasy players seeking an edge. By leveraging this data-driven approach, fans can build deeper, more competitive teams by uncovering hidden gems like
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/22/2026