2026 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Sleepers, breakouts, busts per model that nailed Cal Raleigh's huge season
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Lewis
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 Fantasy baseball season is heating up, with experts turning to data-driven models to identify sleepers, breakouts, and busts. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which accurately predicted Cal Raleigh’s breakout last season, has again provided valuable insights for fantasy draft strategies. With the MLB season set to begin on March 25, players and managers are seeking an edge in building championship-level rosters. The key to success lies in finding undervalued talent beyond the obvious top picks like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge.
One of the top sleepers identified by SportsLine is Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe. Despite being traded midseason, Lowe delivered a career year in 2025 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI. However, fantasy players can still scoop him up at pick No. 162, far from the first-round selections of Nico Hoerner and Ozzie Albies. Lowe’s power potential makes him a valuable mid-round addition.
For breakouts, Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is a standout after a strong 2025 season. Despite initial struggles in his first Major League appearances, Goodman excelled last year with a .278 average, 31 home runs, and a .843 OPS. His performance at Coors Field’s high-altitude ballpark positions him for even greater success in 2026, yet he remains under the radar, available late in drafts.
Among players to avoid, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is flagged as a potential bust. Once a top-tier talent, Betts has seen his production decline, particularly in the postseason. His 2025 struggles, including a .732 OPS and career-low average, raise concerns about his consistency moving forward.
For fantasy managers, leveraging these projections can mean the difference between building a competitive roster and falling short of the playoffs. By targeting undervalued players like Lowe or Goodman and avoiding overhyped ones like Betts, drafters can maximize their chances of winning it all in 2026
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/20/2026