Mid-Round Pitchers Outvalue First-Round Picks in 2026 Fantasy Drafts

Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers established himself as the premier asset in fantasy baseball following a 2026 campaign that placed him at the top of the statistical rankings. His performance included a 0.80 WHIP and a 37.9 percent strikeout rate, both of which rank as the second-best in Major League Baseball history outside of the shortened 2020 season. The right-hander posted a 1.80 earned run average across 174.1 innings, improving significantly from his 4.36 mark during his rookie year.

The dominance of mid-round selections defined the 2026 season for starting pitchers. According to FanGraphs Player Rater data, pitchers selected between the 25th and 36th spots in average draft position generated a combined value of $155.6. This total nearly equaled the $158.94 produced by the top 12 starters in that same year. In contrast, the group of pitchers drafted between the 13th and 24th positions returned only $67.83, a figure that trailed the later group by a wide margin.

The underperformance of early-round selections marked a distinct departure from recent historical trends. From 2021 through 2025, the top 24 starters in average draft position combined for a minimum of $259.1 in annual value. In 2026, that cohort generated just $227.00 in total. Among the top 24 starters taken in drafts, only eight finished as top-24 performers by the season's end. The three pitchers selected in the first round of most leagues were all considered disappointments, with the highest performer among them having undergone elbow surgery during the middle of the season.

The value derived from the 25th through 36th range was driven by several high-performing arms, including Misiorowski, Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees, and Chase Burns of the Cincinnati Reds. Sonny Gray and Zack Wheeler also contributed to this group's output. Schlittler recorded 239 strikeouts and a 1.95 earned run average, earning recognition as the likely recipient of the American League Cy Young Award. The group also contained notable underperformers, such as Spencer Strider, Emmett Sheehan, and Nick Lodolo. Tyler Glasnow, Brandon Woodruff, and Blake Snell did not pitch enough innings to justify their high draft positions.

The 2026 pool benefited from an unusual concentration of talented but unproven pitchers in the middle rounds. Beyond Misiorowski, Burns, and Schlittler, the range included Nolan McLean, Eury Perez, Trey Yesavage, and Bubba Chandler. The source notes that this specific composition will not repeat in 2027. Up-and-coming options for the next season, such as Kade Anderson, Didier Fuentes, and Grant Taylor, are expected to command lower draft positions due to uncertain roles or limited track records.

Jared Jones and Walbert Urena are cited as potential value picks for 2027. Both players offer youth and interest with more established track records than the 2026 cohort. In the rankings, Misiorowski and Schlittler are expected to move upward, joining Drew Rasmussen, Jesus Luzardo, and Zack Wheeler as projected risers. Rasmussen maintained an earned run average no higher than 2.84 in any major league role since 2020, while Luzardo's value is attributed to advanced metrics despite an inflated earned run average in previous seasons.