Looking forward to subsequent season is at all times considered one of my favourite workouts. In spite of everything, draft day is the very best day on the fantasy calendar, and managers like to get an early have a look at how gamers might be valued. Though I'm certain my opinions will change throughout the offseason, right here is my preliminary checklist of the top-25 gamers for 2027 fantasy baseball drafts.
1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs: PCA has skyrocketed up the fantasy rankings and can now be the highest choose in almost each draft. In spite of everything, he’s simply 24 years previous and should end among the many high 5 in homers, steals, RBI and runs.
2. Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays: This yr, Caminero proved that he can hit for energy in Tropicana Area. Again-to-back 40-homer seasons from a 23-year-old who’s eligible at a scarce place makes him a part of a deep group of No. 2 general choices.
3. Shohei Ohtani, UT, Dodgers: Among the best gamers in baseball historical past is now puzzling from a fantasy perspective. Ohtani now not produces a lofty steals whole, missed time this season because of damage and skilled a notable energy decline. He's nonetheless wonderful, however has doubtless peaked.
4. Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Royals: A profession .288 hitter, Witt is a digital lock for 35-40 steals and loads of runs. However after ending with fewer than 25 homers in two straight seasons and fewer than 60 RBI this yr, there are questions on his energy abilities. A excessive ground will get him this lofty rating.
5. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds: We’re seeing enhancements from De La Cruz on the plate, as he’ll simply put up a career-best OPS. The trade-off is that the 24-year-old is now not operating the bases as aggressively. De La Cruz belongs in the course of the primary spherical, and a case may be made that his 30-30 potential makes him extra interesting than Witt.
6. Jacob Misiorowski, SP, Brewers: The Miz may lead the majors in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts. Some managers fear about his potential to remain wholesome whereas persistently throwing so laborious, however there may be nonetheless a case for him at No. 2 general.
7. Aaron Decide, OF, Yankees: Glass half full — Decide was the very best hitter in baseball for 4 years from 2022-25 (1.117 OPS) and may bounce again from an injury-plagued season. Glass half empty — Decide will flip 35 subsequent April and might now not be counted on to play 140 video games. He's considered one of many polarizing gamers atop 2027 draft boards.
8. Juan Soto, OF, Mets: With a profession OPS of .945, Soto is definitely a high 5 hitter in baseball, though he won’t ever once more strategy his 38 steals from 2025. He's a protected possibility who had missed 12 or fewer video games in seven straight seasons earlier than coping with a calf damage this yr.
9. Fernando Tatís Jr., 2B/OF, Padres: Tatís opened June with one homer and now has 25. Thankfully, his steals contributions have been extra constant. A greater begin to 2027 might lead to a 30-40 season.
10. Yordan Alvarez, OF, Astros: Lastly wholesome, Alvarez is the runaway MLB chief in OPS (1.032). He is usually a top-five participant in homers, RBI and batting common, however he's additionally the primary hitter on this checklist who received't contribute to the steals class in any respect.
11. Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers: After opening 2026 on the IL, Chourio has hit .285 with 25 homers, 23 steals and 92 runs in 124 video games. Nonetheless simply 22 years previous, he already has three full seasons below his belt and can ultimately be a high 5 asset.
12. James Wooden, OF, Nationals: For the second straight yr, Wooden was terrific within the first half and disappointing within the second half. This season's droop included almost a month of missed time because of an indirect damage. In most leagues, there might be at the least one optimistic supervisor who’s keen to make use of a first-round choose in hopes of a 35-25 season.
13. Tarik Skubal, SP, Dodgers: An elbow damage slowed Skubal this yr, however he has been baseball's most constant ace (2.45 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) from 2024-26. And the pending free agent will certainly signal with considered one of baseball's greatest groups.
14. Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals: A former elite prospect, Walker revived his profession in an enormous method this season en path to being a top-10 fantasy asset. At age 24, considered one of baseball's hardest hitters (94th percentile common exit velocity) nonetheless has loads of time to get even higher.
15. Sal Stewart, 1B/3B, Reds: Reaching the 30-homer, 15-steal and 110-RBI benchmarks as a rookie with multi-position eligibility has made Stewart a league-winner this yr. His anticipated stats recommend that the memorable marketing campaign is repeatable.
16. Corbin Carroll, OF, Diamondbacks: Carroll is wrapping up a down yr, as a 20-20 season is disappointing from somebody who was a 30-30 participant in 2025. Let's give the 26-year-old some credit score that he can bounce again.
17. Cam Schlittler, SP, Yankees: Schlittler is firmly amongst a second tier of aces that grow to be choices as soon as Misiorowski is off the board. He has been barely lucky this yr (.254 BABIP) however might expertise some regression and nonetheless warrant a choose this excessive.
18. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, Dodgers: As he wraps up his third season, Yamamoto has eye-popping ratios (2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) and a World Collection MVP in his trophy cupboard. He's additionally on probably the most proficient crew in baseball. The righty is arguably the most secure ace in fantasy.
19. Julio Rodríguez, OF, Mariners: After 4 straight seasons of utilizing blazing finishes to prop up his general stat line, Rodríguez remained mediocre all through the present marketing campaign. He has alternated between 20-20 and 30-30 seasons, leaving managers to resolve if he's good or nice.
20. CJ Abrams, SS, Nationals: Already a 30-steal participant, Abrams improved his common exit velocity and barrel fee, which has resulted in 30-homer energy. Those that totally purchase into the sustainability of his enhancements can push him into the highest 15, though it's value noting that he slumped at occasions within the second half.
21. Kyle Schwarber, 1B, Phillies: Baseball's most constant slugger has gone deep at the least 45 occasions in 4 of the previous 5 seasons. However low marks in steals and batting common preserve Schwarber from climbing any greater on this checklist.
22. Mason Miller, RP, Padres: Shocked to see a better on this checklist? Miller heads into the ultimate days of 2026 because the No. 12 general participant and might produce ratios and strikeout totals that his position-mates can’t match.
23. Cristopher Sánchez, SP, Phillies: Arguably baseball's greatest innings eater, Sánchez is a lock for a low ERA and excessive counting-stat totals. The volatility of his WHIP retains him behind this tier of starters.
24. José Ramírez, 3B, Guardians: Surprisingly, Ramírez's energy numbers declined earlier than his steals whole. The 34-year-old has loved a spectacular profession, however managers might want to resolve how extremely to worth somebody who might end 2026 with a sub-.700 OPS.
25. Pete Alonso, 1B, Orioles: Whereas managers frequently chase the subsequent large factor, Alonso yearly performs in additional than 150 video games and produces large counting stat totals. Over the previous 5 seasons, he has averaged 40 homers, 92 runs and 115 RBI. He's one of many most secure picks on this checklist.
