It’s all about youth. But, we also want to win. Balancing those dueling priorities is a lot of the challenge when it comes to dynasty fantasy baseball leagues. As we look to find success in 2026, let’s take a look at three dynasty shortstops I’m looking to target.
Dynasty Baseball Shortstop Targets
Colson Montgomery, Chicago White Sox
When it comes to the Chicago White Sox, there’s no shortage of opportunity. Colson Montgomery took advantage of that in 2025, and it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
Drafted in the first round in 2021 out of High School, Montgomery brings a high pedigree of potential and upside to the table. Strikeouts are always going to be a problem for the shortstop, but he finally found his footing and worked through it last season. However, that means there’s always going to be some level of concern, and the batting average will be a little shaky. That was evident through his minor league career and also when he was promoted to the big leagues last season.
In 71 games with the White Sox, Montgomery hit .239. That came with a .263 BABIP, although his .230 xBA means we should limit our expectations. While it’s obviously below average, it’s not all that surprising in today’s game. At the same point, that, along with his 29.2% strikeout rate, is what’s depressing Montgomery’s value. And that’s why he’s a dynasty shortstop target.
It’s the power that caught my attention as Montgomery hit 21 home runs while driving in 55 runs and scoring 43 times. For a Chicago team that isn’t very good, that’s strong production in a smaller sample size. Considering he had a .290 ISO, the production shouldn’t have come as a surprise.
With a 14.4% barrel rate, there’s a lot to like here. Montgomery had a .529 SLG (.501 xSLG) and has 30 home run upside.
Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees
How quickly we forgot about Anthony Volpe. After emerging on the scene in 2023, things have gone downhill for the shortstop over the last two seasons.
In his rookie season, Volpe had 21 home runs and 24 stolen bases, although he did hit .209. A shortstop having a 20/20 season is bound to generate attention. The following year, Volpe sacrificed power (12 home runs) for batting average (.243), but he stole 28 bases. And then last season, things just went bust for Volpe as he played through a shoulder injury he suffered in May.
Volpe probably should have spent some time on the Injured List, but instead, he played through it. With 19 home runs, you wouldn’t have necessarily known the shoulder was bothering him, as he had a career high .180 ISO. He also had a career high 72 RBI while stealing 18 bases.
The .212 batting average was an issue, but maybe we can put some blame on the .252 BABIP, although his .223 xBA doesn’t generate much optimism. Volpe also had a career high 10.5% barrel rate. It’s unclear how much the shoulder really was an issue, but Volpe’s defense also suffered.
Despite having no issues to this point, the beginning of Volpe’s season is likely going to be delayed. That’s part of what’s keeping his value down, and I wouldn’t fall victim to it. There’s no reason why we can’t get another 20/20 season out of Volpe.
Chase Meidroth, Chicago White Sox
When it comes to dynasty leagues, there’s a clear hierarchy to building a roster. There are going to be some positions where you might find yourself a little deficient. Should that be the middle infield for your team, then Meidroth is worth a closer look.
The fact that he’s batting leadoff helps, even if it’s for the Chicago White Sox. No one is saying they’ll contend for a playoff berth, but the lineup should be a little better. That would benefit Meidroth, who scored 54 runs in 122 games. He projects to bat leadoff for Chicago after stealing 14 bases last year.
With a 1.6% barrel rate, don’t expect any power here. But the multi-positional eligibility certainly helps as well.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
