Sometimes the best way to make big leaps forward in dynasty or keeper league is to take small steps back in the short term by drafting and stashing injured players. A harsh reality of the game is the perpetual cycle of major injuries every season. Yet, this is a key aspect of the game that dynasty and keeper league players need to factor into their annual draft strategies. Just last year we saw many of the top starting pictures go down with season-ending injuries, like Jacob deGrom and Shane McClanahan, leading to late-round selections in drafts. Now entering 2025, those savvy fantasy managers who used late-round picks for them will reap the rewards of a significant gain in value. That’s why we help identify the sneaky 2026 keeper values to stash this year.
Sneaky 2026 Keeper Values to Stash
Injured Players with No Present Value
Joe Musgrove, Christian Scott, Adbert Alzolay, Brandon Williamson
The first group of sneaky 2026 keeper values to target players usually involves star players who are now dismissed due to long injury absences or suspensions, removing their present-year value. Last year it was a star-studded list of players who recently had major surgeries, like Brandon Woodruff, Sandy Alcantara, Shane McClanahan, and several others. Yet, while this year the list has much less star power it still provides a good opportunity for value gains. Players like Joe Musgrove and Christian Scott, in particular, are certain to have top-75 pitcher rankings when healthy again in 2026. This may be the last chance to get them at little to no cost to maximize their 2026 keeper values.
Injured Players with Only Late Season Value
Shane Bieber, Kyle Bradish, Cristian Javier, Matt Brash, Eury Perez, Jorge Mateo, Robert Stephenson, John Means, Jose Urquidy, Ken Waldichuk and Josiah Gray
There is another group of players that are further along in their injury recovery and will likely provide partial season value in the second half of 2025. However, the loss of time early in the season and the risk of recovery setbacks keep their draft values suppressed considerably. In deeper leagues, it’s usually worth the IL spot to hold one of the players who are certain to be out all season to gain late-season value and strong keeper values the following year.
The Next Class of Top Prospects
Jesus Made, Nick Kurtz, Yairo Padilla, Konnor Griffin, Zyhir Hope, and Jaison Chourio
Oftentimes fantasy managers in dynasty leagues find themselves with few picks in the upcoming minor league draft after a contending season. In this case, it will be hard to get players in the top tiers of current prospect rankings. Yet, there’s a great opportunity to plan for 2026 keeper values by targeting potential future top prospects in the late rounds. Every year young stars emerge from complex or low A ball to make a splash over the course of the season. The players listed above are well on their track to the top of 2026 prospect lists.
Prospects Rebounding from Major Injuries
Luke Keaschall, River Ryan, Kyle Hurt, Ricky Tiedemann, Everson Pereira, Emmett Sheehan, and Jackson Kowar
This last category of sneaky 2025 draft targets involves former top 100 prospects that have likely been forgotten about or have lost their luster due to long injury absences. Yet, these rehabbed prospects can provide strong value in the current season but at a fraction of their original cost. For their true believers in long-term potential, there’s likely no better time to acquire them than now.
Gain 2026 Keeper Values Late in Your Dynasty Drafts
While you should always prioritize winning the current season with your early-round draft picks, the late rounds present an exciting opportunity to acquire strong keeper players for pennies on the dollar. Usually one of these picks will have other managers scrambling to look up other dismissed players for viable 2025 keeper targets. By the time they have figured it out, you’ve likely had your pick of the litter and the envy of your league mates. Let me know what you think by reaching me on X or BlueSky at @TheToddMpls.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
*Bieber