2026 Fantasy Baseball: Rookie Shortstops to Watch

This season may be an exciting year for prospects at the shortstop position to make their MLB debuts. I grew up hearing, “Put your best athletes at shortstop,” while playing baseball. The saying is still true today, with the shortstop prospects below offering their teams defensive flexibility by playing multiple positions.

JJ Wetherholt is a prime example of this strategy. He’s primarily a shortstop, but has a clear path to break camp with the St. Louis Cardinals as a second baseman. Another prospect who appeared to be on track for an early MLB debut is Sebastian Walcott with the Texas Rangers. However, he underwent an internal brace surgery to repair a UCL injury.

This type of surgery has a shorter recovery time than Tommy John surgery, which opens the door for a September call-up this season. Below, I’m going to break down the five shortstop prospects I think will be significant contributors in 2026.

Rookie Shortstops to Watch for 2026 Fantasy Baseball

Konnor Griffin – SS/OF, Pittsburgh Pirates (ADP: 238)

The Pittsburgh Pirates may have struck prospect gold again. Not only do they have the greatest young pitcher in Paul Skenes, but Konnor Griffin is proving to be the real deal offensively. Even more impressive is that he turns 20 in late April. The prospect is a true five-tool player. In his only minor-league season last year, he hit .333/.415/.889 with 21 home runs, 117 runs, 94 RBIs, and 65 stolen bases in Single- and Double-A.

Griffin has already started Spring Training hot, hitting two homers in nine plate appearances. Though the speedy start doesn’t guarantee breaking camp with the Pirates. However, the front office can’t possibly believe Nick Gonzales gives them the best chance to win games.

The team was finally aggressive during an offseason in building a decent offense by adding Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Marcell Ozuna to complement what’s arguably the best young starting rotation in MLB. If the Pirates are crazy enough to send Griffin to Triple-A to start the season, then it shouldn’t be long until the prospect is in the big leagues, providing significant sleeper potential in fantasy baseball.

Kevin McGonigle – SS, Detroit Tigers (ADP: 277)

Kevin McGonigle, the 37th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of high school, is a superb contact hitter. Over his three minor-league seasons, he’s shown a great eye at the plate, walking more than he strikes out (123 to 84). Last season, he slashed .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs, 68 runs, and 80 RBIs over 397 plate appearances in Single- and Double-A.

The power surge was a surprise since he only hit six long balls combined in his first two seasons. McGonigle should start the season in Triple-A, but if he can continue his improved launch angle, Zach McKinstry can’t continue to block the 21-year-old.

The one downside to McGonigle’s offensive game is that he doesn’t steal bases often; his high was 20 in 2024. However, the prospect offers upside in every other offensive category. Keep him on your watch list and swoop in to grab him off the waiver wire if he receives an early-season call-up.

Colt Emerson – SS, Seattle Mariners (ADP: 402)

Colt Emerson looked to have the chance to win the third basemen job for the Seattle Mariners, but the trade to acquire Brendan Donovan derailed those plans. The second base job is Emerson’s best chance to make the Mariners’ roster out of camp, ahead of Cole Young. However, if the team wants Emerson at the hot corner, then Donovan could move to second base.

Emerson is on the cusp of being a five-tool player. His increased launch angle helped the 20-year-old raise his home run total from a combined six in 2023 and ’24, to the 16 long balls he smashed last year. He has also shown a slight aggressiveness to steal bases, with 15 last season.

Emerson has only driven in two runs and scored once over nine Spring Training plate appearances this season. Even though this is Young’s second season, he doesn’t have the skill set to block Emerson. If the prospect starts the season in Triple-A, it shouldn’t be long for the Mariners to call up one of their top-10 prospects.

Jett Williams – 3B/SS, Milwaukee Brewers (ADP: 515)

Jett Williams came to the Brewers in the Freddy Peralta trade to the New York Mets. The Brewers may have acquired the next Jackson Chourio. Williams provides a five-tool skill set that can slide into shortstop over Joey Ortiz. Last season, he hit 17 home runs, scored 91 runs, knocked in 52 runs, and stole 34 bases over 572 plate appearances combined between Double- and Triple-A.

One weakness in the 20-year-old’s game is his contact. These struggles are showing in his early Spring Training experience, where Williams is only hitting. 167 over eight plate appearances. Despite trading away Peralta, the Brewers have the pieces to continue to contend in the NL Central, but Williams on the Opening Day roster could expedite those plans.

Leo De Vries – SS, Athletics (ADP: 703)

The Athletics acquired Leo De Vries in the trade that sent Mason Miller and JP Sears to the San Diego Padres. The young prospect has only had two minor-league seasons, but he’s shown the skill set to be a low-end five-tool player. The 21-year-old has combined to hit 26 home runs and steal 24 bases over Single- and Double-A appearances in those two seasons.

De Vries has struggled slightly in the contact department, hitting .237 and .255 in his minor-league seasons. The lack of contact has him off to a slow start in Spring Training. Though it’s a small sample size, batting .167 over seven plate appearances. Jacob Wilson blocks De Vries at shortstop, and Jeff McNeil blocks the prospect at second base. However, McNeil can play multiple positions, so once De Vries is ready, there is nothing to stop his call-up.

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.