Late Round Hitters to Target for 2026 Fantasy Baseball

One of the best feelings in fantasy baseball is finding a hidden gem in your draft. After doing all of your research, having that sneaky sleeper actually pan out and contribute to your team can be validating. This is especially true for identifying players in later rounds that add value to your team. But which players do you target? Here are some of my favorite late-round hitters to target in 2026 drafts.

Late Round Hitters To Target in Fantasy Baseball 2026

C – Dillon Dingler DET (211 ADP)

Dillon Dingler lines up as Detroit’s likely starting catcher this season. He had 469 plate appearances across 126 games. In that span, Dingler launched 13 homers, scored 54 runs, and had 57 RBI with a .278 AVG. Dingler projects for similar numbers this season, though closer to a .245 AVG by most projection systems.

Even with some regression to his AVG thanks to an inflated 2025 BABIP, there is still huge value to be had in drafting Dingler this late. He presents a solid floor in three categories, with upside in another. His 23% strikeout rate from last season was just 1% worse than league average, a value boost for catchers in fantasy.

Dingler flashed excellent bat-to-ball skills last season as well. His 9% barrel rate and 45% HardHit rate were both better than league average. Pairing those with a high line drive and pull rate makes for a hitter who should rack up hits and counting stats.

He will have to cut down on his 30% chase rate to maintain success, but Dingler plays in a good lineup and represents great value after pick 200 if you decide to wait at catcher.

1B – Josh Bell MIN (505 ADP)

Josh Bell is an excellent late-round hitter target, mostly in 12-15 team leagues. Similar to Dingler, his floor makes him enticing, but his ceiling leads to him being overlooked.

Bell has a shot at getting the bulk of at-bats at first base for Minnesota, but could also feature at designated hitter. In 533 PAs across 140 games last season, Bell launched 22 home runs, with 54 runs, 63 RBI, and a .237 AVG. He projects for nearly identical numbers this season.

At pick 500, those stats are a steal, especially if Bell fills the utility or bench role on fantasy rosters. The risk for fantasy managers is if Bell’s playing time gets cut because of competition from Eric Wagaman, Kody Clemens, or Trevor Larnach.

Still, Bell has a knack for getting on base, which adds value to the lineup. And even if he loses some playing time, at pick 500, he is an easy drop. Bell’s best asset is discipline at the plate. He surpassed a 20% K rate just twice in his career. His BB% has been in the single digits just twice in his career as well.

A groundball rate nearing 50% leaves a bit to be considered, but Bell hits the ball hard, pulls the ball well, limits strikeouts, and induces walks. That all makes him one of my top late-round hitter targets this season.

2B Romy Gonzalez BOS (548 ADP)

Another overlooked player drafted way too late is Boston’s Romy Gonzalez. He is eligible at both first and second base in most leagues. Barring any significant additions to Boston’s second or third base depth chart, Gonzalez should surpass his 320-360 PA projections.

Gonzalez did not fall victim to righty/lefty splits last season, posting a .333 AVG against lefty pitchers and a .286 AVG against righties. His biggest competition for playing time at 2B currently is David Hamilton, a lefty bat who hit below the Mendoza Line last season.

Gonzalez projects for double-digit homers and steals, about 10-12 each, but could surpass both the homer and steal totals with more playing time. Among 2B with at least 300 PAs last season, he had the highest HardHit rate at 57%, and the fifth highest barrel rate at 12%. He also drives the ball well.

If Gonzalez chases less and can improve his groundball rate in 2026, he could be a massive sleeper in deep leagues. He should be on everyone’s radar for late-round hitter targets in drafts.

3B Mark Vientos (259 ADP)

Mark Vientos had a disappointing 2025 after an impressive 2024. That may be driving him down draft boards, along with the addition of Bo Bichette, who likely takes the third base role. Still, Vientos should get plenty of DH at-bats and has a shot to redeem himself this season.

Vientos improved in many aspects last season, shaving 5% off his strikeout rate. He improved his HardHit rate while also maintaining an elite barrel rate. He increased his line drive rate while decreasing his groundball rate. He also marginally improved his contact rate. So, why the down year?

It appears he hit into some bad luck. Despite the added LD% and maintaining his high pull%, HH%, and barrel%, Vientos saw his HR/FB% and BABIP drop. Those should experience positive regression in 2026. If that happens, and he continues to improve in key areas, he could provide more value than many 3B drafted ahead of him. Some players drafted ahead of Vientos that may return less value include Max Muncy, Caleb Durbin, Jose Caballero, Munetaka Murakami, and Matt Shaw.

Vientos could provide top-15 value at the position, while going as 3B22. He possesses huge value as a late-round hitter target this season.

SS – Carlos Correa HOU (271 ADP)

Carlos Correa has eligibility at shortstop and third base, but his late-round hitter value is best as a shortstop. Correa’s 2025 was disappointing, especially after hitting 14 home runs in 86 games in 2024. He only launched 13 last season across 144 games. That could change in 2026.

Correa has always been a hard hitter, which should not change all of a sudden this year. He also drove and pulled the ball well last season – two things he has also done well throughout his career. Where he suffered last season was with his HR/FB%. This looks like an issue he can fix relatively easily by tweaking his swing, though. With a small fix, he can loft the ball more to create more flyballs and hopefully get a few more over the fence.

Additionally, Houston’s ballpark ranks much higher than Minnesota’s for righty power according to Statcast’s park factors.

All signs point to a resurgence for Correa, who should be among your top late-round hitter targets this season.

OF – Jesus Sanchez HOU

Jesus Sanchez had a better season in 2025 than many may realize. For the second season in a row, he finished with double-digit homers and steals. His average dipped some, to .237, though his BABIP dipped as well. He projects for similar numbers as well.

I intentionally left off his ADP because I wanted to do a blind resume here. Which player would you like to have most of the following three? This is using the Bat X projections.

Player A: 17 home runs, 57 runs, 52 RBI, nine steals, .246 AVG, 414 ADP

Player B: 17 home runs, 55 runs, 56 RBI, four steals, .238 AVG, 188 ADP

Player C: 16 home runs 54 runs, 58 RBI, three steals, .227 AVG, 221 ADP

You probably are taking Player A, who projects for similar numbers but with a much later ADP. Player A represents Sanchez, while Addison Barger is B, and Jac Caglianone is C.

Detractors may say that Houston has a crowded outfield, so Sanchez may find playing time difficult to come across. Even if that is the case and he platoons, he would face RHP and would be on the heavy side of the platoon.

Sanchez also has been trending in the right direction in important statistical categories. He improved his K% and BB% last year. He also improved his GB% and Pull%.

Sanchez is an improving hitter, with a chance at significant playing time, going much later than players who project for a similar stat line. What is not to like?

Hopefully, you can land some of these late-round hitter targets in your drafts this season.