Late-Round Speed Targets for 2026 Fantasy Baseball

Players who can steal double-digit bases are littered throughout the draft this season. Thanks to recent rule changes, including larger bases and limited pickoff attempts, a league-wide increase in steals isn’t surprising. But just because there’s more speed available doesn’t mean we can be complacent about acquiring it. In fact, we need more stolen bases in order to be competitive, which makes identifying late-round speed targets crucial for draft prep.

This article highlights some of those late-round speedsters going beyond pick 300 this draft season. And if you’re in the market for some late-round power bats, be sure to check out last week’s article.

Late-Round Speed for Fantasy Baseball

(ADP pulled from Jan. 05 – Feb. 05 NFBC Draft Champions)

Cedric Mullins (OF — TBR)

ADP: 304.11

Cedric Mullins is coming off a somewhat down season, posting a lowly .216 batting average and middling .690 OPS across 498 plate appearances. Despite the batting average hit, he still cobbled up 17 home runs and 22 steals. And if there’s one thing we can count on from Mullins, it’s steals. He averaged 27 stolen bases over the past five seasons, and there’s no indication that will change with his move to Tampa Bay.

The Rays love to mix-and-match their players, but they also love to give them the green light on the basepaths. Tampa Bay led the league in stolen bases by a 30-steal margin in 2025. They’ve also been in the top four in stolen bases since the league instituted friendlier base-stealing rules in 2023. Mullins’ running abilities should mesh well with his new team, making him one of the safest bets to nab 25 steals at this point in the draft.

Andres Gimenez (2B — TOR)

ADP: 306.11

Injuries and bad luck contributed to Andres Gimenez’s disappointing debut with the Blue Jays in 2025. In 369 plate appearances, he finished the year with a .210/.285/.313 slash line with seven home runs and 12 stolen bases. It was the first time since 2021 that Gimenez stole fewer than 20 bags in a season.

However, Gimenez is a prime bounce-back candidate heading into 2026 — in both the speed and batting average columns. His underlying metrics last season were consistent with his career marks, as was his .251 xBA. Helping his cause is that Gimenez has been fairly durable. Prior to 2025, he accumulated at least 555 plate appearances for three consecutive seasons.

Gimenez will likely be hitting ninth in the order, which isn’t ideal. But barring injury, he should still be able to rack up 20+ bags with a batting average that won’t hurt you. He’s a solid late-round speed target this season.

Victor Scott II (OF — STL)

ADP: 338.24

Victor Scott is your classic rabbit — a player who provides little outside of a bucketload of steals. Indeed, his five dingers and .216/.305/.296 slash line over 138 games in 2025 isn’t pretty. But Scott leaned into his 30.2 ft./sec. sprint speed and squeezed out a heaping 34 steals on 38 attempts. His efforts led the Cardinals in stolen bases, and his 34 swipes ranked eighth-most among players with at least 450 plate appearances.

Scott is a batting average liability and will likely be hitting at the bottom of the order. But there aren’t many players at this point in the draft — let alone in the entire league — with 40+ upside in the speed department. If you find yourself in a hole in the stolen base department or just want some speed depth on the bench, Scott makes sense as a late-round speed target.

Jake Mangum (OF — PIT)

ADP: 351.68

Jake Mangum was impressive in his rookie season last year. He slashed .296/.330/.368 and racked up 27 stolen bases in 32 attempts across 428 plate appearances. Mangum offers little in the way of power, but his 91st-percentile sprint speed and history of getting on base (career .351 OBP across the minors) bode well for another successful season on the basepaths.

It’s unclear how Mangum’s playing time will shake out in Pittsburgh. But if he can log 120 games as a strong-side platoon bat, a 20-stolen base season with room to grow is in the cards. Speed, combined with a helpful batting average, is well worth a shot around pick 350.

Nasim Nunez (SS — WAS)

ADP: 393.26

Nasim Nunez doesn’t have a ton of big-league miles under his belt, but he’s shown the ability to fly in his limited opportunities. He stole nine bases across 39 games in the majors last year, and his 29.8 ft/sec sprint speed ranked in the 98th percentile. Nunez also lit up the basepaths in Triple-A in 2025, swiping 36 bags in 42 attempts — in only 63 games.

Nunez’s elite speed is bolstered by his penchant for getting on base. He posted double-digit walk rates throughout the minors, which carried over to the big-league level. In a combined 170 MLB plate appearances, Nunez registered an 11.8% walk rate and 20.6% strikeout rate while making plus contact.

Nunez will pick up second base eligibility early in the season and should get the green light often. He offers 30+ potential on the basepaths and is one of the sneakier late-round speed targets this draft season.

Jake McCarthy (OF — COL)

ADP: 422

Jake McCarthy is coming off a career-worst year that included a demotion to Triple-A. He finished the season with a .204/.247/.345 slash line with four home runs, six steals, and a 60 wRC+ across 222 plate appearances. But McCarthy’s trade to the Rockies this offseason could offer a new lease on life for the speedster.

Prior to 2025, McCarthy swiped at least 23 bags for three consecutive seasons. In that three-year stretch, he got on base at a healthy .339 clip, posted a .273 batting average, and registered a sprint speed in the 98th percentile. Basically, he did all the stuff you want to see from speedsters.

We can’t ignore McCarthy’s down 2025, but he’s shown that he can pile up steals when things are clicking. Plus, he now calls BABIP-friendly Coors Field home and will cost you nothing in drafts. McCarthy is a great late-round speed stab in 2026.

Luisangel Acuna (2B — CHW)

ADP: 446.61

Inconsistent playing time has capped Luisangel Acuna’s speed potential early in his MLB career. But a change of scenery to the White Sox could be just what the doctor ordered. With newfound playing time available in the South Side, Acuna should thrive on the basepaths — and pad our stolen base totals in the process.

Acuna showcased his wheels in limited big-league opportunities last season. In 95 games with the Mets, Acuna went 16-for-17 on the basepaths and sported a 97th percentile sprint speed. He was also no stranger to the running game in the minor league. In 2024, he swiped 40 bags in 54 attempts across 131 Triple-A games. The efficiency there isn’t great, but the point is that Acuna likes to run.

Acuna screams upside, which is what you want at the end of drafts. Plus, it’s possible the White Sox play him in centerfield, giving Acuna the bonus of dual eligibility. He’s an easy late-round speed demon to take a chance on this draft season.