Making bold sporting statements without real repercussion can be fun, and certainly is fun, so it is time again for us to combine these fun things into one column. Well, really it is two columns, as we get bold separately with the American League and the National League, making myriad predictions and hoping some/many may hit. Perhaps not, but at least they should make one think.
For example, a year ago we predicted OFs and would each go 30/30. They did not. RHP did not earn an All-Star bid or get traded. However, we also predicted DH would knock in 125 runs (close, 132 RBI) and C would hit more home runs than walks (it was close, 31 to 33). OF did lead the team in stolen bases.
Some (most) of these predictions will look a bit silly in six months, if not sooner. Still, there is a basis for making each of these bold statements, and perhaps it makes you think. Perhaps the player in question has a particular skill — or opportunity — that defies groupthink. Perhaps the statement is not a positive one. Fantasy baseball managers tend to follow rankings and projections but trusting your gut is important, too. Trust yourself. Take a few chances. Perhaps some of these bold picks will look wise in a few months.
With that in mind, let us go bold yet again, this time for 2026, finishing up with the National League.
: 3B finally becomes a top-50 fantasy option, hitting 16 home runs and stealing 26 bases. … SS falls short of 20 home runs, but he walks 100 times and steals 32 bases. … Rookie OF hits 25 home runs. … RHP finally figures things out: 3.60 ERA, 180 K. … RHP leads the team with 21 saves.
: A healthy . blasts 30 home runs and steals 55 bases. … Cs and combine for 52 home runs, with Baldwin seeing ample time at DH. … RHP strikes out 240 hitters with a 3.40 ERA. … Prospect RHP wins eight of his 11 MLB starts with a 2.95 ERA.
: OF adds more power, reaching 36 home runs with 110 RBI. … Regular DH hits .260 with 24 home runs. … LHPs and each win 16 games with a sub-3.00 ERA.
: Rookie 1B clubs 28 home runs, bats .280. … Three Reds go 20/20 (, , ). … RHP strikes out 200 hitters with a 3.50 ERA.
: Six Rockies hit more than 20 home runs, including OF and 1B . … OF steals 32 bases. … OF/2B/3B has his first 20/20 season. … Surprising RHP saves 22 wins. … The Rockies finish with a sub-5.00 ERA for the first season since 2021.
: We predicted DH would steal only 20 bases last season. He stole 19. Let’s say he gets back to 30 steals this season. … On the mound, Ohtani makes 20 starts and wins 10 games. … 1B , at 36, wins his first batting title. … RHP , the only Dodger to make more than 22 starts last season, is the only one to do so again in 2026. … However, LHP posts a 1.99 ERA over his 16 starts.
: OF and 2B combine to steal 76 bases, and they hit 14 home runs. … C rises to top 3 at the position, hitting 28 home runs with 22 steals. He transitions to first base by midseason. … OF hits 24 home runs. … LHP wins 14 games. … RHP does not get traded.
: The true breakout season is here. He goes 30/30. … Longtime prospect 1B , off to a great start at Triple-A Nashville, pushes 1B aside in May. Black hits .280 with a 12% walk rate for the Brewers. … SS prospect does not push SS aside. Ortiz bounces back with 15 home runs, 15 steals, Gold Glove defense. … RHP leads the staff with 149 K. … RHP leads staff with 22 saves.
: SS (hand) plays on Opening Day and all the days. He plays all 162 games, goes 30/30 for the third time. … OF steals 24 bases. … Nine Mets hit 20 or more home runs, including 3B/2B and 3B . … Overlooked RHP leads the staff in innings and ties RHP with 14 wins.
: “Elite” 1B knocks in 100 runs for the first time since 2019, and he scores 90 runs. … Revitalized OF hits 35 home runs. … 3B hits 20 home runs over 400 PA. … OF steals 42 bases. … RHP debuts in late-April and posts a 2.76 ERA with 16 wins. … Five Phillies hurlers whiff at least 150 hitters, including Wheeler and rookie RHP .
: Rookie SS debuts in late-April and still hits .280 with 25 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He is a top-20 fantasy option for 2027 drafts. … Seven Pirates surpass 20 home runs, including newcomers 2B , 1B/OF and DH . … RHP wins a career-high 16 games. … RHP (elbow) returns in June and wins 12 games with a 3.20 ERA.
: Healthy OF hits 32 home runs, leading the team. … 2B settles in at leadoff, and he scores 90 runs. … OF , playing mostly DH, hits .270 with 25 home runs. … RHP , back from Tommy John surgery, leads the starters with a 3.30 ERA.
: 1B , adding 2B eligibility in early April, wins his fourth batting title with his fourth different franchise. … The Giants get 45 home runs from the DH platoon of rookie and OF . … Backup C hits twice as many home runs as starting C . … RHP prospect forces his way into the rotation by June and wins 10 games with a 3.60 ERA.
: 3B/2B and DH deliver their first 30-homer seasons. … OF prospect debuts in June and belts 18 home runs and steals 16 bases. … No Cardinals pitcher wins 10 games, strikes out 150 hitters or saves 15 games.
: SS , looking to deliver more power, leads the team with 26 home runs. He steals 26 bases. … OF cuts down on his strikeout rate, and he hits only 25 home runs. … C prospect wins the starting role for Opening Day and hits .275 with 16 stolen bases. … No Nationals pitcher wins 10 games or strikes out 150 hitters. However, RHP saves 16 games.
