Finding value in hitters is extremely difficult in fantasy baseball, but there are a few players who should be considered must-select players if they fall into your range. These are three hitters you should target at all costs if you’re looking to gain an edge in terms of value in your draft.
Why Jazz Chisholm Jr. Is a Top Fantasy Target at Second and Third Base
Chisholm is on every single radar when it comes to fantasy for the 2026 season, and for good reason: He’s coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hit .242 with an .813 OPS, 31 home runs, and 31 stolen bases, being one of seven players in the majors who recorded a 30-30 season.
That said, he’s a player you should absolutely draft if you have the chance to do so, even if that means getting him as early as the second round. There are plenty of reasons to take a swing at drafting Chisholm as soon as you have the chance to do so.
Chisholm has dual eligibility at second base and third base, meaning he can be an elite producer across all five categories in two positions that aren’t particularly deep in terms of fantasy talent. Chisholm is one of the first, if not the first, second basemen to go off the board, but if he falls into your lap in the second round, you should definitely draft him.
You can target production in other areas elsewhere, but Chisholm is a player who brings elite value in two separate positions, which is not entirely common in fantasy.
Will Smith Brings Elite Value at Catcher for the Dodgers
Drafting a catcher is complicated in most leagues because there’s a noticeable downgrade once Cal Raleigh is off the board, something that should happen late in the first round or early in the second in most cases.
However, if you’re looking to draft a catcher not named Raleigh, one player you should target is Will Smith. Smith had an impressive season in 2025 and hit .296 with a .404 on-base percentage and a .901 OPS.
The Dodgers’ backstop is not only a talented hitter, but he also benefits from hitting in arguably the best and deepest lineup in baseball. Smith has proven he can hit for average and deliver solid OPS numbers, but he also hits for power: He has hit at least 17 homers in five seasons in a row.
His run-producing numbers should be very good as well, though they can be attributed to the fact that he’ll hit in a star-studded lineup. If you’re not able to get Raleigh and are looking for a catcher in the mid-rounds, Smith is an intelligent option.
Munetaka Murakami Is a High-Upside Fantasy Sleeper at First Base
This one is a bit of a sleeper, but Murakami could be an intriguing fantasy option if you’re looking to add depth at first base in the middle rounds of your drafts.
The first baseman hasn’t seen a pitch at the MLB level outside of spring training, but if his play in the World Baseball Classic is showing anything, Murakami should not only adjust to life in MLB rather quickly, but he could be a productive first baseman since he’ll also have a middle-of-the-order role with the White Sox.
Murakami has an ADP around No. 190, meaning he’s a player worth targeting around the 15th or 16th round if you’re playing in a 12-team league. However, we’re talking about a seasoned veteran who posted a .945 OPS and averaged 33 homers across eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.
He’ll bring some much-needed power to the White Sox lineup, but he should also provide decent value across the board, with the lone exception being the steals category. Still, if Murakami falls into your lap around the 15th round and you need infield depth, he could be an excellent steal who has a great chance of overplaying his ADP.
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