Bobby Witt Jr. is not only the best shortstop in fantasy baseball heading into the 2026 season. He’s also one of the best players regardless of the position and a consensus first-round pick who should leave draft boards in the early stages of the first round. He was that good in 2025, and he profiles to be a dominant force at the plate once again in 2026.
Witt is coming off a 2025 MLB season in which he slashed .295/.351/.501 in 157 games. The fact that those numbers represented a drop-off from 2024, when he finished second in the AL MVP race, goes to show just how dominant he can be at the plate with his elite blend of power, contact, and speed. Witt also notched 23 homers, 88 RBI, 99 runs, and 38 stolen bases in 2025.
The real question lies in his upside and whether Witt can take his game to a whole new level, perhaps surpassing his 2024 season, when he posted a 168 wRC+. He’s already an elite offensive threat with premier defense in the toughest position in the sport.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s Strengths, Weaknesses, and 2026 Fantasy Baseball Projections
He’s already a must-see player based on his elite defense and premium arsenal at the plate. If he reverts to his 2024 numbers, he should be a strong candidate for the AL MVP award. But even if his 2025 numbers become the new norm, that’s still excellent production across the board. He’s certainly capable of posting a 30-30 season with 100+ RBI and runs while hitting around .300.
In terms of projection, it’s hard to find a player more complete than Witt around the majors. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge might make a strong case to be No. 1 and No. 2 ADP, but after that duo, Witt offers the most upside of any position player.
He can hit for power and average while being an above-average runner with great baserunning instincts. It’s hard to find any glaring weaknesses in his game. With his excellent skill set, I’d definitely rank him above other elite offensive players like Juan Soto, Jose Ramirez, and Julio Rodriguez.
Feel confident drafting Witt with your first-round pick if you have the chance to do so. As a durable player with elite production across the board, there are few players who can be considered a safer bet than Witt ahead of the 2026 fantasy baseball season.
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