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EspañolThe word sleeper has become a nebulous term in the fantasy world, with various definitions depending on who you ask. But we can all can agree that if you hit on a sleeper at the draft table, you’ll be happy. Let’s assume the most general of sleeper definitions — a reasonably-inexpensive commodity who has a decent chance to outkick his ADP — and move along from there.
Here are some sleepers I like from the infield in 2026.
1B Andrew Vaughn, Brewers (217.1 ADP)
Expectations were high when the White Sox tabbed Vaughn with the third overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, but his progress was stalled in Chicago — and hit a .189/.219/.314 wall on the South Side last summer. But Vaughn’s bat magically healed after a trade to Milwaukee — he gave the Brewers a .308/.375/.493 slash, with nine homers and 46 RBI in 64 games. He was a top-65 fantasy hitter over the final three months of the year.
Sometimes players need a change of scenery or a new set of guideposts, and the Brewers have been so shrewd with their under-the-radar player evaluations in recent years, I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. A decade ago, we’d regularly talk about backlining Tampa Bay — the Rays didn’t have a ton of resources but they seemed to use them smarter than anyone else. That’s how I feel about the Brewers now. Even if you fall short of my Milwaukee optimism, you can at least rally behind a post-hype sleeper who’s settling into his age-28 year. The timing appears right for Vaughn to take a step forward, and the cost is absurdly low.
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2B/SS/OF Brendan Donovan, Mariners (187.6 ADP)
Donovan’s two biggest calling cards are things we tend to underrate in the fantasy community — batting average (a career .282 mark, never lower than .278) and versatility (he qualifies at three different positions). He’ll push past double-digit homers but probably can’t hit 20, and he’s never stolen more than five bases in a year, though a shift to Seattle could perk up that approach.
Injuries cost Donovan about a third of the year last season and muted his final counting numbers, and I like that he’s slotted as the leadoff man on a decent Seattle offense. I want a few Legos on my fantasy rosters, versatile building blocks that allow me to think positionless at the bottom of my lineup. Donovan makes for a perfect target.
2B/SS Otto Lopez, Marlins (209.4 ADP)
Lopez already showed us category juice last year (15 homers, 15 steals), and his .246 average is somewhat misleading. Lopez gets plus marks for his contact rate and zone discipline, and his expected average based on contact data was a solid .269. The typical Miami discount applies, too; it’s a fairly pedestrian roster, which often makes players like Lopez a few rounds cheaper in drafts than is justified. I’m not thrilled to see Lopez initially slotted sixth in a lesser lineup, but that certainly isn’t carved in stone.
3B Alec Bohm, Phillies (196.4 ADP)
Bohm has never hit like a traditional third baseman, generally producing solid batting averages but low home-run counts. Last year, his slugging percentage dropped to .409, and you can understand why the Phillies often slotted him in the bottom half of the lineup.
But rib and shoulder injuries dogged Bohm for most of the year, and he’s still young enough — entering his age-29 season — for us to dream about some upside. The Phillies haven’t given up on Bohm, giving him the cleanup spot to open the year. That’s a lovely spot for run production, working after Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
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1B Sal Stewart, Reds (207.3 ADP)
The Reds always seem to have too many options for too few offensive slots, so it’s generally a nervous exercise to promote one of their less-established players. But Stewart got our attention during an 118-game romp through the minors last year (.309/.383/.524, with 20 homers at two levels). The Reds used him off-and-on during a September call-up, and although Stewart had 15 whiffs against just three walks, at least his connections were loud (five homers, .545 slugging).
I’d like to hear some Terry Francona confirmation on Stewart’s role and batting slot before I jump into this recco with both feet, but Stewart at least carries plenty of plausible upside entering his age-22 season
C Kyle Teel, White Sox (196.1 ADP)
I’m surprised Teel isn’t generating more fantasy buzz in early Yahoo drafts, though part of that might be the one-catcher requirement that’s in place for the majority of leagues. Teel never looked overmatched in his first 78 MLB games (.273 average, .375 OBP) and although the pop has yet to fully develop here, eight homers in 253 at-bats is credible, too.
Teel is slated for decent volume as Chicago’s No. 2 hitter, and he’ll pick up extra DH work when the team wants to rest him from catching. If healthy, he’s set to smash his current ADP.