Fantasy Baseball: Top 100 Starting Pitching Rankings

Top 100 Starting Pitchers in 2026

Here are the starting pitchers ranked 91 to 100 in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship over the first half of January (DC format due to them drafting 750 players over 50 rounds:

91 – Jameson Taillon, Chicago Cubs (NFBC ADP – 317)

Over the past two seasons, Taillon has settled into a more trusted fantasy arm despite missing time. A hamstring injury last summer cost him 41 games. He allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his first 14 starts while delivering two disaster showings (11 runs, 19 baserunners, and six home runs over 8.1 innings with five strikeouts).

Before landing on the injured list in July, Taillon was roughed up over a three-game stretch (15 runs, 27 baserunners, and six home runs over 12.2 innings with nine strikeouts). He allowed two runs or fewer in all of his final six starts (4-1 with a 1.57 ERA, 0.903 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts over 34.1 innings). His arsenal wasn’t an edge against right-handed batters (.258 with 29 runs, 14 home runs, and four steals over 248 at-bats).

His average fastball (92.2 mph) was the lowest of his career. Taillon trusted his changeup (.167 BAA) more in 2025, while mixing in five other pitches – four-seamer (.222 BAA), cutter (.269 BAA), slider (.245 BAA), curveball (.161 BAA), and sinker (.232 BAA). He had a better approach to left-handed batters (four-seamer – .186 BAA, curveball – .167 BAA, and changeup – .169 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: Taillon has developed into an elite strike thrower over the past two seasons (1.8 walks per nine), but home runs (45 over 295.0 innings) continue to be a losing part of his equation. He only struck out 6.8 batters per nine in 2024 and 2025.

Taillon has settled into a backend inning-eater with potentially more downside than success. He was a road sit in many games last season (4.20 ERA, 15 home runs, and only 47 strikeouts over 70.2 innings). His arm doesn’t fit my game plan, but I tend to be a fantasy snob.

92 – Ryan Weathers, Miami Marlins (NFBC ADP – 318)

In 2023, Weathers pitched well over seven starts for Miami at AAA (4-0 with a 2.54 ERA, 1.077 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts over 39.0 innings) after a midseason trade from San Diego. Unfortunately, he continued to struggle in the majors in 2023 (1-8 with a 6.55 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 57.2 innings).

Weathers pitched well in 10 of his first 11 starts in 2024, leading to a 3.16 ERA, 1.085 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts over 62.2 innings. Two starts later (six runs, 13 baserunners, and 14 strikeouts over 8.1 innings), he was on the injured list for 88 games with a finger injury on his pitching hand. Over his final three starts, Weathers went 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.340 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts over 15.2 innings.

He opened 2025 on the injured list with a left forearm injury. After 41 missed games, Weathers posted a 3.28 ERA, 1.054 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts over 24.2 innings. A left shoulder injury knocked him to the sidelines for another 84 games. He allowed eight runs and 23 baserunners over 13.2 innings with 14 strikeouts.

His average fastball (96.9 mph) moved to an elite area. Weathers relies on two secondary pitches – changeup (.279 BAA) and slider (.129 BAA). Batters hit .232 vs. his four-seamer.

Fantasy Outlook: The increase in velocity gives Weathers a much better chance of success, especially when adding two other winning pitches and better command over the past two seasons (2.6 walks per nine).

The Yankees took a flier on his arm, but Weather has a lot to prove on the health side. His earlier forearm issue suggests a future TJ surgery, and a left shoulder strain adds another area of concern.

Tempting for sure, and his price point is just about free. A switch to New York should create more wins, so ride him while on the mound and hope for more length to his innings pitched.

93 – Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles (NFBC ADP – 319)

In 2024, Rodriguez allowed two runs or fewer in five of his first six starts to open the year, with one poor showing (seven runs, 12 baserunners, and one home run over 4.1 innings). The Orioles placed him on the injured list in early May due to a right shoulder issue.

He had 10 good starts over his final 14 appearances, but his battle with home runs (11 over 82.2 innings) and two disaster showings (13 runs, 22 baserunners, and four home runs over 10.0 innings) led to weaker results in ERA (3.92). He did win nine games over this span with help in WHIP (1.173) and strikeouts (93). Grayson missed the final two months with a lat injury.

It’s rare in Major League Baseball for a franchise to bail on a first-round arm for a bat (Taylor Ward) on the wrong side of 30. Rodriguez failed to record an out in 2025 due to a right elbow injury that required surgery in August to remove a bone spur. He also battled a lat strain in April.

Rodriguez underperformed expectations with the Orioles over his first two seasons (20-8 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.291 WHIP, and 259 strikeouts over 238.2 innings) based on his dominance in the minors (29-9 with a 2.40 ERA, 0.966 WHIP, and 475 strikeouts over 333.1 innings).

His average fastball (96.3 mph) was down more than one mph from his rookie season in 2024. Grayson threw four pitches – four-seamer (.287 BAA), changeup (.161 BAA), slider (.250 BAA), and curveball (.255 BAA). Righties roughed up his four-seamer (.359 BAA), a pitch that was much more effective against left-handed batters (.202 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: Rodriguez has a swing for the fences arm, who has been frustrating to roster over the past three seasons. His multiple lat issues invite more trips to the sidelines. The Angels expect him to be ready for spring training. His fantasy value in drafts will be driven by his health and success on the mound in March.

94 – Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds (NFBC ADP – 326)

Since his breakout season in 2021 (10-5 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.141 WHIP, and 150 strikeouts over 153.1 innings), Singer went 31-36 over his last 93 starts with a 4.39 ERA, 1.316 WHIP, and 466 strikeouts over 509.0 innings. His walk rate (3.2) was a four-year high, with a slight bump in his strikeout rate (8.6).

Last year, Singer allowed two runs or fewer in 17 of his 32 starts with at least five innings pitched. He gave up over four runs in two matchups (14 runs, 17 baserunners, and two home runs over 4.2 innings with two strikeouts). Singer was at his best from July 27th to September 17th (7-2 with 2.15 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts over 58.2 innings).

Left-handed batters hit .250 with 15 home runs over 352 at-bats. His arm was a liability on the road (4.88 ERA, 1.387 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 79.1 innings).

His average fastball (91.5 mph) was a career low. Singer relies on his sinker (.263 BAA and 71 strikeouts) and slider (.201BAA with 74 strikeouts) while mixing in a cutter (.250 BAA) for the first time in 2025. His four-seamer (.250 BAA) has been more relevant over the past two years.

Fantasy Outlook: Singer had home run risk against lefties, offers one pitch of value, and his command isn’t where it needs to be. He knows how to pitch, with stretches of success. Without a better change of pace pitch, Singer will be an up-and-down arm that falls into the inning-eater mode. On the positive side, he was more challenging to hit (.238 BAA) last year, with weaker command.

95 – Jonah Tong, New York Mets (NFBC ADP – 328)

After the Mets drafted Tong in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB June Amateur Draft out of high school, he struggled in his first 10 minor league games (14 runs, 39 baserunners, and 38 strikeouts over 21.0 innings) due to command issues (9.4 walks per nine).

His arm was dynamic over his last two seasons in the minors (16-9 with a 2.26 ERA, 1.046 WHIP, and 339 strikeouts over 226.2 innings). Tong still had a high walk rate (3.7) while posting an electric strikeout rate (13.5). He came to the majors last year with two games of experience at AAA (no runs, 11 baserunners, and 17 strikeouts over 11.2 innings).

With the Mets, batters drilled him in three games (15 runs, 23 baserunners, and three home runs over 8.2 innings with eight strikeouts). Tong pitched well in his other two matchups (one run, 10 baserunners, and 14 strikeouts over 10.0 innings).

His average fastball (95.3 mph) had plenty of life. Tong works off a plus changeup (.227 BAA) and four-seamer (.348 BAA). He also threw a show-me cutter (.500 BAA) and curveball (.250 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: Tong has hurdles to clear before being a trusted major league arm, starting with his command. He could see some time at AAA, but the Mets could call him up quickly with success if they need another starter. Strikeouts are his drawing card, but the length of games could be a problem until Tong throws more strikes.

96 – Will Warren, New York Yankees (NFBC ADP – 328)

Warren flashed over his first two seasons in the minors (19-13 with a 3.69 ERA, 1.264 WHIP, and 283 strikeouts over 263.1 innings) despite issuing 101 walks (3.5 per nine). His arm lost its way over 23 starts at AAA in 2024 (5.91 ERA, 1.395 WHIP, and 136 strikeouts over 109.2 innings), followed by failure with the Yankees (26 runs, 43 baserunners, and five home runs over 22.2 innings with 29 strikeouts).

The Yankees gave Warren a league-high 33 starts last year, where he mixed in some shining moments with disaster games. From July 8th to September 9th, over 12 matchups, he posted a 3.16 ERA, 1.261 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts over 62.2 innings. His season ended on a bad note (11 runs, 24 baserunners, and four home runs over 15.1 innings with 13 strikeouts) while having two other disaster games (15 runs, 25 baserunners, and three home runs over 5.1 innings with six strikeouts).

Warren battled his command against left-handed batters (47 of 65 walks over 342 at-bats), leading to a .266 batting average. Batters drilled him on the road (5.52 ERA, 1.573 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts over 75.0 innings).

His average fastball (93.2 mph) was about league average. Warren threw five pitches – four-seamer (.213 BAA with 75 strikeouts), sinker (.264 BAA), slider (.322 BAA), changeup (.206 BAA), and curveball (.283 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: Warren should start the year in the Yankees’ rotation until Gerrit Cole returns. He’ll battle Luis Gil for a longer lifeline, which hinges on the availability of Carlos Rodon. His growth last year was a positive, but there is plenty of work to be done here. Warren must throw more strikes and find a better path to get lefties out. His WHIP risk is real, and home runs can be a problem.

97 – Brayan Bello, Boston Red Sox (NFBC ADP – 333)

Bello comes off his best season with Boston despite a fading strikeout rate (6.7) and weakness in his walk rate (3.2). He was more challenging to hit (.237) with fewer balls landing in the seats (0.9 per nine). His command was a liability against left-handed batters (41 of 59 walks over 357 at-bats).

From June through August, over 16 starts, Bello went 8-5 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.042 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts over 101.2 innings. His arm backed up in September (15 runs, 23 hits, 12 walks, and 16 strikeouts over 25.0 innings). Over a five-game stretch in May, he failed to pitch at least five innings in any game while posting one disaster outing (seven runs, 15 baserunners, and three strikeouts over 4.1 innings).

His average fastball (95.1 mph) drifted back slightly. Bello added a cutter (.236 BAA) last year, at the expense of his slider (.200 BAA) and changeup (.224 BAA). He also threw a few more four-seamers (.267 BAA) while featuring his sinker (.252 BAA) as his top usage pitch. His rotation of pitches had more value against the left-handed batters, except for his four-seamer (.299 BAA).

Bello came into last season with a right shoulder issue, leading to 24 games on the injured list. He missed time in 2024 with a lat injury.

Fantasy Outlook: The Red Sox have plenty of pitching depth heading into 2026. Bello has lost his luster in the fantasy market after failing to approach his top season at AA and AAA in 2022 (10-4 with 2.34 ERA, 1.042 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts over 96.0 innings).

His drop of 1.8 strikeouts per nine from 2024 (8.5) is a red flag for me. In addition, Bello has never been an asset in WHIP in his career. He pitched over 150.0 innings in four consecutive years. Without better command and a jump in his strikeout rate, there isn’t a strong enough reason to fight for him in drafts.

98 – Cade Cavalli, Washington Nationals (NFBC ADP – 333)

Despite a dull career in college (8-7 with a 4.09 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 101.1 innings), Washington selected Cavalli with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 MLB June Amateur Draft. Over his first two seasons in the minors, he went 13-13 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.225 WHIP, and 279 strikeouts over 220.1 innings.

In spring training in 2023, Cavalli blew out his right elbow, leading to TJ surgery and minimal pitching the following season. The Nationals gave him 15 starts at AAA last year, but his right arm graded poorly (3-7 with 6.09 ERA, 1.554 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts over 65.0 innings) while continuing to have poor command (3.7 walks per nine).

Washington called up Cavalli in early August. He pitched over his AAA resume, thanks to issuing fewer walks (2.8 per nine) but posting a lower strikeout rate (7.4). After a respectable first four starts (2.82 ERA, 1.343 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts over 22.1 innings), the Yankees drilled him for seven runs, eight baserunners, and four home runs over 2.1 innings with four strikeouts. Cavalli went 2-0 over his next four starts, leading to a 3.15 ERA, 1.250 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts over 20.0 innings.

His average fastball (96.2 mph) aligned with his previous career path. Cavalli features a high volume curveball (.351 BAA), supported with a four-seamer (.258 BAA), sinker (.310 BAA), changeup (.222 BAA), and cutter (.200 BAA). He struggled with right-handed batters (.381 BAA over 84 at-bats with 14 runs and three home runs).

Fantasy Outlook: Cavalli has an upside arm, but he has plenty of work to do to prove his worth in the fantasy market. He comes into this year with a jump of 114.1 innings, which could invite another injury. His fastball grades well, and Cavalli should have more life and better command of his curveball this year. I expect him to have WHIP risk in his career, with some value in strikeouts.

99 – Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels (NFBC ADP – 334)

The Angels signed Soriano to a one-year deal for $2.9 million in early January. He had TJ surgeries in 2020 and 2021, leading to a slow development in the majors. Los Angeles gave him 51 starts over the past two seasons. He went 16-18 with a 3.93 ERA, 1.319 WHIP, and 249 strikeouts over 282.0 innings.

Last year, Soriano set a career high in starts (31), innings pitched (169.0), and strikeouts (152). His walk rate (4.2) remained a weakness while upping his strikeout rate (8.1) slightly. He issued 46 free passes to left-handed batters over 343 at-bats, but struggled more against righties (.268 BAA). Soriano pitched well on the road (8-3 with 2.91 ERA, 1.252 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 92.2 innings), but his arsenal was a disaster in Los Angeles (2-8 with 5.90 ERA, 1.572 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts over 76.1 innings).

Soriano allowed five runs or more in eight of his 31 starts. When on his game, offenses scored fewer than two runs in 15 games, making him a boom/bust player.

His average fastball (98.0 mph) was down about one mph from 2024. Soriano works primarily off his sinker (.289 BAA with 33 strikeouts and 50 walks) and curveball (.181 BAA with 50 strikeouts) while mixing in a split-finger (.137 BAA with 25 strikeouts), four-seamer (.220 BAA with 14 walks and 14 strikeouts), and slider (.273 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: After reviewing his failure last year, it’s easy to see what the most significant flaw is for Soriano: commanding his fastballs. There aren’t many major league arms that can survive by issuing more walks (64) than delivering strikeouts (47) with their top velocity pitches. His secondary offerings had 105 Ks over 239 at-bats, showcasing his ability to finish off batters with swing-and-miss when ahead in the count.

Last year, Soriano had 130 of his strikeouts over 269 plate appearances in these counts: 0-2 (37), 1-2 (50), and 2-2 (43). With three balls on a batter, he issued 78 walks with 22 strikeouts despite batters hitting only .172 over 87 at-bats.

Soriano brings plenty of WHIP risk, but the addition of his split-finger pitch two years ago does invite a much higher ceiling. With 15 fewer walks over similar innings, I could see him push over 180 strikeouts with a WHIP closer to 1.250. He is a worthy flier as he checks three boxes: velocity, swing-and-miss pitchers, and limits the damage in home runs.

100 – Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates (NFBC ADP – 344)

The Pirates gave Keller 147 starts over the past five seasons. Unfortunately, he went 40-59 over this span with a 4.40 ERA, 1.358 WHIP, and 756 strikeouts over 808.1 innings. His arm flashed strikeout potential (210 over 194.1 innings) in 2023, but his strikeout rate drifted into the soft-tosser range last year (7.7 per nine). Keller showed better command (2.6 walks per nine) over the past three seasons.

Left-handed batters hit .270 against him last season with 51 runs and 13 home runs over 341 at-bats. Base stealers went 23-for-26 vs. Keller. He allowed two runs or fewer in 17 starts when pitching at least five innings. From April 9th to July 22nd, over 19 games, Keller went 3-9 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.101 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts over 115.1 innings. His season ended with failure over his final 11 appearances (5.70 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, and 11 home runs over 51.1 innings with 53 strikeouts).

His average fastball (94.1%) remains below his 2022 peak (95.8 mph). Keller throws his four-seamer (.255 BAA) and slider (.244 BAA with 72 strikeouts) about 68.0% of the time while mixing in a sinker (.246 BAA), changeup (.267 BAA), and curveball (.208 BAA).

Fantasy Outlook: Hidden between his below-par pitching stats last season, Keller offered a serviceable arm for over two-thirds of his starts. His command and arsenal must improve against lefties to move up the pitching ranks. The Pirates’ offense looks better this year, suggesting a push to about 10 wins with 30+ starts. Keller brings WHIP risk and a losing ERA so far in his career, so proceed with caution.