Hidden Gems of the National League for Your Fantasy Baseball Roster

We just went over my picks for surprisingly good fantasy baseball assets among American League teams, and now are going to go over an option from each National League team.

Check out the 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit page for even more fantasy baseball coverage!

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Braves - Drake Baldwin

Baldwin is my choice from the Braves, even though his ADP is 107.

Baldwin did some nice things in 2025, and I think he ups his production in 2026. He's expected to be the daily starter at catcher and could also earn some starts at designated hitter.

Hitting near the top of a loaded Atlanta lineup, I like Baldwin to break out in 2026.

Marlins - Jakob Marsee

Marsee flashed some upside in a 55-game rookie year in 2025. I think he does even more in 2026 in a full season.

He's projected to hit leadoff for a Marlins' lineup that could surprise a lot of people. This is about Marsee though, and he could be a good fantasy asset even if the lineup around him flounders.

With an ADP of 155, his draft stock isn't too high. I think he's a draft steal if he stays healthy in 2026.

Mets - Nolan McLean

McLean was great across eight starts in 2025, and over the course of a full season in 2026, he could really shine. 

He had a 2.06 earned run average and 57 strikeouts over 48 innings. A full season likely means some regression in his ERA, but with more innings comes more fantasy points, so I think he surprises many in 2026.

His ADP is 121, and I think he exceeds that by the end of 2026 if he stays healthy.

Phillies - Andrew Painter

Painter is a top-end prospect for Philadelphia. I think he will make his MLB debut and shine as a rookie.

He is projected to make the starting rotation, and despite being near the end of things, the team is more likely to keep him around, even as other arms get healthier.

Painter is a highly-regarded prospect for a reason though, and I think he shows why in 2026. His ADP is 220, meaning he's a better deep-league asset right away, but I think he works into standard leagues and is held for the rest of the season.

Nationals - Dylan Crews

Crews has not excelled in the big leagues like many expected. The highly-regarded prospect is just 24 though, and I see 2026 being his breakout campaign.

He's projected to hit in the bottom half of the order, but could move up with better results. Crews is the daily projected starter in right field.

If Crews can up his production, his ADP of 217 will look silly by the end of the season. Keep tabs on him and be ready to scoop him up if he takes off early in the season.

Cubs - Cade Horton

Horton looked pretty good across 23 appearances in 2025, so I'm a bit surprised his ADP isn't higher than it currently is (near 180).

Horton will be part of the starting rotation to kick off the season, and if he matches last year's marks over a full year, he should already be a fantasy draft steal. If he improves, he could be one of the bigger steals of the year.

Definitely consider him later in standard league drafts, and don't treat him as a streamer to open the year.

Reds - Sal Stewart

Stewart has a chance to shine in a rising Reds' lineup.

He posted some solid marks across 18 MLB games in 2025. I like his outlook for 2026, as he's projected to hit fifth, after the likes of Elly De La Cruz and Eugenio Suarez. 

That should give him lots of RBI chances, and with an ADP of 209, means he has a chance to work into standard leagues in a hurry, then stay there all season.

Brewers - Kyle Harrison

I see Harrison breaking out in his first year with Milwaukee, a place known for getting the best out of pitchers.

He's expected to be in the starting rotation to kick off the season, and he could remain in it all year if he stays healthy.

Harrison has flashed some potential in the past, and I think the Brewers unlock some more in his age-24 season. Don't be surprised if he goes from undrafted in most leagues to owned in most leagues, and in a hurry too.

Pirates - Bubba Chandler

All eyes are on Paul Skenes in the Pirates' rotation, but Chandler is another highly-regarded youngster who could shine.

He's projected to make the starting rotation to kick off the year, and that has Chandler's ADP at 173.

If he excels like many expect him too, he could be a massive fantasy asset by the end of the year. Pittsburgh could be a lot better in 2026 as well, which would only help Chandler's fantasy outlook.

Cardinals - J.J. Wetherholt

The Cardinals' roster is depleted, but that leaves playing time open for young players, like Wetherholt.

The team's high-end prospect is projected to open the year as the team's second baseman and hit leadoff.

I see Wetherholt shining in 2026. His ADP is 196, and I think that's going to look foolish in short order, so add/draft him before he really takes off.

Diamondbacks - Jordan Lawlar

Maybe I'm just wishing for the best here, but let's try Lawlar, another highly-regarded prospect.

He's shined in the minor leagues, but injuries and poor results in the big leagues have held him back from reaching his high potential.

Lawlar is expected to start daily in center field, but hit near the bottom of the order. If he finally hits in the big leagues, he'll be a daily option in all leagues. He's not even on draft radars, so don't overlook him.

Rockies - Victor Vodnik

A rare closer sighting for this short, two-part series.

Vodnik posted really good marks in 2025, and is just 26 years old, so he could improve in 2026.

Pitching in Colorado is never easy, but in one-inning stints, that's not as worrisome. Vodnik could be a really surprising fantasy asset in 2026, backing up a good 2025 campaign.

Dodgers - Hyeseong Kim

There's not many options to choose from in Los Angeles, so we'll try Kim.

He's projected to start at second base, but be in a platoon. As a lefty, Kim should still play enough for fantasy upside.

Kim struggled in 2025, but I see him delivering more in 2026. If he does, he'll be yet another good fantasy hitting option from a stacked Dodgers' lineup.

Padres - German Marquez

Marquez was with the Rockies for the first 10 years of his career, and he had a 4.67 ERA.

On a much better team and place to pitch, I think Marquez could surprise some fantasy owners in 2026.

He should be locked into the rotation to start the year, and if he pitches well, could stick there all season. Marquez isn't on the fantasy radar, but definitely could be for as long as he's in the Padres' rotation.

Giants - Jung Hoo Lee

Lee is my pick from the Giants.

He's projected to hit in the middle of the San Fran lineup, which could be pretty good in 2026. Lee should more importantly start every game in right field, and if he stays healthy, I could see him being a fantasy surprise.

His ADP is 176, so he's going toward the end of standard league drafts. I think he could become a standard league daily starter if he improves in his age-27 season.