Fantasy Baseball bust candidates for the 2026 season on American League teams

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5 March 2026 at 18:40

Success in fantasy baseball isn’t just about drafting stars — it’s about avoiding costly mistakes. Every season, several highly drafted players fail to live up to expectations due to injuries, regression, role changes, or unsustainable numbers from the previous year. As managers prepare for the 2026 season, identifying risky players ahead of time can be just as valuable as finding late-round sleepers. With that in mind, here are several American League players who could end up being fantasy baseball busts in 2026, making them potential traps for fantasy managers if drafted too aggressively.

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Carlos Narvaez:

Narvaez got off to a tremendous start for the Red Sox a year ago, before his bat went cold for the entire second half of the season. He was one of the better offensive catches from April through June, but from July through September, he batted under .200 and had an OBP around .250, both of which are replacement level at best. He is still the clear starter entering the season, because backup Connor Wong was dreadful in 2025. If Narvaez’s bat proves to be more like his second half of 2025 and his first half, he could lose his starting job entirely.

Griffin Jax:

He is a good pitcher, and he will have solid ratios with elite strikeout numbers; 99 in 66 innings last season. The issue is that Jax is being drafted as the Rays closer, despite not having the job. He is one of three possible closers right now, and although he could seemingly get the job, if he doesn’t or he only gets 15-20 save opportunities and is in a committee, you will regret not going after Uceta 4-5 rounds later. Interestingly enough, though, if the Rays do name Jax their primary closer before the season, then his current draft position would make him a massive steal.

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Jasson Dominguez:

He is still incredibly young and talented. The problem is that his playing time is going to be limited. He is being drafted around the 200th pick overall, but he enters the season as a 4th outfielder. He is the worst defensively of the Yankees outfielders, and as long as Giancarlo Stanton is healthy, Dominguez is stuck behind him at DH. The draft capital that you need to invest in Dominguez is too much. This is especially true considering his playing time and production won’t match it.

Bryan Woo:

As good as Bryan Woo was last season, he’s now being drafted as nearly a top-10 starting pitcher. While he certainly pitched well, that elevated ranking feels driven in large part by his 15-win total. He’s very likely to be good again in 2026, but at this cost, you’re essentially drafting him at his ceiling. That leaves considerable room for disappointment, especially when there are pitchers with similar skill profiles going several rounds later in drafts.

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Jeff Hoffman:

Due to being the closer entering the season, Jeff Hoffman has gone as high as 73rd overall in drafts over the past month. He has an average draft position of 126. As the closer, the price is fair, but if he were to lose his job, it could end up being a disaster. The Jays showed interest in the top RP on the free agent market this season, proving that although they might like Hoffman, they aren’t sold on him as their closer.

Kyle Teel:

There’s understandably a good bit of excitement about the 20 pounds of added muscle he put on this offseason. I’m still not convinced that he will take the step forward many expect him to take in 2026. He has the plate discipline to perform well and grow at just 23 years old. The added muscle could help to add power, but he hasn’t really shown anything too exciting from a fantasy perspective. Additionally, his speed might take a hit with the added weight he put on. Another way of looking at this is that teammate Edgar Quero is still just 22 years old. He is s being drafted over 100 picks later, and, in my opinion, has just as much upside.