These pitchers have a chance to help for WHIP in rotisserie-scoring 5x5 leagues.

It’s never too early to prepare for your draft, and many fantasy diehards are already penciling in their 2026 draft dates—or drafting right now.

For nearly a decade, I contributed a series of offseason features at Rotoworld breaking down category sleepers across the 5x5 roto landscape. Over the next 10 weeks, I’ll provide sleeper lists for each category (BA, HR, RBI, R, SB, W, ERA, WHIP, K, SV). Since the hot stove hasn’t fully heated up, we’ll begin with categories tied more to skill than opportunity. Categories relying heavily on lineup spot, supporting cast, or team context (R, RBI, SB, W, SV) will be featured later in the series.

Before going further, it’s important to clarify what qualifies as a sleeper: a player projected to exceed both ADP and category-specific expectations. Players are divided into mixed-league and single-league sleepers.

Fantasy managers, especially newcomers, often overvalue ERA because it’s the most commonly cited metric. But in 5x5 formats, WHIP is equally crucial, and many pitchers provide fantasy value almost entirely through WHIP. There’s a direct relationship between walks and WHIP; while pitchers can’t fully control BABIP, limiting free passes is firmly within their skill set. With that in mind, here are eight WHIP sleepers for 2026.

Mixed League Players

Zach Eflin, Free Agent

Eflin needs little introduction. After an effective early career in Philadelphia, he blossomed into an elite fantasy contributor with Tampa Bay in 2023, winning 16 games with career-high strikeouts (186), innings (177.2), and a sparkling 1.02 WHIP powered by a 1.2 BB/9. He followed with another strong season in 2024, though injuries derailed him afterward.

Eflin owns an excellent career 1.9 BB/9 and has beaten that mark in five straight seasons. His strikeout rate has dipped significantly the past two years, nudging his WHIP to 1.15 and 1.42, but his command remains elite. He should be ready for Opening Day after back surgery, and his velocity remained near his career norm even while hurt. With an early NFBC Draft Champions ADP of 465, he’s a prime buy-low candidate.

Janson Junk, Miami Marlins

Fantasy managers got to know Junk last season as a reinvented pitcher after working with Driveline. He maintained his 2024 velocity bump while increasing his slider usage and pounding the zone more consistently—56% zone rate and an outstanding 67% first-pitch strike rate. That approach resulted in a tiny 1.1 BB/9 and 1.14 WHIP, and his 3.14 FIP far outpaced his 4.17 ERA.

His rotation spot is uncertain, but potential trades could open the fifth slot for him. The ceiling is modest given his career 6.7 K/9, yet he's a capable back-end fantasy starter. With an ADP of 569, he’s a low-risk pick.

Cody Ponce, Toronto Blue Jays

Ponce returns from Japan and Korea after a dominant 2025 season—17–1, 1.89 ERA, 252 strikeouts in 180.2 innings—and signed a three-year, $30 million deal with Toronto. He last pitched in MLB in 2021 with a 93 mph fastball, cutter, slider, and curve.

The key changes abroad were an uptick in velocity and the addition of a “kick-change.” Strikeouts were never his strength until last season, but his control always has been: 2.8 BB/9 in MLB and 2.3 BB/9 internationally. His ADP of 513 will climb, but outside the top 300 he’s a strong WHIP value.

Ian Seymour, Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays’ tradition of developing overlooked pitchers continues with Seymour. Despite never ranking highly as a prospect and topping out in the low 90s, he’s produced a 2.53 ERA and excellent 3.91 K/BB ratio across five minor league seasons. His control improved as he climbed the system, posting a 2.6 BB/9 over 150 Triple-A innings.

His MLB control (3.0 BB/9) wasn’t as sharp, but it improved late in the season as he worked as a starter and bulk reliever. With a 91+ mph fastball and a heavily used changeup, Seymour’s profile supports continued WHIP value. His early ADP around 300 shows rising interest, but there’s still profit potential.

Single-League Players

Mitch Bratt, Arizona Diamondbacks

It’s a pivotal offseason for Arizona after trading Merrill Kelly, losing Corbin Burnes to Tommy John surgery, and potentially watching Zac Gallen depart in free agency. With increased reliance on internal options, Bratt becomes a name to watch.

Acquired from Texas in the Kelly deal, Bratt posted an elite 1.5 BB/9 and strong 10.9 K/9 over 122.1 Double-A innings. With a low-90s fastball and plus slider, his elite control could fast-track him to the majors. A long look in Spring Training wouldn’t surprise.

Michael McGreevy, St. Louis Cardinals

McGreevy delivered mixed results as a rookie, posting a 4.42 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 95.2 innings. His 1.9 BB/9 was excellent, though a weak 5.5 K/9 limits his upside. Those metrics align with his minor league track record (7.9 K/9, 2.2 BB/9).

Despite limited ceiling, McGreevy’s floor is high. With Sonny Gray traded, he’s effectively locked into the rotation, and his long-standing groundball tendencies help mitigate home run risk. He’s a viable WHIP contributor in NL-only formats.

Tomoyuki Sugano, Free Agent

Sugano functioned as a back-end starter for Baltimore in his MLB debut season, posting a 4.64 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 30 starts. His ERA indicators were worse (5.36 FIP, 4.69 SIERA), driven by 33 home runs allowed. At 36, he’s no lock to stay in MLB, though his innings-eating profile provides value.

Despite struggles, there are reasons for optimism. His second-half strikeout rate jumped to 7.3 K/9, and he was a strong groundball pitcher in Japan prior to last season. With a 2.1 BB/9 in MLB and 1.7 BB/9 in Japan, his command remains a strength. He won’t be drafted in mixed leagues, but he has WHIP upside in AL/NL-only formats.

Tyler Wells, Baltimore Orioles

Wells resurfaced late last season after Tommy John surgery and made four strong starts. His low-90s fastball and plus changeup looked sharp, and he allowed just two walks in 21.2 innings.

A career 2.2 BB/9 and 1.03 WHIP highlight his exceptional control. As an extreme flyball pitcher with a long history of home run issues, he carries ERA risk—but if you can tolerate that volatility, Wells offers legitimate WHIP value.