There's always a need for speed in roto-scoring leagues, and these eight players could make a big difference in 2026.
er too early to prepare for your draft, and some of us draft fiends are already setting our draft dates for 2026—or even drafting now.
For nearly a decade, I contributed a series of offseason features at Rotoworld breaking down category sleepers across each of the 5x5 roto categories. Over the next 10 weeks, I’ll be providing a list of sleepers for each 5x5 roto category (BA, HR, RBI, R, SB, W, ERA, WHIP, K, SV).
Before reading any further, it’s important to define what a sleeper is. In this case, it’s a player who will exceed both draft-day ADP and projections in a particular category. Players are broken down into mixed-league sleepers and single-league sleepers.
Mixed League Players
Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
While he was already listed among batting average sleepers, Crawford is worthy of another category mention. It will be tough for him to gain enough momentum to hit near the top of the Phillies lineup to begin the year, but his wheels should play from any spot in the order. Like his father, Carl Crawford, Justin looks to be a batting average machine and posted a .411 OBP at Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season. He’s also swiped more than 40 bases in three consecutive seasons.
As for his roster spot, center field looks like Crawford’s to lose heading into Spring Training. The Phillies appear to be prioritizing defense after adding Adolis García—likely replacing Nick Castellanos in right field—and shifting Brandon Marsh to left. Crawford is more than capable of handling center field, and his uptick in walks last season (58 in 506 plate appearances) is an encouraging sign for his stolen base upside.
Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates landed a generational pitching prospect in Paul Skenes, and it’s not a stretch to suggest Griffin could be his equal as a position player. The ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft, Griffin hit .333-21-94 with 65 steals in 563 plate appearances across three levels last season. He had little trouble adjusting to professional pitching up to Double-A, and the Pirates have already mentioned him as a possible option in 2026.
Given the recent examples of Skenes and Bubba Chandler seeing their service time carefully managed, the question is when Griffin will actually debut. He’s played just 21 games at Double-A, giving Pittsburgh a built-in excuse to delay his arrival. Still, the Pirates lack long-term answers at shortstop, and Griffin offers elite upside for a team that appears eager to compete soon. Even if he’s a second-half arrival, his current NFBC ADP near 260 leaves plenty of room for profit.
Jordan Lawlar, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
There was a time when Lawlar was discussed in the same breath as today’s elite prospects like Griffin. A consensus top-10 prospect entering 2024, Lawlar has seen his stock plummet due to injuries in back-to-back seasons. He appeared in just 23 games in 2024 and logged 91 games between Triple-A and the majors last season.
When healthy at Triple-A Reno in 2025, Lawlar looked like his old self, hitting .313-11-50 with 20 stolen bases in 300 plate appearances. He struggled offensively and defensively in the majors, but Arizona could have an opening at third base—or even second base—if Ketel Marte is moved. Lawlar’s speed grades as elite per Statcast, and he’s swiped 30-plus bases twice in the minors. With an ADP hovering near 450, the risk is baked in.
Cedric Mullins, OF, Tampa Bay Rays
It’s no secret that Mullins can run. The veteran center fielder stole 22 bases last season and owns three separate 30-steal campaigns. That said, at age 31, he’s clearly lost a step, and there were legitimate questions about whether he’d secure a regular role after posting a .690 OPS. A one-year deal with the Rays may be the perfect landing spot for his fantasy value.
Powered by the speed of José Caballero and Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay led MLB in stolen bases last season with 194. They’ve also finished top four in steals in each of the past three years, highlighting Kevin Cash’s willingness to run under the new rules. While Mullins’ spot in the batting order is uncertain, his new environment could help push him back into the 30-steal range.
Single League Sleepers
Adael Amador, 2B, Colorado Rockies
Amador’s prospect shine has faded, much like Jordan Lawlar’s, after struggling in limited MLB opportunities. He’s appeared in 51 games over the last two seasons with Colorado and has looked overmatched. Still, he enters his age-23 season coming off an excellent Triple-A campaign, hitting .303-11-59 with 20 stolen bases and more walks than strikeouts in 80 games.
While base-stealing efficiency hasn’t been a strength, Amador has consistently attempted steals in the minors. He went 35-for-46 at Double-A in 2024 and 20-for-29 at Triple-A last season. With a rebound at the plate, he’s likely to receive an extended look from Colorado’s new analytics-driven front office. The Coors Field boost adds real upside in NL-only formats.
Brice Matthews, 2B, Houston Astros
Matthews received his first taste of the majors last season and struggled over 13 games, but the underlying skill set remains intriguing. The 2023 first-round pick has excelled in the minors, hitting .265-15-44 with 32 steals in his first full season and following that with a .260-17-64 line and 41 steals in 498 plate appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Defensive questions remain, but Matthews’ offensive profile is ahead of the glove. He’s logged time at second, third, shortstop, and center field in the minors, and that versatility should help him carve out a role. His combination of power and elite speed gives him sneaky fantasy upside.
Garrett Mitchell, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Mitchell has endured a brutal run of bad luck since debuting in 2022. The former first-round pick has totaled just 443 plate appearances over four seasons due to injuries, including a shoulder issue that limited him to 25 games last year. Despite that, his career production has been solid, with a .254-13-40 line, 61 runs, and 23 steals.
Health is the obvious concern and the primary reason he comes at such a discount. However, the Brewers have opened an outfield spot after trading Isaac Collins, and Mitchell offers plus defense in center field with near-elite speed. If he stays on the field, he could be one of the better speculative values in single-league formats.
Nelson Rada, OF, Los Angeles Angels
Never underestimate the Angels’ willingness to push prospects aggressively. From Zach Neto to Ryan Johnson, the organization has repeatedly challenged young players. Rada isn’t a household name, but he’s already logged 42 games at Triple-A and could reach Anaheim sooner than expected.
Rada turned just 20 in late August and is coming off a solid season between Double-A and Triple-A, hitting .292-2-39 with 54 stolen bases and a .398 OBP. His improved walk rate and age-relative performance are encouraging, though it remains to be seen if the 5-foot-9 center fielder will develop enough power to profile as a regular. Defense and speed are his calling cards, and while he’d likely hit near the bottom of the order, the stolen bases play in AL-only leagues.
--Seth Trachtman