Fantasy Podcast: Players To Target In FAAB For Dynasty
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In this episode of the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast, hosts Jeff Ponce and Ian Kundle dive into a list of 10 key players to target in the first FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) period of the 2026 season. With all minor and major league levels now active, the duo highlights a mix of immediate contributors and high-upside prospects across both major leagues and the minors. They spotlight pitchers like Connelly Early (Red Sox), Tanner Franklin (Cardinals), and James Elwinger (Twins), as well as hitters such as Cole Emerson (Mariners), Jose Fernandez (Diamondbacks), Ike Irish (Orioles), Juan Sanchez (Blue Jays), James Tibbs (Dodgers), and Fenwick Trimble (Marlins). The discussion emphasizes emerging talent, recent adjustments in swing mechanics, and undervalued players in deeper leagues. The hosts stress the importance of acting quickly on rising prospects before market value spikes, especially with the 2024 draft class already making a major impact. The episode concludes with a celebration of the depth and quality of the current minor league pipeline, particularly within teams like the Red Sox and Twins.
Target Connelly Early and James Tibbs early—they’re on clear paths to starting roles and have shown elite velocity and power.
Cole Emerson and Ike Irish are sleeper hitters with strong underlying metrics and recent improvements in launch angles.
Tanner Franklin and James Elwinger are high-upside pitching prospects with elite stuff and low cost—ideal for dynasty leagues.
Jose Fernandez and Fenwick Trimble offer value in deeper leagues with upside in average and power categories.
The 2024 draft class is already producing top-100 talent—don’t sleep on players like Tibbs, Sanchez, and Ionson.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction & FAAB Strategy for 2026
Jeff Ponce welcomes listeners to the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast and introduces Ian Kundle as a new co-host. They discuss the significance of the first FAAB period, now that all minor and major league levels are active. The focus is on identifying undervalued players across all formats—especially in deeper leagues—before market demand spikes.
Top Hitters: Cole Emerson & Jose Fernandez
“He's a guy that could become a roster. Maybe not in a 10-team league or a 12-team league, but I think anything deeper than that. He becomes a viable bench, maybe even a util at some point in the future.”
Pitching Prospects: Tanner Franklin & Ike Irish
“He's just barreling everything. And in the spring breakout game against the Red Sox, he had a hard double off the wall. He had another one that was caught right up against the wall, just missed a home run both to the pole side, both in the air.”
Rising Stars: Juan Sanchez & James Tibbs
“He's just barreling everything. He's hitting the ball hard consistently. Last year, he hit the ball hard, but there was some contact. Contact was more fringy, and he didn't really consistently pull the ball in the air.”
Final Targets & Draft Class Reflection
Ian concludes with Fenwick Trimble (Marlins) and James Elwinger (Twins), both with elite tools and low cost. The hosts reflect on the historic 2024 draft class, noting how many top picks are already making an impact. They emphasize the importance of acting fast on FAAB and leveraging minor league depth.
“He's just barreling everything. And in the spring breakout game against the Red Sox, he had a hard double off the wall. He had another one that was caught right up against the wall, just missed a home run both to the pole side, both in the air.”
“He's just barreling everything. He's hitting the ball hard consistently. Last year, he hit the ball hard, but there was some contact. Contact was more fringy, and he didn't really consistently pull the ball in the air.”
“He's a guy that could become a roster. Maybe not in a 10-team league or a 12-team league, but I think anything deeper than that. He becomes a viable bench, maybe even a util at some point in the future.”
Hosts
ian kundle
person
jeff ponse
person
red sox
other
faab
other
connelly early
person
2024 draft
other
cole emerson
person
jose fernandez
person
james tibbs
person
tanner franklin
person
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