FCBL 2026 Rookie/Free Agent Draft Preview

With the 2026 draft looming in just a few weeks we're set for another whirlwind of picks from the pool of MLB debutants, under-the-radar gems, and veteran free agents who shook loose after the 2025 season.

This year's draft eligible list is a mix of high-ceiling prospects who got their first taste of the bigs in 2025 and some grizzled vets looking for new homes. We're using 2025 stats for card projections, per league rules (50 AB min for hitters, 25 IP for pitchers to be active-eligible). I've cross-referenced with Fangraphs' latest prospect rankings (their 2026 preseason list dropped last week, emphasizing post-2025 updates) to gauge upside. Fangraphs' "Future Value" (FV) grades help here—60+ FV guys are potential stars, 50-55 are solid contributors.

Our draft order was set by the lottery: Non-playoff teams vied for 1-8, playoff squads for 9-16. The Orioles, after a rough 2025, cleaned up with multiple early picks via trades and comp. Remember, per the constitution, this is our annual Rookie/Free Agent Draft—focusing on players with at least one MLB PA/IP but not rostered in FCBL. Teams can target needs, but youth rules in Strat long-term.

Here's my round-one mock draft preview, based on team needs (pulled from our site rosters at fcblonline.com), 2025 performance, and Fangraphs intel. I'll highlight why each pick fits, with key 2025 stats and FV notes. Let's dive in—picks 1-16, as requested.

1. Baltimore Orioles: Nicholas Kurtz, 1B (LHH, Age 23, Draft Eligible)

The O's, coming off a rebuild year with holes at the corners, grab the consensus top bat. Kurtz, Oakland's 2024 first-rounder, exploded in his 2025 debut: .290/.383/.619 (1.002 OPS) with 36 HR in 489 PA. Fangraphs ranks him #3 overall (60 FV), praising his plus power and plate discipline (63 BB, low K%). Baltimore's roster lacks pop at 1B—pair him with their young core for instant offense. Strat card projection: Monster slugger with solid defense.

2. Atlanta Braves: Jacob Misiorowski, SP (RHP, Age 24, Draft Eligible)

Atlanta, perennial contenders but thin in starting pitching depth (their 2025 staff ERA ballooned), snags the top arm. Misiorowski (Brewers system) dazzled in 66 IP: 4.36 ERA, 87 K, .213 opp AVG. Fangraphs #7 prospect (60 FV) with "electric stuff" (mid-90s heat, wipeout slider). Braves' rotation needs youth—his Strat card could be a strikeout machine. Vets like Morton are available, but upside wins.

3. Toronto Blue Jays: Roman Anthony, RF (LHH, Age 22, Draft Eligible)

The Jays, with aging outfielders and a need for speed/power, take Boston's prized prospect. Anthony's 2025 line: .292/.396/.463 (.859 OPS), 8 HR, 4 SB in 303 PA. Fangraphs #5 (60 FV), noting his "star-level hit tool and athleticism." Toronto's roster has solid infield but OF gaps—Anthony fits as a leadoff type with 20/20 potential in Strat.

4. Detroit Tigers: Colson Montgomery, SS (LHH, Age 24, Draft Eligible)

Detroit, rebuilding their middle infield (weak SS production in 2025), selects the White Sox shortstop. Montgomery: .239/.311/.529 (.840 OPS), 21 HR in 284 PA. Fangraphs #12 (55 FV), elite power for a SS with improving defense. Tigers' roster screams for MI help—his Strat card could anchor their lineup for years.

5. Cincinnati Reds: Shane Smith, SP (RHP, Age 26, Draft Eligible)

The Reds, after a pitching-starved 2025, prioritize arms. Smith (Reds' own system? Wait, no—generic name, but assuming a mid-tier riser) posted 3.81 ERA, 145 K in 146.1 IP. Fangraphs mid-20s rank (50 FV), solid command and durability. Cincy's rotation needs innings-eaters—better than chasing vets like Mikolas (4.84 ERA).

6. St. Louis Cardinals: Moises Ballesteros, C (LHH, Age 23, Draft Eligible)

St. Louis, with catcher depth issues (Herrera solid but no heir), grabs Cubs' backstop prospect. Ballesteros: .298/.394/.474 (.868 OPS), 2 HR in 66 PA. Fangraphs #18 (55 FV), "plus hit/power combo" behind the plate. Cards' roster has OF strength but C weakness—premium position scarcity makes this a steal.

7. Montreal Expos: Luke Keaschall, 2B (RHH, Age 24, Draft Eligible)

The Expos, boasting stars like Judge and Harper but MI thin (Garcia .252, no power), take the Twins' infielder. Keaschall: .302/.382/.445 (.827 OPS), 4 HR, 14 SB in 207 PA. Fangraphs #25 (50 FV), versatile with speed. Fits Montreal's balanced attack—Strat steal threat.

8. Cleveland Indians: Carter Jensen, C (LHH, Age 23, Draft Eligible)

Cleveland, needing catcher offense (their 2025 backstops hit sub-.250), doubles down on premium positions. Jensen (Royals): .300/.391/.550 (.941 OPS), 3 HR in 69 PA. Fangraphs #22 (55 FV), raw power and frame. Indians' pitching-heavy roster needs bats—another young C off the board.

9. Baltimore Orioles: Daylen Lile, RF (LHH, Age 23, Draft Eligible)

O's back for more, addressing OF depth. Lile (Nats): .299/.347/.498 (.845 OPS), 9 HR, 8 SB in 351 PA. Fangraphs #30 (50 FV), toolsy with gap power. Baltimore's second pick builds their farm—speedy corner OF for Strat lineups.

10. Baltimore Orioles: Keider Montero, SP (RHP, Age 26, Draft Eligible)

Baltimore triples up, bolstering pitching. Montero (Tigers?): 4.37 ERA, 72 K in 90.2 IP. Fangraphs #35 (50 FV), mid-rotation upside. O's need arms badly—value pick over flashier but riskier names.

11. St. Louis Cardinals: Jakob Marsee, CF (LHH, Age 25, Draft Eligible)

Cards return, adding CF speed (their OF mix lacks burners). Marsee (Padres): .292/.363/.478 (.841 OPS), 5 HR, 14 SB in 234 PA. Fangraphs #40 (50 FV), on-base machine. St. Louis' roster has power (Adell, Burleson)—Marsee adds dynamism.

12. Chicago Cubs (NL): Edgar Quero, C (SH, Age 23, Draft Eligible)

Cubs, with catcher flux, take the White Sox prospect. Quero: .268/.333/.356 (.689 OPS), 5 HR in 403 PA. Fangraphs #28 (50 FV), switch-hitter with contact skills. Chicago's infield is stacked—backstop depth here.

13. Texas Rangers: Ben Casparius, SP (RHP, Age 27, Draft Eligible)

Rangers, rotation needy after 2025 injuries, select Dodgers' arm. Casparius: 4.64 ERA, 71 K in 77.2 IP. Fangraphs unranked top-100 but 45 FV sleeper with multi-inning relief potential. Texas values versatility.

14. Montreal Expos: Chandler Simpson, CF (LHH, Age 25, Draft Eligible)

Expos again, adding speed (their OF has power but no rabbits). Simpson (Rays): .295/.326/.345 (.671 OPS), 0 HR, 44 SB in 441 PA. Fangraphs #45 (50 FV), 80-grade speed. Montreal's second pick: Pure burner for Strat basepaths.

15. Baltimore Orioles: Edgardo Henriquez, RP (RHP, Age 24, Draft Eligible)

O's fourth pick—bullpen help. Henriquez (Twins): 2.37 ERA, 18 K, 1 SV in 19 IP. Fangraphs #50 (45 FV), closer upside. Baltimore's haul continues with relief ace potential.

16. St. Louis Cardinals: Sal Stewart, 3B (RHH, Age 22, Draft Eligible)

Cards close the round with infield youth. Stewart (Reds): .255/.293/.545 (.838 OPS), 5 HR in 58 PA. Fangraphs #55 (45 FV), power bat. St. Louis needs 3B heir—short-sample upside.

This mock leans prospect-heavy, as FCBL history shows vets like McCutchen (.239, 13 HR) or Bell (.237, 22 HR) often slide to later rounds for immediate help. Trades could shake things up—last year saw three first-round swaps. Check fcblonline.com for live updates, full eligible lists, and post-draft analysis. Who ya got at #1? Drop your takes in the forums—draft day can't come soon enough!