Ohtani and Judge top the 2026 roto rankings as must-picks in fantasy baseball drafts, with Ohtani's DH/SP dual-usage giving him an edge over traditional hitters and Judge offering elite batting average though fewer stolen bases. The list also spotlights 30/30 potential, durable sluggers, and a Dodgers-heavy landscape that shapes early-round strategy across roto formats.

Turner’s NL batting title at a record-low .304 and Judge’s AL crown at .331 close a season where elite hitters battled a tougher defense and stronger velocity. Seven players hit .300+, the fewest since 1968, while several 30-30 seasons highlighted a new multi-skill era. The year featured historic thresholds in doubles, speed, and power, with young arms delivering in a pitching-rich landscape as the sport pivots toward a youth-led, multi-category style.

Braves finish 2025 with a 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh but roster peaks stand out: Baldwin emerges as the NL’s top rookie catcher, Schwellenbach and Waldrep flash frontline upside, Acuña returns with his usual blend of power and speed, Olson anchors the lineup, and Wentz adds solid back-end depth. Profar’s return provides offensive upside while Contreras’s no‑trade status adds offseason intrigue in St. Louis. Horton misses playoff action for the Cubs, Turner returns for Philly, and Washington eyes 2026 with Angels. A season of bright spots and looming questions for the core.

Pirates edge Braves 3-1 as Bubba Chandler goes 5 2/3 and Pittsburgh rides a decisive sixth inning fueled by Nick Gonzales’ RBI double and Jack Suwinski’s run-scoring single. Henry Davis connected for a third-inning homer to knot the game, while Spencer Strider endured a career-worst season and was tagged with the loss. A Spencer Horwitz single and Brett Wisely miscue sparked the two-run rally that put Pittsburgh in front, sealing a 4-1 season-series win over Atlanta. Morton-Oviedo looms in the finale.

Spencer Horwitz delivered a power surge for the Pirates, blasting two homers in a 9-3 road win at Truist Park that snapped a string of close losses. Tommy Pham opened the scoring with a two-run shot off Joey Wentz, and Horwitz followed with a seventh-inning solo and a ninth-inning three-run blast after a rain delay. Mitch Keller labored through 3.2 innings before handing to a bullpen that locked it down; Pittsburgh’s bats supplied run support late, and Triolo’s ninth-inning insurance capped the final margin as PIT moved to 3-1 against ATL this season.