Sánchez Overtakes Skenes in 2026 Fantasy Baseball Rankings Amidst Shifts in Player Usage
Cristopher Sánchez claims the No. 1 starting pitcher spot following a dominant May, while Shohei Ohtani drops behind Bobby Witt Jr. due to reduced playing time.
In the 2026 Fantasy Baseball rest-of-season Top 300 rankings published on 25 May 2026, Cristopher Sánchez has ascended to the No. 1 starting pitcher position, displacing Paul Skenes. The rankings, which reflect projections for 5x5 mixed leagues, indicate that Sánchez’s rise is driven by a strong May performance featuring 32 scoreless innings and 36 strikeouts. His strikeout rate has increased to 29 percent, up from 26 percent in the previous season, while maintaining a high groundball rate.
Conversely, Paul Skenes has slipped in the rankings as his velocity has decreased by one mph from last year. His called-strike-to-whiff rate has also dropped to 25.6 percent, a figure that places him 56th among qualified starters in that category. Despite the decline, the assessment suggests Skenes remains a viable asset, though the statistical shift has allowed Sánchez to claim the top spot.
Significant movement has also occurred in the top three overall, with Shohei Ohtani dropping to third place behind Bobby Witt Jr. This decline is attributed to Ohtani being held out of the lineup on days he is scheduled to pitch, a practice that appears to be becoming a regular occurrence. The adjustment marks the first change in the top three since the preseason rankings were released in mid-January.
Other notable shifts in the rankings include Andrew Vaughn and Garrett Mitchell facing playing time issues in Milwaukee, which has impacted their projected value. Antonio Senzatela has entered the rankings for the first time, posting a 1.13 ERA through 32 innings, while Luke Keaschall was dropped from 102nd to 167th due to reduced playing time with the Minnesota Twins. Miguel Vargas is ranked at No. 123, supported by improved bat speed and xwOBA despite a low batting average on balls in play.
The publication of these rankings coincides with broader changes in the media landscape for Major League Baseball. NBC and Peacock are set to become the exclusive homes for Sunday Night Baseball and other MLB content in 2026. The new broadcasting agreement includes coverage of MLB Sunday Leadoff, Opening Day, Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, and the entire Wild Card round of the postseason.
