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Ohtani Leads Fantasy Picks; Betts Declines, Torkelson Shines

3/17/2026

27 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Shohei Ohtani is the top fantasy pick for the 2026 season, with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as premier options.
Pittsburgh's Brandon Lowe is projected as the sixth-best second baseman, with Jonathan Aranda as a breakout candidate.
Mookie Betts is identified as a bust due to declining performance.
Spencer Torkelson and Gleyber Torres are sleepers offering value in later rounds, guiding managers to use updated rankings and cheat sheets.

History

Historical Context

Fantasy sports originated in 1980 with the creation of Rotisserie League Baseball by Daniel Okrent and others. The rise of the Internet in the 1990s significantly boosted participation, growing from 1-3 million players in the early 1990s to 15.2 million by 2003. Today, fantasy sports engage millions, influencing player valuations and fan interactions in professional leagues.

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Story summary

Shohei Ohtani is the top fantasy pick for the 2026 season, with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as premier options.
Pittsburgh's Brandon Lowe is projected as the sixth-best second baseman, with Jonathan Aranda as a breakout candidate.
Mookie Betts is identified as a bust due to declining performance.
Spencer Torkelson and Gleyber Torres are sleepers offering value in later rounds, guiding managers to use updated rankings and cheat sheets.

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