The fantasy baseball season officially kicks off with the LABR Mixed draft on February 23, 2026. Experts are gearing up to select their top players, with Shohei Ohtani emerging as the consensus No. 1 pick after a historic 2025 season.
The LABR Legacy: A Fantasy Baseball Tradition
The League of Alternative Baseball Reality (LABR) has been a cornerstone of fantasy baseball since its inception in 1994. Originally an AL- and NL-only auction league, LABR expanded to include a Mixed league draft in 2012 and a Mixed auction league in 2020. This year, the excitement builds as fantasy managers prepare for the Mixed draft on February 23, 2026.
For fantasy baseball enthusiasts, the LABR Mixed draft is more than just a mock draft—it’s a critical indicator of player valuations and draft strategies for the upcoming season. The 15-team, 5×5 Rotisserie league features twice-weekly free-agent pickups, making it one of the most competitive environments for fantasy experts.
Who Will Be the No. 1 Pick?
Shohei Ohtani enters the 2026 season as the undisputed top pick in fantasy baseball. His 2025 performance was nothing short of extraordinary: 55 home runs, 146 runs scored, 20 stolen bases, and a 2.87 ERA in 47 innings on the mound. Ohtani’s dual-threat ability as both a hitter and pitcher makes him a rare asset in fantasy leagues.
While Ohtani is the consensus No. 1 overall pick, the debate intensifies around the second and third selections. Will fantasy managers lean toward established sluggers like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or rely on breakout stars like Julio Rodriguez? The first few rounds of the LABR draft will answer these pressing questions.
Key Participants and Draft Order
The 2026 LABR Mixed draft features a roster of fantasy baseball’s top analysts and experts. Here’s the full list of participants, with defending champion Ryan Bloomfield of Baseball HQ leading the charge:
- Rudy Gamble – Razzball
- *Ryan Bloomfield – Baseball HQ
- Alan Harrison – TheFantasyFix
- Scott Pianowski – Yahoo Sports
- Tim McLeod – Prospect 361
- Mark Bloom – Dr. Roto
- Derek VanRiper – The Athletic
- Ray Flowers – Fantasy Guru
- Mike Gianella – Baseball Prospectus
- Mike Podhorzer – Fangraphs
- Jeff Erickson – Rotowire
- Zach Steinhorn – Steinhorn’s Universe
- Fred Zinkie – @FredZinkieMLB
- Paul Sporer – The Sleeper & the Bust podcast
- Jenny Butler – FTN Fantasy
*Defending champion
How to Follow the Live Draft
The 2026 LABR Mixed draft will be broadcast live on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Channel 87), starting at 8 p.m. ET. Fantasy managers can also follow the draft grid live on RTSports.com.
Why This Draft Matters
The LABR Mixed draft is not just another fantasy draft—it’s a bellwether for the entire fantasy baseball community. The decisions made by these industry experts will shape player rankings, auction strategies, and trade discussions throughout the 2026 season. For casual and competitive players alike, the LABR draft offers invaluable insights that can be applied to their own drafts.
Fantasy managers should pay close attention to positional trends, early-round value picks, and sleeper candidates. The first round could dictate early draft trends, with managers weighing established stars against high-upside young talent.
As the draft unfolds, keep an eye on the emergence of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers signals his potential impact on the fantasy landscape. His performance as a top-tier pitcher will be a key storyline in draft rooms everywhere. Additionally, the evolution of MLB’s biggest contracts, from Juan Soto to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., adds another layer of intrigue to fantasy valuations.
Prepare for Your Fantasy Season
With spring training in full swing and the LABR Mixed draft setting the tone, now is the time for fantasy baseball managers to refine their draft strategies. Whether you’re an experienced manager or a newcomer, studying the picks and strategies from the LABR draft provides a blueprint for success in your own leagues.
For the fastest, most authoritative fantasy baseball news and analysis, stay tuned to onlytrustedinfo.com. Here, you’ll find the insights and expertise needed to dominate your fantasy baseball season.
