OTW 247 – Born To Draft Wild; First FAAB Run

On The Wire – In this episode of On The Wire, Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting break down how to approach “wild card” players in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts, including rookies, stash candidates, and early-season FAAB targets. The discussion focuses on balancing upside with roster flexibility, identifying when to stash prospects, and maximizing value.

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Episode Breakdown

0:00 – Intro, NFBC weekend, and episode setup
Discussion of draft season activity, NFBC Main Event context, and defining “wild card” players in fantasy baseball drafts.

Players discussed: none

8:00 – FAAB rules, roster strategy, and stashing players
Breakdown of NFBC rules around undrafted players, debut timelines, and why early FAAB periods are critical for securing upside.

Players discussed: Jared Jones, Zack Wheeler, Carlos Rodón, Konnor Griffin

20:00 – Early-season strategy: avoiding zeros and bullpen value
Exploration of why avoiding zeroes in lineups is critical early in the season and how speculative relievers can provide value in saves and ratios.

Players discussed: Brad Keller, Jeremiah Estrada, Garrett Clevenger, Taylor Rogers, JoJo Romero

32:00 – ASK Game (Rookie Catchers)
Evaluation of rookie catchers based on playing time, opportunity, and stash viability.

Players discussed: Harry Ford, Carter Jensen, Samuel Basallo, Freddy Fermin, Keibert Ruiz

45:00 – ASK Game (Rookie Outfielders)
Breakdown of rookie outfielders with uncertain roles but significant upside.

Players discussed: Justin Crawford, Carson Benge, Dylan Beavers, Johan Rojas, Luis Robert Jr. Jr., Juan Soto, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Jorge Polanco, Mike Tauchman, Tyrone Taylor, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, Taylor Ward

1:02:00 – ASK Game (Rookie Starting Pitchers)
Discussion of stash-worthy rookie pitchers, weighing early-season opportunity versus long-term upside.

Players discussed: AJ Blubaugh, Robbie Snelling, JR Ritchie, Konnor Griffin, Sal Stewart

1:15:00 – Wild card stashes and speculative adds
Identification of players worth stashing or adding before they become high-demand FAAB targets.

Players discussed: Anthony Volpe, Kirby Yates, Reid Detmers, Robert Stephenson

1:24:00 – Final strategy thoughts and roster construction
Summary of key takeaways on managing stash spots, balancing risk, and optimizing roster flexibility heading into Opening Day.