ESPN's Tristan Cockcroft highlights five pitchers with early 2026 fantasy promise, starting with Cam Schlittler. The Yankees' right-hander scored 25 points in his first start, a figure matched by only three others. Schlittler's 98+ mph fastball and effective cutter against lefties (.200 BAA) suggest a top-10 ceiling despite limited big-league starts.

Next, Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers debut saw him throw 87 pitches for six shutout innings and 22 points, raising MVP-level pitching prospects. Shota Imanaga, despite a rough start, shows improved swing-and-miss rates (39.5% in debut) and a stronger splitter, hinting at a 2024-level return. Chase Burns, Cincinnati's 23-year-old, dominated his debut with a 34.1% whiff rate and seven strikeouts, signaling top-20 potential with 98+ mph stuff.

Finally, Jack Leiter, Texas' prospect, struck out eight in his latest start, his new cutter boosting strikeout sustainability after a strong second half last year. These pitchers offer breakout upside for fantasy managers willing to take calculated risks.