Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2457: The 2026 Team Fun Draft

8 snips

Mar 26, 2026

They debate whether staggered opening nights help or hurt the schedule and fan excitement. They dive into how the new challenge review might lead to automated strike-calling. They highlight intriguing offseason moves around teams like the Mets, Dodgers, Tigers and notable NPB signings. They finish with a playful draft ranking every club by how fun it will be to follow this season.

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INSIGHT

Team Fun Rankings Reveal Personal Baseball Tastes

Ben frames the Team Fun draft as intentionally subjective, revealing how different fans value star players, narratives, or young prospects.
He notes fun rankings vary more than power rankings because they depend on personal attachments and preferred storylines.

ANECDOTE

Mets Are Intriguing Because Of Turnover And Young Pitching

Meg takes the Mets first in the draft citing massive roster turnover and intriguing pitching prospects like Nolan McLean.
She points to positional moves, bullpen rebuild, and the mix of youth and veterans making them especially watchable.

ANECDOTE

Pirates Picked For Upside In Young Frontline Talent

Ben gambles on the Pirates' upside, rooting for high-ceiling youngsters like Connor Joe Griffin and Jared Jones to make them watchable despite risk.
He admits it's a reach but values the potential of homegrown arms and electrifying prospects to create season-long drama.

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