Shohei Ohtani Holds Firm At No. 2 In Early 2027 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Across the first 18 completed early drafts on the NFBC platform for the 2027 season, Shohei Ohtani remains locked in as the No. 2 overall selection.

Fantasy managers are already drafting for the upcoming campaign despite the Major League Baseball regular season having just concluded.

Early draft data often reveals how the market reacts to recent performance, aging curves, and changing roles.

In the first snapshot of 2027 average draft position data, drafters have shown unwavering faith in the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar.

Even after a noticeable dip in his offensive output during the 2026 season, the consensus at the top of boards has barely budged.

As fantasy analyst Chris Towers noted in his early draft breakdown, "Shohei Ohtani is still No. 2"

Yet, the decision to draft him that high is far from straightforward.

Towers acknowledged the dilemma immediately, writing, "I think one of the toughest calls for 2027 is what to do with Ohtani."

EARLY DRAFT RESULTS

The earliest drafts of the winter are taking place exclusively on the National Fantasy Baseball Championship platform.

These initial contests provide the fantasy baseball community with its very first glimpse of market trends.

As of the initial reporting window, the NFBC platform had logged exactly 18 completed drafts for the 2027 season.

These early rooms are populated primarily by die-hard fantasy baseball enthusiasts and high-stakes players.

None of these early drafts follow the traditional 12-team, managed-league structure that most casual players participate in.

Instead, they are best-ball formats where weekly lineup management is automated.

In these best-ball setups, there are no waiver wire additions permitted throughout the entire season.

Trading between teams is entirely prohibited in this format.

Furthermore, some of these early leagues operate without any bench spots at all.

Because the format demands total roster optimization without in-season fixes, draft strategies naturally look very different.

These factors mean the resulting draft positions provide an unconventional snapshot of player valuation.

Industry analysts emphasize that this early data comes with a massive grain of salt.

Five months still remain before Opening Day, leaving ample time for the market to adjust.

Nevertheless, the data offers an intriguing baseline for where high-stakes managers stand on top-tier assets.

THE CASE AGAINST OHTANI

The primary reason Ohtani's status at No. 2 overall invites debate is his recent offensive trajectory.

During the 2026 campaign, Ohtani experienced a distinct statistical retreat at the plate.

Fantasy metrics show that he finished the 2026 season ranked merely as the No. 40 overall hitter.

For a player typically drafted near the top of the entire player pool, a 40th-ranked hitting profile represents a significant drop.

Age is also beginning to enter the conversation for the first time in his storied career.

Ohtani will be 33 years old during the 2027 campaign.

In professional baseball, players entering their mid-30s frequently contend with natural physical decline and increased recovery demands.

For most hitters, a drop to 40th overall combined with an advancing age profile would trigger a major slip down draft boards.

Fantasy managers typically penalize aging sluggers coming off reduced statistical production.

Yet early drafters have largely looked past the 2026 offensive downturn.

They continue to invest one of their most valuable draft assets into the Dodgers superstar without hesitation.

THE PITCHING FACTOR

The fundamental factor protecting Ohtani's elite draft position is his dual-threat capability on the mound.

Unlike any other player in modern baseball history, Ohtani provides pitching contributions that supplement his everyday lineup production.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman provided crucial clarity regarding Ohtani's physical status heading into the offseason.

Friedman confirmed that Ohtani will not require surgery heading into the 2027 campaign.

More importantly for fantasy drafters, Friedman publicly stated that the organization expects Ohtani to pitch in 2027.

That expectation of two-way participation alters the entire fantasy equation.

Even when his hitting numbers resemble those of a top-40 bat, pairing that with elite rotation statistics creates extraordinary fantasy value.

A player capable of providing upper-tier strikeouts and wins alongside 30 or more home runs breaks typical roster construction.

Drafters in early NFBC leagues appear convinced that his arm will restore any fantasy value lost during his 2026 offensive dip.

The prospect of having a functioning ace who also occupies an everyday hitting spot keeps his ceiling higher than almost any peer.

BALANCING THE WORKLOAD

While the Dodgers expect Ohtani on the mound, managing his health remains a delicate organizational puzzle.

The high-stakes dilemma facing Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts was recently highlighted on 97.1 The Fan LA by Doug McKain and Reiter.

The central issue is how the Dodgers can balance Ohtani's personal Cy Young aspirations with the team's championship requirements.

Los Angeles must keep him healthy enough for October baseball and another World Series parade down Figueroa Street.

The question remains whether the Dodgers can realistically tell Ohtani "no" when it comes to his workload desires.

If the team limits his innings or inserts prolonged rest periods between starts, his fantasy pitching counting stats could take a hit.

Rest management often depresses pitcher value in formats that do not allow weekly roster manipulation.

Best-ball managers must weigh whether Los Angeles will prioritize his arm in the regular season or save him for the postseason.

Any innings restrictions or scheduled maintenance days directly impact fantasy point totals.

Still, early drafters believe that even a managed pitching workload makes him worth the second pick.

AWARD RECOGNITION AND PEER RESPECT

Despite the perceived dip in his batting statistics, Ohtani continues to command immense respect across Major League Baseball.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America reaffirmed his elite standing by naming him a finalist for the National League Most Valuable Player award.

Ohtani earned his finalist nod alongside Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang.

Across the wider league award announcements, prominent names like Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez also secured award finalist recognition.

Remaining an MVP finalist confirms that Ohtani's on-field impact remains near the absolute top of the sport.

His peers throughout the league also continue to revere him as a singular talent.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes recently traveled to Japan for a visit.

Skenes' visit highlighted just how much the young pitching phenom looks up to Ohtani and fellow Dodgers star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Ohtani remains the standard of excellence for young stars coming up through the major league ranks.

His immense cultural footprint matches his unmatched profile on the diamond.

Even in his personal life, Ohtani draws relentless attention, having purchased a 7.85 million dollar California mansion in 2024 before privacy concerns prompted a reconsideration.

Both on the field and off it, Ohtani commands an unprecedented spotlight.

THE WIDER DRAFT BOARD

Ohtani's steadiness at the No. 2 spot stands in stark contrast to several other prominent veterans.

The very same early NFBC draft data revealed that New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has begun to slide down draft boards.

Judge, like Ohtani, faces the natural skepticism that comes with aging star players in fantasy drafts.

While Judge has slipped, a wave of aggressive drafters is targeting the next generation of baseball talent.

Young stars are soaring rapidly up draft boards in early drafts.

Among the fastest risers is top prospect Konnor Griffin, who has seen his stock climb dramatically in early ADP data.

Drafters frequently prioritize upside and youth in early off-season drafts, hoping to catch breakout seasons before the broader market reacts.

Yet, even amidst an influx of dynamic young players, fantasy managers refuse to let Ohtani fall.

Only one mystery player routinely goes ahead of him across these early NFBC drafts.

Holding the No. 2 spot through 18 drafts proves that the fantasy community still views Ohtani as nearly peerless.

THE UNCERTAIN OFFSEASON