MLB Home Run Props: Top Bets for the 2026 Season

Garion Thorne breaks down his favorite home run futures on the DraftKings Sportsbook for the upcoming MLB season.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Garion Thorne analyzes the top home run prop bets for the 2026 MLB season, highlighting three players with strong power potential - Nick Kurtz of the Oakland Athletics, Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals, and Ben Rice of the New York Yankees. Kurtz flashed elite power as a rookie, while Pasquantino should benefit from Kauffman Stadium's fences being moved in. Rice is an analytics darling who should see more playing time at first base in 2026.

Why it matters

Home run props are consistently among the most popular bets on the DraftKings Sportsbook, as fans love to wager on the most exciting play in baseball. Identifying the right power hitters to target can lead to big payouts for bettors.

The details

Kurtz hit 36 home runs in just 420 at-bats as a rookie, showcasing elite power metrics like a 98th percentile barrel rate. Pasquantino hit 32 homers in 2025, and the Royals' stadium renovations should boost his numbers further. Rice finished 2025 in the 97th percentile in expected wOBA, expected slugging, and hard-hit rate, and a move to first base full-time could unlock even more power.

  • The 2026 MLB season is just over a month away, with Spring Training games now underway.
  • Kurtz hit 36 home runs in his rookie campaign in 2025.
  • Pasquantino hit 32 home runs for the Royals in 2025.
  • Rice had a breakout 2025 season, his first full year in the majors.

The players

Nick Kurtz

A 23-year-old outfielder for the Oakland Athletics who hit 36 home runs in just 420 at-bats as a rookie in 2025, showcasing elite power metrics.

Vinnie Pasquantino

A first baseman for the Kansas City Royals who hit 32 home runs in 2025, and should benefit from the team's stadium renovations that will bring in the fences.

Ben Rice

A 27-year-old first baseman for the New York Yankees who finished 2025 in the 97th percentile in expected wOBA, expected slugging, and hard-hit rate, and should see more playing time in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“There's nothing quite like a home run. Not only is it the best thing that a batter can do on a baseball field from a strategic sense, but it's the best thing to watch and react to as a fan.”

— Garion Thorne, Author (draftkings.com)

“It remains a mystery just how much this will impact home run totals in Missouri next season, but in a similar situation in Baltimore, hitters saw immediate positive results.”

— Garion Thorne, Author (draftkings.com)

What’s next

The 2026 MLB season will begin in early April, with Opening Day scheduled for April 3rd. Bettors will be able to wager on home run props throughout the season on the DraftKings Sportsbook.

The takeaway

This analysis highlights three power-hitting MLB players who could provide excellent value on home run prop bets in the 2026 season. Kurtz, Pasquantino, and Rice all have the potential to eclipse 35 home runs, making them attractive options for bettors looking to cash in on the most exciting play in baseball.