Should You Draft Chase Burns or Kevin Gausman in 2026 Fantasy Baseball Leagues?

Upside and stability collide in this tier of 2026 fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Chase Burns, a rookie flamethrower for the Cincinnati Reds, and Kevin Gausman, a veteran workhorse for the Toronto Blue Jays, present vastly different draft-day paths for fantasy managers in 2026. Burns offers ace-level strikeout potential but workload questions, while Gausman brings a proven track record that forces fantasy managers to weigh price versus production.

Why it matters

The decision between drafting Burns or Gausman will be a key strategic consideration for fantasy baseball managers in 2026, as they must balance the upside of a young, high-strikeout pitcher against the stability and reliability of an established veteran.

The details

Burns, a second-overall draft pick in 2024, dominated at the minor league levels in 2025 but struggled with command and an elbow injury in his first taste of the majors. Gausman, on the other hand, regained his command in 2025, leading to an uptick in his strikeout rate and an elite first-pitch strike rate, though he has shown signs of regression in recent seasons.

  • Burns was called up to the majors in 2025 after dominating at the minor league levels.
  • Gausman has been with the Toronto Blue Jays for the past four seasons, since 2022.

The players

Chase Burns

A rookie right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, known for his elite velocity and strikeout potential, but also for his command issues and injury history.

Kevin Gausman

A veteran right-handed pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, known for his consistent performance and high volume of innings, but also for signs of potential regression in recent seasons.

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What’s next

The decision between drafting Burns or Gausman will be a key strategic consideration for fantasy baseball managers in 2026, as they must balance the upside of a young, high-strikeout pitcher against the stability and reliability of an established veteran.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the tradeoffs fantasy managers must make between drafting a high-upside, high-risk pitcher like Burns or a more reliable, lower-ceiling option like Gausman. The choice will depend on each manager's team needs and risk tolerance.