Zach Eflin Signing Impact: Fantasy Boost for His New Team in 2026 Rotisserie Leagues

The easiest to digest snapshot of Eflin’s 2025 season with the Orioles comes from Baseball Savant:

Looks completely … mediocre, doesn’t it? A pitcher with good control who gets batters to chase, probably from a change-up. But all else says “Just A Guy.” He started only 14 games and had three injured list stints last season — an early lat strain and mid-season lower back discomfort. In August, he had back surgery for chronic issues that had bothered him over several seasons.

For the season, he tallied a 6-5 record, a 5.93 ERA (4.49 xERA), with just a 6.31 K/9 rate and a very low 1.64 BB/9 mark. An entirely forgettable season.

He’s never been a strikeout artist, with a 7.73 K/9 ratio, but all his numbers last season screamed injury.

So a free agent signing by that kind of pitcher is not going to be the top headline of the offseason.

Before we speculate on 2026, let’s look back at 2024:

Again we see a control pitcher with a high chase rate, with a better fastball and other improved metrics over 2025.

Those rates produced a 10-9 record in 28 starts, a 3.59 ERA and a 7.29 K/9 rate. Clearly he’s not a fantasy ace, but those numbers can help a team on the back end.

2026 Projections for Zach Eflin

Most projection systems have a similar outlook for Zach Eflin. The call is for about 140 IP, nine wins, nine or 10 losses, and an ERA over 4.00. I’m not sure that’s fair, but it considers his recovery from surgery and hedges most bets coming off an injury-plagued down year.

I will give him a vote of confidence, with a 3.85 ERA in 150 IP. But other than WHIP, he’s unlikely to help you in other categories. At his best, his K rate wouldn’t climb over 8 per nine innings.

He will be the fifth starter for the Orioles, behind Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Chris Bassitt, and Shane Baz. So he will get room to emerge as a useful starter for the Orioles and your fantasy baseball team.

At ADP 385, he will likely be a waiver wire candidate in your league. I would probably take a wait-and-see approach to determine if he can help your team. But if he starts off well enough, I see him as a pitcher to stream in a two-start week.

People Also Ask About Zach Eflin

Where did Zach Eflin sign for 2026?
Zach Eflin re-signed with the Baltimore Orioles during the 2025-26 offseason.

How does staying in Baltimore impact Eflin’s fantasy value?
Continuity in role and environment supports ratio stability and predictable inning volume.

What is Zach Eflin’s 2026 fantasy projection?
He projects as a mid-rotation starter with steady ERA and WHIP contributions and moderate win totals.

Is Zach Eflin a good mid-round pick in 2026?
Yes. He fits best as a stability anchor in the middle rounds rather than a high-upside strikeout play.

What is Eflin’s strikeout outlook for 2026?
Strikeout production should remain below elite levels, with value concentrated in control and efficiency.

Should managers draft Zach Eflin in 2026?
He is a viable mid-to-late round option for managers prioritizing ratio floor and workload predictability.