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Top 20 MLB Rookies for 2026
Image credit: Nolan McLean (Photo by Evan Yu/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Rookies and other young players form the lifeblood of any MLB organization. It’s just hard to predict who will click immediately and who will need more time to learn on the job against MLB competition.
That doesn’t stop us from forecasting this year’s top newcomers. Here, we rank our top 20 based on how we expect them to perform in the 2026 season.
In last year’s edition, we opened with Roki Sasaki, Dylan Crews, and Jackson Jobe. While all three made Opening Day rosters, none stood out as a definitive breakout star.
Continuing from last year, we highlighted upside among future ROY contenders, listing Braves catcher Drake Baldwin at No. 12 and Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (a 2024 draftee with just 12 pro games) at No. 18.
Keep it here as the season unfolds: we’ll update and expand our list of top 2026 rookies and keep an eye on who ends up with ROY hardware at year’s end.
1) Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets — Age 24
The Case for McLean: He showed his mettle in an eight-start MLB debut in 2025. He features six different pitches, led by a high-spin sweeper and a strong curveball, plus a changeup and a cutter mainly used against left-handed hitters. He throws hard, misses bats, and keeps the ball on the ground.
The Case Against McLean: His 2.06 ERA across 48 innings in 2025 is unlikely to be repeated over a full season. Still, that’s the main concern for a pitcher the Mets expect to anchor a rotation.
2) JJ Wetherholt, 2B, Cardinals — Age 23
The Case for Wetherholt: He combines exceptional bat-to-ball skills, elite on-base ability, and growing power, which could translate into Rookie of the Year-caliber numbers. He figures to contribute at second or third base, with Masyn Winn covering shortstop.
The Case Against Wetherholt: Busch Stadium isn’t especially favorable for left-handed power, and the lineup around him isn’t the most potent. Wetherholt’s power tends to pull more to the opposite field, and there’s limited elite exit-velocity data to gauge impact.
3) Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates — Age 20
The Case for Griffin: Griffin possesses MVP-level upside with a wide array of tools. Even cautious evaluators compare him to Mike Trout at times, and he could impact the game in multiple ways. With no clear shortstop blocker, Pittsburgh may push him aggressively if he proves ready.
The Case Against Griffin: He has only 21 games of upper-level experience, so a cautious path could limit his 2026 impact in favor of long-term development.
4) Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays — Age 22
The Case for Yesavage: His fastball, slider, and splitter miss bats and chase hitters. He shines with a north-south approach, pairing his four-seamer with a devastating splitter. His high-variant delivery and lack of a glove-side breaking pitch make him a unique challenge for hitters.
The Case Against Yesavage: The absence of a pitch moving toward the glove side could create platoon splits; however, injury would be the only real obstacle to a ROY-worthy run.
5) Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers — Age 21
The Case for McGonigle: He may have the best pure hitting ability in this rookie class and is among the best hitting prospects in roughly the last 15 years. If he seizes a Tigers spot, he could remain a central figure for years.
The Case Against McGonigle: Defensively, he’s stretched at short, and his alternative path to second base is blocked by Gleyber Torres. This could mean a half-season or more in Triple-A if he needs position refinement.
6) Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates — Age 23
The Case for Chandler: His fastball sits near 100 mph, and hitters struggle with his changeup. His control improved significantly after reaching the majors, giving him a clearer route to a rotation spot in 2026.
The Case Against Chandler: His Triple-A fastball command was inconsistent in 2025, and his slider can wobble. Such volatility could carry through starts if not addressed.
7) Carter Jensen, C, Royals — Age 22
The Case for Jensen: A well-rounded catcher who hit 20 minor-league homers in 2025, and added three more in his MLB debut last September. With Salvador Perez nearing the end of his prime, Jensen should get plenty of at-bats as the No. 2 catcher and DH.
The Case Against Jensen: Catching is demanding, which can add volatility for rookies at the position. While Drake Baldwin was the NL ROY last year, only a few backstops—like Baldwin, Austin Wells, and Adley Rutschman—have finished among the top three in voting this decade.
8) Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, Blue Jays — Age 30
The Case for Okamoto: A proven hit tool from years of high-quality contact and on-base skills in Japan, plus 20-homer power potential. He avoids strikeouts, walks frequently, and offers solid defensive value at third with the ability to play first base and corner outfield.
The Case Against Okamoto: Japanese hitters don’t always translate at the same rate as pitchers, so he could be more of an average hitter whose power plays down.
9) Tatsuya Imai, RHP, Astros — Age 28
The Case for Imai: A unique arsenal resembling that of fellow rookie Trey Yesavage, featuring a glidey, armside-moving slider and a splitter. His fastball release and velocity give him a chance to slot into a mid-rotation role right away.
The Case Against Imai: Questions remain about how his fastball will play in MLB after a swing-and-miss dip in NPB, and there’s a lack of gloveside movement in his repertoire. Injury risk and underperformance loom for every rookie pitcher.
10) Samuel Basallo, C/DH, Orioles — Age 21
The Case for Basallo: His power projection could lead all rookies in home runs. His late-season MLB debut showed underlying power, bat speed, and a solid plate discipline. Defensively, Basallo has shown enough versatility to serve as a credible backup.
The Case Against Basallo: He will need to hit enough to win regular at-bats behind Pete Alonso and Ryan Mountcastle, and he’ll also handle catching duties as a backup.
11) Sal Stewart, 1B, Reds — Age 22
The Case for Stewart: Even after the Reds added Eugenio Suárez, Stewart is poised to be a key contributor. He has a clean, contact-first hitting approach and can tap into power, which should help boost a team that needs more runs.
The Case Against Stewart: He profiles best at first base, but with Suárez and Spencer Steer on the roster, he’ll likely fill in at third or even second base at times, where his limitations may show up.
12) Munetaka Murakami, 1B, White Sox — Age 26
The Case for Murakami: He set the NPB single-season home run record for a Japanese-born player in 2022 (56). While he hasn’t matched that pace, his extraordinary power and on-base ability remain consistent strengths. If he makes enough contact, 30-homer potential exists.
The Case Against Murakami: Swing-and-miss concerns against spin and velocity remain significant, and defensively he has little value beyond first base or DH.
13) Carson Benge, OF, Mets — Age 23
The Case for Benge: Partnering again with Nolan McLean at Oklahoma State, Benge is positioned to compete for the Mets’ right-field job. He’s a versatile player who can contribute across the board while providing solid defense and speed.
The Case Against Benge: He struggled in a 22-game Triple-A stint last year, and similar-side matchups for left-handed hitters could present an early challenge.
14) Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners — Age 20
The Case for Emerson: He made real progress last season, reaching Triple-A two years after being drafted as one of the youngest players in 2023. At 20, he posted a career-high 16 homers, aided by a toe-tap adjustment to his swing.
The Case Against Emerson: His bat may need more polish, and the Mariners’ infield depth could limit his early opportunities. If he hits in spring training, he’ll press for a larger role.
15) Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians — Age 24
The Case for DeLauter: The Guardians trust his impact potential. He made his big-league debut in a playoff game last October, showing solid strike-zone recognition, contact ability, and plus power.
The Case Against DeLauter: Health has been a concern, with just 138 professional games across four seasons. He has dealt with foot issues and, in 2025, wrist surgery as well.
16) Dylan Beavers, OF, Orioles — Age 24
The Case for Beavers: He impressed in Triple-A with strong plate discipline, speed, and defense, earning a full-time spot in the Orioles’ left-field mix last September. He’s expected to be a well-rounded regular this year.
The Case Against Beavers: The Orioles’ outfield rotation is crowded, and no rookie outfielder tallied 400 plate appearances in 2025. Only a few more experienced teammates have reached 500 career PAs since 2023.
17) Owen Caissie, OF, Marlins — Age 23
The Case for Caissie: He combines exceptional power with strong on-base skills and improving bat-to-ball ability. With two full seasons of Triple-A experience and MLB time, he has ample opportunities to earn at-bats. He’ll need to display consistent contact and average defense to maximize his impact.
The Case Against Caissie: Skepticism centers on his swing-and-miss tendency and sometimes uneven defense. Sustained power production will be key to his success.
18) Bryce Eldridge, 1B/DH, Giants — Age 21
The Case for Eldridge: At 6-foot-7 and 219 pounds, Eldridge embodies rare physical power. His raw power stands out among this group, giving him true potential to create game-changing impact at the plate.
The Case Against Eldridge: He’s blocked by Rafael Devers at first base, and his defense is imperfect. Swing-and-miss concerns also show up in his numbers from 2025. Remember, he’s still very young.
19) Joe Mack, C, Marlins — Age 23
The Case for Mack: The Marlins benefited from an all-rookie catching corps during much of 2025. Mack isn’t as on-base minded as Liam Hicks, but he brings strong power and a superior glove, highlighted by a Minor League Gold Glove in 2024.
The Case Against Mack: The presence of Ramirez as a catcher alternative could push Mack to more Triple-A time to develop his receiving and framing.
20) Connelly Early, LHP, Red Sox — Age 24
The Case for Early: His spring performances propelled him into the top prospect ranks, and he finished the year strong in the rotation. Early features a deep arsenal, command, and a knack for keeping hitters off balance by varying eye levels and locations.
The Case Against Early: The Red Sox have a crowded rotation, so there’s a possibility that another pitcher could out-perform him and push him out of a starting role.
If you’re curious about any player profiles or want more context on why each rookie lands in the top 20, tell me which names you’d like to dive into first. Which rookie do you think has the clearest path to ROY hardware, and which one could surprise everyone by exceeding expectations?
