Every season, a few players take the leap and reshape the MLB landscape. These are 10 breakout candidates to watch in 2026.
Jordan Walker
This has been said every year since his debut in 2023, but the tools are still there. Walker has taken a step back at the plate since hitting 16 home runs as a rookie, and his defense has never been a strength. That puts the pressure on the bat. The good news is he is still just 23 years old, with a 6'6", 250-pound frame and the raw power to rebound if he adjusts to handle breaking balls more consistently.
Luis Morales
Morales made nine starts in 2025, throwing 48.2 innings with a 3.14 ERA. He already had a strong prospect profile with above-average velocity and a swing-and-miss sweeper. If he can maintain that strikeout ability over a full workload, Morales has a real chance to emerge as the Athletics’ much-needed top-of-the-rotation arm.
Kyle Leahy
There were several Cardinals who could have made this list, but Leahy stands out. He posted a 3.07 ERA out of the bullpen in 2025 and brings a deep arsenal, throwing six pitches with five used more than 10% of the time. That type of mix often translates well to a starting role, and Leahy has a clear path to make that transition in 2026.
Jett Williams
Williams and Milwaukee feel like a natural fit. He is a quick, contact-oriented infielder with traits similar to other recent Brewers contributors, like Brice Turang, Caleb Durbin, and Joey Ortiz . Ranked No. 51 by MLB Pipeline, Williams has four above-average tools and should push for a starting role this season. In this system, he is well positioned to produce right away.
Chandler Simpson
Simpson’s game is built on elite speed and bat-to-ball ability. Power is not a major part of his profile, but he hit .295 across 109 games in 2025 and already shows solid on-base skills. If the walk rate ticks up even slightly, Simpson has the profile of a dynamic table-setter at the top of a lineup.
Roman Anthony
Some might argue Anthony has already arrived after posting a 140 OPS+ in 71 games in 2025, but there is still another level available. He projects as a true five-tool player, and a modest increase in launch angle could unlock 30-plus home run power to go with everything else he already does well.
Eury Perez
After a standout rookie season in 2023, Pérez lost 2024 to Tommy John surgery and returned in 2025 with a 4.25 ERA. The underlying metrics tell a different story though, with a 3.23 xERA suggesting better results ahead. With a 98 mph fastball and a dominant slider, Pérez has the raw stuff to push into Cy Young conversations if he stays healthy.
Colt Keith
Only 24 years old, Keith has put together two solid seasons in 2024 and 2025, hitting around league average. His spray chart is very even, using both sides of the field effectively. The power still has room to develop, as his bat speed sits below average. Thirteen home runs in each of his first two seasons is respectable, but Keith has the physical tools to push closer to 25 in a full year.
Kyle Harrison
Harrison’s development has been uneven as he has worked through multiple coaching staffs, but the talent is still clear. The 6'2" lefty features a sweeping breaking ball and a quality changeup. If his command continues to improve with experience, Harrison has the ceiling of a high-end rotation arm.
Bubba Chandler
The No. 11 prospect in baseball, Chandler logged 31.1 innings with a 4.02 ERA in his debut season. His fastball reaches the upper 90s and has touched 101.5 mph, and he pairs it with three quality secondary pitches. With refinement in pitch sequencing and command, Chandler has the profile of a strong No. 2 starter behind Paul Skenes.
If this was your kind of read, you’ll like what’s next. Get The Sandman Ticket, our free, weekly newsletter with picks, insights, and a little bit of everything we love about sports.
