17 MLB Young Stars to Watch in 2026
They’re not just breaking into the big leagues anymore; they’re breaking out. The 2026 season features a wave of under-25 stars with the production, poise, and profiles to carry teams. Here’s who’s making the biggest impact already.
Bobby Witt Jr. Is Already Redefining the Shortstop Position
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Witt’s 2024 season was historic. He led all of baseball in hits and batting average, went 30-30, and took home a Gold Glove. Oh, and he posted a 10.4 WAR—company that includes Ripken and A-Rod. Not bad for a 24-year-old shortstop.
Gunnar Henderson Could Be Baltimore’s Best Bat Since Machado
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After winning Rookie of the Year, Gunnar followed up with a season in which voters circled his name. His name’s got thirty-seven homers, slick defense, and a growing reputation as the heartbeat of Baltimore’s lineup. He’s coming into 2025 a bit banged up, but if he finds his rhythm early, look out.
Paul Skenes Somehow Lived Up to the Hype
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Somehow, all the hype felt justified. Skenes debuted in May and still managed to lead all qualified starters in ERA. He brought two new pitches with him and walked away with Rookie of the Year and a top-three Cy Young finish. Pittsburgh’s rotation has a new anchor, and he’s 22.
Julio Rodríguez Hasn’t Peaked Yet
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Julio Rodríguez erased any doubt in 2025, slashing .267 with 32 homers and 30 steals. Joining the prestigious 30-30 club for the second time, he proved his superstar floor is higher than most players’ ceilings. For 2026, the “J-Rod Show” remains the most critical high-octane engine in the Mariners’ lineup.
Jackson Merrill’s Outfield Transition Was Seamless
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After a seamless transition to center field, Jackson Merrill secured his future with a $135 million extension in 2025. Despite battling minor injuries, he maintained a strong 116 wRC+ and flashed elite clutch hitting. Now 23, Merrill enters 2026 as a cornerstone for San Diego, blending high-contact skills with blossoming power.
Elly de la Cruz Is Baseball’s Most Electric Talent
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De La Cruz’s 25-67 season made history; no shortstop had ever hit that power-speed combo. He needs to improve his swing-and-miss tendencies, but the Reds star is already one of MLB’s most dynamic athletes.
Jackson Chourio Looks Ahead of Schedule
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Chourio struggled early, then torched pitchers in the second half of 2024. His .914 OPS after June made him one of the league’s most dangerous bats, and he remained perfect defensively all season. He followed it up with a postseason burst.
Corbin Carroll Got Hot When It Mattered
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Corbin Carroll’s 2025 was a masterclass in elite hitting; he started the year with a scorching 1.164 OPS. His increased bat speed and 100th-percentile expected metrics confirm he has evolved into a complete offensive force. As 2026 kicks off, he is the primary engine driving Arizona’s contention window.
Hunter Greene Finally Put It Together
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Hunter Greene was a force in 2025, posting a stellar 2.76 ERA and a career-best 0.94 WHIP when healthy. He has successfully integrated a splitter and curveball, transforming from a flamethrower into a tactical nightmare. If he stays off the IL in 2026, he is a bona fide Cy Young frontrunner.
Riley Greene Took the Leap
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Riley Greene solidified his status as Detroit’s offensive centerpiece in 2025, setting career highs in home runs and RBIs. His 5.3 bWAR in 2024 wasn’t a fluke; his elite on-base skills and improved barrel rate have made him a top-10 MLB outfielder. He returns in 2026 as the Tigers’ most dangerous weapon.
Michael Harris II Is Due for a Breakout
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Michael Harris silenced critics in 2025 with career highs in hits (152), home runs (20), and RBIs (86). He matched franchise legends like Hank Aaron with an eight-game multi-hit streak, proving he can carry Atlanta for weeks at a time. Healthy and just 25, he is primed for a massive 2026.
Lawrence Butler Flipped the Script Midseason
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Lawrence Butler’s 2025 campaign confirmed the hype, as he smashed 21 home runs and swiped 22 bases. His unique power-speed combination in the outfield has made him a focal point for the Athletics. He enters 2026 looking to cut down the strikeouts and cement his status as a premier AL power threat.
Wyatt Langford May Be the AL’s Next Five-Tool Threat
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Langford finished strong, earning AL Player of the Month in September. His OPS surged, and projections suggest he’ll be one of Texas’s most valuable hitters in 2025.
Mark Vientos Forced His Way Into the Mets’ Plans
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Originally not on the Mets’ Opening Day roster, Vientos slugged 27 homers and became one of their best power threats. The key for him in 2025 is contact quality. His in-zone contact rate lags behind the league average, but if he narrows the strike zone, another jump could follow.
Masyn Winn Is Just Getting Started
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Still just 22, Winn is already the Cardinals’ tone-setter. He led the team in WAR, played top-tier defense, and brings speed, energy, and everyday reliability. There’s room for his bat to grow, but the foundation is rock solid.
James Wood Is Ready to Take Over the Nation’s Capital
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Washington has been waiting for a face of the future, and Wood looks the part. At 6-foot-7, he brings rare power and surprising athleticism, with the kind of bat speed that turns routine swings into loud contact. The Nationals are still building, but Wood already feels like the centerpiece around which everything else will orbit.
Junior Caminero Has the Power to Carry Tampa Bay
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Caminero doesn’t need many swings to change a game. The raw power jumps out right away, but what stands out more is how comfortable he looks in big moments. Tampa Bay has built its success on depth, yet Caminero gives them something different: a young hitter who can tilt a series with one swing.