Yearly at round this time at MLB Pipeline, we attempt to look into our crystal ball and discover a Rookie of the Yr candidate for every group. In 2025, we picked two of the three American League finalists within the A’s Jacob Wilson and Roman Anthony of the Purple Sox. And we singled out one of many NL finalists: Braves catcher Drake Baldwin.
On the heels of the winners being introduced, we’re again at it once more, choosing one prospect per group who could possibly be named Rookie of the Yr in 2026.
Yesavage was already going to be Toronto’s greatest probability at a Rookie of the Yr in 2026 when he debuted within the Majors in September … after which the postseason occurred. His World Sequence dominance has already made him a borderline family title throughout two nations, due to a splitter that’s already probably the most efficient within the Majors alongside his driving four-seamer and brief, dropping slider. May MLB hitters enhance the extra they see Yesavage’s distinctive stuff and supremely excessive arm angle? Maybe, however he additionally persistently improved his command throughout his keep within the Majors, as he proved on the sport’s largest stage.
There are some choices right here, with Dylan Beavers one other sturdy candidate, however perception in Basallo’s bat wins the day right here. It stays to be seen the place he performs, however right here’s guessing he’s within the lineup more often than not whereas seeing time behind the plate, at first base and at DH. He’s solely 21, however after posting a 151 wRC+ and .966 OPS in Triple-A, there’s nothing left for him to show offensively within the Minors. He’ll study from his 31-game huge league trial and put up huge numbers.
The Tampa Bay entrance workplace will spend a lot of this winter choosing a path on the shortstop place. Even when Williams (who performed 32 video games within the Majors in 2025) will get an inside lane to win the job, he’ll should show he can do a significantly better job of placing the ball in play after fanning in 41.5 % of his MLB plate appearances so far. His energy, velocity and shortstop protection give him a excessive ceiling, even perhaps an award-winning one, and he can meet if he makes the correct changes to get a bat that’s even only a smidge above-average.
A 2024 second-rounder out of Texas Christian, Tolle rocketed from Excessive-A to Fenway Park in his professional debut this yr, thanks largely to elite extension that makes his mid-90s fastball nearly unhittable. He logged a 3.04 ERA, .203 opponent common and 133 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings at three Minor League ranges, rating second within the Minors in strikeout minus stroll charge (30 %), third in strikeout charge (37 %) and fourth in Ok/BB ratio (5.8) amongst pitchers who labored as many frames as he did.
Jones affords among the finest combos of dimension (6-foot-7, 240 kilos) and athleticism within the Minors, although he additionally comes with critical swing-and-miss considerations (33 % strikeout charge as a professional, 35 % this yr). The 2022 first-rounder from Vanderbilt slashed .274/.362/.571 with 35 homers and 29 steals in 116 video games between Double-A and Triple-A, inserting second within the Minors in homers, fifth in slugging, sixth in whole bases (250), seventh in extra-base hits (59) and eighth in runs (102).
The uncommon participant to make his huge league debut within the playoffs, DeLauter might need cracked the Guardians lineup in 2024 if not for a sequence of accidents. His illnesses have included a damaged left foot, a sports activities hernia and a damaged hamate and have restricted him to 138 video games in three professional seasons. The 2022 first-rounder from James Madison batted .278/.383/.476 with 5 homers in 34 Triple-A video games and continues to show among the finest combos of dimension, athleticism, hitting capability, energy and plate self-discipline within the Minors.
Kansas Metropolis has already expressed that Salvador Perez will return in 2026, and that may complicate Jensen’s probabilities of being a No. 1 catcher out of the gate subsequent spring. All the identical, he definitely regarded able to successful the job outright finally with a .300/.391/.550 line and three homers in his 20 MLB video games in September. Jensen has been build up his energy over his 5 years in professional ball, and whereas his blocking nonetheless wants work, he could possibly be no less than a 25-homer risk behind the plate and put collectively a Drake Baldwin-esque season for the Royals.
McGonigle doesn’t have Triple-A expertise but, not that that can quiet a number of the requires him to make Detroit’s Main League group out of the spring. That’s as a result of his mixture of method, self-discipline and bat velocity have made him the proprietor of the Minors’ greatest hit software, one which slashed .305/.408/.583 with 19 homers and a 46/59 Ok/BB ratio in 88 video games throughout three ranges in 2025. He’s performed largely shortstop and third base within the Arizona Fall League, however many consider he’s destined for second. With Gleyber Torres hitting free company, the clearest path is perhaps on the keystone, however Detroit might definitely make room for McGonigle’s excessive ceiling early sufficient in 2026.
Rolling the cube a bit bit as a result of Jenkins has but to play a full season and even accumulate greater than 400 plate appearances in a single yr, with an ankle problem slowing him in 2025. However the No. 5 total choose within the 2023 Draft did attain Triple-A this previous season at age 20 and he has posted a profession .863 OPS when he’s been on the sector wholesome. He had a 136 wRC+ this previous yr and will get a protracted look in Spring Coaching.
The White Sox have already got promoted three items of the Garrett Crochet commerce with the Purple Sox (Kyle Teel, Chase Meidroth, Wikelman González) to Chicago and the very best could also be but to come back. Montgomery matches the traditional right-field profile with properly above-average uncooked energy and arm power and hit .270/.360/.444 with 12 homers and 14 steals in 121 video games whereas reaching Double-A in his professional debut.
Angels: Nelson Rada, OF (No. 7)
The Angels pushed Rada aggressively to Double-A in 2024 at age 18, then despatched him again to Rocket Metropolis to repeat the extent this season. He carried out higher (.713 OPS vs. .600 in 2024) over 93 video games and he actually responded to the problem of heading to Triple-A. There’s not a ton of affect, however he did submit an OPS of .849 over 42 video games with Triple-A and he completed the yr with a mixed 122 wRC+ and 54 steals.
A suburban Houston product who blossomed right into a 2023 first-round choose after starring at Nebraska, Matthews affords extra offensive ceiling than most second basemen with no less than plus uncooked energy and related velocity. He slashed .260/.371/.458 with 17 homers and 41 steals in 112 Triple-A video games and batted .167 with 4 homers in 13 huge league contests.
After the success Nick Kurtz had in 2025 popping out of the 2024 Draft, it was tempting to select the A’s first-rounder in 2025, lefty Jamie Arnold, however we’ll go along with the “different” southpaw in Soar, who spent most of his first full season in Double-A. He led the group in xFIP, WHIP, Ok-BB%, Ok/9 and Ok% and has the superior pitchability that might land him within the A’s rotation early.
The Mariners have some inquiries to reply about their infield shifting ahead they usually might use an offensive elevate. Emerson completed off a really strong 2025 season in Triple-A, ending with an .842 OPS and 130 wRC+. It stays to be seen how the Mariners line up their infield, with former prospect Cole Younger and present High 100 man Michael Arroyo probably in play, however Emerson’s really feel to hit appears nearly prepared for the large stage.
Walcott will not flip 20 till March and has but to play above Double-A, however he batted .255/.355/.386 with 13 homers and 32 steals in 124 video games and accidents maintain cropping up on the left facet of the Rangers’ infield. Signed for $3.2 million out of the Bahamas in 2023, he options a number of the greatest uncooked energy and arm power within the Minors.
Ritchie returned from Tommy John surgical procedure in 2024, then actually took an enormous step ahead this previous season, beginning the Futures Sport and pitching throughout three ranges. His stuff ticked up and he missed extra bats (9.0 Ok/9) whereas exhibiting sturdiness (140 IP) and being robust to hit (.175 BAA), wanting increasingly like a strong rotation selection whereas beginning the 2026 season at age 22.
After scuffling on the plate earlier in his professional profession, Mack has developed common energy whereas additionally rising as one of many higher defensive catchers within the Minors. A 2021 supplemental first-rounder from a New York highschool, he was a part of Worldwide League and Triple-A Nationwide Championship titles this yr whereas hitting .257/.338/.475 with 21 homers in 112 video games between Double-A and Triple-A.
With New York dealing with critical rotation points down the stretch, McLean grew to become the membership’s ace with a 2.06 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 57 strikeouts over eight begins (48 innings). He labored with six totally different pitch sorts within the Majors, favoring his mid-90s sinker and high-spin sweeper whereas additionally mixing in his curveball (maybe the spinniest pitch within the bigs), four-seamer, changeup and cutter. As soon as a two-way participant, McLean continues to develop into his function as a full-time starter, proving improvement by no means stops. Along with his mixture of whiffs and floor balls, he heads into ‘26 as an NL ROY favourite.
Nationals: Jake Bennett, LHP (No. 10)
The 2022 second-rounder has been constructing again up from Tommy John surgical procedure with 75 ⅓ innings throughout three ranges in the summertime and extra work within the Arizona Fall League forward of his Rule 5 eligibility this offseason. He’s more likely to be added with a pair of 92-95 mph fastballs, an honest low-80s slider and a plus mid-80s changeup, all of which come from round seven toes of extension. On this time of turnover in DC, a wholesome Bennett might issue into Washington’s pitching plans with the next ceiling than Brad Lord had in ‘25.
The Phillies have some critical expertise pooling on the higher ranges and there’s a great probability that Andrew Painter will bounce again and land within the rotation early. And Aidan Miller additionally completed in Triple-A. However Crawford is coming off a .334/.411/.452 season with 46 steals in Triple-A and has now hit .322 in his Minor League profession. He’ll play all yr at age 22 and whereas folks would possibly wish to see him drive the ball extra and hit it on the bottom much less, at a sure level, it’s clear that how he does it really works.
Brewers: Logan Henderson, RHP (No. 5)
There have been flashes when Henderson regarded like he would graduate earlier than the 2025 season ended, as he completed with a 1.78 ERA, 33 strikeouts and eight walks in 5 begins (25 ⅓ innings). However he handled elbow points within the second half and didn’t pitch for the Crew after Aug. 3. He was deemed “absolutely recovered” on the finish of the season, nonetheless, and that’s excellent news for a pitcher whose profession excessive for innings is 103. His fastball-changeup combo, together with well being, would be the driver of any potential rotation spot and later an awards marketing campaign.
Wetherholt by no means bought a late-season callup throughout his spectacular first full yr by which he slashed .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers and 23 steals in 109 video games at Double-A and Triple-A. The Cardinals will even should discover a spot for him on the infield with Brendan Donovan, Masyn Winn, Nolan Arenado and Nolan Gorman nonetheless on the roster for now. Even so, Wetherholt’s all-around above-average offensive recreation can be too good to go with out a place someplace on the dust, and it’ll maintain him in award conversations as long as he will get the taking part in time.
Acquired from the Padres within the Yu Darvish commerce in December 2020, Caissie appears just like the Cubs’ main candidate to take over in proper discipline if Kyle Tucker departs as anticipated by way of free company. The most effective energy prospects within the recreation, he slashed .286/.386/.551 with 22 homers in 99 Triple-A video games at age 22, ending third within the Worldwide League in OPS (.937) and sixth in slugging and extra-base hits (52). He additionally smacked his first huge league house run in mid-August.
It’s tempting to go huge and put No. 1 total prospect Konnor Griffin on this spot, however whereas we’re hoping he will get the prospect to make the group in Spring Coaching, that’s removed from a positive factor. Chandler will most definitely be within the Opening Day rotation and confirmed particularly in his final three outings (16 ⅔ IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 19 Ok) what he’s able to with a professional four-pitch combine.
Stewart started the yr in Double-A and completed it within the huge leagues, touchdown on the Reds’ postseason roster to cap issues off. He can actually hit, posting a mixed .907 OPS with 20 homers within the Minors final yr. He’s performed a whole lot of third base within the Minors, together with some second, then slid over to first base with Cincinnati, giving the Reds choices to get that bat into the lineup.
The 2024 thirty first total choose definitely appears prepared for Triple-A no less than after slashing .289/.419/.473 with 18 homers, 29 steals and 96 walks in 134 video games at Excessive-A and Double-A in his first full season. Reno is a infamous launching pad too, so it wouldn’t shock if he strikes rapidly previous the Pacific Coast League and forces a debut within the first half of 2026, particularly with the Arizona outfield state of affairs open past Corbin Carroll. Waldschmidt’s combo of energy, velocity and self-discipline is uncommon and would play nice in left discipline, his almost certainly vacation spot.
Dodgers: River Ryan, RHP (No. 9)
Ryan posted a 1.33 ERA in his first 4 huge league begins in 2024 earlier than blowing out his elbow and requiring Tommy John surgical procedure that sidelined him for all of this season. Acquired from the Padres in a 2022 commerce for Matt Beaty, he needs to be again to full well being subsequent yr and will make an affect with a six-pitch repertoire that features a 95-100 mph four-seam fastball with large carry, a mid-90s two-seamer, an upper-80s slider, a low-90s cutter, an 82-85 mph curveball and an upper-80s changeup — all of which grade as strong or higher once they’re on.
The sixteenth total choose within the 2023 Draft as a Virginia excessive schooler, Eldridge creates fearsome energy along with his fast left-handed stroke and the power and leverage in his 6-foot-7 body. He batted .260/.333/.510 with 25 homers in 102 video games between Double-A, Triple-A and a short rehab stint in Rookie ball earlier than making his huge league debut in mid-September at age 20.
Padres: Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP (No. 6)
Devin Williams (2020) was the latest reliever to win Rookie of the Yr in both league, and Craig Kimbrel (2011) was the closest earlier than him, so the percentages is perhaps stacked in opposition to Rodriguez right here a bit. However the Padres proved their religion within the 21-year-old right-hander already by including him to their Wild Card Sequence bullpen this fall, and he’s carried out properly within the bigs already with one earned run and 9 strikeouts throughout 7 ⅔ innings. His upper-90s four-seamer and sinker are available sizzling whereas his upper-80s changeup is his greatest weapon at producing whiffs.
Rockies: Gabriel Hughes, RHP (No. 14)
It would appear to be typical knowledge to go along with a bat in Colorado, however there isn’t one we’re satisfied goes to leap to the fore. However the lone Rookie of the Yr in Rockies historical past was a pitcher (Jason Jennings) and Hughes might take one other leap ahead as he places the Tommy John surgical procedure that price him his 2024 season additional in his rearview mirror.
