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Who Are The Best MLB Rookies Right Now?

One of the most exciting parts of a 162-game Major League Baseball season is the emergence of young stars, and with rookies succeeding at a younger level every season, there are many different rookies making their impact known quickly. In recent times, we’ve seen the likes of Paul Skenes dominate from the moment they arrived at the big league level, and while there’s no one dominating quite like that in 2026, there’s been plenty of impact players immediately this season.

Through six weeks of the new season, we’ve got rookies from Japan, dominant starting pitchers and several position players separating themselves in what appears to be a loaded rookie class in 2026. Whether that continues over a full season, only time will tell, but as of right now, there’s plenty to love about what we’ve seen from the rookies thus far.

Here is a look at the Top 10 Best MLB Rookies 2026 Rankings list: 

Honorable Mention

Kazuma Okamoto

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

While Munetaka Murakami has garnered plenty of the hype as a Japanese rookie, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto has been fantastic early in the year, playing a much bigger role than expected due to injuries to the team. Playing a role as a big bat in the middle of the order, Okamoto has gone deep 5 times, adding 11 RBI to a team that’s desperately needed a big bat to have some success.

On top of that, he has made some very flashy plays at the hot corner to date, and as he adjusts to the velocity at the MLB level, he’s starting to get much more comfortable at the plate. He’s likely not going to be a Rookie of the Year contender, but when the Jays get healthy, Okamoto could succeed more and more as the pressure eases on him.

Konnor Griffin

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Coming into the 2026 MLB season, there’s been no player with more hype than Pittsburgh Pirates star and MLB’s No. 1 overall prospect, shortstop Konnor Griffin. Making his debut at just 19-years of age, the expectations were that Griffin could be an impact player immediately, and thus far, he’s flashed all of that potential for a surprisingly good Pirates team.

While he has just one big fly on the season, he’s also hit .224 with 12 RBI thus far, and given the above average defense he’s played, he is the future of the organization alongside Paul Skenes. Right now, the numbers don’t look quite as good as other rookies, Griffin’s potential is superstardom in Major League Baseball, and given how exciting he is, it’s hard to deny that he’s among baseball’s top rookies.

Top 10 MLB Rookies 2026 Rankings

10. TJ Rumfield

Team: Colorado Rockies

It’s been a long time since the Colorado Rockies have had an exciting rookie making waves through Major League Baseball, but in 2026, they’ve got just that in TJ Rumfield. The 25-year old first baseman has made an immediate impact at the MLB level, hitting 3 big flies and driving in 16 games through his first 29 games played, and while some of that comes from Coors Field, he’s shown the ability to do it on the road as well.

With significant experience in the minor leagues, Rumfield is much better set up to succeed in his rookie year, and with some protection around him in the Rockies lineup, he could be a staple of this lineup for years to come. Time will tell if he can continue at this level or even get better as the year goes on, but given the Rockies need for a young star, many around baseball hope he can succeed in a big way.

9. Kevin McGonigle

Team: Detroit Tigers

Much of the talk around the Detroit Tigers this past year has been superstar starter Tarik Skubal, with his success taking the spotlight away from an impressive rookie like Kevin McGonigle. While most young players struggle to hit for average at the MLB level, that’s McGonigle’s game, as he is currently seventh in Major League Baseball with a .330 average.

Along with that, he’s also gone deep twice with 12 RBI to support his success, and given his importance to the future of the team as their starting shortstop, he has succeeded in the best way imaginable so far. As the year goes on, the Tigers will be hoping that McGonigle’s power can come along as well, but if he keeps hitting for average, he’ll be a very successful player moving forward in his rookie campaign.

8. JJ Wetherholt

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Konnor Griffin stole the headlines coming into 2026 as a prospect at the shortstop position, but after moving to second base, JJ Wetherholt has adjusted very quickly at the highest level. While he averages just .238 through his first 27 career games, Wetherholt has hit five bombs along with 13 RBI and four stolen bases, showing he can be an impact player in several significant ways.

This has helped the Cardinals to some great success as a team, and given Wetherholt’s power, contact abilities, speed and positive defense, the future is incredibly bright. Around him, St. Louis aren’t that stable as a team, but if Wetherholt can continue at this level of play, there’s no reason why he can’t be a very successful player at the MLB level for a long time to come.

7. Nolan McLean

Team: New York Mets

Last season, the New York Mets were full of expectations, and in 2026 it’s very much the same way, but overall, the team have struggled mightily. That’s reflected in rookie Nolan McLean’s record, as he’s just 1-3 to start the season, but overall the numbers are fantastic, as he’s posted an ERA of 2.55 across 35.1 impressive innings.

In the off-season, he was called the favorite for Rookie of the Year in the National League by many fans, and while the team’s struggles have taken away the attention for his impressive performances, he’s been amazing nonetheless. In 8 games a year ago, McLean had an ERA of 2.06, and at 24-years of age, he’s not only got great potential for the future, but he can be an impact starter right now, and if the team can turn things around, he’ll be a top ontender for Rookie of the Year.

6. Carter Jensen

Team: Kansas City Royals

Coming into 2026, there were very high expectations league wide for the Kansas City Royals, and while they’ve underperformed as a team thus far, there’s been some great performances early from them. One player that has been a part of that is catcher Carter Jensen, who now appears to be the heir apparent to franchise superstar Salvador Perez.

In 26 games played, the 22-year old has six home runs and 16 RBI, and while he’s not ready to take over the full-time catcher role just yet, he has certainly shown himself to be a major part of the future. With Bobby Witt at shortstop, this is a young team that can find success for a long time, and given Jensen’s performances early in the year, there’s reason to believe that he can be a genuine star in Major League Baseball moving forward.

5. Rhett Lowder

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Last season, the Cincinnati Reds had one of baseball’s top rotations, and in 2026, that trend appears to be continuing, but this season, they’re getting significant contributions from a rookie. After making six appearances back in 2024, Rhett Lowder is back from injury, and through six outings this year, he’s looking like a genuine future piece of the rotation for Cincinnati.

In that time, the 24-year old has posted a 3-1 record across 34.0 innings with a solid 3.18 ERA in one of the league’s most hitter friendly ballparks, as he’s shown he’s not rattled by the pressure and big moments. It’s a loaded rotation in Cincinnati, but with Lowder making his presence known early, he may just be the player that allows this team to go from solid playoff threat to a genuine World Series contender.

4. Chase Delauter

Team: Cleveland Guardians

The first of two Cleveland Guardians on this list, Chase Delauter has been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball this season, and while he’s slowing down significantly, he has put himself in the conversation for Rookie of the Year through 26 games. In that time, the 24-year old has five home runs and 16 RBI, and given his versatility and ability to play multiple positions in the field, his value for Cleveland cannot be understated.

While the underlying numbers suggest he could struggle for consistency over a full season, debuting him in the MLB Playoffs a year ago shows just how much this team believes in the young star. With power, great defense and plenty of confidence, Delauter can be a genuine star for the Guardians this season, and after a red-hot start, he’s no doubt going to be one of the top rookies throughout the 2026 season.

3. Parker Messick

Team: Cleveland Guardians

While most of the top rookies in this class play the field, it’s hard to deny just how dominant Parker Messick has been as a starter for the Cleveland Guardians thus far in 2026. Over 5 starts, the 25-year old has tossed 30.2 innings, tallying an ERA of 1.76 while striking out a very impressive 29 hitters through that time, with the team winning all five of his appearances.

While his stuff isn’t as filthy as former Rookie of the Year winners like Paul Skenes, he makes up for that with consistency and a level head, making him a key piece of the Guardians rotation already. For years, the Guardians have developed starting pitchers very well, and if Messick can keep up these performances, he’ll get plenty of votes for Rookie of the Year, and may even put himself in some Cy Young conversations.

2. Munetaka Murakami

Team: Chicago White Sox

This off-season, several Japanese players made their way to Major League Baseball, and while he signed with the Chicago White Sox, Munetaka Murakami was the top name to make the jump to North America. Early in the season, he made a major splash, and since then he’s been absolutely red-hot, with 11 home runs and 20 RBI through his first 28 games at the top level.

At 26-years of age, he was the best set up to succeed while making the jump, and as a result, he’s led the White Sox to a solid 11-20 record, something not many expected coming into 2026. Over a long 162 game season, rookies will go through their ups and downs, but through the first six weeks of the season, there’s been very few players in baseball as exciting to watch as the Japanese sensation.

1. Sal Stewart

Team: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have had some of the most exciting young players in baseball in recent years, and in 2026, it’s been Sal Stewart making headlines for the rising Reds. Not only has he been good for the team, but he’s been among the elite players in baseball, as he has 9 big flies and 29 RBI, with the latter leading all of baseball.

Not only that, but he’s also been a very good defender at first base, and at 22-years of age, he’s solidified his position as arguably the face of the future in Cincinnati. With power, average and a plus glove, Stewart is leading the race for Rookie of the Year to this point, and while he may slow down at some point, right now, he’s performing well for a rookie and is a genuine threat to be an All-Star in 2026.