The MLB season always starts with a lot of hope and anticipation for fans and players. This has never been more true for those who have shown incredible potential in the first few weeks of the season.
Some players kept themselves isolated in the early weeks of MLB's return. Whether production will be sustained during the season will not be determined until the remainder of the year is completed. Recently, as the '26 season began, a lot of options have emerged, but these six (three position players, three pitchers) have really shined.
Potential MVP Candidate
- Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals
Walker has always been an attractive prospect for the Cardinals, but he hasn't been able to put it all together yet. Is it finally done now? It seems like. After clubbing his MLB-leading eighth home run in Monday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, he is in tears.
Through 17 games this season, Walker has posted a .328/.388/.754 slash line. He ranks fourth in MLB in OPS with a 1.142 mark. His exceptional performance is a major reason why the St. Louis club currently has a .500 record.
The outfielder is in the 97th percentile or better for most of his batting metrics, falling only behind in square-up percentage (46th percentile). That's a concern for Walker. After a good start to his rookie 2023 season, he struggled to induce ground balls. Having said that, his sweet-spot percentage this season is at a career-high 47.6%.
A new Rickey Henderson?
- Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay Rays
Simpson is known more for his incredible speed than for his bat. So it may surprise some people that he hit .295 in 109 games last year. So far this season, he's batting .407 for the Rays club that is (somehow?) leading the American League East.
He's been a big part of that early success, with four RBI and seven steals (tied for fourth in the majors). Many are calling Simpson a better version of Luis Erez because of his contact and speed combo – which is the opposite of Erez's contact-based approach.
The speedster probably won't be able to keep his batting average over .400, but that doesn't mean he can't continue to produce. Simpson has become a key player for this Rays club amid their return to Tropicana Field.
old guard
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
Three-time MVP Gaurav is making a comeback. Trout has been destroying the baseball so far this season after returning to center field for the Angels. He already has five home runs and 13 RBI in 17 games played.
After injuries derailed his 2023 and '24 seasons, Trout returned and had a healthy year for the Halos. He played in 130 games and posted a .232/.359/.439 slash line with 26 home runs. There was a dominant belief around the league that Trout seemed due to have another monster year.
The only problem, as always, is his health. Trout is entering his age-35 season, and could be incredible for this Angels club. Or if his back is not strong he can tank quickly. It's impossible to say which.
a rising ace
- Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels
It's hard to overestimate how important Soriano has been to the Angels this season. In four games played, he has four wins and a 0.33 ERA. In those four games, he pitched 27 innings with a 0.67 WHIP and 31 strikeouts. they are Chief Number.
For a guy who has never pitched below an ERA of 3.42 (2024), Soriano looks incredible on the mound. The must-see in each outing has been baseball. He has allowed only nine hits, giving the opponent a batting average of .103.
Soriano won't be able to maintain that level of dominance (likely), but he is putting together a potential Cy Young season in an American league that already has an ace in Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. If he can dethrone Skubal for the award, that would be something else.
a youthful renaissance
- Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins
Similar to Soriano, this season has started with unprecedented success for Twins Taj Bradley. He is off to a 3-0 start with a 1.25 ERA and a WHIP. The biggest change has been his strikeout percentage, with King striking out 31.2% of the batters he faced.
Bradley has been a big part of Minnesota's surprising start in 2026. They lead the AL Central with 11 wins, and three of them have come from young pitchers. This is Bradley's first start in Minnesota this year after spending the first three seasons of his MLB career with the Rays.
Their expected ERA is excess Higher than his actual one (actually two full runs) with a 3.34 xERA compared to the 1.25 mark above. Simply put, Bradley has been lucky. But plenty of pitchers have defied the expected metrics.
Falsifying all expected metrics
- Randy Vasquez, San Diego Padres
If you're wondering who I'm talking about, look no further than Randy Vasquez of the San Diego Padres. Through his first three starts, Vásquez has posted career-lows of a 1.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. His emergence as a mid-rotation (borderline ace) pitcher for the Friars has alleviated San Diego's rotation concerns.
Last year was a career year for Vásquez as a starter, posting a 3.84 ERA in 26 starts. But his xERA was almost two runs higher at 5.37. It's been a similar story early this year, with a 4.24 xERA compared to his 1.02 ERA.
But, despite those metrics, Vasquez shows no signs of slowing down. He's striking out the field and striking out 19 batters in 17 2/3 innings. San Diego's rotation concerns have largely been alleviated due to his performance.
Is he going to win the Cy Young? Probably not. But it looks like Vasquez is poised to continue his hot start for the rest of the MLB season.
