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Carter Jensen (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

The start of the 2026 MLB season is officially here. And this year’s rookie class has the makings to be one of the best we’ve seen in quite some time. Consider that:

Blue Jays righthander Trey Yesavage set a World Series rookie record with a 12-strikeout start against the Dodgers last year.

Mets righthander Nolan McLean went 5-1 in eight starts down the stretch and pitched to a 2.06 ERA in 48 innings to nearly guide the floundering club to a National League wild card.

Reds first baseman Sal Stewart batted cleanup in a playoff game. Red Sox lefthander Connelly Early started a postseason elimination game against the Yankees.

Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter made his MLB debut in the AL Wild Card Series, collecting his first hit and walk in the postseason before ever playing a regular-season game.

Royals catcher Carter Jensen hit .300 with three homers in 20 games for his hometown team. Orioles outfielder Dylan Beavers posted a .375 on-base percentage in 35 games.

Pirates righthander Bubba Chandler struck out 19 and walked zero over 16.2 innings while allowing two runs on seven hits in his final three starts.

Add it all up, and this year’s rookie class could be one of the most productive of the 21st century.

Pitchers McLean, Yesavage and Chandler, along with hitters Jensen, Stewart and Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo already have a foot in the door as 2025 callups. But what pushes the 2026 rookie class over the top are three shortstops who have not yet debuted.

The Pirates’ Konnor Griffin, the Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle and the Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt are all projected to reach MLB this season, with McGonigle and Wetherholt making Opening Day rosters. Griffin opens at Triple-A, but will be up in short order if he performs.

They rank as the No. 1, 2 and 3 talents on the preseason Top 100 Prospects.

In total, 13 of the projected top 20 rookies this year rank as top 25 overall prospects. That ties 2016 for the highest total of the past 15 years.

Ten years ago, top rookies included Corey Seager, Byron Buxton, Trea Turner and Blake Snell.

This year’s rookie class is so deep that high-end prospects such as Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson, Mets outfielder Carson Benge and Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge are top 20 overall prospects who are just now receiving their first mention.

Without a doubt, the future of baseball is in good hands.

Most Top 25 Prospects In Preseason Top 20 Rookies (2012–2026)

NOTE: Players presented in order of our 2026 Top 20 Rookie ranking, not Top 100 Prospects standing.

Years With 13 Rookies Ranked In Top 25

2026 Rookies
1. Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets
2. JJ Wetherholt, 2B, Cardinals
3. Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates
4. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays
5. Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers
6. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates
7. Carter Jensen, C, Royals
10. Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles
11. Sal Stewart, 3B, Reds
13. Carson Benge, OF, Mets
14. Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners
16. Dylan Beavers, OF, Orioles
18. Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants

2016 Rookies
1. Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers
2. Byron Buxton, OF, Twins
4. Steven Matz, LHP, Mets
5. Trea Turner, SS, Nationals
6. Orlando Arcia, SS, Brewers
7. J.P. Crawford, SS, Phillies
9. Blake Snell, LHP, Rays
10. A.J. Reed, 1B, Astros
12. Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers
13. Jose De Leon, RHP, Dodgers
17. Nomar Mazara, OF, Rangers
19. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates
20. Lucas Giolito, RHP, Nationals

Years With 12 Rookies Ranked In Top 25

2018 Rookies
1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Angels
2. Ronald Acuña Jr. OF, Braves
3. Gleyber Torres, SS, Yankees
4. Lewis Brinson, OF, Marlins
5. J.P. Crawford, SS, Phillies
6. Austin Hays, OF, Orioles
8. Willy Adames, SS, Rays
9. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Braves
12. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals
13. Victor Robles, OF, Nationals
14. Nick Senzel, 3B, Reds
16. Walker Buehler, RHP, Dodgers

Years With 11 Rookies Ranked In Top 25

2021 Rookies
1. Randy Arozarena, OF, Rays
2. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pirates
3. Dylan Carlson, OF, Cardinals
4. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Marlins
5. Ian Anderson, RHP, Braves
6. Alex Kirilloff, OF, Twins
8. Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays
9. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners
12. Andrew Vaughn, 1B, White Sox
14. Cristian Pache, OF, Braves
16. Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers

2019 Rookies
1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 3B, Blue Jays
2. Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox
3. Fernando Tatis Jr. SS, Padres
4. Victor Robles, OF, Nationals
6. Nick Senzel, 2B/OF, Reds
7. Keston Hiura, 2B, Brewers
8. Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals
9. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics
10. Michael Soroka, RHP, Braves
11. Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros
18. Forrest Whitley, RHP, Astros

2014 Rookies
1. Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox
2. Masahiro Tanaka, RHP, Yankees
4. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Tigers
5. George Springer, OF, Astros
7. Kevin Gausman, RHP, Orioles
8. Archie Bradley, RHP, D-backs
9. Gregory Polanco, OF, Pirates
11. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals
12. Taijuan Walker, RHP, Mariners
16. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pirates
17. Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Mets

2013 Rookies
2. Wil Myers, OF, Rays
3. Jurickson Profar, SS/2B, Rangers
4. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Orioles
5. Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals
7. Trevor Bauer, RHP, Guardians
8. Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals
9. Tyler Skaggs, LHP, D-backs
12. Mike Olt, 3B/1B, Rangers
13. Zack Wheeler, RHP, Mets
14. Gerrit Cole, RHP, Pirates
16. Billy Hamilton, SS/OF, Reds

2012 Rookies
1. Matt Moore, LHP, Rays
2. Yu Darvish, RHP, Rangers
3. Jesus Montero, C/DH, Mariners
4. Mike Trout, OF, Angels
5. Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Athletics
6. Julio Teheran, RHP, Braves
8. Devin Mesoraco, C, Reds
10. Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals
16. Shelby Miller, RHP, Cardinals
18. Trevor Bauer, RHP, D-backs
19. Jacob Turner, RHP, Tigers

Years With 10 Rookies Ranked In Top 25

2025 Rookies
1. Roki Sasaki, RHP, Dodgers
2. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals
3. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers
4. Kristian Campbell, 2B, Red Sox
8. Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox
9. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates
10. Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies
11. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers
13. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies
20. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins

2024 Rookies
2. Evan Carter, OF, Rangers
3. Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers
4. Jackson Holliday, 2B, Orioles
5. Wyatt Langford, OF, Rangers
6. Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays
11. Jordan Lawlar, SS, D-backs
12. Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles
15. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs
17. Jackson Merrill, OF, Padres
20. Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates

2020 Rookies
1. Gavin Lux, SS/2B, Dodgers
2. Luis Robert, OF, White Sox
3. Jesus Luzardo, LHP, Athletics
4. Jo Adell, OF, Angels
5. Brendan McKay, LHP, Rays
6. Dustin May, RHP, Dodgers
7. Carter Kieboom, SS/2B, Nationals
8. Dylan Carlson, OF, Cardinals
9. Nate Pearson, RHP, Blue Jays
10. A.J. Puk, LHP, Athletics