Breakout Performances From the 2026 Season (So Far)

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The MLB season always begins with so much hope and anticipation, for fans and players alike. That’s never more true than for those who flash incredible potential in the first few weeks of the season.

Certain players set themselves apart in the opening weeks of MLB’s return. Whether or not that production remains through the season won’t be determined until the rest of the year plays out. Recently, there’s been plenty of options as the ’26 season gets underway, but these six (three position players, three pitchers) have truly shined.

The Potential MVP Candidate

1. Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – APRIL 12: Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox in the second inning at Busch Stadium on April 12, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)

Walker has always been an enticing prospect for the Cardinals, but he’s yet to put it all together. Has he finally now? It seems like it. After clubbing his MLB-leading eighth home run in Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, he’s been on a tear.

Through 17 games this season, Walker has put up a .328/.388/.754 slash line. He’s fourth in OPS across MLB with a 1.142 mark. His standout performance is a large part of the reason why a rough St. Louis club has a .500 record right now.

The outfielder is in the 97th percentile or better for most of his batting metrics, only falling behind in squared-up percentage (46th percentile). That is the worry for Walker. After a good start to his rookie 2023 season, he struggled with inducing ground balls. Having said that, his sweet-spot percentage is at a career high of 47.6% this season.

A New Rickey Henderson?

1. Chandler Simpson, Tampa Bay Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – APRIL 12: Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays reaches third base against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 12, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Simpson is known much more for his incredible speed than his bat. That’s why it might surprise some that he batted .295 last year across 109 games. So far this season, he’s batting .407 for a Rays club that is (somehow?) leading the American League East.

He’s been a large part of that early success, with four RBIs and seven steals (tied for fourth in the Majors). Many have been calling Simpson a better version of Luis Arraez due to his contact and speed combo — as opposed to Arraez’s contact-based approach.

The speedster will likely not be able to keep his batting average over .400, but that doesn’t mean he can’t keep producing. Simpson figures to be a prominent player for this Rays club amidst their return to Tropicana Field.

The Old Guard

1. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The three-time MVP is making a return to glory. Trout has been demolishing baseballs so far this season after returning to center field for the Angels. He’s already accrued five home runs and 13 RBIs in 17 games played.

After injuries derailed his 2023 and ’24 seasons, Trout returned and put up a healthy year for the Halos. He got into 130 games and put up a .232/.359/.439 slash line with 26 home runs. There was a prominent belief around the league that Trout seemed due for another monster year.

The only problem is, as always, his health. Trout’s entering his age-35 season, and could be incredible for this Angels club. Or he could tank quickly if his back doesn’t hold up. It’s impossible to say which.

A Burgeoning Ace

1. José Soriano, Los Angeles Angels

CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 12: Jose Soriano #59 of the Los Angeles Angels throws a pitch against against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 12, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

It’s hard to overstate just how important Soriano has been for the Angels this season. In four games pitched, he’s racked up four wins and a 0.33 ERA. In those four games, he’s pitched 27 innings with a 0.67 WHIP and 31 strikeouts. Those are dominant numbers.

For a guy who’s never pitched below an ERA of 3.42 (2024), Soriano looks incredible on the mound. Every outing has been must-watch baseball. He’s only allowed nine hits, leading to a .103 opponent batting average.

Soriano won’t keep up that level of dominance (probably), but he’s putting together a possible Cy Young season in an American League who already has an ace with the Detroit Tigers‘ Tarik Skubal. If he can dethrone Skubal for the award, it would be something else.

A Young Renaissance

1. Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins

TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 12: Taj Bradley #26 of the Minnesota Twins looks to first base before delivering a pitch in the fourth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 12, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

Similar to Soriano, this season has started off with unprecedented success for the Twins‘ Taj Bradley. He’s off to a 3-0 start with a 1.25 ERA and WHIP. The biggest change has been his strikeout percentage, K’ing 31.2% of batters faced.

Bradley has been a great part of Minnesota’s surprise start to 2026. They’re at the top of the AL Central with 11 wins, and three of those have come from the young pitcher. This year is Bradley’s first starting in Minnesota after spending the first three seasons of his MLB career with the Rays.

His expected ERA is much higher than his actual one (a full two runs actually) with a 3.34 xERA compared to the aforementioned 1.25 mark. To put it in simple terms, Bradley’s been lucky. But plenty of pitchers have proven expected metrics wrong.

Proving All Expected Metrics Wrong

1. Randy Vásquez, San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 09: Randy Vasquez #98 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Petco Park on April 09, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

If you’re wondering who I could be referring to, look no further than the San Diego Padres‘ Randy Vásquez. Through his first three outings, Vásquez has pitched to a career-low 1.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. His emergence as a mid-rotation (borderline ace) pitcher for the Friars has anchored San Diego’s rotation worries.

Last year was a career year for Vásquez as a starter, putting up a 3.84 ERA across 26 starts. But his xERA was almost two runs higher with a 5.37 mark. It’s been a similar story for the start of this year, with a 4.24 xERA compared to his 1.02 ERA.

But, in spite of those metrics, Vásquez is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s attacking the zone and striking out 19 batters over 17 2/3 innings of work. San Diego’s rotation worries have been largely put to bed because of his performance.

Is he going to win a Cy Young? Probably not. But Vásquez seems poised to continue building on his great start throughout the rest of the MLB season.

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