This season's top projected rookies are a diverse group of players with varying skill sets and potential impacts on their respective teams. From power-hitting outfielders to dominant pitchers, these prospects are poised to make significant contributions in the MLB. Here's a breakdown of some of the most highly-rated rookies, along with their projected WAR and notable attributes.
Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays, 2.5 WAR): With a .277/.361/.521 career slash line and six 30-homer seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, Okamoto is a key addition to the Blue Jays. His projected 22 homers and .769 OPS make him the team's fourth-best offensive player, and his 2.5 WAR places him among the top 100 position players.
Trey Yesavage (Blue Jays, 2.2 WAR): Yesavage, a 22-year-old right-hander, dominated in the postseason after a strong year in Single-A. Steamer projects him to strike out 162 batters in 146 2/3 innings, with a 9.9 K/9 rate and a 3.79 ERA across 34 appearances.
T-3. Chase DeLauter (Guardians, 2.1 WAR): DeLauter, a versatile outfielder, has already tasted playoff success without regular-season experience. He's projected for a .252/.326/.408 slash line with 14 homers in 118 games, making him a strong contender for Cleveland's Opening Day roster.
T-3. JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals, 2.1 WAR): Wetherholt, MLB's No. 5 prospect and the favorite for National League Rookie of the Year, has a .304/.418/.487 career slash line. He's projected for a .255/.341/.392 slash with 10 home runs in 105 games, making him a key contributor for the Cardinals.
T-5. Nolan McLean (Mets, 2.0 WAR): McLean, a right-hander, impressed during his 48-inning debut last season. Steamer projects him to be the Mets' second-best starter in '26, with a 3.71 ERA over 149 frames and a 3.92 FIP. His 8.5 K/9 rate is expected to be closer to his Minor League output.
T-5. Munetaka Murakami (White Sox, 2.0 WAR): Murakami, a left-handed slugger, is projected for 30 home runs, a rare feat. His high swing-and-miss rates in Japan are a concern, but Steamer predicts a 28.9% K rate, the third highest among hitters with at least 500 PAs.
T-7. Bubba Chandler (Pirates, 1.8 WAR): Chandler, an elite pitching prospect, is set to join the Pirates' rotation. His fastball can touch triple digits, and his high-whiff changeup should lead to plenty of strikeouts. Steamer projects 146 K's over 160 1/3 innings.
T-7. Logan Henderson (Brewers, 1.8 WAR): Henderson, a right-hander, had a 1.78 ERA in 25 1/3 innings last year. He's projected to toss 145 2/3 innings in 41 appearances, with a 4.17 ERA and 143 strikeouts.
T-7. Tatsuya Imai (Astros, 1.8 WAR): Imai, a highly-rated free-agent pitcher, signed with the Astros after a 2.18 ERA season in NPB. Steamer predicts a 4.37 ERA over 153 innings, with less than one strikeout per inning and 20 homers allowed.
T-10. Carter Jensen (Royals, 1.5 WAR): Jensen, a Kansas City native and MLB's No. 2 catching prospect, had a strong debut last year. He's projected to be the Royals' fifth-best position player by WAR, with 10 home runs, 26 XBHs, and a 104 wRC+.
T-10. Robby Snelling (Marlins, 1.5 WAR): Snelling, a left-hander, is projected to get an extended look in the Marlins' rotation. Steamer predicts a 4.04 ERA through 120 innings, with 21 starts.
T-13. Konnor Griffin (Pirates, 1.4 WAR): Griffin, a highly-rated prospect, is projected to play in 79 games with the Pirates. Steamer predicts eight homers, 13 steals, and the fourth-best position-player WAR on the team.
T-13. Parker Messick (Guardians, 1.4 WAR): Messick, a left-hander, recorded a 2.72 ERA in his first taste of the Majors. Steamer projects him to make 23 starts and register a 4.06 ERA across 129 innings.
Honorable mentions include Sal Stewart, Dylan Beavers, Hunter Barco, Samuel Basallo, and Justin Crawford, each with 1.0-1.3 WAR.
