Matt Johnson
Ahead of the 2026 Major League Baseball season, we’re examining some of the youngsters around the league who could make a name for themselves this year. Breakout players are one of the best things about every season, and we’re particularly excited about this crop of arms.
Let’s dive into our list of MLB pitchers who could have breakout seasons.
Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes might soon have some serious help behind him in the rotation. Bubba Chandler, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, made his MLB debut in 2025 after tearing through the minor leagues. He had one rough start, allowing 9 runs in 2.2 innings on Sept. 9, but delivered a 1.08 ERA with 19 strikeouts and just 7 hits allowed in his final 16.2 innings (3 starts). The stuff in his repertoire is nasty, but what could truly make him a highly effective No. 2 starter this season is his advanced feel for how to use his pitches and his command of the strike zone at just 23 years old.
Related: Best MLB Rotations 2026
Max Meyer, Miami Marlins
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer has always shown flashes that hinted at him one day becoming a front-line starter. Unfortunately, injuries have limited his time on the mound (127.2 innings since 2022), and that has impacted his development. He showed promise again early in the 2025 season, compiling a 2.10 ERA with a 41-7 K-BB ratio and a 12.3 K/9 across his first five starts, but then a hip issue lingered and eventually required surgery. Still, the swing-and-miss stuff (23.9 percent strikeout rate in 2025) is tantalizing, and his pedigree as a former top prospect is another factor in his favor. If Meyer stays healthy, he can absolutely deliver a breakout season.
Related: Best MLB Closers 2026
Emmet Sheehan, Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s easy to get overshadowed in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation with so many big names, but Emmet Sheehan can make a name for himself in 2026. The 6-foot-5 righty performed really well in limited work this past year, posting a 2.82 ERA with a 30.6 percent strikeout rate and an outstanding .184 batting average allowed. However, we only got to see him across 73.1 innings of work. What’s remarkable is that across 12 starts, he allowed 1 earned run or fewer 10 times, and he had five performances with at least seven strikeouts. Sheehan might not throw more than 140 innings in the regular season, but an ERA under 3.8 with 160-180 strikeouts is on the table for him.
Related: Best MLB Pitchers 2026
Shane Baz, Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles bet big on the potential of Shane Baz with the trade for the 26-year-old righty this offseason. He looked great in 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays, posting a 3.06 ERA across 79.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately, he had to make a ton of his starts this past season in the minor league ballpark the Rays played in. Baz will now get to make half his appearances in a more pitcher-friendly atmosphere, which is great news for a starter who had a 3.86 ERA on the road in 2025. The new landing spot, paired with the filthy stuff that Baz can hurl at 6-foot-3, puts him in a strong position for a breakout year.
Related: MLB Reakout Candidates 2026, Six Hitters Poised to Erupt
Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds have a few potential MLB breakout candidates in 2026, but we’re giving the nod to Chase Burns over Nick Lodolo. Burns, 23, got a brief taste of the majors this past season and flashed enticing stuff, particularly with his strikeout rate (35.6 percent), batting average allowed (.238) and K-BB rate (27.1 percent). While home runs were a bit of an issue, that’s going to happen when you are regularly taking the mound at Great American Ball Park. What matters is that Burns’ pure stuff gives him a shot to become Cincinnati’s best starting pitcher, and that is potentially true even when Hunter Greene returns this summer.
Read More: MLB Predictions 2026, Win-Loss Projections for all 30 Teams
