Highlighting Most Impressive Pitchers, Hitters at MLB Spring Training 2026
The potential breakout stars of the 2026 Major League Baseball season are showing off in Spring Training.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain arguably been the most impressive hitter or pitcher this spring with the power he's displayed.
McLain is one of many players thriving this spring who could feature in larger roles throughout the 2026 campaign.
The top pitchers this spring have the potential to either rise to the top of their respective rotations, or reinforce depth on already strong rosters.
Matt McLain
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Matt McLain has been one of the best power hitters in Spring Training.
The Cincinnati Reds infielder has seven home runs, 16 RBI, a pair of doubles and a triple across 16 games.
McLain possesses a 1.647 OPS and .542 batting average this spring.
That's a welcome sight for McLain and the Reds after he hit just .220 in 2025.
If McLain's preseason form carries over into the regular season, the Reds should have plenty of protection for Elly De La Cruz at the top of the order.
McLain and TJ Friedl form a strong righty-lefty combination at the top of the order. Both players are decent runners as well. That could be a huge help to an increase in De La Cruz's overall numbers.
The additions of Eugenio Suarez and J.J. Bleday will help the Reds' power from the heart of the order, and if McLain gets on base like he has in the spring, he'll easily set a career high in runs scored among other offensive categories.
Luke Keaschall
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Luke Keaschall owns a .364 batting average and 1.109 OPS in Spring Training.
The 23-year-old's ability to get on base in spring games is a promising sign for a Minnesota Twins offense that needs someone to step up in the heart of the order.
Minnesota knows what it'll get out of Byron Buxton in the leadoff spot and Josh Bell is a nice veteran addition, but a few of its younger hitters need to get involved in run production.
Keaschall hit .302 across 49 games in 2025. He didn't pack a ton of power with four home runs, but he did have 14 doubles, 14 stolen bases and 28 RBI.
The second baseman flashed a ton of potential between his stint at the majors last season and this spring. He'll enter the season as an underrated player in the middle of an average lineup. By summer, he could be one of the breakout players in either league.
Eury Perez
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The Miami Marlins need Eury Perez to be a consistent force on the mound in 2026.
Perez has had a promising spring with 20 strikeouts over 14.2 innings.
The 22-year-old conceded just six hits over his last three outings. His standout outing of the spring so far came on March 15, when he held the Houston Astros hitless over four frames.
Perez struck out over 100 batters in each of his two seasons in the majors. Although his ERA in 2025 was 4.25, Perez held opposing hitters to a .195 batting average.
Perez has ace potential, and if Sandy Alcantara is either traded or has another down season, Perez will be the top arm on the Marlins staff.
Will Warren
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Will Warren's been incredibly efficient down in Florida for the New York Yankees.
The right-handed hurler allowed a .167 batting average to opposing hitters and has a 16-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Warren also owns a 0.74 WHIP and conceded four earned runs across his 20.1 innings of work.
Warren's excellent spring is a great sign for the Yankees as they try to manage their rotation with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole on the injured list to start the season.
When Cole and Rodon are healthy, the Yankees could have one of the best rotations in the sport if Warren and Cam Schlittler thrive beneath Cole, Rodon and Max Fried.
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