Predicting MLB Breakout Candidates For 2nd Half of 2026 Season

Even though the All-Star break comes with more than 81 games played, the unofficial second half of baseball begins after the Midsummer Classic ends.

And while it is less than 81 games, it offers a reset point for some, and a chance to build off of strong first halves for others.

So here are 10 breakout candidates for the second half of the 2026 season, be it guys who are going to heat up, or ones who have already been producing well and are going to get the attention they deserve with continued success.

Jared Jones: RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates

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One of the reasons there's optimism that the Pirates could have a second-half surge that leads them to their first postseason appearance since 2015 is the upside of their starting rotation.

The unit, of course, is led by reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who himself is likely to be better in the second half than the first.

Another guy likely to get improved results for the Buccos is righty Jared Jones, who has pitched to a 4.05 ERA across his first nine starts of 2026. This comes after he missed the entirety of the 2025 campaign following an internal brace procedure on his right elbow. So why are we bullish on what's to come for Jones? Not only did he have some impressive flashes across 22 starts during his rookie season of 2024, but both his 3.30 expected ERA and 3.23 FIP suggest he's been better so far in 2026 than his traditional back-of-the-baseball-card stats would lead you to believe.

Given the drastic improvement the Pirates have shown offensively year-over-year, they could be a tough out in September and October if arms like Jones and Bubba Chandler really start to hit their stride.

Brent Headrick: LHP, New York Yankees

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It's becoming harder not to notice how well Brent Headrick has pitched out of the bullpen for Aaron Boone and the Yankees this season.

Across 50 appearances for the Yankees, Headrick has a minuscule 1.43 ERA, and a 2.29 FIP that doesn't lead you to believe some drastic fall-off is on the way. Headrick actually has reverse splits, with lefties hitting .265 with a .736 OPS against him, but righties batting just .172 with a .468 OPS off of the 28-year-old lefty.

Whether it's Carlos Lagrange improving his control enough to be a factor down the stretch or a trade for an established reliever like Mason Miller, the Yankees bullpen would be scary if they add onto the trio of Headrick, David Bednar and Fernando Cruz.

Brayan Rocchio: SS, Cleveland Guardians

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This is the case of the rest of the baseball world needing to catch up to what Guardians fans have seen all season from Brayan Rocchio.

Not only does Rocchio have 10 outs above average at shortstop, but he's driven in 47 runs and has a 3.1 WAR. According to FanGraphs, Rocchio's WAR is tied with All-Star CJ Abrams, and among qualified shortstops, trails only Bobby Witt Jr., Otto Lopez and Elly De La Cruz.

Despite currently having a neutral run differential, the Guardians find themselves tied atop the AL Central with the Chicago White Sox. Rocchio's strong all-around campaign is a major reason why.

Jonathan Bowlan: RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

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With Brad Keller likely lost for the season, the Phillies desperately need some internal set-up options for All-Star closer Jhoan Duran to emerge.

Bowlan—acquired in the offseason trade that sent Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals—might represent the best internal option for the Phillies. Across 36 appearances during his first season in Philadelphia, Bowlan has a 2.94 ERA. The most encouraging thing is he's been tough against both lefties (.222 batting average against) and righties (.217 batting average against).

An added benefit of Bowlan emerging as a top set-up man for the Phillies would be more exposure to his "Big Bad John" entrance, one of the more unique songs you'll hear any pitcher warm up to.

Brandon Young: RHP, Baltimore Orioles

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Brandon Young turned in one of the plays of the MLB season last weekend to rob Jose Altuve of a single:

The reality is that even before that play, Young should have been on your radar. The 27-year-old righty is currently 8-2 with a 3.25 ERA across 91.1 innings pitched. Young's ascent is improbable, considering he wasn't drafted out of college and has twice had to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Surely, it helps that Trevor Rogers has been dominant of late after a pretty brutal start to the season. But one of the reasons we're not quite ready to declare the O's a seller before the Aug. 3 trade deadline is that Young's emergence has helped to bolster Baltimore's starting rotation.

Pedro Ramírez: INF, Chicago Cubs

22-year-old infielder Pedro Ramírez has had an immediate impact for the Cubs since being recalled on May 22.

Over his first 30 MLB games, Ramírez has 20 hits—six of which have been doubles—11 RBI and a 114 OPS+ (100 is league average). He's not necessarily someone who is hitting for power, as he's homered just once. But he's generally putting the ball in play, while playing adequately at both middle infield positions.

Ramírez wasn't a highly-touted prospect, but the switch-hitter has reached the majors at 22 years old and the impact he's already had leaves you to believe he'll have some staying power.

Nasim Nuñez: 2B/SS, Washington Nationals

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Nasim Nuñez's 1980s-style play has helped the Nationals—despite being projected to lose 100-plus games entering the season—to be at .500 as the final week of July approaches.

Nuñez doesn't provide a ton of pop, but he's stolen 37 bases, the most in baseball. Additionally, he's graded out really well as a defender at second base, with 10 defensive runs saved and five outs above average across more than 670 innings at the position. He also has the flexibility to occasionally move over to shortstop to spell the aforementioned Abrams.

Granted, Nuñez's .627 OPS certainly isn't impressive. But there was a time when you would take that from a guy who steals bases and plays great defense. Perhaps in what's turned out to be one of the more powerful lineups in baseball this season, you can tolerate a low OPS like this given some of Nuñez's strengths.

Walbert Ureña: RHP, Los Angeles Angels

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While the Angels weigh whether or not to trade José Soriano and/or Reid Detmers before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, another impressive arm has emerged in their rotation.

Rookie Walbert Ureña has made three starts in July, and has a miniscule 1.15 ERA to show across 15.2 innings pitched. Really, he's been tremendous for much of the season, as he now has a 2.78 ERA to show for 87.1 innings pitched in 2026.

The Angels perpetually seem to be searching for pitching, which is probably why they are hesitant to part with either Soriano or Detmers, even though selling high on one or both might be the right long-term move. Regardless of how interim general manager John Mozeliak chooses to operate in the coming weeks, it's good for the Halos to know that the 22-year-old Ureña appears to be a potential long-term cog in the rotation.

Luke Keaschall: RF, Minnesota Twins

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A second-round pick in 2023, Luke Keaschall impressed in his first 49 MLB games last season, hitting .302 with 14 doubles and a 2.0 WAR, per Baseball Reference.

His 2026 numbers haven't been nearly as noteworthy, as Keaschall is batting .260 with 14 doubles (the same total he had in just 49 games a year ago) and a 0.9 WAR.

However, he has been one of baseball's hottest hitters in July, as he's batted .366 with a 1.033 OPS, which has put him back on the radar of anyone who forgot how much potential he flashed in 2025.

If the Twins do indeed plan to hold onto Byron Buxton and try to win with him—and hey, they aren't completely out of the AL wild-card race—Keaschall is an important piece.

Michael Petersen: RHP, Miami Marlins

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Not all breakout stars are going to necessarily be young. Take, for example, Miami Marlins reliever Michael Petersen.

Entering the season, Petersen had a 5.02 ERA in 31 career MLB appearances split between the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Marlins. But the 32-year-old been an effective option out of the 'pen for the Fish this season, with a 2.91 ERA in 41 games for Clayton McCullough's squad.

Petersen utilizes a three-pitch mix, with his repertoire featuring a fastball that sits just shy of 98 mph on average, along with a slider and a changeup. As the Marlins aim to snag one of the three wild-card spots in the senior circuit, he'll continue to be an important piece in the arm barn.