This year's rookie class just slugged its way to history

The kids may be better than alright -- they may be stars.

Rookies stole the show in the first weekend of the 2026 season, rewriting the record books with a slew of achievements. Here’s the latest: Chase DeLauter (CLE) and Sal Stewart (CIN) took home AL and NL Player of the Week honors, respectively. It’s just the second time that a pair of rookies have won the first awards of the season. Trevor Story (then with the Rockies) and Tyler White (with the Astros) did so in 2016.

That’s not all. By the numbers, here’s a look at the history that this class of rookies just made through every team’s first three games of the season, courtesy of Elias.

• 15 home runs, the most in any season since 1900
• 1.008 OPS, the highest since 1900
• .622 slugging percentage, highest since 1900
• .308 batting average, third-best since 1900, trailing 1938 (.316) and .1968 (.312)

These are some of the standout rookies from each team’s first three games of the season.

Munetaka Murakami, 1B, White Sox
First 3 games: 1.872 OPS and 3 home runs

Murakami arrived in the U.S. with the reputation of a feared slugger, and for good reason. In 2022, he launched 56 home runs, breaking the legendary Sadaharu Oh’s single-season NPB record for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player. Still, there were questions about how Murakami would handle Major League pitching, context that makes Murakami’s thrilling start all the more impressive. The left-handed hitter launched a home run in all three games in Chicago’s season-opening series against the Brewers, becoming one of just four players in MLB history to homer in at least each of their first three regular-season games. He joins Story, DeLauter and Kyle Lewis.

Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians
First 3 games: 1.571 OPS and 4 home runs

Talk about feats of strength: DeLauter’s torrid start has teammates calling him “stupid.” Seriously, this is downright ridiculous stuff. Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect (No. 44 overall) joined Story (2016) as the only players in MLB history to hit four home runs in their first three career regular-season games. DeLauter’s power has come against some of the game's best pitchers; he’s launched home runs against All-Stars Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and Andrés Muñoz. His home run against Muñoz was particularly eye-opening, as he went with a 96.6 mph fastball and drove it out to the opposite field.

Kevin McGonigle, 3B/SS, Tigers
First 3 games: .417 BA (5-for-12), 1.045 OPS

On Thursday, MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 overall prospect stepped to the plate for his first big league at-bat with the bases loaded. McGonigle was nervous, but jumped at the first pitch anyway; sure enough, he placed a two-run double down the right-field line. McGonigle has not slowed down since. He became the second player in Tigers history with a four-hit game in their MLB debut, and just the 21st player to do so, since 1900. Two days later, in his second game, McGonigle won a 10-pitch battle with Padres reliever Wandy Peralta, coming through with a two-run single to break a tie in the eighth inning. The 21-year-old certainly doesn’t look like a rookie, making good on Detroit’s decision to include him on the Opening Day roster.

JJ Wetherholt, 2B, Cardinals
First 3 games: .308 BA (4-for-13), .872 OPS

Much like McGonigle, Wetherholt has met the moment to begin his MLB career, spurring the Cardinals to a pair of dramatic victories. The 23-year-old’s first big league hit was a home run; no Cardinals player had accomplished that feat in an MLB debut on Opening Day in 69 years. Two days later, Wetherholt -- MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 overall prospect -- gave St. Louis a walk-off victory with a two-run single in the bottom of the 10th inning. He became just the second Cardinals player with a walk-off hit in his first or second MLB game in at least the divisional era (1969), joining Curt Ford.

Owen Caissie, OF, Marlins
First 3 games: .500 BA (5-for-10), 1.500 OPS

Miami needed someone to step up amid the absence of All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers, who is sidelined with a hamstring strain. Enter Caissie, MLB Pipeline’s No. 40 overall prospect, who retained his rookie eligibility after appearing in just 12 games last season for the Cubs. The big left-handed hitter has done nothing but slug, keying the franchise’s first 3-0 start since 2009. Caissie has three extra-base hits through three games, including a two-run walk-off home run on Sunday. He became the first Marlins player to have their first home run for the club be a walk-off home run since JT Riddle in 2017.

Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, Blue Jays
First 3 games: .333 BA (4-for-12), 1.012 OPS

Okamoto signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Blue Jays in the offseason, and he’s hit the ground running in his first taste of MLB. He reached base three times in his big league debut, prompting Toronto to move Okamoto up into the heart of the order. Known in NPB in part for his plus power, Okamoto left no doubt with his first Major League home run, a 420-foot shot on Saturday.

Sal Stewart, 1B, Reds
First 3 games: .700 BA (7-for-10), 2.069 OPS

Stewart, MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 overall prospect, looked the part in a brief big league cameo last season, smacking five home runs in 18 games. The slugger earned his way into Cincinnati’s Opening Day lineup, becoming the first Reds rookie to hit cleanup on Opening Day since rookie status started counting in 1958. He led the National League with seven hits entering play on Monday, and was also named NL Player of the Week.

Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies
First 3 games: .333 BA (3-for-9), .733 OPS

MLB Pipeline's No. 51 prospect singled on the first pitch that he saw in his first MLB plate appearance, the first of two base knocks that he recorded on Opening Day. He became one of just 15 players in Phillies history with two or more hits in an MLB debut on Opening Day, and Crawford's performance was extra special: His dad, four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, was one of 40 family members and friends in town. He's looked right at home in center field, too, roaming Citizens Bank Park with ease.