Projecting a season-end All-Rookie Team

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We are a whopping four games into the 2026 Major League season, so of course it’s a perfect time to name a year-end team, right?

We started the season with a record 20 Top 100 prospects on Opening Day rosters, and several of them got off to huge starts, from Kevin McGonigle’s four-hit day to Chase DeLauter’s four homers to JJ Wetherholt homering in one game and walking off a win in another. And there are countless others who will be making contributions all year long.

I wanted to go on record now with an All-Rookie Team. This isn’t based on what’s happened so far, as much as I do enjoy Small Sample Size extrapolation, but rather what I think a final rookie roster would like when we wrap the 2026 season. One note before we dig in: I’m only including players who were on the Top 100 or a team Top 30 list at the start of the season. Unranked prospects or those who didn’t qualify for a list -- like Japanese acquisitions Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox and Kazuma Okamoto of the Blue Jays -- were not considered.

C Carter Jensen, Royals: He’s off to a slow 1-for-11 start, but no matter. He’s our top catching prospect for a reason. It might take some time to get in a rhythm of catching and DHing, but he’s a terrific all-around backstop.

1B Sal Stewart, Reds: I’ve brought him up as a sneaky good NL Rookie of the Year Award candidate because the dude just hits everywhere he goes. He had an OPS over 1.000 this spring and got off to an absurd 8-for-12 start this season.

2B JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals: We all thought he was ready last year and knew he’d hit the ground running this spring. One of the best hitters from his 2024 Draft class, he’s off to a 4-for-16 start with that homer, the walk-off hit and a stolen base.

3B Kevin McGonigle, Tigers: It sure was fun watching him win a job, one that wasn’t guaranteed, this spring. That 70-hit tool is legit, and he’s shown it off by going 5-for-14 with a pair of doubles (.971 OPS) and four RBIs over his first three games.

SS Carson Williams, Rays: Williams was actually ticketed to Triple-A to start the season but made the roster when Taylor Walls injured his oblique. Could Williams Wally Pipp Walls? It will be all about the K rate. He has more impact at the plate when he does make contact, and he's an outstanding defender.

OF Chase DeLauter, Guardians: I’ll give colleague Jim Callis credit. Not that I was down on DeLauter’s talent at all, I just had concerns about his ability to stay on the field. But Jim kept beating the drum on what he could be when healthy, and we’re seeing it so far: He hit .286 this spring and is off to a 6-for-21 start, with four of those six leaving the yard.

OF Owen Caissie, Marlins: Caissie didn’t have a great spring, though he did hit .412 with Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, but we knew he’d have a job pretty much the moment the Marlins acquired him from the Cubs in January. Getting off to a 5-for-13 start while hitting a walk-off homer in the old-school teal uniforms is a good way to introduce yourself.

OF Carson Benge, Mets: Benge is another one who flat-out won a job this spring, hitting .366 over 14 Grapefruit League games. He’s just 3-for-14 out of the gate, though one of the hits is a home run. He’s the kind of player you’ll want to watch for a while to truly appreciate: He might not have off-the-charts tools, but he does everything well.

DH Samuel Basallo, Orioles: Basallo just graduated from prospect status over the weekend, though he’s still establishing himself as a big leaguer. His hit-power combination is just about as good as anyone’s, so there’s a ton of confidence he’ll figure it out like he did this spring (13 hits, 8 XBH). So far, he’s caught a game, DHed for two and saw a couple of innings at first.

SP Nolan McLean, Mets: Down the stretch last year, McLean was the Mets’ most consistent starter, so he likely would have been the first pitcher I put on this squad had I done it in November. He struck out eight over five innings to kick off his 2026, and it’s only going to get better from here.

SP Bubba Chandler, Pirates: Chandler makes his 2026 debut on Tuesday on the road against the Reds after struggling with his command this spring. Look for him to settle in and resemble the guy who gave up just two runs over his last three big league starts last year, spanning 16 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out 19 while allowing just seven hits in that span.

SP Andrew Painter, Phillies: Maybe it’s taken longer than expected, but Painter’s MLB debut is here! He hasn’t even turned 23 yet, and we might see the Painter we saw pre-Tommy John, or even the one we thought we’d get after his Arizona Fall League return.

SP Connelly Early. Red Sox: He’s the Red Sox lefty prospect who won a job, with Payton Tolle in Triple-A. Early was terrific down the stretch last year and even started a playoff game, and he gave up just a lone run over 5 1/3 IP with 6 strikeouts in his ‘26 debut.

SP Rhett Lowder, Reds: This spot might have gone to 2025 postseason hero Trey Yesavage, but the shoulder impingement is going to keep him on the shelf for a while. Besides, Lowder’s a good sleeper pick after missing nearly all of the 2025 season. He had a solid spring and strong first start as he looks to get back to former top 10 pick form.

Top 100 prospects to watch: Moisés Ballesteros, C, Cubs; Hunter Barco, LHP, Pirates; Dylan Beavers, OF, Orioles; Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies; Parker Messick, LHP, Guardians; Brandon Sproat, RHP, Brewers; Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays

Non Top 100 rookies to watch: AJ Blubaugh, RHP, Astros; Nathan Church, OF, Cardinals; Didier Fuentes, RHP, Braves; Anthony Nunez, RHP Orioles