The arrival of Travis Bazzana in Cleveland added yet another highly touted prospect to the Majors. Six of the top nine picks from the 2024 MLB Draft are already in the big leagues, many of them making an immediate impact on their respective clubs.
But which rookies are creating the most buzz in 2026?
We posed that question to executives last week as part of our annual first-month poll, asking them which of this year’s crop has been the most impressive to this point in the season:
- Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (7 votes)
- Sal Stewart, Reds (5 votes)
- Munetaka Murakami, White Sox (4 votes)
- Nolan McLean, Mets (2 votes)
McGonigle, who was selected by the Tigers with the 37th overall selection in the 2023 Draft, made his big league debut on Opening Day after earning a spot on the roster with an impressive spring. Through his first 30 games, the 21-year-old slashed .333/.420/.518 with two home runs, 13 RBIs, 11 doubles, and two triples. McGonigle’s 2.0 bWAR is tied with Atlanta’s Matt Olson for the best among all hitters in the Majors, trailing only pitchers José Soriano (2.6) and Shohei Ohtani (2.2).
“He looks like a seasoned All-Star-caliber player on Day 1,” an American League executive said.
Another AL executive explained his vote for McGonigle in two words: “He rakes.”
McGonigle has split his time between shortstop (15 starts) and third base (14), and although his defensive metrics have been below average (-5 Outs Above Average), his versatility has given manager A.J. Hinch options on a nightly basis.
What stands out above all else is McGonigle’s plate discipline, which has him among the elite hitters in the Majors. With 16 walks against only 17 strikeouts in his first 131 plate appearances, he ranks in the top 10 percent in whiff percentage, chase percentage and strikeout percentage.
“His hit tool is absolutely incredible,” a National League executive said. “If he maintains a strikeout-to-walk ratio even close to 1:1, he’s going to put up huge offensive production.”
But McGonigle could have some serious competition for AL Rookie of the Year honors, because Murakami has made a seamless transition to the Majors. The 26-year-old enters Friday tied with Yordan Alvarez and Aaron Judge for the Major League lead with 12 home runs, showing the type of power that made him a star in Japan.
“Murakami has been very impressive,” an NL executive said. “I wasn't sure he would get to the game power right away, but he looks like a dangerous at-bat every time up.”
Murakami’s power hasn’t been an issue; he ranks in the top 5 percent in average exit velocity, barrel percentage and hard-hit percentage, and although he is third in the Majors with 46 strikeouts and is near the bottom of the rankings in both whiff percentage and strikeout percentage, he has actually displayed a good eye at the plate, ranking in the 96th percentile in walk percentage and 87th percentile in chase percentage.
“The swing-and-miss is still a concern,” an AL exec said, “but that is a pure hitter right there.”
The NL rookie race could be just as interesting, with Stewart and McLean off to strong starts.
Stewart was the second-most popular pick among executives thanks to a .288/.377/.586 slash line (.963 OPS) and a Major League-high 29 RBIs in his first 30 games this season. The 32nd pick of the 2022 Draft, Stewart has been the Reds’ primary first baseman this season, though manager Terry Francona has utilized him at both second and third in a pinch.
“He hits the ball hard, hits for power, has shown great plate discipline, and has above-average contact skills,” an AL executive said. “[That’s] a difficult profile to find in young players.”
McLean was the only other player to receive votes, continuing his breakout performance from late last season.
The right-hander is 1-2 with a 2.55 ERA in six starts this season for the Mets, having struck out 45 batters through 35 1/3 innings. In his first 14 career regular-season starts, McLean is 6-3 with a 2.27 ERA, using his six-pitch arsenal to dominate hitters to the tune of a .184/.230/.258 opposing slash line (.536 OPS).
“McLean isn’t a future ace; he’s already a No. 1,” an AL executive said. “If he doesn’t win a Cy Young at some point, it’s only because [Paul] Skenes pitches in the same league.”