Konnor Griffin, Trey Yesavage and
JJ Wetherholt among MLB's most intriguing rookies
[March 20, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin made a smooth transition
to the major leagues last season. Kurtz was rewarded with the AL
Rookie of the Year award, and Baldwin took home the NL honor.
Here is a closer look at a group of rookies looking to have a
similar impact this year:
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Konnor Griffin
Widely regarded as the majors' top prospect, Griffin could make a
push for Pittsburgh's second NL Rookie of the Year award in three
seasons after Paul Skenes won in 2024. Griffin, a Mississippi native
who turns 20 on April 24, hit .333 with 21 homers, 94 RBIs and 65
steals over three minor league stops last year. The shortstop was
taken by the Pirates with the No. 9 pick in the 2024 amateur draft.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage
Yesavage, a 6-foot-4 right-hander with an unusual arm slot, helped
Toronto reach the World Series in 2025. He went 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA
in six postseason appearances, striking out 39 and walking 11 in 27
2/3 innings. Yesavage began last season at Class A Dunedin and
posted a 5-1 record with a 3.12 ERA over four minor league stops
before making his Blue Jays debut on Sept. 15. Yesavage will open
the season on the injured list because of impingement of his
throwing shoulder.
St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt
St. Louis is working on a rare rebuild for the franchise, and
Wetherholt's development is worth watching in terms of how long it
might last. The 23-year-old infielder played college ball for West
Virginia before he was selected by the Cardinals with the No. 7 pick
in the 2024 amateur draft. He batted .306 with 17 homers, 59 RBIs
and 23 steals over two minor league stops last year, finishing the
season with Triple-A Memphis.
Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle
The 21-year-old McGonigle was taken by Detroit with the No. 37 pick
in the 2023 amateur draft. The shortstop batted .305 with 19 homers,
80 RBIs and 10 steals in 88 games over three minor league stops last
year. He could play a major role for a Tigers team looking to
contend for the AL Central title.
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean
McLean was terrific in his first stint with New York last year,
going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts. The 6-foot-2
right-hander, a third-round pick in the 2023 amateur draft out of
Oklahoma State University, also struck out 57 in 48 innings. He is
expected to be a key member of New York's rotation this season as
the Mets try to rebound from a tough finish last year.
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Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo
Baltimore has quite the catching tandem with Adley Rutschman and
Basallo, who made his major league debut in August. Basallo batted
just .165 with four homers in 31 games with the Orioles, but he hit
.270 with 23 homers and 67 RBIs in 76 games with Triple-A Norfolk.
Rutschman remains the No. 1 catcher, but the 21-year-old Basallo
also will see time at first base and designated hitter.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart
Stewart, 22, made his major league debut on Sept. 1 after hitting
.315 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs in 38 games with Triple-A
Louisville. The sweet-swinging Miami native batted .255 with five
homers and eight RBIs in 18 games with the Reds. He can play second
and third base, but first base and DH figure to be his primary spots
this year with Cincy.
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter
DeLauter has been one of Cleveland's top prospects since he was the
16th overall pick in the 2022 amateur draft. But he was slowed by
injuries the past two seasons, including core muscle and right wrist
surgeries last year. He made his major league debut in Game 2 of the
Guardians' AL Wild Card Series against Detroit on Oct. 1.
Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai
The Japanese right-hander agreed to a $54 million, three-year
contract with the Astros in January. He moves into Houston's
rotation after going 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the
Pacific League’s Seibu Lions, striking out 178 in 163 2/3 innings.
The three-time All-Star in Japan was 58-45 with a 3.15 ERA in eight
seasons with Seibu.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford
Crawford, 22, takes over in center field for Philadelphia in his
first big league opportunity. The speedy Crawford, a first-round
pick in the 2022 amateur draft, hit .334 with seven homers and 47
RBIs in 112 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last year. He also had
46 steals and a .411 on-base percentage.
Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami
The rebuilding project on Chicago's South Side got an unexpected
boost when Murakami signed a $34 million, two-year contract with the
White Sox in December. The 26-year-old slugger was the MVP of
Japan's Central League in 2021 and ’22. He batted .273 with 22
homers and 47 RBIs last season, when he was limited to 56 games
because of an oblique injury.
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