The 2026 baseball season has been full of surprises, and we've asked each of the 30 team beat reporters about the biggest surprises so far. Here's a breakdown of some of the most notable surprises across the American and National Leagues.
American League East
- Blue Jays: The slow start of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been a surprise, with his numbers not matching his previous performance. The Blue Jays are hoping for a hot streak to turn things around.
- Orioles: Brandon Young has emerged as a breakout star, with a 3.04 ERA in 10 starts. His performance has been a pleasant surprise for the Orioles.
- Rays: The Rays' rotation has been a strength, with Drew Rasmussen, Nick Martinez, and Shane McClanahan all putting up ace-level numbers. Their three-headed monster has helped Tampa Bay stay atop the AL standings.
- Red Sox: Payton Tolle's swift emergence has been a positive development, with his improvement at the age of 23 helping Boston cushion the loss of Garrett Crochet.
- Yankees: José Caballero's glovework at shortstop has been better than expected, prompting a debate about his role within the team.
American League Central
- Guardians: Brayan Rocchio's breakout season has been a pleasant surprise, with a .274/.353/.399 slash line and a 111 OPS+ in 69 games.
- Royals: The emergence of Daniel Lynch IV as a reliever has been a positive development, with a 1.86 ERA and 29 strikeouts.
- Tigers: Riley Greene's power and plate discipline have improved, with a hard-hit rate in the top 10 percent and average exit velocity nearing career highs.
- Twins: Yoendrys Gómez's ace reliever role has been a surprise, with 19 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings.
- White Sox: The entire team's offensive performance has been a positive surprise, with players like Tristan Peters, Miguel Vargas, and Munetaka Murakami contributing.
American League West
- Angels: Walbert Ureña's breakout season as a starting pitcher has been a pleasant surprise, with a 2.44 ERA and 55 strikeouts.
- Astros: Spencer Arrighetti's emergence as a starting pitcher has been a positive development, with a 2.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 10 starts.
- Athletics: Zack Gelof's resurgence as a versatile player has been a surprise, with a 17-game hitting streak and increased versatility at third base and all three outfield spots.
- Mariners: Emerson Hancock's emergence as a top All-Star candidate has been a positive development, with a 2.74 ERA and 8-5 record in starts.
- Rangers: Ezequiel Duran's versatility and improved performance have been a surprise, with a .288/.339/.439 slash line.
National League East
- Braves: Mauricio Dubón's clutch gene has been a positive surprise, with a .345 average and 32 RBIs in 64 plate appearances with runners in scoring position.
- Marlins: Liam Hicks' emergence as an All-Star-worthy player has been a pleasant surprise, with 13 homers and 51 RBIs.
- Mets: Jared Young's performance as a 32-year-old coming off a meniscus tear has been a positive development, with a comparable OPS to Juan Soto.
- Nationals: The Nationals' top-performing offense has been a surprise, with 382 runs and an MLB-best 56 first-inning runs.
- Phillies: Brandon Marsh's emergence as an everyday hitting machine has been a positive development, with a legitimate chance to be a first-time All-Star.
National League Central
- Brewers: Kyle Harrison's dominant performance has been a surprise, with a 1.57 ERA and a high strikeout rate.
- Cardinals: Jordan Walker's breakout season has been a positive development, with a .298/.353/.562 slash line and improved defense.
- Cubs: Ben Brown's performance as a multi-inning reliever has been a positive surprise, with a 1.74 ERA and 1.49 ERA in seven starts.
- Pirates: The Pirates' top-10 offense has been a positive surprise, with acquisitions like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn contributing.
- Reds: JJ Bleday's emergence as a top hitter has been a positive development, with a .265 average and .912 OPS.
National League West
- D-backs: RHP Michael Soroka's resurgence has been a positive surprise, with a 3.11 ERA over 14 starts.
- Dodgers: Roki Sasaki's impressive turnaround has been a pleasant surprise, with a 3.86 ERA in his past seven starts.
- Giants: Casey Schmitt's breakout season has been a positive development, with defensive versatility and right-handed pop.
- Padres: The struggling superstars, including Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill, have been a surprising negative development.
- Rockies: Troy Johnston's offensive production has been a positive surprise, with 20 doubles and a high batting average.
