The 2026 MLB season has delivered its share of unexpected performances. Some have come from prospects who arrived faster than expected, while others have involved veterans reviving careers that seemed headed in the wrong direction. With the regular season nearing its conclusion, every organization has at least one player whose year stands apart from preseason expectations.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Eduardo Rodriguez
Eduardo Rodriguez has provided that story for the Arizona Diamondbacks. After two difficult seasons in Arizona, the veteran starter has returned to ace form, posting a 14-4 record, a 2.50 ERA, and a 1.19 WHIP through 27 starts.
Athletics — J.T. Ginn
The Athletics have found an unexpected rotation leader in J.T. Ginn, who wasn’t even part of the starting rotation when the season began. Ginn produced a 3.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 138.1 innings in his first 27 appearances.
Atlanta Braves — Martin Perez
Atlanta needed pitching help after injuries hit Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver. Martin Perez answered the call. The veteran left-hander, who signed in February and was released in April, still managed a 3.05 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over his first 121 innings.
Baltimore Orioles — Brandon Young
Baltimore’s Brandon Young has turned his fortunes around, going 9-3 with a 3.38 ERA through 23 starts after a brutal debut season.
Boston Red Sox — Jake Bennett
Boston found help from an unlikely source in Jake Bennett. Acquired from Washington in December, the left-hander went 9-6 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through 16 starts.
Chicago Cubs — Pete Crow-Armstrong
For the Cubs, the surprise wasn’t that Pete Crow-Armstrong played well. It was just how far he took it. Through August, Crow-Armstrong hit .283 with 38 home runs, 91 RBI, and 32 stolen bases, while producing a league-leading .954 OPS and Gold Glove-caliber defense.
Chicago White Sox — Tristan Peters
Across town, Tristan Peters became a central figure in the White Sox’s surprising season. Purchased from Tampa Bay in December, the 26-year-old center fielder became an All-Star while hitting .280 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI and an .811 OPS.
Cincinnati Reds — JJ Bleday
Cincinnati’s JJ Bleday revived his career after the Athletics released him, hitting 21 home runs through August despite failing to make the Reds out of spring training.
Cleveland Guardians — Chase DeLauter
Cleveland rookie Chase DeLauter wasted little time announcing himself, hitting four home runs in his first three games before settling into a strong season. Through August, he batted .293 with 13 homers, 60 RBI, and an .819 OPS.
Colorado Rockies — T.J. Rumfield
Colorado rookie T.J. Rumfield, acquired from the Yankees in January, hit .289 with 13 home runs, 61 RBI and an .817 OPS.
Detroit Tigers — Dillon Dingler
Detroit catcher Dillon Dingler followed his Gold Glove season with a major offensive step forward, hitting 26 home runs and driving in 82 runs through August.
Houston Astros — Peter Lambert
Houston turned to Peter Lambert after injuries, and the loss of Framber Valdez created opportunities in the rotation. Lambert responded by going 8-7 with a 3.66 ERA over 128 innings.
Kansas City Royals — Randy Dobnak
Kansas City found another veteran success story in Randy Dobnak, who posted a 1.92 ERA over 51.2 innings after arriving at midseason.
Los Angeles Angels — Walbert Urena
The Angels haven’t had much to celebrate as a team, but Walbert Urena has supplied one of their best individual stories. The rookie starter recorded a 2.94 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 116.1 innings through August.
Los Angeles Dodgers — Justin Wrobleski
Despite their considerable depth, the Dodgers found an unexpected contributor in Justin Wrobleski. He went 11-5 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 126.1 innings before landing on the injured list in August.
Miami Marlins — Liam Hicks
Miami’s Liam Hicks turned a Rule 5 opportunity into a productive season and eventually a trade asset. Before being dealt to Tampa Bay, Hicks hit .282 with 14 home runs, 62 RBI and a .795 OPS while splitting time between catcher and designated hitter.
Milwaukee Brewers — Jacob Misiorowski
Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski went well beyond the expectations created by his rookie season. After finishing that year with a 4.36 ERA, he added velocity to his fastball and produced a 14-5 record, 1.73 ERA, and 222 strikeouts over 151 innings through August. Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan and Logan Henderson also contributed to an unexpectedly productive Brewers pitching staff.
Minnesota Twins — Yoendrys Gomez
Minnesota found its closer after acquiring Yoendrys Gomez from Tampa Bay in May. Gomez posted a 2.66 ERA over his first 46 appearances with the Twins.
New York Mets — Jared Young
The Mets endured a difficult season, but Jared Young emerged as their primary first baseman and hit .269 with eight home runs, 35 RBI, and a .771 OPS through August.
New York Yankees — Cam Schlittler
The Yankees entered the year with Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole in their rotation, yet Cam Schlittler emerged as their most productive starter. Building on his late-2025 performance, Schlittler went 12-6 with a 2.09 ERA through his first 28 starts.
Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Bowlan
Philadelphia received valuable bullpen work from Jonathan Bowlan, who recorded a 2.90 ERA in 52 appearances through August.
Pittsburgh Pirates — Esmerlyn Valdez
Pittsburgh’s Esmerlyn Valdez made an immediate impression against major-league pitching, batting .244 with 16 home runs, 44 RBI and an .890 OPS.
San Diego Padres — Ty France
San Diego’s gamble on veteran Ty France paid off. The former Mariners All-Star hit .287 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI through August.
San Francisco Giants — Dylan Smith
San Francisco reliever Dylan Smith provided some stability with a 3.34 ERA over 32 appearances after being purchased from Detroit early in the season.
Seattle Mariners — Emerson Hancock
Seattle starter Emerson Hancock made mechanical adjustments and responded with a 3.57 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 25 starts before an August trip to the injured list.
St. Louis Cardinals — Jordan Walker
Few comeback stories have been more dramatic than Jordan Walker’s in St. Louis. After struggling through much of his first three seasons, the former top prospect hit .285 with 27 home runs, 97 RBI and 18 stolen bases through August. He also won the All-Star Home Run Derby.
Tampa Bay Rays — Bryan Baker
Tampa Bay found its closer in Bryan Baker after Griffin Jax struggled in the role early. Baker posted an American League-leading 39 saves, a 1.50 ERA, and an All-Star selection.
Texas Rangers — Jacob Latz
Texas had a similar development with Jacob Latz, who became an All-Star closer and recorded 27 saves with a 1.65 ERA.
Toronto Blue Jays — Louis Varland
Toronto’s Louis Varland stepped into a major bullpen role and delivered 31 saves with a 1.18 ERA through August.
Washington Nationals — Curtis Mead
Washington’s Curtis Mead became an unexpected offensive contributor before being traded to Boston at the deadline. Acquired from the White Sox shortly before Opening Day, Mead hit .254 with 17 home runs, 48 RBI, and an .852 OPS during his time with the Nationals.
