3. Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees

Offense: 656 PA, 125 OPS+, .272/.334/.480, 59 XBH (29 HR), 13 SB
Defense: 572.2 INN, 7 DRS, 4 OAA
WAR: 5.1

After a long offseason of free agency, Bellinger ultimately found his way back to the Yankees on a five-year, $162.5 million deal. The offensive struggles that led to him being non-tendered by the Dodgers are now a distant memory, and he has a 125 OPS+ and 12.0 WAR in the three years since. He will again be tasked with protecting Aaron Judge in the middle of the Yankees lineup.

2. Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox

Offense: 303 PA, 140 OPS+, .292/.396/.463, 27 XBH (8 HR), 4 SB
Defense: 152.0 INN, -1 DRS, 2 OAA
WAR: 3.1

It’s a stat I’ve referenced frequently this offseason, but one worth highlighting one last time here: The Red Sox were 44-27 (.620) in the 71 games Anthony played last season, compared to 45-46 (.494) without him. That’s not a coincidence. It’s what a potential franchise-altering player looks like, and Anthony has all the tools to bust through as a bona fide superstar in 2026, especially coming off an impressive run with Team USA in the WBC.

1. Juan Soto, New York Mets

Offense: 715 PA, 160 OPS+, .263/.396/.525, 64 XBH (43 HR), 38 SB
Defense: Did not play LF in 2025
WAR: 6.2

If it’s possible to live up to a 15-year, $765 million deal, Soto did it in the first year of that record-setting payday. He led the NL in on-base percentage (.396), walks (127) and steals (38), more than tripling his previous career high for thefts while also posting a second straight 40-homer, 100-RBI campaign. Poor defensive metrics (-7 DRS, -12 OAA) were the one hole in his game, and now he will shift from right field to left field for the 2026 season.