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5. OF Carson Benge, New York Mets

Stats: 654 PA, 118 OPS+, .282/.346/.430, 45 XBH (20 HR), 22 SB

While more than a few rookies started hot before fading down the stretch, Benge hit .310/.373/.471 in 62 games after the All-Star break to solidify his status as one of the game’s most promising young outfielders. He finished with the first 20/20 season by a rookie in Mets history, and his 4.3 WAR made him the team leader on a high-priced, star-studded roster.

4. LHP Payton Tolle, Boston Red Sox

Stats: 26 GS, 9-6, 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 171 K, 148.2 IP

Tolle has a unique repertoire, with his four-seam fastball, sinker and cutter accounting for 87.9 percent of his pitch usage, but it proved effective in his first full season in the big leagues. After some ups and downs during the first half, he had a 2.92 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 64.2 innings after the All-Star break.

3. RHP Nolan McLean, New York Mets

Stats: 31 GS, 12-10, 3.16 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 194 K, 179.2 IP

After suiting up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, McLean pitched like an established veteran atop the Mets rotation, finishing tied for fifth in the majors with 20 quality starts. The 25-year-old had a 2.45 ERA in 84.1 innings over the final three months of the season, and should anchor the Mets’ staff for years to come.

2. LHP Parker Messick, Cleveland Guardians

Stats: 32 GS, 12-9, 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 193 K, 186.1 IP

Messick burst onto the scene with a 2.72 ERA in 39.2 innings over seven starts in 2025, maintaining his rookie eligibility along the way. The 25-year-old entered spring training battling for a spot in the Cleveland rotation, and ended up being the best rookie pitcher in baseball, likely pitching his way to a top-10 finish in AL Cy Young voting and runner-up in the AL Rookie of the Year race.

1. SS Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers

Stats: 707 PA, 126 OPS+, .278/.376/.430, 51 XBH (18 HR), 12 SB

With 7.1 WAR in 156 games, McGonigle was surpassed by only Pete Crow-Armstrong (9.8), Cristopher Sánchez (8.1) and Brice Turang (7.3) among all players during the 2026 season. He also joined Steven Kwan and Geraldo Perdomo as the only players to rank among the 25 highest in walk rate and the 25 lowest in strikeout rate, while further bolstering his value with strong defense at shortstop and third base.