MLB Executives Pick Favorites for 2026 Rookie of the Year

MLB Pipeline’s latest Executive Poll gives us an early peek into how baseball’s decision-makers see the 2026 Rookie of the Year races. The next wave of talent is already turning heads.

They surveyed more than 40 front-office executives from across the league. The poll spotlights which prospects might make an immediate impact in the big leagues.

We’re seeing fast-rising pitchers and some polished young hitters on this list. It’s a fascinating snapshot of baseball’s future, honestly.

MLB Pipeline Executive Poll: Projecting 2026 Stardom

This is the fourth year for the Executive Poll, and it’s become a bit of an annual tradition. Teams use it to gauge how they’re evaluating top prospects for the near future.

Executives projected their 2026 Rookie of the Year favorites, and both leagues ended up with tightly contested races. The votes reflect not just raw talent, but also how close these players are to the majors and their chances for real playing time.

American League Favorites: Power Arms and Polished Bats

In the American League, the vote ended in a tie at the top. Executives split between two very different prospects: Trey Yesavage of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kevin McGonigle of the Detroit Tigers.

Yesavage, just 22, made a huge leap in 2025. He started in Single-A, shot up the minors, and ended up contributing to Toronto’s postseason run.

Scouts love his poise and, especially, his nasty splitter. It’s already become a true out pitch against advanced hitters.

McGonigle is the hitter making a case for early superstardom. He’s only 21 and hasn’t played much above High-A, but you can’t ignore his production.

He’s rocking a .922 OPS in the minors. He really caught the league’s attention by winning Arizona Fall League MVP after a scorching performance.

Other American League prospects also got votes, showing off the depth of talent on its way:

The Tigers, Guardians, and Athletics each had multiple prospects mentioned. Those organizations look especially well-positioned for future impact.

National League Standouts: Well-Rounded Stars in Waiting

The National League race featured a dynamic infielder and a polished young pitcher. Each one represents a different path to Rookie of the Year contention.

Executives leaned toward players who’ve already handled upper-level competition.

JJ Wetherholt and Nolan McLean Lead the NL Field

Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt stood out as one of the most impressive position-player candidates. He’s a recent top draft pick who wasted no time showing why, putting up a .306/.421/.510 line across Double-A and Triple-A in 2025.

He hit 17 home runs and swiped 23 bases, showing off a rare mix of power and speed. His approach at the plate is already advanced.

On the mound, Mets right-hander Nolan McLean made a strong impression with his late-season audition in 2025. Over eight starts, he put up a 2.06 ERA and missed bats at an impressive rate.

He performed so well, he even picked up actual Rookie of the Year votes last season. That’s pretty rare for such a short stint.

The rest of the National League voting included some elite prospects:

The Pirates, Phillies, and Mets all placed multiple players on the list. Those farm systems look deep and ready to make noise in 2026.

Why These Predictions Matter

Prospect development never really follows a straight line. Still, polls like this give us a peek into how the industry thinks.

Front-office executives weigh performance, projection, and opportunity when they cast their votes. As 2026 creeps closer, these names will probably dominate spring training chatter and stir up early-season call-up debates.

For fans, tracking these possible Rookie of the Year contenders is a fun way to spot baseball’s next wave of stars. It’s a reminder that the game’s future isn’t some distant thing—it’s basically already here.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Who will win Rookie of the Year in ’26? We polled baseball execs