The 2025 MLB season was supposed to be a showcase of rising stars and prime-age talent. Injuries and inconsistency, though, turned it into a year of frustration for a lot of franchises.
Looking ahead, MLB.com’s annual bounce-back list for 2026 highlights one player from each club who’s primed for redemption. That could mean finally staying healthy, reclaiming a lost role, or just proving last year was a blip, not the start of a new trend.
Injuries Dominate the 2025 Narrative
If you had to pick a single word for 2025 across Major League Baseball, it’s health. Contenders and rebuilders both had to recalibrate after injuries sidelined key players for long stretches.
Headliners like Adley Rutschman, Yordan Alvarez, Sean Manaea, and Royce Lewis really showed how fragile momentum can be these days. Each flashed their All-Star ceilings, then ran into physical setbacks that stopped any real momentum.
Stars Seeking a Full, Clean Season
Some organizations are betting the most powerful “adjustment” is just showing up every day. The Blue Jays with Anthony Santander, the Mets with Sean Manaea, and the Astros with Yordan Alvarez are all in this camp.
The talent’s obvious. The real question is whether they’ll actually be available.
Young Cornerstones on the Rebound
Beyond the established stars, several young pillars stand at a crossroads in their development. Their 2025 seasons got derailed by injuries or by pitchers figuring them out after their initial bursts.
Anthony Volpe, Michael Harris II, Oneil Cruz, and Matt McLain are classic bounce-back candidates. They’ve got talent, they’ve been tested, and now they’re a year wiser.
Growing Pains and Second-Wave Adjustments
For this group, a rebound isn’t just about staying healthy—it’s about adapting. Pitchers spent 2025 poking for holes in their swings or approaches, and those flaws surfaced here and there.
Now, the hope is these young cornerstones bring their own counterpunches in 2026. With more distance from surgeries, more reps against advanced scouting, and a better sense of how they’re being attacked, they’re in a spot to turn lessons into production.
Interrupted Seasons and the Value of Stability
Not every underwhelming year comes from one big injury. For guys like Josh Lowe, Parker Meadows, and Victor Robles, 2025 was death by a thousand cuts—nagging issues, short IL stints, and sporadic playing time never let them get into a rhythm.
Clubs think a full, uninterrupted spring and a clear role can unlock the version of these players we glimpsed before.
Why Consistent Run Matters
Hitters who rely on timing and confidence are usually the first to suffer when their season turns stop-and-start. Front offices want to see:
For Lowe, Meadows, and Robles, 2026 is about proving their earlier flashes weren’t just luck—they were the baseline.
Role Clarity and Versatility as Catalysts
Some bounce-back stories aren’t just about raw production—they’re about where and how players are used. For David Fry, Kristian Campbell, and Luis García Jr., knowing their role could be the key to better results.
Fry’s return to more regular defensive work, Campbell settling into left field, and García Jr. maybe expanding his versatility all reflect a growing league-wide recognition: performance often follows stability.
Unlocking Value Through Defined Roles
When players know their defensive home, lineup spot, and how they’ll be used, their preparation sharpens. The hope is:
Veterans and Pitchers Fighting to Reestablish Value
Redemption arcs aren’t just for the kids. Veterans like Zack Gelof, Joey Ortiz, and Alec Bohm are under the microscope after sharp declines in 2025, but their clubs still believe their tools haven’t vanished.
On the mound, the bounce-back narrative is just as strong. Arms like Jonathan Cannon, Brandon Pfaadt, Porter Hodge, and Tanner Scott are trying mechanical tweaks, pitch-mix changes, and new roles to find consistency again.
The Mechanical and Mental Reset
For pitchers, even small changes can lead to big results. Teams are watching:
Some clubs—like Minnesota, Anaheim, and Cincinnati—are also counting on new coaching voices and managerial shifts to spark a revival. Maybe that’s the difference this time around.
2026 as a Career Turning Point
MLB.com’s bounce-back list really shows how quickly things can change in baseball these days. With all the analysis and constant tweaks, a single season can flip how everyone sees a player.
For the players mentioned, 2026 isn’t just about proving themselves. It’s about reminding people who they’ve always been.
Their talent isn’t the issue—just their recent numbers. Any veteran will tell you, the gap between disappointment and redemption can shrink to just one good, healthy season.
Here is the source article for this story: Each team’s bounce-back candidate for 2026
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