25 MLB players who have the most to prove in 2026

Alcantara has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but the Marlins might be hoping he can build up his value in potentially the final season of his contract. The former Cy Young winner wasn’t the same after returning from Tommy John surgery last year, posting a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts, though he did improve in the second half. Still, the Marlins and the rest of MLB are waiting to see Alcantara show his old form.

Aranda has long been an elite hitter in the minors, and finally started to show that ability in Tampa by hitting .316-14-59 in 106 games. Unfortunately, injuries limited him, but the team is hoping he’s a difference maker in 2026.

Fighting through shoulder problems last season, Arenado hit only .237-12-52 in 107 games as his defense also slipped. The Diamondbacks are banking on a rebound in his age-35 season with the help of a more hitter-friendly home ballpark, and the eight-time All-Star is hoping to cap off a Hall of Fame career.

After a subpar season, Berrios’ 2025 ended with a banishment to the bullpen and an elbow injury. It remains to be seen if he will still be in Toronto come Opening Day following the team’s busy offseason, but it’s likely Berrios will be a contributor somewhere. He’s out to show last season was a fluke.

The Rangers wouldn’t have won the 2023 World Series without Carter, but he’s been nagged by injuries since then. He’s played only 108 games over the last two seasons, though the team will be relying on him again in 2026.

Cruz has elite tools, but his over-aggressiveness at the plate continues to be exposed. He hit .200 in 135 games for the Pirates last season, and the former shortstop hasn’t taken to center field very well yet. The expectations in Pittsburgh are raised with top prospect Konnor Griffin on the cusp, and Cruz will need to rebound, or the team might think about moving on from him.

Detmers looked like a potential ace early in his career, but his stats have gone sideways since then. He got on track as a reliever last season, and the addition of pitching coach Mike Maddux could be just what Detmers needs to put it all together as a starter again.

After an excellent rebound season in 2024, Flaherty floundered last year with a 4.64 ERA and 15 losses. The peripherals were far better than the end results, and Flaherty is hoping for better luck entering his walk year.

There’s no questioning Greene’s ability as a staff ace, but there continue to be questions about his health. He’s reached 150 innings only once in four MLB seasons, and had only 19 starts for the Reds last season. For the team to take another step forward, Greene will need to be healthier.

After a surprising breakout season in which Grisham hit 34 home runs, he accepted the Yankees’ qualifying offer for 2026. Grisham is set to make more than $22 million before going into free agency next offseason, and will be out to show last season’s numbers were real.

There might not be a more frustrating hitter in baseball than Harris. He shows elite athleticism and can carry an offense when he’s hot, but his streakiness and aggressiveness at the plate have hindered his development. His OPS has declined with each season to only .678 last year, but he’s hoping to break the trend.

It’s clear the initial expectations for Holliday were too lofty when he broke in with the O’s in 2024, but his development still hasn’t gone at a rate many expected. The former No. 1 overall draft choice had a .690 OPS last season, but is hoping to continue the progress he made in the second half.

After an outstanding 2023 season in Tampa Bay, oblique injuries have ruined Lowe’s numbers over the last two years. He was a viable risk for the Angels this offseason after posting a .650 OPS last year, and the team will be relying heavily on a rebound after trading Taylor Ward.

May has a blue chip arm with a devastating sinker, but has never been able to stay healthy. Last season represented progress with 132.1 innings pitched, though May struggled to show consistency. The Cardinals signed the right-hander to a one-year deal, giving him plenty of leeway in the starting rotation.

It’s been one arm issue after another for McClanahan, who last threw a pitch in an MLB game in 2023. Of course, the lefty was a true ace for Tampa Bay in his first three seasons, and the Rays will be relying on him to rebound if they have any chance of returning to the playoffs.

Durability has been Nola’s calling card for most of his career, but he made only 17 starts with an ERA above 6.00 last season. His command remained excellent, so there’s reason to believe Nola is capable of a rebound if his body cooperates. With Zack Wheeler also returning from injury, the Phillies desperately need Nola to deliver.

After signing a lucrative two-year deal with Texas last offseason, Pederson was nothing short of terrible. He hit only .181 in 96 games, missing significant time to injury and struggling when he played. Texas doesn’t have as much reason to be patient in the final year of his contract.

Pfaadt was a top prospect, but hasn’t yet found himself as a major leaguer. He has a 5.13 ERA in three seasons, with the long ball contributing to his struggles. Still, the right-hander shows elite control, and the Diamondbacks will need him to step up as they wait for Corbin Burnes to return from injury.

Robert was a star with the White Sox early in his career, but his numbers dwindled with poor health over the last two seasons. The Mets took on his entire salary for 2026, and Robert is hoping to rebound in his walk year.

The Orioles surprised the baseball world when they traded Rodriguez, a former top prospect. He didn’t pitch at all last season due to arm problems, but the Angels are betting on better health after trading Taylor Ward to acquire the young right-hander.

Ruiz had a lost season in 2025 due to concussions, but his offense slipped even before that point. The former top prospect has yet to reach his potential in the majors, and the acquisition of top catching prospect Harry Ford puts Ruiz on notice in Washington.

Strider returned from elbow surgery last season but wasn’t the same, with his velocity slipping. The Braves made changes in their pitching department during the offseason, and are hopeful the former Cy Young candidate can unlock his old self.

Walker was arguably the Cardinals’ best hitting prospect since Albert Pujols, but the team has seen a poor trend in his development. His stats have dwindled over the last two seasons, though the team is set to give Walker at least one more extended look this year.

An uptick in velocity made Weathers look like a potential ace in Miami last season, but he had trouble staying healthy again. That’s been a theme early in his career, though the Yankees were willing to take a shot on him this offseason.

Woodruff proved he could find success with less velocity last season after shoulder surgery, and he surprised the Brewers by accepting the qualifying offer to return in 2026. Paying Woodruff meant that the team didn’t have the payroll to retain Freddy Peralta, but they hope Woodruff can stay healthy and help fill the void.