News - Rising Stars: Pitchers to Watch in MLB 2026

Amidst the promising wave of emerging talent in Major League Baseball, five pitchers are capturing attention as potential breakout stars in the 2026 season. While past statistics might understate their budding prowess, these athletes are gearing up to significantly impact their respective teams and the league. Ben Brown, a 26-year-old right-hander with the Chicago Cubs, has shown flashes of brilliance despite a 6-11 career record. His strikeout rate of 10.30 per nine innings and recent successful incorporation of a sinker and knuckle curve have scouts intrigued. In the Cactus League, Brown has consistently impressed, fueling optimism about his upward trajectory. The Cincinnati Reds are placing high hopes on Chase Burns, whose debut was eagerly anticipated after being selected second overall from Wake Forest. Despite his limited opportunity to pitch extensively—only 43 1/3 innings across 13 games resulting in an 0-3 record with a 4.57 ERA—Burns' 67 strikeouts present a compelling vision of what's to come as he refines his raw talent. The Minnesota Twins' Zebby Matthews has confronted a challenging start to his MLB journey, recording a 6-10 record with a 5.92 ERA across two seasons. However, Matthews' high-velocity fastball, impeccable control, and effective handling of left-handed batters paint a picture of a pitcher on the cusp of putting it all together and gaining much-needed confidence at the top level. Eury Perez of the Miami Marlins is a unique candidate, battling back from Tommy John surgery to posting a 7-5 record and 4.25 ERA over 20 starts last season. His stature at 6-foot-8 and recovery promise a compelling season ahead for this 22-year-old, widely believed to be entering a phase of sharp improvement. Rounding off the list is Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees. As a rookie, Schlittler achieved a 4-3 record with a standout 2.96 ERA in 14 starts, underlining his potential with a commanding performance against the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs. Many anticipate that by the end of the season, Schlittler could count himself among the league's elite pitchers.