The first weekend of Major League Baseball games in 2026 is complete.
The opening days featured a promising rookie class, opportunities to see the impact of the automated ball-strike system, and more.
Star-Studded Rookie Class Debuts
The immediate returns from Chase DeLauter, Kevin McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt, Sal Stewart and Carson Benge suggest a potentially historic group of rookies. Nolan McLean, Bubba Chandler, Connelly Early, Samuel Basallo, Trey Yesavage, Carter Jensen, Dylan Beavers and Moises Ballesteros, who debuted last season, also remain rookies. The class appears to have both star talent and depth.
McGonigle’s 10-pitch at-bat against the San Diego Padres stood out. With two outs in the eighth, bases loaded, and the game tied, he faced Wandy Peralta. McGonigle fouled off six pitches before lining a two-run single into right-center field.
Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander, watching from the dugout, smiled as he observed the young player.
The 2022 rookie class, which included Julio Rodriguez, Steven Kwan, Adley Rutschman, Michael Harris II and Jeremy Pena, set a high standard. Each player achieved 5.0 WAR. That season saw the most rookie position players ever with 5 WAR in one season.
Bobby Witt Jr., Geraldo Perdomo, Riley Greene, CJ Abrams, Vinnie Pasquantino, Seiya Suzuki, Gabriel Moreno and Brendan Donovan were also part of that rookie class, as were pitchers Spencer Strider, George Kirby, Hunter Greene, Joe Ryan, Nick Lodolo, MacKenzie Gore and Jhoan Duran.
Automated Ball-Strike System Assesment
Analyzing the results of the new automated ball-strike system will take time. Local announcers suggested saving challenges for late in games.
Saving challenges might not be the right approach. Saving challenges for a close game late might not matter if a call gets overturned against an elite closer such as Aroldis Chapman or Mason Miller.
The season will provide ample opportunity to assess the rookie class.