25 things we learned from the 2026 MLB season

Crow-Armstrong went 30/30 and won a Gold Glove in 2025, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. He had a historic 2026 season, leading the National League in home runs (45), runs scored (119), slugging (.570), and OPS (.943), while also playing elite center field defense.

Triple-digit velocity has changed baseball over the last decade, but it was never truer than in 2026. 100+ mph fastballs rose 53% from 2025, led by Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski. Hitting in MLB has never been more difficult.

Misiorowski led MLB's velocity uptick, with a record 1,115 pitches at 100+ mph and the fastest pitch ever recorded by a starting pitcher (105.5 mph). The result is likely the NL Cy Young Award, after going 16-5 with a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 174.2 innings.

Injuries ruined Alvarez's 2025 season, limiting him to only 48 games. He rebounded big this season, nearly winning the AL Triple Crown with a .316-42-106. Alvarez led the league in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging.

The Mets' continued hesitancy to sign Alonso long-term last offseason worked in Baltimore's favor. He signed a 5-year, $155 million deal, and the Orioles got their money's worth in the first year. The slugger led the AL with 43 home runs and 113 RBI, finishing with the second-highest OPS (.884) of his career.

Committees have been closer over the last several seasons, and that trend was more pronounced in 2026. Only six teams finished with the same closer they had on Opening Day, and primary closers accounted for only 40% of saves. Several dominant closers remain in the league, but it's certainly not what it used to be.

Among the closers who stayed in the job all season, none came close to Mason Miller. The Padres star led the NL in games finished (57) and saves (38) while posting a 1.67 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 70 innings.

Padres baseball head A.J. Preller has built a reputation as one of the league's most frequent traders, and that continued in 2026. Despite the team's playoff standing being in doubt at the deadline, Preller acquired Robbie Ray, among others, to give the team a boost into the playoffs.

Chicago was coming off consecutive 100-loss seasons, but in 2026 it saw one of the biggest turnarounds in MLB history. The White Sox won a Wild Card spot with additions like Munetaka Murakami and the arrival of several top prospects.

The signings of Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto made headlines in the offseason, though many doubted they could keep showing elite power in MLB. Murakami hit 35 home runs in 127 games and continued to show his power in the playoffs, while Okamoto hit 33 home runs of his own. Their success could provide a big boost to upcoming Japanese sluggers looking to sign in the States.

The Brewers won three consecutive NL Central titles, but weren't the favorites heading into 2026 after trading Freddy Peralta in the offseason. However, they finished with a league-high 103 wins, fueled by the emergence of several young players. As usual, they face some difficult personnel decisions heading into the offseason, but it would be a mistake to doubt them in 2027.

Turang opened some eyes with a late-season power surge in 2025, and he showed this season that it wasn't a fluke. He hit a career-high 21 home runs and drove in 100 runs while continuing to play elite defense, finishing the year third in WAR.

The Mets made several major roster moves after a disappointing 2025 season, moving on from the likes of Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil. Their replacements, which included Jorge Polanco, Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Devin Williams, clearly didn't work out, as the team finished last in the NL East with only 74 wins.

There was clear separation between the National League and the American League in 2026. The AL featured only two teams with more than 90 wins, and no team in the AL West finished above .500.

With the rise of velocity and power, the youth movement shone more than ever in 2026. The Rookie of the Year races in both leagues featured many strong candidates, while more experienced players like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jacob Misiorowski emerged as stars.

Not much was expected of rebuilding teams like the Cardinals and Nationals, but they greatly exceeded expectations as their youngsters emerged. Washington featured one of the league's top offenses with a new front office and coaching staff, while the Cardinals saw rookie contributions throughout the year, finishing 77 -85.

Atlanta was one of the 2025 season's biggest disappointments, winning only 76 games while injuries ravaged the roster. Pitching injuries remained a big story in 2026, but under new manager Walt Weiss, the Braves led the NL East from start to finish.

No one has stopped Ohtani, who won four MVP Awards in five years, but injury clearly played a role this season. He played only 135 games because of a knee issue. Ohtani hit just .275-30-81, well below his recent standards, and made only 14 starts.

Judge and Soto are perennial MVP candidates, but injuries kept them from being considered this season. Judge played only 66 games due to multiple injuries, while Soto played only 111 due to recurring calf issues.

Caminero built on a great breakout season in 2025, performing even better overall this year. He hit .276-42-101 and increased his OBP by 49 points (.360), with a major increase in walks. His contribution helped the Rays win the AL East.

Consistency has been a hallmark of Guerrero's career, so his breakdown this season is a major concern. He was an All-Star for the sixth time but finished the season hitting only .260-9-57, with a career-worst .688 OPS. After Toronto signed Guerrero to a long-term deal last season, they desperately need him to rebound.

Schwarber showed he still has it in the first season of a five-year deal. He led the NL in home runs for the third time in five seasons, hitting 45 home runs at age 33.

Detroit had a very disappointing season, but there's still hope for their future with young stars like McGonigle. He was one of the league's WAR leaders after hitting .278-18-72 with a .376 OBP and playing great defense at shortstop and third base. With the trade of Tarik Skubal, there's no questioning the team's face of the franchise.

Schlittler showed his breakout 2025 season was the rule, in what was likely a Cy Young season in 2026. He went 14-6 with a league-best 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 193.2 innings.

The Guardians made the playoffs for the third consecutive season despite a subpar year from Jose Ramirez. They saw outstanding seasons from young starting pitchers Parker Messick and Gavin Williams, while young outfielders Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez emerged in the lineup.