Five young NL breakout performers in MLB this season

James Wood has continued to rise as an electrifying power threat for the Washington Nationals at the age of 23. 

The 6-foot-7 slugger has gained this reputation by recording an elite exit velocity of 96.3 mph and a captivating hard-hit rate of 62%. As well, he's sported an 18.1% walk rate, which has also contributed to a high OBP of .387. 

His 12 home runs, 29 RBI and .912 OPS this season highlight his high-caliber production through clutch at-bats. 

Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals

Jordan Walker has gained early recognition as a potential NL MVP candidate with his early-season breakout performance. He's batting .290 with 11 home runs and a .924 OPS so far this season. 

His breakout success has derived from improved swing decisions and a more controlled swing that has enhanced his power. 

Walker has shown better plate discipline by swinging at more pitches in the zone and lowering his ground-ball rate from 57.9% in 2025 to 36.8% this season. 

His controlled swing has allowed him to lay off pitches outside the zone and unleash more high-volume power. 

Nolan McLean, New York Mets

At 24 years old, Nolan McLean has transformed from a top pitching prospect to a frontline starter for the New York Mets. He is ranked second among MLB rookies with 57 strikeouts this season. 

Following his impressive late-season performance last season (2.06 ERA in eight starts), he has carried that momentum into 2026. He's boasting with a 2.78 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 45.1 innings pitched this season. 

His dominant strikeout rate of 32.6% ranks in the 95th percentile, which comes from his elite arsenal. He's also shown his ability to take charge against teams like the Minnesota Twins (10-strikeout performance) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (eight-strikeout performance). 

Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin is coming off a 2025 NL Rookie of the Year campaign and has emerged as a breakout performer this season. He's also taken on a bigger role in the lineup with Sean Murphy injured. 

His rapid development from a top prospect into a young power-hitting catcher has been revolutionary for the 25-year-old. The young catcher has also exceeded expectations when faced with left-handed pitchers. 

His top-tier bat speed ranks in the 87th percentile at 75.1 mph with high-end exit velocities that have reached over 100 mph in some games. On the season, he's batting .295 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI. He's also demonstrated consistent production with multiple four-RBI games. 

Braxton Ashcraft, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have gained success in their rotation not only from Paul Skenes but also from 26-year-old Braxton Ashcraft. His elite performance could have fooled you into believing that he's a high-caliber starter. 

But notably so, he's actually performed better than veteran pitchers, establishing himself as a top arm in the Pirates' rotation. He's 2-2 with a 2.77 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 48.2 innings pitched. 

His breakout success this season has prevailed due to a dominant arsenal. It includes a fastball over 96 mph, a powerful slider and a refined curveball. As well, his xERA (measures a pitcher's performance based on quality of contact) ranks in the 90th percentile at 2.57.