2026 Rookies Worth Watching

Several prominent rookies have already broken in with a splash.  Among them, Cardinals 2nd baseman JJ Wetherholt, who homered in his first at-bat Thursday against the Rays.  I caught this shot in a March 13th exhibition against the Astros.

(Below:) The Marlins' Owen Caissie -- the key return in the Edward Cabrera trade with the Cubs -- grabbed the headlines Sunday.  His a walk-off home run against the Rockies not only produced a 4-3 win over the Rockies, but capped Miami's first 3-0 start since 2009.  This big swing came on St. Patrick's Day, as the Marlins hosted the Mets in Jupiter.


The Mets Carson Benge, after advancing through three minor league levels a year ago,  won the club's staring job in right fielder then homered in his first MLB game Thursday against the Pirates.

(Below:) Justin Crawford has done just what the Phillies hoped for -- he's had a hit in each of his first three big league games.  Add on a Sunday walk and he's hitting .333 in the early going with a .400 on-base percentage.

(My image of Benge was from a Lehigh Valley/Syracuse game last September.  I snapped Crawford at the plate also facing the AAA Mets, in July 2025.)

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