The 2025 Major League Baseball season is in the rearview mirror, leaving behind a trail of incredible breakout performances, and a significant list of high-profile disappointments. In baseball, a “down” year for a superstar is often just a temporary pause, or, more commonly, a result of injuries and bad luck that sets the stage for a dramatic rebound. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, several talented veterans and former elite producers are primed for a massive return to form. Based on underlying metrics, injury recovery, and, in some cases, a fresh start, here are nine MLB players poised to dominate in 2026.
Nine MLB Players Poised for a Massive Bounce-Back
9. Josh Jung
Josh Jung, previously a cornerstone of the Texas Rangers‘ organization, suffered through a 2025 season where his offensive numbers were miserable compared to his 2023 breakout season despite him being relatively healthy. A demotion to Triple-A during the season was a wake-up call. Under new management that has challenged him to earn his spot, the talented third baseman is expected to bounce back as a key offensive contributor in Texas in 2026.
8. Oneil Cruz
Oneil Cruz had a disappointing 2025 season relative to expectations, as his OPS dropped nearly 100 points, even while playing in over 130 games. Despite the struggles, he still produces some of the highest exit velocities in the game. The Pittsburgh Pirates are in desperate need of offense, and reports indicate that Cruz has been working hard in the off-season to make adjustments to his approach, setting him up for a potential elite rebound.
7. Royce Lewis
The last year and a half have been a carousel of injuries for one of the most talented young players in the game. Royce Lewis has struggled to stay on the field, which has impacted his confidence and his swing. However, he remained healthy in the second half of the 2025 and looked athletic defensively. With a new coaching staff in Minnesota, 2026 could be the year the former top prospect finally puts it all together for a full, healthy season.
6. Luis Robert Jr.
Luis Robert Jr. has always been an elite defender, but his offensive production hasn’t consistently matched his talent since 2023. Injuries hampered his 2025, but late-season adjustments showed promise, including a 123 OPS+ over his final 31 games. Now on a highly competitive New York Mets roster that requires him to be a star, a healthy and motivated Robert is ready for a breakout in 2026.
5. Devin Williams
Devin Williams had a miserable 2025 season with the New York Yankees, where he blew four saves and posted a 4.79 ERA. Under the hood, however, Williams was perhaps the unluckiest pitcher in baseball. His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) was over two full runs lower than his actual ERA, and he finished the year with 13 straight scoreless appearances. That kind of late-season dominance, combined with his elite history, suggests he is set to return as one of the best relievers in the league, now for the Mets.
4. Mookie Betts
It is strange to call a year in which a player was 12th in the National League in bWAR a “down” year, but by Mookie Betts‘ standards, 2025 was a struggle. Health issues and the immense pressure of playing shortstop at 32 weighed on his performance, marking one of the worst offensive seasons of his illustrious career. With a full offseason to heal and potentially moving back to a less physically demanding outfield position, Betts is perhaps one of the strongest candidates for a massive rebound in 2026.
3. Adley Rutschman
After two consecutive seasons of high-level performance, Adley Rutschman saw a significant dip in his production in 2025, largely due to two separate oblique strains that limited him to 90 games. However, at just 27 years old, Rutschman remains in his prime and has shown elite plate discipline even during his struggles. The Baltimore Orioles‘ addition of power-hitting veterans like Pete Alonso likely reduces the pressure on Rutschman to carry the offense, allowing him to return to All-Star form and potentially help the Orioles bounce-back as well.
2. Yordan Alvarez
When healthy, Yordan Alvarez is arguably one of the top three hitters in baseball. His 2025 season was a nightmare of bad luck, as he was limited to only 48 games due to a hand injury and a freak ankle injury. The Houston Astros need a massive 2026 from their slugger, and manager Joe Espada has indicated they plan to use him strictly as a DH to keep him on the field. Given that he is expected to be fully healthy, he should return to his 30+ home run, .900+ OPS form.
1. Spencer Strider
After leading the league in strikeouts and establishing himself as an elite ace, Spencer Strider‘s 2024 Tommy John surgery led to a rough 2025 return. Underlying metrics suggested his velocity and swing-and-miss ability were not quite at pre-injury levels, resulting in a disappointing year for the Atlanta Braves’ ace. However, with a full, healthy offseason to ramp up and regain the lost velocity on his fastball, 2026 is primed to be the year Strider returns to top-tier Cy Young contention.
Main Image: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
