MLB’s Most Shocking Breakouts of 2026 So Far

One thing you see each and every year across Major League Baseball is surprises in the first week of the season.

The Major League Baseball season is long. It's 162 games by the time it comes to an end in the fall. By the time the season typically ends, a lot of what you expect does end up happening. 162 games are a lot. There are going to be stretches where guys struggle and other times when guys look like the best players in baseball. With a sample size of 162 games, by the end, everything starts to average out.

You're going to see some guys do better than expected and others struggle. But, with that being said, given enough time, things all come together. For example, right now, Shohei Ohtani is slashing .167/.423/.167 with zero homers in six games. This is a .281 hitter we're talking about who hasn't hit fewer than 34 homers since 2020. Since the 2020 season, Ohtani has had four seasons with 40 or more homers, including a new career high with 55 in 2025. He had 54 homers in 2024 and 55 homers in 2025. So, he's going to be fine. The numbers will even out at some point.

In comparison, Joey Wiemer isn't going to slash .588/.682/1.059 forever. Those are his numbers through five games. He's a career .219 hitter. Something's going to give.

With all of that being said, let's take a look at a few of the biggest surprises of the 2026 MLB season after one week.

Joey Wiemer — Washington Nationals

Mar 29, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Joey Wiemer (21) catches a fly ball hit by Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

What Wiemer has been able to do this season has been eye-opening, to say the least. Again, this is a guy slashing .588/.682/1.059. He's leading baseball right now in batting average and on-base percentage. Insane.

Giancarlo Stanton — New York Yankees

Mar 30, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) exits the clubhouse during batting practice against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

There was a time when Stanton said he couldn't open a bag of chips due to his painful elbows. This was said in February. It's April and Stanton is second in the league with a .500 batting average. He only has one homer so far this season, but has gone 10-for-20 so far this season in five games.

Shea Langeliers — Athletics

Mar 28, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) celebrates hitting a grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images | Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Is Langeliers this year's Cal Raleigh? The Athletics catcher is leading baseball with five homers and eight RBIs. Insanity. He has played just six games and has five home runs. That's a pace of 135 homers in 162 games. So, he'll probably cool off at some point, right?

The Miami Marlins As A Whole

Apr 24, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a Miami Marlins hat and glove in the dugout before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Every single player on this team deserves some credit. Miami is 5-1 on the season. No one can say they saw this coming.

New York Yankees' Pitching

Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried (54) follows through on a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Yankees have the best rotation in baseball So much so that its 0.53 ERA through six games is the best mark in baseball since 1913.