2026 MLB Breakouts and Sleepers

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Major League Baseball opening day is this week, and it’s not too late to invest in some potential breakout players for this upcoming season, as well as some sleeper players.

Last year, there were tons of players who flew under the radar and had breakout seasons, including Nick Kurtz, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Stowers, Jonathan Aranda, Cam Schlatter, Geraldo Perdomo, and more!

Let’s examine which players could break out during the 2026 MLB season and profile some current baseball cards to buy!

Potential Breakout Players

Trevor Rogers, Baltimore Orioles

Rogers pitched to a 1.80 ERA last year in 18 starts, and for some reason, his sports are still wicked cheap.

I can make the case that Rogers had a breakout year last year, but this year, he should pitch a full season and gain much more traction with his cards.

His first-year 2017 Bowman Chrome Auto is available ungraded for $25.

This is a nice buy-in-bulk candidate as Rogers is the projected ace of the Baltimore Orioles.

PSA 10 copies of the card, however, are a little more sought after, selling for around $125.

Another nice buy-in-bulk candidate is his 2012 Topps Chrome Autograph rookie, which is valued at just $5-10 ungraded; these should also easily double in value, in my opinion.

Jac Caglianone, Kansas City Royals

Caglianone was arguably one of the most hyped prospects last season and didn’t live up to the hype in his first season.

Caglianone played well for Team Italy during the WBC in 2026, and his cards have started to increase in value heading into the season.

His first-year Bowman Chrome Auto is valued at around $250-$275, and last year, near his call-up, they were valued at $500+.

Considering many young prospects and players are highly sought after, it may be worth investing in Caglianone before his cards increase in value.

His first year Bowman Chrome Auto could reach $350+ again this season. PSA 10s valued at $600+ seem much riskier, but could also pay off if Caglianone has a good 2026 season.

Emmet Sheehan, LA Dodgers

Sheehan projects as the Los Angeles Dodgers number four pitcher in their rotation to open the 2026 season.

His 2024 Topps Chrome Auto Rookie is featured and valued at around $30.

These could increase slightly and approach $50 in value. Many baseball experts have included Sheehan as a breakout candidate with great stuff in 2026.

Considering Sheehan does not feature a first-year Bowman Chrome Auto, this is not a bad investment in both the short and long term.

Daylen Lile, Washington Nationals

Lile was called up to the Washington Nationals in September of last season and showed great promise.

This season, during spring training, he beat out former huge prospect Dylan Crews for a starting spot on the Nats heading into the start of the ‘26 season.

Lile is only 23 years old and projected to be the Nats’ starting right fielder.

His first-year 2022 Bowman Chrome Auto is widely undervalued right now and sells for just $25 in a refractor /499. This one could easily double in value if Lile continues his success from last September during his brief stint.

Eury Perez, Miami Marlins

A few years ago, Perez showed ace potential with the Miami Marlins when he debuted at just 20 years old.

He worked his way back from Tommy John and started 20 games. This year, Perez should be much better than last season and is poised for a breakout season.

Perez is only still 22 years old and a young arm. His cards are tough to find, as his most popular rookie is featured from the 2023 Topps Chrome Update Autograph set.

One example is a Blue RayWave Refractor Auto, serial-numbered out of /150, valued at $98 ungraded according to Card Ladder.

Mick Abel, Minnesota Twins

Abel projects as the Twins’ number five starter heading into the start of the 2026 season.

Abel is just 24 years old and a nice prospect with good upside who performed well during this spring training.

His first-year Bowman Chrome Auto from 2021 can be bought ungraded for $20. This is another card that could easily double in value if Abel is successful this season.

Matt McLain, Cincinnati Reds

McLain has been one of the best hitters during this spring training. Sometimes it translates to the regular season, and other times it does not.

McLain’s first-year Bowman Chrome Auto from 2022 has nearly tripled in price since last December, when it was valued at $30 ungraded, and is now valued closer to $80+.

This one is a buy with caution. McLain could easily have a bounce-back season; however, at his current price, there is not much upside for further value increases, in my opinion.

Luke Keaschall, Minnesota Twins

Keaschall played well last year in his brief MLB stint, appearing in just 49 games. This season, Keaschall is poised for a breakout season and is projected as the Twins’ starting second baseman.

His first year Bowman Chrome Auto from 2023 is valued at $65 ungraded. Keaschall is still only 23 years old and arguably one of the best young, major-league-ready players in MLB. This one could reach $100+ in value, and Keashall seems undervalued compared to other young players.

Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds

Burns is one of the best young pitching prospects in the MLB. He received tons of hype during his call-up to the majors last year and underperformed. This year, however, Burns is projected for a breakout year and has lights-out stuff.

His first-year Bowman Chrome Auto from 2024 can be bought ungraded for around $80. This one could reach $125 if Burns reaches his potential this season.

Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs

Horton has a chance to become the ace of the Chicago Cubs this season and is still only 24 years old. His first-year Bowman Prospects Chrome Auto is from 2022 and is valued at around $75 ungraded.

This one, similar to Burns, should also reach $125+ in value this season. Horton also had a nice rookie season last year and seems undervalued compared to other young pitchers with ace potential.

Carter Jensen, KC Royals

Jensen made his MLB debut late last season and still has his rookie eligibility for this upcoming season. Jensen is one of the AL Rookie of the Year favorites in 2026 and featured on many breakout player potential lists.

His first-year Bowman Chrome Auto is from 2021, seems very tough to find, and is a short-printed autograph.

These are selling for $175, but they do seem a little undervalued compared to his teammate Jac Caglinanone, who is $250+ in a similar card. You could make the case that Jensen is the much tougher card to find and rarer.

Coby Mayo, Baltimore Orioles

Mayo has been one of the best hitters in spring training and was once a highly rated prospect. Mayo could easily break out with the O’s this year and is projected to be their starting third baseman.

His first-year 2021 Bowman Chrome Auto, graded a PSA 10, has nearly doubled in value since mid-February, going from $90 to as high as $180 by mid-March.

Since Mayo has been so successful this spring training, he would need a monster season for his cards to continue trending up in value, as they are already priced high due to his monster spring training performance.

An alternative investment would be his Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs, which have not yet increased in value compared to his Bowman Chrome Auto.

Undervalued Players to Buy

Ryan Pepiot

Pepiot is a solid number-two starter, and his cards seem way undervalued, especially in high-grade examples featuring his first-year Bowman Chrome Auto.

Matthew Liberatore

Ace of the Cardinals, first-year Bowman Chrome Auto, valued around $5-7 ungraded. Could easily double or triple in value.

Cade Cavalli

Ace of the Nationals, his first-year Bowman Chrome Auto, is valued around $20 in a Refractor/499 and an attractive buy.

Johan Oviedo

His 2021 Topps Rookie Auto /50 seems like a nice sleeper buy at $20.

Prospects Flying Under The Radar

Didier Fuentes

A pitching prospect trending up with the Braves and could reach the majors this year. Look for his first year Bowman Chrome Auto and serial-numbered auto parallels, too.

Carson Williams

His value seems too low compared to where it was a couple of years ago; he could get called up to the Rays at some point this season. Look for his first-year Bowman Chrome Auto, graded PSA 10.

Bishop Letson

A prospect ranked just outside the top 100 overall could easily jump in the prospect rankings this season. Target his 2025 Bowman Chrome parallel colors numbered. He does not feature a first-year Bowman Chrome Auto.