Ranking MLB’s Most Productive Rookie Classes Since 1998

Among other things, the 2026 season will be remembered as the Year of the Rookie.

While rookie talent this year was spread across every position, with virtually every team having a notable representative, five clubs in particular benefited from strong first-year classes.

In fact, those five teams—led by the Mets, White Sox and Guardians—had incoming rookie classes that were among the 20 or so strongest of the 30-team era, according to FanGraphs WAR.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the teams with the most bountiful rookie classes since 1998. For those far enough in the rearview mirror, we can also review how those rookie groupings contributed to team success—or not.

Please note that the way FanGraphs tracks rookie status does not account for MLB service time, so some of the players included here were not technically rookies, though they had not exceeded 130 career at-bats or 50 career innings. In other cases, foreign professionals with long, successful careers in Japan are counted as rookies.

The number at the front of each player listing is fWAR. The number in parentheses is finish in Rookie of the Year voting. Not every single rookie-eligible player is displayed with each team, but an attempt was made to show those with the most playing time or fWAR contributions.

1. 2006 Marlins • 17.6 WAR

4.4: Hanley Ramírez, SS • (1)
4.2: Dan Uggla, 2B • (3)
2.6: Josh Johnson, RHP • (4)
2.5: Scott Olsen, LHP • (9)
1.9: Aníbal Sánchez, RHP • (9)
1.9: Josh Willingham, LF • (9)
1.2: Ricky Nolasco, RHP
0.4: Taylor Tankersley, LHRP
0.3: Mike Jacobs, 1B
0.1: Logan Kensing, RHRP
–0.5: Cody Ross, OF
–0.6: Jeremy Hermida, RF
–1.0: Reggie Abercrombie, CF

This is a staggering amount of rookie talent that the Marlins grafted onto a core that still included 2003 World Series heroes Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. The plan almost yielded a contender. The 2006 Marlins won 78 games despite having rookies take nearly 60% of plate appearances and pitch more than 50% of innings. Jeremy Hermida ranked as the team’s No. 1 prospect heading into the season but never broke through. Instead, Hanley Ramírez won NL Rookie of the Year, and five other Marlins finished inside the top 10 for ROY voting. 

How It Played Out: The Marlins won as many as 87 games in 2009 but never made the playoffs with this core. The front office traded Cabrera and Willis after the 2007 season, cutting the legs out from under this group.

Best Big Leaguers: Hanley Ramirez, 42 WAR; Aníbal Sánchez, 31 WAR; Ricky Nolasco, 26 WAR; Dan Uggla, 23 WAR; Josh Johnson, 22 WAR; and Josh Willingham, 19 WAR

2. 2012 Athletics • 16.5 WAR

4.0: Yoenis Céspedes, LF • (2)
3.7: Jarrod Parker, RHP • (5)
3.1: Tommy Milone, LHP
1.6: Sean Doolittle, LHRP
1.6: Ryan Cook, RHRP
1.5: Chris Carter, 1B
1.4: AJ Griffin, RHP
1.2: Josh Donaldson, 3B
1.1: Travis Blackley, LHP
0.6: Derek Norris, C
0.4: Evan Scribner, RHRP
–0.1: Jim Miller, RHRP
–0.4: Dan Straily, RHP

No other club in the 30-team era has come close to the 2012 Athletics’ total of 843 innings pitched by rookies. It also ranks in the top 10 all time. But overall the 2012 A’s pitching staff lacked staying power. Jarrod Parker was the system’s preseason No. 1 prospect and pitched well for two seasons before a series of elbow surgeries ended his career. The pitching survivors turned out to be Sean Doolittle who totaled 112 career saves, and Dan Straily, who made 140 career MLB starts and later found success in Korea. 

How It Played Out: These A’s were a hit. They won 90-plus games and the AL West in 2012 and 2013 and a wild card in 2014. Yoenis Céspedes, Josh Donaldson and Doolittle were key drivers, along with 2013 debut Sonny Gray.

Best Big Leaguers: Josh Donaldson, 46 WAR; and Yoenis Cespedes, 21 WAR

3. 2023 Reds • 13.0 WAR

3.2: Matt McLain, 2B • (5)
2.1: Andrew Abbott, LHP
2.0: Spencer Steer, 1B • (6)
2.0: Will Benson, RF
1.9: Elly De La Cruz, SS • (7) 
1.8: Brandon Williamson, LHP
1.6: Fernando Cruz, RHRP
0.9: Stuart Fairchild, LF 
0.7: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, DH

We don’t yet know how this one will play out, but it’s not off to a great start. Elly De La Cruz looks like a future MVP candidate. Andrew Abbott is coming off his worst season but has a career 3.76 ERA and one all-star nod. Matt McLain had the best rookie season of the group but has struggled to stay healthy and productive. 

How It Played Out: The 83-win Reds claimed a wild card in 2025 and were swept by the Dodgers in the Wild Card Series. Cincinnati fell back to last place in the NL Central in 2026.

Best Big Leaguers: Elly De La Cruz, 20 WAR; and Andrew Abbott, 8 WAR 

4. 2021 Rays • 12.7 WAR

3.9: Randy Arozarena, LF • (1)
2.5: Shane McClanahan, LHP • (7)
2.4: Wander Franco, SS • (3)
1.4: Drew Rasmussen, RHP
0.7: Luis Patiño, RHP
0.7: Ryan Thompson, RHRP
0.6: Josh Fleming, LHP
0.5: Louis Head, RHRP
0.4: Taylor Walls, SS
0.1: JP Feyereisen, RHRP

Two members of the 2021 Rays rookie class are a big part of their team five years later. Drew Rasmussen was the Rays’ No. 1 starter this year, while Taylor Walls was their glove-first shortstop. Tampa Bay traded postseason hero Randy Arozarena to the Mariners in 2024, acquiring Brody Hopkins, who made his MLB debut this year, and Aidan Smith, whom they traded to the Mets this year in the Freddy Peralta deal.

How It Played Out: Really well, despite Shane McClanahan making a total of 24 starts over the past three seasons and Wander Franco going on the restricted list in 2023 and being found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in 2025. The Rays won an AL-best 98 games this year and also made the playoffs in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Best Big Leaguers: Randy Arozarena, 21 WAR; Drew Rasmussen, 14 WAR; and Shane McClanahan, 10 WAR

5. 2016 Rockies • 12.2 WAR

3.6: Jon Gray, RHP • (6)
3.5: Trevor Story, SS • (4)
2.4: Tyler Anderson, LHP
1.8: Tony Wolters, C
1.4: David Dahl, LF
0.4: Carlos Estévez, RHRP
0.1: Justin Miller, RHRP
–0.3: Cristhian Adames, SS

The Rockies haven’t made a play for a frontline free agent starting pitcher since they signed Mike Hampton in 2001. That means they have to grow their own. Colorado’s track record when drafting college pitchers in the first round is positive overall, including 2016 rookies Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson. Kyle Freeland would join them in the big league rotation a year later. Trevor Story is one of the finest homegrown position players in franchise history.  

How It Played Out: The Rockies built to NL wild cards in 2017 and 2018, posting two of the four highest win totals in franchise history. The 2016 rookies, along with Kyle Freeland and Nolan Arenado, formed the core.

Best Big Leaguers: Trevor Story, 27 WAR; Jon Gray, 21 WAR; and Tyler Anderson, 14 WAR

6. 2022 Braves • 12.1 WAR

4.9: Spencer Strider, RHP • (2)
4.8: Michael Harris II, CF • (1)
1.1: Dylan Lee, LHRP
0.8: Bryce Elder, RHP

How It Played Out: All four of the Braves’ key 2022 rookies remained relevant to the club in 2026, though Spencer Strider lost most of the year to injuries. Michael Harris II had his best year at age 25, setting career highs with 26 homers, 36 doubles, 79 runs and 87 RBIs. Atlanta won the NL East in 2022, 2023 and 2026 and a wild card in 2024.

Best Big Leaguers: Michael Harris II, 17 WAR; and Spencer Strider, 11 WAR

7. 2018 Rays • 12.1 WAR

3.9: Joey Wendle, 2B • (4)
2.1: José Alvarado, LHRP
1.2: Willy Adames, SS
1.2: Ryne Stanek, RHRP
1.2: Yonny Chirinos, RHP
1.1: Ji-Man Choi, DH
1.1: Diego Castillo, RHRP
0.9: Adam Kolarek, LHRP
0.9: Ryan Yarbrough, LHP • (6)
0.5: Hunter Wood, RHRP
0.3: Johnny Field, OF
0.0: Jake Bauers, 1B
0.0: Jalen Beeks, LHRP
–0.4: Andrew Kittredge, RHRP

How It Played Out: Willy Adames has had a nice career, and Jake Bauers blossomed as a 30-year-old with the Brewers in 2026, contributing a 3 WAR season and winning the NLCS MVP trophy. Ryan Yarbrough and Yonny Chirinos threw the second- and fourth-most innings on the Rays’ staff as bulk pitchers working behind openers. Aside from Adames, this Rays rookie class is largely a case of strength in numbers, though José Alvarado, Ryne Stanek, Yarbrough, Jalen Beeks and Andrew Kittredge were active in 2026 as relievers. 

Best Big Leaguers: Willy Adames, 26 WAR

8. 2016 Dodgers • 11.9 WAR

5.2: Corey Seager, SS • (1)
2.9: Kenta Maeda, RHP • (3)
1.6: Julio Urias, LHP
1.0: Ross Stripling, RHP
0.7: Adam Liberatore, LHRP
0.6: Trayce Thompson, OF

How It Played Out: Corey Seager entered the 2016 season as the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball. Julio Urias was the top pitching prospect. Both players were essential in building the Dodgers’ dynasty, Seager through 2021 and Urias through 2023. Los Angeles finished first in the NL West in every season between 2016 and 2023, except for 2021 when it finished second and claimed a wild card. The Dodgers won the 2020 World Series, with Seager claiming MVP honors and Urias nailing down the 2.1-inning save in the clinching Game 6. Urias hasn’t pitched since 2023 after he served a second suspension for domestic violence.

Best Big Leaguers: Corey Seager, 44 WAR; Kenta Maeda, 15 WAR, and Julio Urias, 14 WAR

9. 2017 Yankees • 11.7 WAR

8.7: Aaron Judge, RF • (1)
2.6: Jordan Montgomery, LHP • (6)
2.4: Chad Green, RHRP
0.5: Jonathan Holder, RHRP

How It Played Out: Aaron Judge established a since-broken rookie record with 52 home runs in 2017 and has developed into one of the most productive hitters of all time, winning three MVP awards. Jordan Montgomery has had a productive career as a midrotation starter who helped pitch the 2023 Rangers to a title. The Yankees with Judge and Montgomery were competitive each season, winning between 91 and 103 games and reaching the playoffs each season they were teammates through 2021.

Best Big Leaguers: Aaron Judge, 63 WAR; and Jordan Montgomery, 15 WAR

10. 2025 Athletics • 11.7 WAR

4.3: Nick Kurtz, 1B • (1)
3.1: Jacob Wilson, SS • (2)
1.4: Jacob Lopez, LHP
1.0: JT Ginn, RHP
0.6: Luis Morales, RHP • (13)
0.5: Justin Sterner, RHRP
0.4: Jack Perkins, RHP
0.2: Elvis Alvarado, RHRP
–0.2: Darell Hernaiz, SS
–0.5: Max Muncy, 3B

How It Played Out: Nick Kurtz was the rare rookie to post a 1.000 OPS as he hit 36 homers and claimed the ROY award unanimously. He and Jacob Wilson are key parts of a dynamic, young Athletics lineup. The club allows far too many runs to be competitive, and it will need some of its 2025 rookie pitchers to step forward if that is to change.

Best Big Leaguers: Nick Kurtz, 7 WAR; and Jacob Wilson, 5 WAR

11. 2006 Dodgers • 11.5 WAR

3.1: Takashi Saito, RHRP • (7)
2.4: Russell Martin, C • (9)
2.2: Andre Ethier, LF • (5)
1.4: Jonathan Broxton, RHRP
1.4: Hong-Chih Kuo, LHRP
0.7: Chad Billingsley, RHP
–0.4: Matt Kemp, OF
–0.4: Tim Hamulack, LHRP

How It Played Out: The 2006 Dodgers won the NL wild card, while members of this group, especially Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton, were instrumental in the club’s NL West first-place finishes and NLCS appearances in 2008 and 2009. Also instrumental: 2008 rookie Clayton Kershaw, who was drafted in 2006.

Best Big Leaguers: Russell Martin, 55 WAR; Matt Kemp, 26 WAR; Andre Ethier, 24 WAR; and Chad Billingsley, 19 WAR

12. 2026 Mets • 11.4 WAR

4.3: Carson Benge, RF
3.5: Nolan McLean, RHP
2.1: Christian Scott, RHP
2.0: AJ Ewing, CF
0.9: Nate Lavender, LHRP
0.7: Zac Thornton, LHP
0.6: Jonah Tong, RHP
–0.2: Jonathan Pintaro, RHRP

How It Played Out: Nolan McLean, Zac Thornton and Jonah Tong combined to make 50 starts, and while Christian Scott wasn’t technically a rookie, he entered the season with fewer than 50 career innings and added 23 more starts to the team total. Rookie outfielders Carson Benge and AJ Ewing contributed more than 6 WAR, with Ewing debuting as a 21-year-old. The 2026 Mets lost 88 games and finished last in the NL East but played better late in the season as the rookies took on more prominence.

13. 2026 White Sox • 11.3 WAR

3.5: Tristan Peters, CF
2.9: Munetaka Murakami, 1B
2.3: Sam Antonacci, LF
2.0: Grant Taylor, RHRP
0.9: Braden Montgomery, RF
0.8: Hagen Smith, LHRP
0.4: David Sandlin, RHP
0.3: Noah Schultz, LHP
0.1: Tyler Schweitzer, LHRP
0.1: Drew Romo, C

How It Played Out: The 2026 White Sox made a historic turnaround. In 2024 the club lost a record 121 games; two years later they won 84 games and an AL wild card. They even won a playoff series before squandering a 2-0 lead in the ALDS versus the Guardians. Key to Chicago’s success was its rookie outfield of Tristan Peters, Sam Antonacci and Braden Montgomery as well as Japanese import Munetaka Murakami. Grant Taylor served a key role as relief ace, though he technically did not qualify as a rookie based on 2025 service time.

14. 2026 Guardians • 11.1 WAR

4.9: Parker Messick, LHP
3.5: Chase DeLauter, RF
2.8: Travis Bazzana, 2B
1.2: Erik Sabrowski, LHRP
0.7: Foster Griffin, LHP
0.1: Petey Halpin, CF

How It Played Out: The Guardians’ Parker Messick, Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana formed the most productive rookie trio of 2026. They were a big part of Cleveland’s accomplishments, including 85 wins, an AL Central title and a trip to the ALCS. Beyond the top three, Petey Halpin made key postseason plays, and Foster Griffin, who also accrued 1.9 WAR with the Nationals before the trade deadline, pitched key innings. Erik Sabrowski was an effective bullpen piece, though not technically a rookie based on service time.

15. 2015 Cubs • 10.7 WAR

6.1: Kris Bryant, 3B • (1)
2.6: Addison Russell, SS
1.8: Kyle Schwarber, LF
0.3: Jorge Soler, RF

How It Played Out: Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler and Addison Russell were key parts of the Cubs’ lineup that helped Chicago win its first World Series in 108 years in 2016. That club also had young hitters Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras. The Cubs played at least as far as the NLCS in 2015, 2016 and 2017, but never quite reached dynasty status before Bryant, Baez and Rizzo were traded in 2021. Schwarber was non-tendered after the 2020 season and Russell the year before following a domestic violence suspension. He continued his career in Korea and Mexico.

Best Big Leaguers: Kris Bryant, 29 WAR; and Kyle Schwarber, 24 WAR

16. 2014 Mets • 10.6 WAR

3.6: Jacob deGrom, RHP • (1)
3.1: Travis d’Arnaud, C • (7)
1.2: Wilmer Flores, SS
0.9: Jeurys Familia, RHRP • (7)

How It Played Out: The 2014 Mets won 79 games, but that club’s rookies helped pave the way for future success. Jacob deGrom would eventually win back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019, but he began building his ace bona fides in 2015, when he helped pitch the Mets to the World Series. They followed with a wild card in 2016, with a power-oriented pitching staff led by deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey and closer Jeurys Familia. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud was the system’s top position prospect heading into 2014 and made good as a regular for the Mets.

Best Big Leaguers: Jacob deGrom, 51 WAR; and Travis d’Arnaud, 20 WAR

17. 2024 Brewers • 10.3 WAR

3.9: Jackson Chourio, LF
3.2: Joey Ortiz, 3B
2.1: Tobias Myers, RHP
1.9: Garrett Mitchell, OF
0.9: Jared Koenig, LHRP
0.7: Bryan Hudson, LHRP
0.2: DL Hall, LHP

How It Played Out: The blossoming of Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell in 2026 helped propel the Brewers to the World Series. Joey Ortiz is a valuable utility infielder and DL Hall a dominant lefthanded reliever. Milwaukee has won the NL Central in each of the past three seasons, stepping up its win total from 93 to 97 to 103 along the way.

Best Big Leaguers: Jackson Chourio, 12 WAR

18. 2022 Orioles • 10.2 WAR

5.6: Adley Rutschman, C
1.4: Félix Bautista, RHRP
1.4: Bryan Baker, RHRP
0.8: Kyle Bradish, RHP
0.8: Gunnar Henderson, 3B
0.4: Mike Baumann, RHRP
–0.3: Joey Krehbiel, RHRP
–0.5: Tyler Nevin, 3B

How It Played Out: The 2022 Orioles appeared to be on an ascent. They won 83 games after five straight losing seasons. Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson had ranked as No. 1 overall prospects, and both hit the ground running in MLB. Baltimore had developed Kyle Bradish as a No. 1 starter and Félix Bautista as an all-star closer, both seemingly from out of nowhere. The Orioles reached the playoffs in 2023 and 2024 but failed to win a playoff game and have had two losing seasons since then. The inconsistency of the Orioles’ big four 2022 rookies is a big reason for the failure to meet standards, and Baltimore traded Rutschman at the 2026 trade deadline.

Best Big Leaguers: Gunnar Henderson, 22 WAR; and Adley Rutschman, 18 WAR

19. 2026 Blue Jays • 10.2 WAR

3.0: Kazuma Okamoto, 3B
2.1: Brandon Valenzuela, C
2.0: Spencer Miles, RHP
1.9: Brett Bateman, CF
1.3: Trey Yesavage, RHP
–0.1: Yohendrick Piñango, OF

How It Played Out: The Blue Jays followed up an AL pennant in 2025 with a highly productive rookie class, headlined by Japanese import Kazuma Okamoto, Rule 5 pick Spencer Miles and trade deadline acquisition Brett Bateman. Despite this, Toronto scrapped to 79 wins and missed the playoffs in a weak AL field. So what went wrong? Most of the Blue Jays’ key veterans—Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kevin Gausman, George Springer and Daulton Varsho—took big steps back, while Bo Bichette left in free agency—and also took a big step back.

20. 2007 Red Sox • 10.1 WAR

3.7: Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2.9: Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP
1.2: Jacoby Ellsbury, OF
1.1: Hideki Okajima, LHRP
0.4: Kason Gabbard, LHP

How It Played Out: Three years after the Red Sox broke an 86-year World Series drought, the 2007 team integrated high-profile rookies Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury, along with Japanese pitching imports Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima, into the mix. Both homegrown position players would star for the 2007 and 2013 World Series champions.

Best Big Leaguers: Dustin Pedroia, 45 WAR; and Jacoby Ellsbury, 30 WAR

21. 2026 Tigers • 10.0 WAR

5.4: Kevin McGonigle, SS
1.7: Eduardo Valencia, C
1.6: Troy Melton, RHP
1.4: Max Clark, CF
0.8: Drew Sommers, LHRP
0.8: Ben Malgeri, OF
0.7: Drew Anderson, RHP
0.5: Hao-Yu Lee, 2B
0.4: Ty Madden, RHRP
0.3: Emmanuel De Jesus, LHRP

How It Played Out: If the Tigers ultimately make a deep postseason run or two, then they will likely look back at the 2023 draft as the catalyst. With its top two picks that year, Detroit chose Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle, two up-the-middle prep talents who reached MLB in 2026. While the 2026 Tigers missed the playoffs after consecutive October appearances, their young position core, which also includes Dillon Dingler and Riley Greene, gives them a good head start. 

The post Ranking MLB’s Most Productive Rookie Classes Since 1998 appeared first on College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects - Baseball America.

Ranking MLB’s Most Productive Rookie Classes Since 1998

1. 2006 Marlins • 17.6 WAR