{"id":114345,"date":"2026-02-19T14:47:41","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=114345"},"modified":"2026-02-19T14:49:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:49:37","slug":"more-bold-predictions-for-the-2026-mlb-season-that-could-reshape-baseball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/19\/more-bold-predictions-for-the-2026-mlb-season-that-could-reshape-baseball\/","title":{"rendered":"More Bold Predictions for the 2026 MLB Season That Could Reshape Baseball"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"490\">The 2026 MLB season feels like a tipping point.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"492\" data-end=\"672\">The league\u2019s young superstars are entering their prime. Speed is back. Power is evolving. And frontline pitching might finally reclaim the spotlight in an era dominated by offense.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"674\" data-end=\"763\">If even two of these predictions hit, 2026 won\u2019t just be memorable \u2014 it will be historic.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"770\" data-end=\"841\">Paul Skenes Throws a No-Hitter \u2014 and Finishes Top 3 in NL MVP Voting<\/h2>\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden transition-[max-height,opacity] duration-300 ease-out mt-1 mb-5 [&amp;:not(:first-child)]:mt-4\" aria-hidden=\"false\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"no-scrollbar flex min-h-36 flex-nowrap gap-0.5 overflow-auto sm:gap-1 sm:overflow-hidden xl:min-h-44\">\n<div class=\"border-token-border-default relative w-32 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-xl border-[0.5px] md:shrink max-h-64 sm:w-[calc((100%-0.5rem)\/3)] rounded-s-xl\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5f3e967\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7483x4989%2B0%2B0\/resize\/880x587%21\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F93%2F43%2F95fccbe84632a32f667f66b8cc90%2Fap24170002529638.jpg\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer\" class=\"bg-token-main-surface-tertiary m-0 h-full w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5f3e967\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/7483x4989%2B0%2B0\/resize\/880x587%21\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F93%2F43%2F95fccbe84632a32f667f66b8cc90%2Fap24170002529638.jpg\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"border-token-border-default relative w-32 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-xl border-[0.5px] md:shrink max-h-64 sm:w-[calc((100%-0.5rem)\/3)] rounded-e-xl\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"pointer-events-none absolute inset-x-0 bottom-0 z-10 h-12 bg-gradient-to-b from-transparent via-token-bg-primary\/80 to-token-bg-primary transition-opacity duration-300 ease-out opacity-0 delay-200\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"885\" data-end=\"962\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/skenepa01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Paul Skenes<\/span><\/span><\/a> isn\u2019t just overpowering. He\u2019s evolving.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1175\">By 2026, the command will catch up fully with the velocity. The wipeout breaking ball becomes unhittable when paired with triple-digit heat. And over a full season of 190+ innings, the dominance becomes undeniable.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1177\" data-end=\"1196\"><strong data-start=\"1177\" data-end=\"1196\">Projected line:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1197\" data-end=\"1266\">\n<li data-start=\"1197\" data-end=\"1205\">\n<p data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1205\">17\u20135<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1218\">\n<p data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1218\">2.07 ERA<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1219\" data-end=\"1237\">\n<p data-start=\"1221\" data-end=\"1237\">243 strikeouts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1253\">\n<p data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1253\">1 no-hitter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1254\" data-end=\"1266\">\n<p data-start=\"1256\" data-end=\"1266\">7.5+ WAR<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1268\" data-end=\"1473\">Pitchers rarely crack MVP ballots in today\u2019s game. But if Skenes carries <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/teams\/PIT\/2024.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pittsburgh<\/a> into Wild Card contention while delivering one of the most dominant seasons in baseball, voters will have to take notice.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1475\" data-end=\"1537\">A no-hitter cements the moment. MVP votes confirm the arrival.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1603\">Elly De La Cruz Becomes Baseball\u2019s First 40-40-40 Player<\/h2>\n<div class=\"relative overflow-hidden transition-[max-height,opacity] duration-300 ease-out mt-1 mb-5 [&amp;:not(:first-child)]:mt-4\" aria-hidden=\"false\">\n<div class=\"no-scrollbar flex min-h-36 flex-nowrap gap-0.5 overflow-auto sm:gap-1 sm:overflow-hidden xl:min-h-44\">\n<div class=\"border-token-border-default relative w-32 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-xl border-[0.5px] md:shrink max-h-64 sm:w-[calc((100%-0.5rem)\/3)] rounded-s-xl\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"border-token-border-default relative w-32 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-xl border-[0.5px] md:shrink max-h-64 sm:w-[calc((100%-0.5rem)\/3)]\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"https:\/\/img.mlbstatic.com\/mlb-images\/image\/upload\/ar_16%3A9%2Cg_auto%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cw_1024%2Cc_fill%2Cf_jpg\/mlb\/igvcysh8uc7ooo6dpiip\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer\" class=\"bg-token-main-surface-tertiary m-0 h-full w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/img.mlbstatic.com\/mlb-images\/image\/upload\/ar_16%3A9%2Cg_auto%2Cq_auto%3Agood%2Cw_1024%2Cc_fill%2Cf_jpg\/mlb\/igvcysh8uc7ooo6dpiip\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"border-token-border-default relative w-32 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-xl border-[0.5px] md:shrink max-h-64 sm:w-[calc((100%-0.5rem)\/3)] rounded-e-xl\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/delacel01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Elly De La Cruz<\/span><\/span><\/a> is already one of the most electrifying players in baseball. But 2026 is the year the raw tools fully mature.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-start=\"1796\" data-end=\"1930\">We\u2019ve seen 40 home runs.<br data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"1823\" \/>We\u2019ve seen 40 stolen bases.<br data-start=\"1850\" data-end=\"1853\" \/>We\u2019ve never seen 40 homers, 40 steals, and 40 doubles in the same season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1932\" data-end=\"1951\"><strong data-start=\"1932\" data-end=\"1951\">Projected line:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"2003\">\n<li data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"1961\">\n<p data-start=\"1954\" data-end=\"1961\">41 HR<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1962\" data-end=\"1971\">\n<p data-start=\"1964\" data-end=\"1971\">45 SB<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"1986\">\n<p data-start=\"1974\" data-end=\"1986\">42 doubles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2003\">\n<p data-start=\"1989\" data-end=\"2003\">.285 average<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2169\">If the strikeout rate dips just slightly and plate discipline continues to trend upward, this becomes one of the most unique statistical seasons in MLB history.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2205\">Power. Speed. Impact. Every night.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2212\" data-end=\"2263\">Gunnar Henderson Finishes Top 3 in AL MVP Voting<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2389\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hendegu01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Gunnar Henderson<\/span><\/span><\/a> has already shown flashes of superstardom. In 2026, the breakout becomes a takeover.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2391\" data-end=\"2540\">His swing path is built for high velocity. His power to the pull side plays perfectly in today\u2019s game. And his plate discipline continues to sharpen.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2542\" data-end=\"2561\"><strong data-start=\"2542\" data-end=\"2561\">Projected line:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2562\" data-end=\"2610\">\n<li data-start=\"2562\" data-end=\"2574\">\n<p data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2574\">.302 AVG<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2575\" data-end=\"2584\">\n<p data-start=\"2577\" data-end=\"2584\">48 HR<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2585\" data-end=\"2596\">\n<p data-start=\"2587\" data-end=\"2596\">125 RBI<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2597\" data-end=\"2610\">\n<p data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2610\">1.010 OPS<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2612\" data-end=\"2763\">If Baltimore remains competitive deep into September, Henderson\u2019s value \u2014 both offensively and defensively \u2014 puts him squarely in the MVP conversation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2765\" data-end=\"2834\">He may not win it. But he\u2019ll be right there when ballots are counted.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2841\" data-end=\"2882\">Corbin Carroll Delivers a 30-70 Season<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2886\" data-end=\"2991\">Speed is back in baseball \u2014 and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carroco02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Corbin Carroll<\/span><\/span><\/a> might be its most dangerous weapon.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2993\" data-end=\"3123\">With larger bases and aggressive baserunning philosophies now embedded league-wide, 70 steals is no longer fantasy. It\u2019s feasible.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3125\" data-end=\"3144\"><strong data-start=\"3125\" data-end=\"3144\">Projected line:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3145\" data-end=\"3202\">\n<li data-start=\"3145\" data-end=\"3154\">\n<p data-start=\"3147\" data-end=\"3154\">32 HR<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3155\" data-end=\"3174\">\n<p data-start=\"3157\" data-end=\"3174\">71 stolen bases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3175\" data-end=\"3191\">\n<p data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3191\">.295 average<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3192\" data-end=\"3202\">\n<p data-start=\"3194\" data-end=\"3202\">7+ WAR<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3204\" data-end=\"3377\">What makes this prediction bold isn\u2019t just the steals \u2014 it\u2019s the combination. A true power-speed hybrid season at this level shifts how teams evaluate offensive value again.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3379\" data-end=\"3435\">Carroll doesn\u2019t just create runs. He manufactures chaos.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3442\" data-end=\"3509\">Shea Langeliers Emerges as the Most Powerful Catcher in Baseball<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_56501\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-56501\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/08\/Shea-Langeliers-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Shea Langeliers\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-56501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/08\/Shea-Langeliers-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/08\/Shea-Langeliers.jpg 594w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-56501\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">ARLINGTON, TEXAS &#8211; AUGUST 17: Shea Langeliers #23 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the top of the eighth inning at Globe Life Field on August 17, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-start=\"3513\" data-end=\"3532\">Here\u2019s the sleeper.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3534\" data-end=\"3678\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/langesh01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Shea Langeliers<\/span><\/span><\/a> already possesses elite raw power for a catcher \u2014 one of the most demanding defensive positions in sports.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3680\" data-end=\"3754\">In 2026, the approach stabilizes. The contact improves. The power remains.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3756\" data-end=\"3775\"><strong data-start=\"3756\" data-end=\"3775\">Projected line:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3776\" data-end=\"3847\">\n<li data-start=\"3776\" data-end=\"3785\">\n<p data-start=\"3778\" data-end=\"3785\">39 HR<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3786\" data-end=\"3797\">\n<p data-start=\"3788\" data-end=\"3797\">105 RBI<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3798\" data-end=\"3810\">\n<p data-start=\"3800\" data-end=\"3810\">.268 AVG<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3811\" data-end=\"3823\">\n<p data-start=\"3813\" data-end=\"3823\">.875 OPS<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3824\" data-end=\"3847\">\n<p data-start=\"3826\" data-end=\"3847\">Gold Glove finalist<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3849\" data-end=\"4120\">Last year, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/raleica01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cal Raleigh<\/a> set records. Catchers who approach 40 home runs while managing a pitching staff become franchise centerpieces. If his on-base percentage climbs and he maintains defensive consistency, Langeliers becomes one of the most valuable players in the American League \u2014 regardless of position.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4122\" data-end=\"4194\">A near-40-homer season from behind the plate changes narratives quickly.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"4201\" data-end=\"4238\">Why 2026 Could Be Transformational<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"4240\" data-end=\"4430\">\n<li data-start=\"4240\" data-end=\"4289\">\n<p data-start=\"4242\" data-end=\"4289\">A starting pitcher pushes into MVP territory.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4290\" data-end=\"4350\">\n<p data-start=\"4292\" data-end=\"4350\">A superstar chases a statistical feat never seen before.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4351\" data-end=\"4388\">\n<p data-start=\"4353\" data-end=\"4388\">Speed returns to historic levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4389\" data-end=\"4430\">\n<p data-start=\"4391\" data-end=\"4430\">A catcher redefines positional power.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4432\" data-end=\"4527\">The sport is entering a new phase. Young stars are no longer \u201cthe future.\u201d They\u2019re the present.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4529\" data-end=\"4673\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">If even two of these bold predictions become reality, the 2026 MLB season will be remembered as the year baseball\u2019s next era officially arrived.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 MLB season feels like a tipping point. The league\u2019s young superstars are entering their prime. Speed is back. Power is evolving. And frontline pitching might finally reclaim the spotlight in an era dominated by offense. If even two of these predictions hit, 2026 won\u2019t just be memorable \u2014 it will be historic. Paul [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5710,"featured_media":76135,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"620","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,29,15,3,28,2,1071,26],"tags":[326,258,124,2670,5899,2688,69,652,6371,6372,2669],"class_list":["post-114345","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-diamondbacks","category-athletics","category-orioles","category-reds","category-featured","category-mlb","category-pirates","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-baltimore-orioles","tag-cincinnati-reds","tag-corbin-carroll","tag-elly-de-la-cruz","tag-gunnar-henderson","tag-mlb","tag-oakland-as","tag-paul-skenes","tag-pittsburg-pirates","tag-shea-langeliers"],"modified_by":"Eddie Lennon, Staff Writer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5710"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114345"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114345\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114346,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114345\/revisions\/114346"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}