Houston Astros \u2014 Carlos Correa<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/08\/USATSI_26864325-300x200.jpg\")
Aug 16, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa (1) hits a RBI single to right field against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nA return to Houston<\/a> could be exactly what Correa<\/a> needed. If he stays healthy, there\u2019s still All-Star production in his bat and glove. 2026 could be a reminder that he\u2019s still one of the premier shortstops in the game\u2014a true bounceback season that stabilizes the Astros lineup.<\/p>\nTexas Rangers \u2014 Wyatt Langford<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\nLangford<\/a> has superstar upside for the Rangers<\/a>, and this could be the year it fully shows. His power, athleticism, and approach give him the tools to become one of the most dangerous hitters in the division.<\/p>\nSeattle Mariners \u2014 Josh Naylor<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/USATSI_27372593_168400885_lowres-300x200.jpg\")
Oct 19, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) runs after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning during game six of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNaylor<\/a> brings intensity and power, but consistency is the question. If pitchers adjust and he struggles to maintain production over a full season, 2026 could be more frustrating than impactful. A dip here would hurt Seattle\u2019s offensive stability.<\/p>\nOakland Athletics \u2014 Zack Gelof<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\nGelof<\/a> has already flashed real potential. If he cuts down on swing-and-miss tendencies, he could turn into a legitimate breakout star and cornerstone for the A’s<\/a> future.<\/p>\nLos Angeles Angels \u2014 Logan O’Hoppe<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\nO\u2019Hoppe<\/a> has the makeup of a top-tier catcher. If his bat continues to develop, he could emerge as one of the brightest young stars in the AL and a key piece for the Angels<\/a> moving forward.<\/p>\nNL West Surprise Players<\/h2>\nLos Angeles Dodgers \u2014 Andy Pages<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\nPages<\/a> has big power, but his approach remains a concern. If strikeouts pile up and consistency never settles in, he could struggle to hold a key role in a loaded Dodgers<\/a>‘ lineup. The tools are loud\u2014but the floor is lower than many expect.<\/p>\n\u00a0San Diego Padres \u2014 Jackson Merrill<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\nMerrill<\/a> might be one of the most exciting breakout candidates in all of baseball. His natural hitting ability, advanced feel for contact, and composure at a young age stand out immediately for San Diego<\/a>. What makes him special is his ability to adjust\u2014pitch to pitch, at-bat to at-bat.<\/p>\nIf the power continues to develop, Merrill could evolve from a high-contact hitter into a complete offensive force. Add in defensive versatility and strong baseball instincts, and you\u2019re looking at a player who could leap into All-Star territory in 2026. This isn\u2019t just a breakout candidate\u2014this is a potential star arrival.<\/p>\n
San Francisco Giants \u2014 Luis Arraez<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\nArraez<\/a> is one of the best pure hitters in baseball\u2014but his profile leaves little margin for error. If his batting average dips even slightly and the on-base numbers follow, his overall impact drops quickly. In a new environment with the Giants<\/a>, that risk becomes even more real.<\/p>\nArizona Diamondbacks \u2014 Corbin Burnes<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\n![\"Corbin](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/12\/USATSI_26349944_168400530_lowres-300x216.jpg\")
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Burnes (39) pitches against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field in Phoenix on June 1, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf Burnes<\/a> returns healthy, he instantly changes everything for Arizona<\/a>. A fully locked-in Burnes is a Cy Young-caliber arm capable of dominating any lineup. His return from the IL could be one of the most impactful midseason boosts in baseball\u2014and a major reason the Diamondbacks contend.<\/p>\nColorado Rockies \u2014 Nolan Jones<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\nJones<\/a> has shown flashes, but consistency\u2014especially away from Coors Field\u2014remains a concern. If his approach doesn\u2019t hold up, 2026 could bring regression rather than progression for the Rockies<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhy These Picks Matter<\/h2>\n
The West divisions are defined by high ceilings and real volatility. A bounce-back from Carlos Correa<\/span><\/span> or a breakout from Jackson Merrill<\/span><\/span> could reshape the playoff picture. Meanwhile, regression from players like Josh Naylor<\/span><\/span> or Luis\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Arraez could\u00a0open the door for unexpected contenders.<\/p>\nIn 2026, the West won\u2019t just be about stars\u2014it\u2019ll be about who surprises us most.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The AL West and NL West enter 2026 with a mix of powerhouse contenders, rising stars, and volatile rosters. And just like every season, the difference between October baseball and disappointment will come down to unexpected performances. Here\u2019s one player from each AL West and NL West team who could shock the league in 2026, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5710,"featured_media":98645,"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":"733","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,29,15,32,2,14,16,33,1071,30,31,17,18],"tags":[4530,326,28814,106,246,92,93,91,158,259],"class_list":["post-116356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-diamondbacks","category-athletics","category-rockies","category-featured","category-astros","category-angels","category-dodgers","category-mlb","category-padres","category-giants","category-mariners","category-rangers","tag-anaheim-angels","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-athletics","tag-colorado-rockies","tag-houston-astros","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-san-diego-padres","tag-san-francisco-giants","tag-seattle-mariners","tag-texas-rangers"],"modified_by":"Eddie Lennon, Staff Writer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116356","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=116356"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116400,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116356\/revisions\/116400"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
A return to Houston<\/a> could be exactly what Correa<\/a> needed. If he stays healthy, there\u2019s still All-Star production in his bat and glove. 2026 could be a reminder that he\u2019s still one of the premier shortstops in the game\u2014a true bounceback season that stabilizes the Astros lineup.<\/p>\n Langford<\/a> has superstar upside for the Rangers<\/a>, and this could be the year it fully shows. His power, athleticism, and approach give him the tools to become one of the most dangerous hitters in the division.<\/p>\n Naylor<\/a> brings intensity and power, but consistency is the question. If pitchers adjust and he struggles to maintain production over a full season, 2026 could be more frustrating than impactful. A dip here would hurt Seattle\u2019s offensive stability.<\/p>\n Gelof<\/a> has already flashed real potential. If he cuts down on swing-and-miss tendencies, he could turn into a legitimate breakout star and cornerstone for the A’s<\/a> future.<\/p>\n O\u2019Hoppe<\/a> has the makeup of a top-tier catcher. If his bat continues to develop, he could emerge as one of the brightest young stars in the AL and a key piece for the Angels<\/a> moving forward.<\/p>\n Pages<\/a> has big power, but his approach remains a concern. If strikeouts pile up and consistency never settles in, he could struggle to hold a key role in a loaded Dodgers<\/a>‘ lineup. The tools are loud\u2014but the floor is lower than many expect.<\/p>\n Merrill<\/a> might be one of the most exciting breakout candidates in all of baseball. His natural hitting ability, advanced feel for contact, and composure at a young age stand out immediately for San Diego<\/a>. What makes him special is his ability to adjust\u2014pitch to pitch, at-bat to at-bat.<\/p>\n If the power continues to develop, Merrill could evolve from a high-contact hitter into a complete offensive force. Add in defensive versatility and strong baseball instincts, and you\u2019re looking at a player who could leap into All-Star territory in 2026. This isn\u2019t just a breakout candidate\u2014this is a potential star arrival.<\/p>\n Arraez<\/a> is one of the best pure hitters in baseball\u2014but his profile leaves little margin for error. If his batting average dips even slightly and the on-base numbers follow, his overall impact drops quickly. In a new environment with the Giants<\/a>, that risk becomes even more real.<\/p>\n If Burnes<\/a> returns healthy, he instantly changes everything for Arizona<\/a>. A fully locked-in Burnes is a Cy Young-caliber arm capable of dominating any lineup. His return from the IL could be one of the most impactful midseason boosts in baseball\u2014and a major reason the Diamondbacks contend.<\/p>\n Jones<\/a> has shown flashes, but consistency\u2014especially away from Coors Field\u2014remains a concern. If his approach doesn\u2019t hold up, 2026 could bring regression rather than progression for the Rockies<\/a>.<\/p>\n The West divisions are defined by high ceilings and real volatility. A bounce-back from Carlos Correa<\/span><\/span> or a breakout from Jackson Merrill<\/span><\/span> could reshape the playoff picture. Meanwhile, regression from players like Josh Naylor<\/span><\/span> or Luis\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Arraez could\u00a0open the door for unexpected contenders.<\/p>\n In 2026, the West won\u2019t just be about stars\u2014it\u2019ll be about who surprises us most.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The AL West and NL West enter 2026 with a mix of powerhouse contenders, rising stars, and volatile rosters. And just like every season, the difference between October baseball and disappointment will come down to unexpected performances. Here\u2019s one player from each AL West and NL West team who could shock the league in 2026, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5710,"featured_media":98645,"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":"733","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,29,15,32,2,14,16,33,1071,30,31,17,18],"tags":[4530,326,28814,106,246,92,93,91,158,259],"class_list":["post-116356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-diamondbacks","category-athletics","category-rockies","category-featured","category-astros","category-angels","category-dodgers","category-mlb","category-padres","category-giants","category-mariners","category-rangers","tag-anaheim-angels","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-athletics","tag-colorado-rockies","tag-houston-astros","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-san-diego-padres","tag-san-francisco-giants","tag-seattle-mariners","tag-texas-rangers"],"modified_by":"Eddie Lennon, Staff Writer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116356","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=116356"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116400,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116356\/revisions\/116400"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Texas Rangers \u2014 Wyatt Langford<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\n
Seattle Mariners \u2014 Josh Naylor<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\n
Oakland Athletics \u2014 Zack Gelof<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\n
Los Angeles Angels \u2014 Logan O’Hoppe<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\n
NL West Surprise Players<\/h2>\n
Los Angeles Dodgers \u2014 Andy Pages<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\n
\u00a0San Diego Padres \u2014 Jackson Merrill<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\n
San Francisco Giants \u2014 Luis Arraez<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\n
Arizona Diamondbacks \u2014 Corbin Burnes<\/span><\/span> (Positive)<\/h3>\n
Colorado Rockies \u2014 Nolan Jones<\/span><\/span> (Negative)<\/h3>\n
Why These Picks Matter<\/h2>\n