A few days ago, we saw several rookie players who have hit well so far in the 2026 season. Now, let’s shift our focus to the mound. Let’s look at which rookie pitchers have done a good job thus far.
Firstly, Nolan McLean made it into the big leagues last August. He made 8 starts for the Mets in 2025, posting a 2.06 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP with 57 strikeouts. He got 5 wins last season. So far in the 2026 season, McLean already made 8 starts for the Mets. He now owns a 2.78 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP over 45.1 innings. McLean has 57 strikeouts, leading the rookie pitchers. Opponents only hit .180 against him.
Also, Parker Messick made his MLB debut last August. He made 7 starts for the Guardians in 2025. He owned a 2.72 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP over 39.2 innings. He struck out 38 batters in 2025. In 2026, Messick already made 8 starts, posting a 2.30 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP over 47 innings. Messick now has 4 wins. Additionally, he has 51 strikeouts and opponents hit .208 against him.
In addition, let’s look at something interesting. Forster Griffin made his MLB debut in July 2020. Yes, it was in 2020. He made 1 relief appearance in 2020 and didn’t allow a run. In 2022, he threw 6.1 innings in the majors, posting an 8.53 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. From 2023 to 2025, he pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of the NPB, Japan. In December 2025, he signed a one-year deal with the Nationals. So far this season, Griffin already made 8 starts for the Nationals, posting a 2.12 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He now has 42 strikeouts and a .192 BAA.
Moreover, Connelly Early made his MLB debut last September. He made 4 starts for the Red Sox in 2025, posting a 2.33 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP over 19.1 innings. So far this year, Early made 8 starts, posting a 3.16 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 42.2 innings. He already threw 39 strikeouts and opponents’ batting average against him is .221.
Finally, Bubba Chandler made his MLB debut last August. In the 2026 season, he has 31 strikeouts. Andrew Painter made it into the big leagues in March and has 30 strikeouts so far. Also, Ryan Weiss made his MLB debut in March and he has 30 strikeouts thus far. Brandon Sproat made his MLB debut in the Mets uniform in September 2025. He was traded to the Brewers in January 2026 and this season, he has 30 strikeouts by far.
Looking at the rookie pitchers who have done a good job so far this season, Nolan McLean, Parker Messick and Connelly Early all made their MLB debuts last year. They did show that they can pitch in the majors last season and this season, it seems that they continue pitching consistently. Perhaps, one of them will win the rookie of the year award? Furthermore, Foster Griffin’s case might be interesting. He didn’t pitch well a few years ago. However, after pitching in Asia for several seasons, he and the Nationals agreed to a short-term deal. We can keep watching whether he can replicate his performance in the majors.
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