Six Early 2026 MLB Rookies to Chase

Chase DeLauter (RF, Cleveland Guardians)

Through the first 29 games of his big-league career, who could ask for a better start than DeLauter? The power numbers pop: 5 HR, 1 3B, 6 2B, and 18 RBI. The .257 batting average perhaps overshadows his patience at the plate with 14 walks against 13 strikeouts.

A slight addition to the early success, DeLauter has not committed an error while recording 21 putouts with one assist.

Chase DeLauter RCs (2):

As will be the case for most players on this list, just wait until the update series hits the shelves – there will be a whole other round of rookie cards to chase.

• 2026 Bowman #37 Chase DeLauter RC – pictured
• 2026 Bowman Chrome Bowman Mega Box #37 Chase DeLauter RC

Munetaka Murakami (3B, Chicago White Sox):

At 26 years old, Murakami is not your average everyday rookie. “Murakami-sama” tore up Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB – 2018-2025), earning four NPB All-Star selections, two Central League MVPs (2021, 2022), and the Triple Crown in 2022.

Lacing up the cleats for the White Sox at first base, Murakami has continued his “sultan of swat” ways, smacking 12 long balls in 31 games.

Wanting early versions of Murakami cards? The 2019 BBM Japan release distributed eight different Murakami cards; five of which are short prints.

In the states, Bowman has a leg up on the competition. Going back to 2022 Bowman and Bowman Chrome NPB releases, there are 111 cards collectors can chase.

Munetaka Murakami RCs (2):

• 2026 Bowman #9 Munetaka Murakami RC
• 2026 Bowman Chrome Bowman Mega Box #9 Munetaka Murakami RC

Pictured: 2022 Bowman Chrome NPB Refractors #2 Munetaka Murakami

*Buy Bowman Munetaka Murakami cards on eBay

Kevin McGonigle (SS, Detroit Tigers):

Already in a neck-in-neck race in the Central, tied with Cleveland (16-16) for the divisional lead, Detroit will need all the firepower they can get in 2026 – enter McGonigle. The 21-year-old was fast-tracked to the show after being the 37th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Alternating between short and third, the rookie fits in perfectly at the plate, carrying a .328 average through 30 games. Even more impressive, he has 11 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 dingers, while scoring 22 runs and driving in 13.

A McGonigle rookie card has yet to be released, but that does not mean there is a shortage of cards on the market. By the OPG count, there are 2,202 related items with McGonigle’s name on it already, dating back to 2022. Leaf Vivid accounts for 519 of those items, followed by Bowman Chrome (228) and Leaf Metal (172).

One of the more desirable early releases collectors can chase is 2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Orange Refractors #CPAKM McGonigle.

Cards with McGonigle’s signature are commanding hundreds, sometimes, thousands of dollars already.

Pictured: 2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPAKM Kevin McGonigle

*Buy Bowman Kevin McGonigle cards on eBay

Parker Messick (LHP, Cleveland Guardians):

Messick got a leg up on some of his rookie competition in 2025, starting seven games. The call-up for the Guardians’ 2022 second-round draft pick last season produced a 3-1 record with a 2.72 ERA in 39.2 innings pitched.

Showing no signs of taking his foot off the proverbial gas pedal, Messick has picked up where he left off, posting a 3-0 record while lowering his ERA to 1.73 through six starts.

During his seven-game 2025 stint, Messick struck out 38 while only walking six. That control continues this year, with 38 directed back to the dugout while only allowing 10 passes in 36.1 innings pitched.

A rarity among this group, Messick has a 2026 Topps flagship release.

• 2026 Topps #67 Parker Messick RC (pictured)
• 2026 Topps Chrome Black #52 Parker Messick RC
• 2026 Topps Heritage #242 Parker Messick SP RC

Sal Stewart (3B, Cincinnati Reds):

Stewart, a first-round pick (No. 32) in the 2022 June Amateur Draft, has been a beast at the plate for the Reds. Cincinnati called up the then 21-year-old infielder for 18 games last season, with the experience carrying over into his rookie year. Stewart and DeLauter were the first rookie duos in 10 years to earn Player of the Week honors in Week 1 of a season.

The sizzling start has continued for Stewart. Proving to be an RBI machine, Stewart currently leads both leagues with 29 runs batted in.

Collectors ready to pounce on the rising Red are in luck; there are four rookie cards in circulation.

• 2026 Bowman #6 Sal Stewart RC
• 2026 Bowman Chrome Bowman Mega Box #6 Sal Stewart RC
• 2026 Topps Chrome Black #30 Sal Stewart RC (pictured)
• 2026 Topps Heritage #221 Sal Stewart RC

JJ Wetherholt (SS, St. Louis Cardinals):

A rabid St. Louis collector fanbase eagerly awaits the first Wetherholt rookie card. The 23-year-old second baseman has provided from the four-hole, slugging seven taters in 31 games. Wetherholt caught the full attention of the fanbase when taking an offering 425 feet during his MLB debut. Heroics were captured in the next game with a walk-off hit.

Hobbyists in search of Wetherholt cards will find a lot of Bowman products on secondary platforms. From Bowman Chrome to Bowman Chrome Draft, Bowman Chrome Sapphire, and Bowman’s Best, the various releases account for approximately 740 of the 939 trading cards already released with Wetherholt’s name on it.

Valuing for thousands of dollars, some of the more expensive Wetherholt cards on the market include:

• 2025 Bowman Chrome Adios Autographs Orange Refractors #AAVJJW JJ Wetherholt /25
• 2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Orange Refractors #CPAJW JJ Wetherholt /25
• 2025 Bowman’s Best Prospect Patch Autographs Orange Refractors #PPAJW JJ Wetherholt /25 (pictured)

Nolan McLean (RHP, New York Mets):

Unlike the rush to get most promising prospects to the show, the Mets showed patience with their third pick in the 2023 draft out of Oklahoma State. McLean dazzled during an eight-game stretch in 2025, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA. A victim of the Mets’ tough 2026 start, McLean is 1-2 in six starts but is carrying a very respectable 2.55 ERA.

Topps has already included McLean in five of their product lines: flagship, Heritage, Chrome Black, Bowman, and Bowman Mega Box.

Pictured: 2026 Topps Heritage Chrome Refractors #150 Nolan McLean

Konnor Griffin (SS, Pittsburgh Pirates):

Griffin reclassified while at Jackson Preparatory School in Flowood, Mississippi, to become draft-eligible in 2024. The Pirates took the 6-foot, 3-inch, 222-pound athletic shortstop/center fielder ninth overall in the 2024 June Amateur Draft, fast tracking him to the big leagues.

A fixture, for now, at shortstop, the 19-year-old attracted a lot of attention when called up in early April. Making his MLB debut on April 3, Griffin went 1-for-3 with an RBI double. After going hitless in his next three games, the now 20-year-old is finding his footing on the diamond.

The collecting hype surrounding Griffin goes back to 2022. The OPG lists a jaw-dropping 2,554 Griffin items already on the market before his first RC hits hobby boxes.

With a Beckett OPG high of $12,500, the 2024 Bowman Chrome Draft Autographs Orange Refractors #CPAKG Konnor Griffin /25 is among his most valuable cards on the market. Good luck finding one.

Pictured: 2024 Bowman Chrome Draft Autographs Blue Wave Refractors #CPAKG Konnor Griffin /150

*Buy Bowman Konnor Griffin cards on eBay