The 2026 season is officially underway and on the season’s first day, it was the young guns who led the way from pitching with Jacob Misiorowski for the Brewers to guys making a statement in their big league debuts. Multiple kids got into the fun to start what is expected to be a fun season. So let’s get into who did what around the league.
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Carson Benge
Benge, the Mets’ third-ranked prospect and the 16th overall prospect, ended the day going 1-3 with a home run and two runs scored. His home run came in the bottom of the sixth which made it 10-5 Mets at the time.
Jacob Misiorowski
Misiorowski made his first Opening Day start. He went five innings allowing a run on two hits. He walked three but struck out 11. So 11 of his 15 outs recorded were made via strikeout.
Munetaka Murakami
Murakami in his United States debut went 1-2. The one hit came on a home run in the top of the ninth. He also walked twice in the game as well.
Kevin McGonigle
McGonigle, the second overall prospect in baseball, was a key factor in the Tigers’ 8-2 Opening Day victory. He went 4-5 in his big league debut. McGonigle had two doubles, drove in two runs, and scored two runs. Not a bad day for the young 21-year-old.
Sal Stewart
Stewart went 3-4 with two doubles despite the Reds not scoring runs; they had their chances due to the success Stewart had at the plate. He almost left the game after getting hit by a line drive. He is the Reds’ top prospect and the 22nd overall prospect in baseball.
Roman Anthony
Roman Anthony had a great day, reaching base four times. One of which was clutch as he used the ABS to challenge a called strike and drew a walk to extend an inning for the Red Sox. He had a run scored as well.
Marcelo Mayer
Mayer didn’t get the start in his first big league Opening Day, but he turned out to be a key contributor. Mayer entered at second base in the top of the seventh as a pinch-hitter. His first at-bat was a huge double. He would then score the game’s first run. His second at bat was a single, and he ended up scoring another run. He finished the game going 2-2 with two runs scored in the Red Sox’s 3-0 win.
Brady House
House had a big day, going 2-5 for the Nationals in their 10-4 win over the Cubs. He had a two-run home run and scored two runs. He did strike out twice as well.
JJ Wetherholt
Wetherholt, in his big league debut, went 1-4. The fifth overall prospect had a home run in the third inning. Wetherholt also drove home a run on a sacrifice fly. He finished with two RBI and also had a strikeout.
Nathan Church
Church had a big day in the Cardinals’ loss. He went 3-4 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. The 25-year-old was appearing in his 28th career big league game. He’s the Cardinals’ 23rd prospect in their system.
Justin Crawford
Crawford, the son of former big leaguer Carl Crawford, went 2-4 in his big league debut. He had a run scored. He is the Phillies’ third-ranked prospect and the 53rd overall prospect in baseball.
Chase DeLauter
DeLauter and the Guardians were the last game on the slate. He finished with a big game, going 3-5, two of his three hits were home runs as he hit two solo shots. He also scored three runs in Cleveland’s 6-4 win over the Mariners. DeLauter is the Guardians’ second-ranked prospect and the 46th overall prospect.
Wrap Up
The hitters combined to go 25-42 with three doubles, six home runs, 12 RBI, and 15 runs scored. It’s a great start to the 2026 season. Let’s see if it’s a season run by the kids.
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