Breakout Candidates for Each American League East Team

Despite being veteran-heavy, the American League East has a number of breakout candidates in its division heading into the 2026 preseason.

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

January 16, 2026

Following an active free agency, the American League East Division is shaping up to be arguably the most competitive in baseball. After the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays each won 94 games in 2025, the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox made significant moves by signing Pete Alonso and trading for Willson Contreras, respectively, among others. However, the youth of all these teams cannot be ignored, as the AL East is also full of breakout candidates. Each team has a player worth monitoring in the 2026 season.

Baltimore Orioles – Catcher Samuel Basallo

Embed from Getty Images
Adley Rutschman’s future in Baltimore is uncertain, as the former first overall pick has struggled mightily over the past season and a half. He should still play daily in 2026, but that won’t stop the Orioles from playing fellow catcher and former top-10 prospect Samuel Basallo.

In 2025, Basallo dominated his Triple-A competition. Despite playing 76 games for the Norfolk Tides, Basallo hit 23 home runs, drove in 67 runs, and posted a .966 OPS. He made his majors debut in August, and while he did perform poorly, the sky is the limit for Basallo.

Boston Red Sox – Outfielder Roman Anthony

Embed from Getty Images
You could consider 2025 Roman Anthony’s breakout, but the rookie only played in 71 games after suffering a season-ending left oblique strain. In those 71 games, though, he was incredible.

At the plate, Anthony had the plate discipline of a veteran. His .396 OBP was the same as Juan Soto’s, and his .869 OPS ranked higher than Bobby Witt Jr.’s. In the field, he posted a fielding run value of four and an outs above average of six. Simply put, Anthony plays well beyond his years and has all the makings to be a first-time All-Star in 2026.

Tampa Bay Rays – Shortstop Carson Williams

Embed from Getty Images
After cleaning house this offseason by dealing away Brandon Lowe and Shane Baz, the Tampa Bay Rays seem headed for a rebuild in the ultra-competitive American League East. Thankfully, this should mean plenty of playing time for shortstop and former top-50 prospect Carson Williams.

Williams has above-average power, as he’s hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past three minor league seasons. That bodes well for the Rays’ home ballpark, but Williams doesn’t only hit. In 2022, he won a Gold Glove in the minors, something that should excite Rays fans for 2026.

Toronto Blue Jays – Pitcher Trey Yesavage

Embed from Getty Images
Would the Blue Jays have reached Game Seven of the World Series without Trey Yesavage? Probably not. Despite this, Yesavage only pitched in three regular-season games, so a full season is needed before Yesavage officially breaks out.

In the postseason, Yesavage delivered performances for the ages. In his first career postseason start, Yesavage pitched over five innings of no-hit baseball and struck out 11 batters. Three weeks later, he allowed one run in seven innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, striking out 12 batters and putting the Blue Jays up 3-2 in the World Series. Needless to say, 2026 looks bright for Trey Yesavage.

New York Yankees – Pitcher Cam Schlittler

Embed from Getty Images
Similar to Yesavage, Cam Schlittler dominated in the postseason despite only making a dozen regular-season starts. 2026, though, will see Schlittler handle a much heavier workload. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon set to miss multiple weeks to begin the season, Schlittler is the unquestioned number two starter behind Max Fried.

After striking out 12 batters in the Yankees’ 4-0 Wild Card victory against the Boston Red Sox, Schlittler officially put the baseball world on notice. He’ll need a full season to officially break out, but Yankee fans have every reason to be excited about Cam Schlittler going forward.