{"id":17608,"date":"2026-01-16T13:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=17608"},"modified":"2026-01-16T13:17:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:17:47","slug":"breakout-candidates-for-each-american-league-east-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/01\/16\/breakout-candidates-for-each-american-league-east-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Breakout Candidates for Each American League East Team"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Following an active free agency, the American League East Division is shaping up to be arguably the most competitive in baseball. After the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/yankees\">New York Yankees<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/bluejays\">Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> each won 94 games in 2025, the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/orioles\">Baltimore Orioles<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/redsox\">Boston Red Sox<\/a> made significant moves by signing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/alonspe01.shtml\">Pete Alonso<\/a> and trading for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/contrwi01.shtml\">Willson Contreras<\/a>, respectively, among others. However, the youth of all these teams cannot be ignored, as the AL East is also full of breakout candidates.\u00a0Each team has a player worth monitoring in the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<h2>Baltimore Orioles \u2013 Catcher Samuel Basallo<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"4WNQCtvxSnpRWJj4Wbi4pQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2237613443\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'4WNQCtvxSnpRWJj4Wbi4pQ',sig:'VF5j6vjfiGFOJrAduWzATztdakdqmJ8uGD3xQ7diUZE=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2237613443',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rutscad01.shtml\">Adley Rutschman\u2019s<\/a> 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\u2019t stop the Orioles from playing fellow catcher and former top-10 prospect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/basalsa01.shtml\">Samuel Basallo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Boston Red Sox \u2013 Outfielder Roman Anthony<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"6g6JhwuMQ_9_4FM0euUCBg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2219575889\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'6g6JhwuMQ_9_4FM0euUCBg',sig:'JyIGJ91VbuDRM20rOZ2jhoVyvpZhkd5rcbHD5SrERDc=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2219575889',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nYou could consider 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anthoro01.shtml\">Roman Anthony\u2019s<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>At the plate, Anthony had the plate discipline of a veteran. His .396 OBP was the same as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sotoju01.shtml\">Juan Soto\u2019s<\/a>, and his .869 OPS ranked higher than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wittbo02.shtml\">Bobby Witt Jr.\u2019s<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n<h2>Tampa Bay Rays \u2013 Shortstop Carson Williams<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"Ap7Zco2uQspwqcW0St6Fgg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2232066364\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Ap7Zco2uQspwqcW0St6Fgg',sig:'0H97MFScZSAv0vzBt31Rh9INRPJZNM2psXb8cmtlnck=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2232066364',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nAfter cleaning house this offseason by dealing away <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lowebr01.shtml\">Brandon Lowe<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bazsh01.shtml\">Shane Baz<\/a>, the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/rays\">Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/willica02.shtml\">Carson Williams<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Williams has above-average power, as he\u2019s hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past three minor league seasons. That bodes well for the Rays\u2019 home ballpark, but Williams doesn\u2019t only hit. In 2022, he won a Gold Glove in the minors, something that should excite Rays fans for 2026.<\/p>\n<h2>Toronto Blue Jays \u2013 Pitcher Trey Yesavage<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"f7sO-HXnSEhD_5bDn1zP0A\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2242097292\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'f7sO-HXnSEhD_5bDn1zP0A',sig:'QMFrvV1vhZx2N7eQkGmS54Uox_IfgJUD0VVCadiAQ5E=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2242097292',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nWould the Blue Jays have reached Game Seven of the World Series without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/y\/yesavtr01.shtml\">Trey Yesavage<\/a>? Probably not. Despite this, Yesavage only pitched in three regular-season games, so a full season is needed before Yesavage officially breaks out.<\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/dodgers\">Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n<h2>New York Yankees \u2013 Pitcher Cam Schlittler<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"XCRx1z2HT4xeK8rCTZ7_qg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2240016519\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XCRx1z2HT4xeK8rCTZ7_qg',sig:'XsvXhEmCKC5XM0BWO8UnB6jaTk9ePjGm07QXi9JSDp0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2240016519',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><br \/>\nSimilar to Yesavage, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/schlica01.shtml\">Cam Schlittler<\/a> dominated in the postseason despite only making a dozen regular-season starts. 2026, though, will see Schlittler handle a much heavier workload. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/colege01.shtml\">Gerrit Cole<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rodonca01.shtml\">Carlos Rodon<\/a> set to miss multiple weeks to begin the season, Schlittler is the unquestioned number two starter behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/friedma01.shtml\">Max Fried<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>After striking out 12 batters in the Yankees\u2019 4-0 Wild Card victory against the Boston Red Sox, Schlittler officially put the baseball world on notice. He\u2019ll need a full season to officially break out, but Yankee fans have every reason to be excited about Cam Schlittler going forward.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"oedMrqVYTHZ27YULS7bQYw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2236016508\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'oedMrqVYTHZ27YULS7bQYw',sig:'2PEQ8FSrbXy3ROZ06fbCaYMZgRnDcNReX8CO4NByGmo=',w:'594px',h:'393px',items:'2236016508',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":17614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3],"tags":[1861,2058,2065,386,208,1139,195,2010,2053,2118,114],"class_list":["post-17608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-al-east","category-general","tag-2025-mlb-offseason","tag-cam-schlittler","tag-carson-williams","tag-gerrit-cole","tag-juan-soto","tag-max-fried","tag-pete-alonso","tag-roman-anthony","tag-samuel-basallo","tag-trey-yesavage","tag-willson-contreras","pmpro-has-access","eq-blocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - 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