{"id":22335,"date":"2026-09-28T10:48:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=22335"},"modified":"2026-09-28T10:48:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:48:49","slug":"most-surprising-and-disappointing-player-at-each-position-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/09\/28\/most-surprising-and-disappointing-player-at-each-position-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Most Surprising and Disappointing Player at Each Position in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 regular season has come and gone, and with it comes time to reflect. While some players shocked the sport, others failed to meet expectations. From breakout stars to underwhelming MVP hopefuls, these were the most surprising and disappointing players at every position.<\/p>\n<h4>Catcher<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"YZsIPmerQ3RohistxH_teA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2281585998\" 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:'YZsIPmerQ3RohistxH_teA',sig:'VE5qECG96QwhbUrB52QSGCD2lwmR01UytJ7GcjHSihE=',w:'594px',h:'404px',items:'2281585998',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Surprising: Gabriel Moreno<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/morenga01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Gabriel Moreno<\/strong><\/a> was always an above-average catcher, largely due to his elite defense. In 2026, though, his offensive game transformed him into one of baseball\u2019s best players. His 6.3 WAR led all catchers, as did his .311 batting average and .874 OPS. At 26, Moreno looks like one of the game\u2019s brightest young stars.<\/p>\n<h4>Disappointing: Cal Raleigh<\/h4>\n<p>While a dip in production was expected from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/raleica01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cal Raleigh<\/a><\/strong> this season, a career-worst season certainly wasn\u2019t. Despite finishing as the American League MVP runner-up in 2025, Raleigh\u2019s -12 batting run value was 57 ticks worse than last season. His .182 batting average was also the worst mark in baseball, epitomizing one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent history.<\/p>\n<h4>First Base<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"4xIngbCXR9NRHEGEKkZ_uA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2276550747\" 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:'4xIngbCXR9NRHEGEKkZ_uA',sig:'Rz9vj8JJvgvuMMVJGvmcTA2hcwkg7JGNK3SWgcBZVpk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2276550747',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Surprising: Luis Garcia Jr.<\/h4>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/nationals\">Washington Nationals<\/a> took a step forward in 2026, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/garcilu04.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Luis Garcia Jr.<\/a><\/strong> was a big reason why. The 26-year-old set career highs in home runs (30), OPS (.831), and WAR (2.8), keeping the Nationals in playoff contention before a midseason trade to the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/yankees\">New York Yankees<\/a>. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/judgeaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Aaron Judge<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s health remains a major question mark for the postseason, so Garcia Jr. will look to carry some of his offensive load.<\/p>\n<h4>Disappointing: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/h4>\n<p>After slashing .397\/.494\/.795 in the 2025 postseason, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/guerrvl02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/strong><\/a> seemed primed for the best season of his career in 2026. Unfortunately, the eight-year veteran had his worst full season to date, posting full-season career lows in batting average (.260), OPS (.688), WAR (1.1), home runs (9), and RBI (57). For someone on a 10-year, $500 million contract, those numbers are miles from where they need to be.<\/p>\n<h4>Second Base<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"WkoG_6LmSwNHp7b-R_L-zQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2288970552\" 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:'WkoG_6LmSwNHp7b-R_L-zQ',sig:'0yJ4kvn3bz1MHtyAB75hE-u5dd_IEBiw-W6tOed5wds=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2288970552',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Surprising: Ezequiel Duran<\/h4>\n<p>Like Moreno, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranez01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Ezequiel<\/strong> <strong>Duran<\/strong><\/a> was always an above-average defender, allowing him to remain a valuable utility piece for the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/rangers\">Texas Rangers<\/a>. In 2026, though, his offensive production made him a mainstay in the team\u2019s lineup. He played every position but pitcher and catcher, compiling 4.2 WAR and 83 RBI in the process.<\/p>\n<h4>Disappointing: Marcus Semien<\/h4>\n<p>The days of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/semiema01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Marcus Semien<\/strong><\/a> bashing 45 home runs are long gone, but the <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/mets\">New York Mets<\/a> acquired him last November for his defense. Sadly, his once-elite glove disappeared in 2026, with his outs above average nosediving from six in 2025 to -10. His .625 OPS, the second-worst among qualified hitters, was the cherry on top of a forgettable 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n<h4>Third Base<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"cFIBlK2LQCpii0rd09Yggw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2238851023\" 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:'cFIBlK2LQCpii0rd09Yggw',sig:'uVgo_9o10Nz9E6VhfP-8ym_9uDQHvgWZm8sAD6fHars=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2238851023',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Surprising: Miguel Vargas<\/h4>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=vargami01,vargas010mig,vargas009mig&amp;search=Miguel+Vargas&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Miguel Vargas<\/a><\/strong> showed flashes in 2025, but the 26-year-old officially broke out in 2026. He ranked second behind <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/caminju01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Junior Caminero<\/a><\/strong> in OPS (.837), total bases (279), and extra-base hits (65) at the position, drawing the sixth most walks in baseball in the process. He ranked in the 60th percentile or better in every underlying metric, proving his offensive game has no apparent weaknesses.<\/p>\n<h4>Disappointing: Jose Ramirez<\/h4>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/guardians\">Cleveland Guardians\u2019<\/a> 678 runs were the fifth fewest in the American League, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ramire032jos,ramire041jos,ramire022jos,ramire039jos&amp;search=Jose+Ramirez&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Jose Ramirez<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 offensive shortcomings were a big reason why. He posted his lowest batting average, OPS, and home run total since 2015, a concerning dip in production for someone who recently turned 34. His walk rate, strikeout rate, and base running remained elite, but everything else did not.<\/p>\n<h4>Shortstop<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"l7hmNAnLQ7dMi08x5Y19wQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2279889360\" 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:'l7hmNAnLQ7dMi08x5Y19wQ',sig:'GRiT_UelKzkir7Yzggl7IviesU6wWGaXaId-El0qRpw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2279889360',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Surprising: Gunnar Henderson<\/h3>\n<p>Two seasons ago, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hendegu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Gunnar Henderson<\/a><\/strong> was an MVP candidate after posting a 9.1 WAR season. That 2024 campaign seems like ages ago, as Henderson posted career lows in nearly every major statistical category in 2026. From his .226 batting average to his .715 OPS, nothing worked for the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n<h3>Disappointing: Otto Lopez<\/h3>\n<p>Defense was always <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lopezot01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Otto Lopez<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 calling card, but his offensive game improved drastically in 2026. His 191 hits led the sport, while his .305 batting average ranked fifth. With 34 stolen bases and 14 outs above average, Lopez has quietly turned into one of baseball\u2019s most complete players.<\/p>\n<h4>Outfield<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"podAxr_LQT9ab3z_huIbzQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2288033433\" 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:'podAxr_LQT9ab3z_huIbzQ',sig:'Q3HXnPghwZgvYO0Bg-cxx4qZjJ7_YyzUK6BUvPGUqWs=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2288033433',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Surprising: Jordan Walker<\/h4>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/walkejo02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Jordan Walker<\/strong><\/a> breakout campaign finally happened. One year after being worth -1.6 WAR, the 26-year-old was worth 3.5, driving in 102 RBI in the process. It took a while, but the former top prospect lived up to the hype in his age-24 season, posting career highs across the board.<\/p>\n<h4>Disappointing: Kyle Tucker<\/h4>\n<p>If <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tuckeky01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Kyle Tucker<\/strong><\/a> were on a team-friendly contract, his numbers would suffice. However, Tucker is the highest-paid player in the sport, meaning anything less than elite is unacceptable. Despite playing better in September, Tucker ranked 113th in batting average, 97th in OPS, and 95th in wRC+. He also ranked in the fourth percentile defensively with -8 outs above average.<\/p>\n<h4>Starting Pitcher<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"wP8F0osFTN9uplfgmVKawg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2276119735\" 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:'wP8F0osFTN9uplfgmVKawg',sig:'F1Uf-UA0VHkpwgMJfpi18_J2__SA_MmvpYPecXWXIac=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2276119735',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Surprising: Jacob Misiorowski<\/h4>\n<p>One year after showing flashes of greatness on the mound, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/misioja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jacob Misiorowski<\/a><\/strong> firmly established himself as the best pitcher in baseball. He ranked in the 99th percentile or better in fastball velocity, whiff rate, strikeout rate, fastball run value, and pitching run value, supplemented by a league-best 1.80 ERA. The <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/brewers\">Milwaukee Brewers<\/a> look primed for a deep postseason run, and that starts with their ace.<\/p>\n<h4>Disappointing: MacKenzie Gore<\/h4>\n<p>When the Rangers traded five prospects to acquire <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gorema01.shtml\"><strong>MacKenzie Gore<\/strong><\/a>, they likely didn\u2019t envision him finishing with a bottom-five ERA among qualified starters. Unfortunately, that\u2019s exactly what happened, as his 4.58 ERA ranked behind all but four starting pitchers. The strikeout numbers remained elite, as the 27-year-old reached 170 strikeouts for the third consecutive season. The rest, though, was less than desirable.<\/p>\n<h4>Relief Pitcher<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"rjmXTOf8RVtZ1_nZiFkEjA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2290985895\" 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:'rjmXTOf8RVtZ1_nZiFkEjA',sig:'DyxkcmxIPpaTLK2LTxKQhKOaGNQZDBEou7CubPQOWWU=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2290985895',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Surprising: Louis Varland<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/varlalo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Louis Varland<\/strong><\/a> was never a bad reliever, but the 28-year-old elevated his game significantly in 2026. His whiff and strikeout rates both jumped by more than five percent, while his barrel rate was cut in half. The Blue Jays won\u2019t play October baseball, but Varland is the clear frontrunner for American League Reliever of the Year.<\/p>\n<h4>Disappointing: Pete Fairbanks<\/h4>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/category\/marlins\">Miami Marlins<\/a> signed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fairbpe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=sportrelay.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-09-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><strong>Pete Fairbanks<\/strong><\/a> to stabilize their bullpen, a sensible move after a dominant 2025 season that included 59 strikeouts and a 2.81 ERA in 61 appearances. Unfortunately, his ERA ballooned to 6.51 in 2026, largely because of a barrel rate that doubled. His -1.3 WAR also represented a career low.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Main Photo:<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"r7hehGi7QVNGP3B7tTtYPw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2274540984\" 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:'r7hehGi7QVNGP3B7tTtYPw',sig:'xRKlmMxR2jxKp8yeCDz91FgnwyX-I4Yv3bhB3bhdbwU=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2274540984',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>The 2026 regular season has come and gone, and with it comes time to reflect. While some players shocked the sport, others failed to meet expectations. From breakout stars to underwhelming MVP hopefuls, these were the most surprising and disappointing players at every position. Catcher Embed from Getty Images Surprising: Gabriel Moreno Gabriel Moreno was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":22347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[2292,2239,2293,2158,2235,2117,2297,103,1344,927,229,910,2127,758,553,1912,640,2129,2545,364,1076,142,832,368],"class_list":["post-22335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","tag-2026-cleveland-guardians","tag-2026-miami-marlins","tag-2026-milwaukee-brewers","tag-2026-new-york-mets","tag-2026-new-york-yankees","tag-2026-texas-rangers","tag-2026-washington-nationals","tag-aaron-judge","tag-cal-raleigh","tag-ezequiel-duran","tag-gabriel-moreno","tag-gunnar-henderson","tag-jacob-misiorowski","tag-jordan-walker","tag-jose-ramirez","tag-junior-caminero","tag-kyle-tucker","tag-louis-varland","tag-luis-garcia-jr","tag-marcus-semien","tag-miguel-vargas","tag-otto-lopez","tag-pete-fairbanks","tag-vladimir-guerrero-jr","pmpro-has-access","eq-blocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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