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10 Major League Hitters Facing a Make-or-Break 2026 Season

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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Parker Meadows – OF – Detroit Tigers
- 2025 Stats: 58 G, .215/.291/.330, 4 HR, 75 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 1
There was a stretch in the second half of 2024 where Parker Meadows looked like a five-tool, 4+ WAR player. Outside of that stretch, he’s struggled to stay healthy, struck out a lot, and has been relegated to a platoon role.

His defense and speed are good enough that a 90-95 wRC+ would be sufficient to make him a starter, but the Tigers have other options on his heels. If Matt Vierling returns to full health and looks closer to his 2024 self, he could see more time. Also, top prospect Max Clark could be ready by mid-season and take over center field.

I would imagine Meadows would go to the fourth outfield spot before returning to the minors, but it really all depends on how his at-bats look. We have seen more ugly stretches than positive stretches the past couple of seasons.
10 Hitters Facing a Make-or-Break Season
The brutal reality is that most professional baseball players do not have long careers. You could be an undrafted free agent or top-five prospect, but eventually, opportunity disappears. Teams have a new slew of prospects each year, and 40-man roster spots quickly become valuable, which puts a microscope on players who haven’t reached their potential.

The players I’ll talk about today are entering a pivotal make-or-break season. That’s not to say their careers are over, but their assumed role and spot on their team could come to an end. Whether that be this spring or at some point in the year, these players have something to prove.

A number of these players are out of options, which will force their team to either keep them on the Opening Day roster or expose them to waivers, allowing a different team to claim them. Others are either no longer a fit or will enter the season with a short leash to show they can reach expectations.

The post 10 Hitters Facing a Make-or-Break Season appeared first on Just Baseball.
Coby Mayo – 1B/3B – Baltimore Orioles
- 2025 Stats: 85 G, .217/.299/.388, 11 HR, 95 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 1
Mayo was part of the historic O’s prospect crop that has come to the majors at various points over the past couple of seasons. Of the group, Mayo has been afforded the least amount of opportunity and has essentially been stuck in Triple-A.

Last year was his first season of substantial playing time, and the results were underwhelming. He struck out at a 28.6% slip, struggled to impact the baseball, and didn’t settle into a home defensively. At only 24 years old, there’s still a lot of potential to tap into, but maybe not in Baltimore.

Injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg will open at-bats early in the season, and Mayo needs to take advantage. If he does not find his footing, you could see him used in a package to bring back a more win-now player.
Jordan Walker – OF – St. Louis Cardinals
- 2025 Stats: 111 G, .215/.278/.306, 6 HR, 66 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 1
Walker’s development path has been an odd one to follow. The Cardinals have continued to change aspects of his game, which has resulted in a player who looks like he is thinking too much during his swing. Walker has posted plus exit velocities, but a roughly 50% groundball rate has sapped his power.

I’m sure you have seen the videos surfing around X of Walker working out at Driveline this winter and improving his launch angle. While promising, we often see offseason video not translate to on-field results. I think the talent is still there, and I am personally a believer in Walker, but how much longer will the Cardinals hold on?

Considering they are retooling (or rebuilding), I’m sure he will get everyday at bats. What if it looks like last season? I cannot imagine sending him down will do anyone any good. There’s a real chance he could land elsewhere at some point this year as a change-of-scenery candidate.
Triston Casas – 1B – Boston Red Sox
- 2025 Stats: 112 G, .182/.277/.303, 3 HR, 56 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 3
There’s just something about this marriage that doesn’t feel like it is going to work. We have all seen these scenarios before. Casas, a former top prospect who’s actually posted promising numbers, is on the outside looking in after the Red Sox acquired Willson Contreras and did not move any of their outfielders.

I can’t say I blame Boston for not creating space for Casas. He has continually struggled with injuries and is currently working back from knee surgery. He did not look like the same player in a limited sample last season, and I wonder if the Red Sox, who have had a lot of change over the past couple of seasons, would be willing to move on.

If Casas is available, a number of rebuilding teams should be interested. He still carries some trade value and could be an easier piece to part with as the Red Sox continue to build what they think is a World Series contender.
Nolan Gorman – INF – St. Louis Cardinals
- 2025 Stats: 111 G, .205/.296/.370, 14 HR, 88 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 2
Gorman is going to hit some long home runs, strike out over 30% of the time, and provide little defensive value. By now, I think we know what to expect from him, and the Cardinals have other options ready to fill the infield. JJ Wetherholt should be on the Opening Day roster, and Jose Fermin deserves a longer look.

The question becomes, who wants to try to fix Gorman? We always see GMs take swings on players with this type of power potential, but Gorman’s defense makes him a tougher roster spot to surrender for a flyer. I’m sure the Cardinals will give him a few months to prove he’s improved, but the leash should not be too long.
Alek Thomas – OF – Arizona Diamondbacks
- 2025 Stats: 143 G, .249/.289/.370, 9 HR, 81 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 1
Arizona has seemed content with running Thomas out in center field for the better part of the past four seasons. However, his defense has regressed in recent years, and his arm strength is better suited for left. At the plate, he doesn’t walk, strikes out more than you would like, and doesn’t make much impact.

If Jordan Lawler becoming an outfielder sticks, Thomas could be on the hot seat. Although Arizona’s minor league depth is not a strong suit, Ryan Waldschmidt is a rookie who looks ready to claim a role. He could be inserted into left field and provide a much higher offensive floor.

This move would likely push Thomas to a bench role, but it’s not impossible to think he could have a similar fate to Jake McCarthy. At some point, the Diamondbacks are going to need more out of Thomas to justify his roster spot.
Luis Campusano – C – San Diego Padres
- 2025 Stats: 10 G, .000/.222/.000, 0 HR, -5 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 0
I’m not sure what to make of Campusano’s time in San Diego. He was denied opportunity by mediocre veterans and has done little with the chances he has received. His defense behind the plate has never been a strength, and the Padres obviously value catcher defense over offensive potential.

Freddy Fermin is the only other catcher on the roster who is a true major leaguer. Although, he’s better suited for a backup role than being used as a starter. If the Padres look outside of the organization for a catcher, Campusano might finally get a chance for extended playing time elsewhere.
Andrew Vaughn – 1B – Milwaukee Brewers
- 2025 Stats: 112 G, .254/.307/.411, 14 HR, 99 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 2
Whoa, wait now. Andrew Vaughn? The guy who caught the world by surprise when he joined the Brewers? Yes, the same Andrew Vaughn who had a great 15-game stretch in July, posted a .695 OPS across 29 games in August, and rebounded with 14 games at a .942 OPS in September.

His rebound after leaving Chicago was fun to see, but I’m hesitant to think he’s suddenly figured it all out. The “make or break” aspect in this scenario is more about proving if he is who we saw in a Brewers jersey and not what we saw for years in Chicago.

If we are in July and Vaughn has a 105 wRC+ and 10 home runs, is that good enough for a contender’s first baseman? This season is where we find out if Vaughn is a viable option moving forward or the next Josh Bell type.
Brayan Rocchio – SS/2B – Cleveland Guardians
- 2025 Stats: 115 G, .233/.290/.340, 5 HR, 77 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 2
The Guardians have been rather weak when it comes to middle infield production the past couple of seasons. Rocchio now has close to two full seasons under his belt, and his bat has not shown nearly enough improvement. His glove was supposed to carry his value, but it took a step back in 2025, according to a few metrics.

I still think he’s a good defender and a reasonable bench infielder, but the Guardians have too many players that fit that description. At some point, they will need to clear 40-man roster spots for players with higher ceilings, and Rocchio could be on the chopping block.
Mark Vientos – 3B/1B – New York Mets
- 2025 Stats: 121 G, .233/.289/.413, 17 HR, 97 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 0
Vientos is a similar discussion to someone like Casas: a young player on a contender that has proven his worth in the past, but 2025’s production was not enough to guarantee him a starting role for 2026. While I think the Mets could still use Vientos and are one injury away from needing him, he could be a trade piece they are willing to part with.

With his lack of defensive value and higher strikeout rate, Vientos needs to hit for power in order to stick. After launching 27 home runs in 2024, he was trending towards replacing Pete Alonso, but his power took a major dip in 2025.

Right now, the path for playing time would be at DH, pushing Brett Baty to a bench utility role. I personally prefer Baty over Vientos as his lefty bat helps balance the lineup. If the Mets need to pull off a trade to improve their roster, Vientos could be the player used to avoid trading away more prospects.
Parker Meadows – OF – Detroit Tigers
- 2025 Stats: 58 G, .215/.291/.330, 4 HR, 75 wRC+
- Minor League Options: 1
There was a stretch in the second half of 2024 where Parker Meadows looked like a five-tool, 4+ WAR player. Outside of that stretch, he’s struggled to stay healthy, struck out a lot, and has been relegated to a platoon role.

His defense and speed are good enough that a 90-95 wRC+ would be sufficient to make him a starter, but the Tigers have other options on his heels. If Matt Vierling returns to full health and looks closer to his 2024 self, he could see more time. Also, top prospect Max Clark could be ready by mid-season and take over center field.

I would imagine Meadows would go to the fourth outfield spot before returning to the minors, but it really all depends on how his at-bats look. We have seen more ugly stretches than positive stretches the past couple of seasons.
10 Hitters Facing a Make-or-Break Season
The brutal reality is that most professional baseball players do not have long careers. You could be an undrafted free agent or top-five prospect, but eventually, opportunity disappears. Teams have a new slew of prospects each year, and 40-man roster spots quickly become valuable, which puts a microscope on players who haven’t reached their potential.

The players I’ll talk about today are entering a pivotal make-or-break season. That’s not to say their careers are over, but their assumed role and spot on their team could come to an end. Whether that be this spring or at some point in the year, these players have something to prove.

A number of these players are out of options, which will force their team to either keep them on the Opening Day roster or expose them to waivers, allowing a different team to claim them. Others are either no longer a fit or will enter the season with a short leash to show they can reach expectations.

The post 10 Hitters Facing a Make-or-Break Season appeared first on Just Baseball.

10 Major League Hitters Facing a Make-or-Break 2026 Season

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