Bold Predictions Unveiled for the 2026 Season

Filmogaz.com gathered predictions from a group of baseball writers. They offered provocative forecasts for the 2026 Season. The pieces ranged from player breakout calls to league-wide shifts.

Off-field risks and governance

One prediction sees a front office gambling scandal emerging. Writers pointed to the industry’s familiarity with risk analysis. They argued front-office staff could be tempted despite lower public scrutiny.

A separate forecast expects teams to consider overspending their amateur draft pools. Current penalties include taxes and lost picks. Penalties rise by tiers: up to 5% triggers a 75% tax. Higher overages can cost first- and second-round picks plus larger taxes.

Labor and the calendar

Some analysts predicted MLB and the MLBPA will reach a new CBA before the end of 2026. Reasons cited include renewed union leadership and concerns about the 2028 Olympics. National broadcast deals running through 2028 also factor into urgency.

Team outlooks and playoff scenarios

One bold team call sees the Royals posting their best season since 2015. The club had 86 wins in 2024 and 82 in 2025. Royals pitching ranked second in the American League in run prevention at 3.93 runs per game in the last year cited. The offense was among the worst at 4.02 runs per game.

Another prediction puts four AL East clubs into the playoffs. The Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox are expected to remain strong. The fourth spot may go to Baltimore or Tampa Bay. Still, those four teams are forecast to fall in the ALDS.

Analysts also picked at least one long-drought franchise to return to October. Candidates include the Athletics, Pirates, Rockies, Angels, and Nationals. The A’s and Pirates were singled out as likeliest among that group.

Power and lineup feats

The Orioles were picked to join elite company by producing five 30-home-run hitters. Names listed include Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward, Tyler O’Neill, and Colton Cowser. Oriole Park had the second-highest home run park factor in the recent season referenced.

Ryan McMahon received a home-run projection after moving from Colorado to New York. Analysts noted New York’s favorable lefty home-run environment. McMahon had been a 20-plus homer hitter for several seasons.

Individual player breakouts and awards

Several writers forecast surprise award seasons. JJ Wetherholt was named as a potential National League Rookie of the Year. He is expected to open the year with the Cardinals and arrived with a strong minor league line of .304/.418/.487.

Connelly Early was projected to emerge as Boston’s best starter not named Garrett Crochet. Early is a left-hander near age 24 with limited big-league innings. Boston’s offseason additions include Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Johan Oviedo.

Andrew Benintendi was predicted to clear 30 homers for the first time in his career. He had never exceeded 20 home runs through nearly 5,000 career plate appearances. Recent seasons showed a power uptick with consecutive 20-homer years.

A few more player forecasts

• Chandler Simpson could hit an over-the-fence homer early in the season. Tropicana Field’s right field foul pole sits 325 feet from home plate.
• Ryan McMahon is a candidate to reach 30 long balls in New York.
• Maikel Garcia was projected to out-produce Bobby Witt Jr. in WAR. Garcia posted strong defense and a 120 wRC+ in the season cited.

Pitching and complete games

One bold trend prediction expects more pitchers to lose than win when they throw a complete game. Analysts noted the decline in nine-inning complete games. League totals dropped from 173 in a past season to 29 last year.

Shohei Ohtani earned projections as a Cy Young finalist. He returned from Tommy John and posted elite strikeout-minus-walk rates. Historical data show pitchers often improve ERA the year after Tommy John surgery.

Risky health moves and technology

A forecast warned of at least one player landing on the injured list after following medical advice from a chatbot. Examples of players using AI for advice were cited. One player reportedly spent a long conversation with the Grok chatbot.

Draft strategy and incentives

Analysts argued some clubs might deliberately exceed draft pool limits. They noted the available talent depth in high school classes and potential changes in future draft rules. Teams with large base pools were named as best positioned to consider overspending.

Statistical quirks and records

Another pick suggested the single-season grounded-into-double-plays record would finally fall. Jim Rice’s mark of 36 from 1984 still stands. Recent seasons produced many hitters with 20-plus GIDPs, including one with 31.

Finally, one prophesy held that a player would suffer a noticeable award drought for big stars. Analysts suggested neither Shohei Ohtani nor Aaron Judge would win MVP in this particular campaign. Other players were named as potential alternates for the award.

These statements represent a selection of the Filmogaz.com writers’ Bold Predictions for the 2026 Season. Time and 2,430 regular-season games will determine which forecasts prove prescient.