After a long wait, MLB Opening Day has finally arrived. The 2026 season begins when the San Francisco Giants hosting the New York Yankees at Oracle Park on Wednesday, March 25th. Before first pitch, we thought it would be fitting to submit our favorites, sleepers, and absolute dark horses for all major awards handed out at the end of the MLB season.

For our favorites, this is simple. This is who we would bet on to win the award at the end of the 2026 season.

For our sleepers, it’s a bit more complicated. There aren’t any set parameters for these guys, but they can’t be the obvious choices.

For our dark horses, they are our dart throws. We are high on these guys in a way no one else might be.

For the awards we are predicting, they will be the AL/NL Rookie of the Year, AL/NL Cy Young, and AL/NL MVP.

AL Rookie of the Year

Our favorite: Kevin McGonigle-SS Detroit Tigers

Our reasoning: This one is pretty easy. McGonigle has done nothing but rake at every minor league level, culminating in a 2nd overall ranking in the 2026 pre-season MLB Pipeline Prospect rankings and subsequent sky high expectations. He slashed .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI in only 88 games in 2025, never struck out more than he walked in any season, and slots into a potent Tigers lineup that should provide plenty of opportunity for counting stats from the jump. Hitting wise we would say the sky is the limit for McGonigle, but even that seems too low.

Our sleeper: Dylan Beavers-OF Baltimore Orioles

Our reasoning: Beavers broke in with the big league squad last year, albeit a small sample size. He slugged four home runs and swiped a couple bags in 35 games, but provides solid 20-20 upside in a lineup with heavy firepower but questionable back end support. If he can capture some of his 18 home run and 23 stolen base 2025 AAA season to pair with the .304 average he posted there, Beavers could start to move towards the top of the AL ROY rankings pretty quickly.

Our dark horse: Kaelen Culpepper-SS/3B Minnesota Twins

Our reasoning: Culpepper was selected late in the first round in 2024, and has since flashed too much upside to ignore. He hit 20 home runs and stole 25 bases while slashing .289/.375/.469 with a .844 OPS in his first full season of minor league ball, and we see that five-tool ability translating to the majors. His path to playing time is blocked by injury-marred 3B Royce Lewis and underachieving SS Brooks Lee, so if there is an injury or lack of production from either, Culpepper should have first dibs to showcase his immense talent.

NL Rookie of the Year

Our favorite: Sal Stewart-INF Cincinnati Reds

Our reasoning: This pick was about as close as it could get, with Cardinals SS JJ Wetherholt and Pirates SS/2B Konnor Griffin also getting heavy consideration. After lots of back and forth, Stewart got our pick. He has looked the part of a major league star at every minor league stop he’s had, and even had a cup of tea stint with the Reds at the tail end of 2025. He mashed 5 home runs in only 18 appearances, and is primed to take over as Cincinnati’s everyday 1B in 2026. On top of his hitting prowess, Stewart has flashed plenty of speed for his position with double-digit pilfers in each of his last three minor league campaigns. His swing and play style reminds us of a Paul Goldschmidt and Nick Kurtz hybrid. Don’t be surprised if Stewart has one of the better NL rookie seasons in recent memory.

Our sleeper: Carson Benge-OF New York Mets

Our reasoning: This Mets lineup looks strong once again entering 2026, and Benge looks to be an integral part of it moving forward. The Oklahoma State product put together a well-rounded 2025 campaign across three minor league levels, with 15 home runs and 22 steals on his ledger. Benge has one of the better lineups in front of him, should should provide ample RBI opportunities. Playing in New York is also almost always a plus, and the young outfielder may be the next Met headed for stardom.

Our dark horse: Ryan Waldschmidt-OF Arizona Diamondbacks

Our reasoning: We went full hail marry with this one, as Waldschmidt hasn’t played above AA yet in his minor league career. While he lacks the AAA experience of the two players before him on this list, he possesses significant raw power and speed that could entrench himself among the ROY favorites early if he gets the call. His MLB ETA is 2026, and given his 18 home runs and 29 steals last year in a system known for developing their five-tool outfielders, there’s a real chance this dark horse becomes a household name sooner rather than later.

AL Cy Young

Our favorite: Tarik Skubal-SP Detroit Tigers

Our reasoning: Skubal has won this award each of the last two years, and he’s only showing signs of improvement since his first Cy Young triumph. His ERA, FIP, WHIP, K/9, and BB/9 all improved between wins one and two, and he enters his age-29 season at the height of his prime. There’s no reason to believe he shouldn’t be at the front of the rave again in 2026.

Our sleeper: Logan Gilbert-SP Seattle Mariners

Our reasoning: Seattle’s inning-eating head of their rotation continues to be a model of consistency. Outside of an injury last season, Gilbert had posted 185.0 or more innings pitched in each of his prior three seasons. In his last four seasons, he has posted a 3.39 ERA and a close-by 3.49 FIP and 9,5 K/9. He has been an ace without a Cy Young for long enough that this might be the year that changes.

Our dark horse: Cam Schlittler-SP New York Yankees

Our reasoning: The young Pinstripe pitcher came out of almost nowhere at the end of 2025 to help stabilize a banged up Yankees rotation heading into the playoffs. He posted a 2.96 ERA in 73.0 innings while punching out 84 batters during the regular season. The young righty then kicked it into another gear in the playoffs. He blanked the Red Sox through 8 innings while fanning 12 batters, and then followed it up with a serviceable 6.1 innings of two-run ball against the Blue Jays in the ALDS. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are both on the shelf to begin 2026, so Schlittler will have an early chance to prove his stint last season was no fluke.

NL Cy Young

Our favorite: Paul Skenes-SP Pittsburgh Pirates

Our reasoning: Like Skubal above, Skenes has been nothing short of otherworldly over the last two major league seasons. He has posted back-to-back seasons with a sub-2.00 ERA, sub-1.00 WHIP, and a 10.0 or greater K/9 rate. He will only be turning 24 during the 2026 season, and while the lineup surrounding him won’t put him in line for many wins, he doesn’t need them. Skenes looks the part of a generational pitcher that will be in this column almost every year from here on out.

Our sleeper: Eury Perez-SP Miami Marlins

Our reasoning: The only obstacle standing in the young Marlin’s way is his health. He tossed 91.1 solid innings in 2023 as a 20 year old before undergoing surgury and returning late in 2025. Upon his return, he posted a 9.9 K/9 and a 3.67 FIP in 95.1 innings of work, showcasing his breakout rookie season was no fluke. He has nasty stuff and the ability to throw SEVEN different pitches, and with a clean bill of health Perez may be able to give Skenes a run for his money in 2026.

Our dark horse: Cade Horton-SP Chicago Cubs

Our reasoning: Horton notched 11 wins and recorded a 2.67 ERA across 118.0 innings in his 2025 rookie campaign. He has a solid chance to progress even further towards ace status in 2026, as he is only 24 years of age and flashes a five-pitch arsenal headlined by a solid sweeper and a fastball that sits just under 96 mph on average. The Cubs have a history of steady starting pitching, and Horton fits the bill to become their go-to guy in 2026. If he can put it altogether in his sophomore season, he may have an outside shot at a Cy Young argument.

AL MVP

Our favorite: Bobby Witt Jr.-SS/3B Kansas City Royals

Our reasoning: While Aaron Judge remains the best hitter in baseball, Witt’s ascent into one of the game’s top players might culminate in a first-place MVP finish in 2026. He finished fourth in ROY voting (where he should have finished higher) in 2022, and has since followed that up with seventh, second, and fourth place finishes in the AL MVP race, respectively. He’s a true five tool player, notching at least 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases in every major league campaign thus far. As he enters his age-26 season, Witt might just be ready to put forth his best campaign yet. His ceiling looks to be a 35-50 season with a batting average north of .300, and we think that comes in 2026.

Our sleeper: Wyatt Langford-OF Texas Rangers

Our reasoning: While some people may look at Langford’s 2025 season as a sophomore slump, the talented outfielder put together a 22-22 campaign while playing above-average defense and posting a 5.6 WAR. His underlying metrics lean in his favor as well, ranking in the 81st percentile in hard-hit percentage, 91st percentile in fielding run value, and 88th percentile in sprint speed. There’s a real chance Langford straightens out his inconsistences at the plate and delivers on his lofty expectations we have for him in 2026. Don’t be surprised if he hits 30 home runs, swipes 25 bags, and brings his batting average up to the .285 and up range.

Our dark horse: Zach Neto-SS Los Angeles Angels

Our reasoning: Neto is only 25 years old, and has put together 20-30 and 25-25 seasons over the past two campaigns. He appears to be the lead off hitter for an improving Angels squad with his sights on a 30-30 season, and while these expectations might seem lofty, they aren’t out of reach. We think with an improvement on plate discipline, the young shortstop is a sure bet to receive MVP votes at the very least.

NL MVP

Our favorite: Shohei Ohtani-DH/SP Los Angeles Dodgers

Our reasoning: There isn’t much to say about Ohtani that hasn’t already been said for his first four MVP awards. His lowest finish for either AL or NL MVP since 2020 has been second, and that was almost exclusively because Aaron Judge put together one of the greatest hitting seasons in the history of baseball. He’s exceptional when he’s on the mound, and otherworldly when in the batter box. It takes a generational player to even be considered a heavy preseason favorite for MVP, and Ohtani is that and more.

Our sleeper: James Wood-OF Washington Nationals

Our reasoning: The only thing standing in Wood’s way to superstardom is his penchant for strikeouts. He whiffed a league-leading 221 times in 2025. With that being said, everything else about his game says he’s going to be a perennial MVP candidate. He hit 31 home runs last season, and swiped double-digit bases in each of his first two major league seasons. His metrics show ridiculous power, with a 98th percentile average exit velocity and hard hit percentage leading the way. If Wood can just cut down on the strikeouts, he could hit 50 bombs and steal 15 bases in 2026.

Our dark horse: Andy Pages-OF Los Angeles Dodgers

Our reasoning: While Kyle Tucker stole the headlines this offseason when signing with the Dodgers, Pages remained a quieter success story for the reigning World Series Champions. He swatted 27 home runs and stole 14 bases while playing elite defense at the bottom of the Dodgers order in 2025. He is only 25 years old and is part of one of the best lineups in baseball history. If he can continue his upward trend he’s showed in his first two major league seasons, Pages could be just as important as Tucker in the Dodgers 2026 plans.