As the regular season ends today it's time to start taking an early look at which players are due to rebound in 2026, based on differences between their results and underlying metrics.
Jo Adell- OF- LAA- Stats- Adell experienced a huge power surge in 2025. Before last night's game he had slugged 37 homers in 565 PAs. That almost equaled Adell's 38 homers in his previous 107 MLB PAs. His .236 AVG was above his career mark but 38 points below his xBA. Adell's .486 SLG was also well below his xSLG of .569. With a 91.8 EV, 17.1%v Barrel%, and 49.5% HardHIt%, he has gotten to where his potential looked like it would take him. Adell is only 26, so he looks like a late bloomer. The power is there and better luck will boost him in other categories in 2026.
Max Kepler- OF- PHI- Stats- Kepler signed a one-year contract with the Phillies in the offseason and has moved from LF to RF as the season progressed. His .215 AVG is 20 points below his career mark but his power bounced back to an extent. Kepler slugged 17 homers in 471 PAs this season after only posting 8 homers in 399 PAs with Minnesota in 2024. He enjoyed playing at Citizens' Bank Park, connecting for 12 of his homers there. Kepler's BB% also returned, going from 5.5% last year to 10.2% this season, higher than his 9.7% career mark. Looking at his .253 xBA and .451 xSLG, he has a good chance to improve his numbers in 2026, although how much may be impacted by which team he plays for.
Jacob Young- OF- WSH- Stats- Young is one of Washington's talented young (with a lower case "y") outfielders. This year was his second as a regular. A shoulder strain impacted his season and also his production. He is slashing .232/.295/.279 and hit his second homer of the season yesterday in 362 PAs. Young has swiped 15 bases. That is a drop from his 33 steals in 2024. Young has been impacted by bad luck as well. His xBA of .268 and xSLG of .337 are well above his results. Young has increased his EV to 87.6, his HardHIt% to 33.8%, and his BB% to 7.5%. Looking at 2026, a healthy season should see him increase his steal totals as well as his average.
Cade Povich- P- BAL- Stats- Hip inflammation curtailed Povich's work this season but he still threw 112.1 IP, a significantly higher number than the 79.2 he tossed for the Orioles in 2024. Povich increased his K/9 to 9.45 and lowered his BB/9 to 3.45. While his ERA was an unimpressive 5.21, his FIP was a much lower 4.18. Povich will turn 26 early next season. His performance this year leaves him still on an upward trajectory for 2026.
Jose Soriano- P- LAA- Stats- Since Soriano's season ended with a bruise and not an elbow or shoulder injury, there should be no impact on his 2026 season. What will probably have an impact is better luck. Soriano had a 4.26 ERA but a 3.74 FIP. He tossed a career-high 169 IPs and increased his K/9 to 8.09. Soriano still has control issues, with his BB/9 increasing to 4.15. He's got a chase rate of only 28.1%and a SwStr% of 11.3%. Soriano also has a First pitch strike % of 57.9%. With a Zone% of 50.3% he has a tendency to let hitters off the hook. The signs are that he is making progress. His FIP has decreased each season. With a fastball approaching triple digits it won't take much to elevate his game to elite status. Soriano will have his age 27 season in 2026. A big jump could be in the offing.
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