Everyone in Major League Baseball is chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers this year, but it's especially true in the National League West.
Not only are the Dodgers the two-time defending World Series champions, but they've won this division in 14 of the last 15 seasons. The other four teams will need some players to step up in a major way to challenge Los Angeles' reign this year -- and we know the Dodgers will have an unexpected breakout or two, as well.
As anticipation builds for the start of the season, let's have a look at a player on each team we believe has all the ingredients for a breakout season in 2026. Players are listed in the order their teams finished in the standings last year.
Los Angeles Dodgers - INF Hyeseong Kim
Kim's rookie season had to be a bit of a personal letdown, even though he got a World Series ring out of it. Now that Tommy Edman is expected to miss opening day after ankle surgery, the 27-year-old speedster should get the first crack at the starting second-base job, and he's frankly got too many raw tools to bet against.
San Diego Padres - SP Randy Vásquez
A pitcher had to make this list, and we've got a sneaking suspicion Vásquez has a bit more in the tank than he showcased in his decent 2025 campaign. His fastball had a plus-10 run value, but his breaking balls were negative-10, so one pitch grip tweak or change to his arsenal could make a surprisingly large difference.
San Francisco Giants - 1B Bryce Eldridge
We made an effort not to use every team's top prospect, or the prospect who was closest to the big leagues, on this list. But an exception has to be made for the 21-year-old Eldridge, who is still raw but has the pure power skills to blast balls into McCovey Cove at a rate we haven't seen since Barry Bonds' heyday.
Arizona Diamondbacks - INF Tim Tawa
Former all-world prospect Jordan Lawlar will be a popular pick to click for the Diamondbacks this year, but we're rolling with the 26-year-old Tawa, who posted a .620 OPS in 74 games for Arizona last season. He has appealing sprint speed and bat speed, and his expected statistics indicate at least a little positive regression is likely as well.
Colorado Rockies - 2B Edouard Julien
Remember 2023, when Julien was seventh in Rookie of the Year voting and posted a .381 on-base percentage for the Minnesota Twins? We like his odds to get back to at least league average on offense with all the extra grass at Coors Field to drop in more base hits.