MLB Pitchers Poised for a Comeback and Fresh Starts in 2026
The MLB offseason is just around the corner, and as free agency looms, there’s already a lot of buzz about which players might be on the move — and which of them could explode into stardom with a change of scenery. It’s that fascinating time of year when past stats get mixed with future possibilities, and a few struggling pitchers suddenly look like breakout stories waiting to happen.
Take Zac Gallen, for instance. Once an All-Star and Cy Young finalist for the Diamondbacks, Gallen has had a rocky couple of seasons. His 2025 numbers — a 4.83 ERA with 31 home runs allowed — don’t quite reflect the dominance we saw back in 2023. But that doesn’t mean his potential has vanished. A lot of his issues might stem from Arizona’s hitter-friendly Chase Field and a knuckle-curveball that seems to have lost its bite. A move to the Texas Rangers could be just what he needs. Under pitching coach Mike Maddux, the Rangers’ rotation posted one of the best ERAs in baseball this year. With a more forgiving home park and a coach known for fine-tuning talent, Gallen could absolutely rediscover his form.
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Then there’s Zack Littell, who split his time between the Rays and Reds in 2025. Despite giving up a ton of home runs — 36 to be exact — he still managed a 3.81 ERA across nearly 187 innings. That says a lot about his consistency and control. The problem? Both Tampa Bay and Cincinnati are brutal environments for pitchers. A switch to the San Francisco Giants could change everything. Oracle Park suppresses home runs like few others, and Littell’s pinpoint command could really shine there.
Dustin May is another name worth watching. His 2025 season between the Dodgers and Red Sox was underwhelming on paper, but his stuff still jumps off the screen — a mid-90s sinker and sweeper combo that hitters hate to face. Lefties, though, crushed him this season, and that’s the next puzzle to solve. Detroit could be the perfect laboratory. With Comerica Park’s spacious dimensions and a pitching staff known for mastering offspeed pitches, May might finally tap into that ace potential that once made him a top prospect.
And let’s not forget Ranger Suárez of the Phillies — a reliable lefty who quietly put up a 3.20 ERA but suffered a bit from Philly’s hitter-friendly park and shaky infield defense. Imagine him in Toronto, behind Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage, playing in a more neutral ballpark with improved defense behind him. That could take him from steady to spectacular.
Every offseason brings a handful of players who just need a new home to unlock what’s been missing. This year, it’s pitchers like Gallen, Littell, May, and Suárez who could turn 2026 into their big rebound year — proving that sometimes, all it takes is a different park, a new coach, and the right vibe to become a star again.
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