In the realm of baseball, where every player counts and every position matters, some teams are poised to turn their projected roster holes into strengths. This is particularly true for those clubs that rank poorly in projected WAR but have the potential to outperform expectations. Let's take a closer look at nine such teams and the players who could be the key to their success.
One team that stands out is the Chicago White Sox. With a catching tandem of Teel and Edgar Quero, the White Sox might have a stud in Teel, who slashed .273/.375/.411 with eight homers over 297 plate appearances as a rookie last year. Teel's performance got better as the year went on, recording an .833 OPS over his final 53 games. This is particularly fascinating given that Quero was the worst-rated defensive catcher last season, which doesn't help matters. However, Teel's potential as a stud player could be the key to the White Sox's success.
Another team that could turn projected weaknesses into strengths is the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds have a potential star on their hands in Stewart, MLB Pipeline's No. 22 overall prospect. Stewart certainly looked the part in a late-season cameo with the Reds last year, going deep five times and slugging .545 over 58 plate appearances. What makes this particularly fascinating is that Stewart is learning first base on the fly after coming through the Reds' system as a third baseman. With Ke'Bryan Hayes at third and Eugenio Suárez occupying the DH spot, Cincinnati will be counting on Stewart to solidify himself as its starting first baseman in 2026.
The Boston Red Sox also have a player who could turn projected weaknesses into strengths. Before Roman Anthony became the belle of the ball in Boston, Mayer was actually the more highly regarded prospect. Mayer was ranked 15th or higher on MLB Pipeline's preseason list of the Top 100 prospects every year from 2022-25, peaking at No. 9 prior to '23. While injuries and a .228/.272/.402 slash over 136 plate appearances as a rookie last season have taken some of the shine off Mayer, he still possesses considerable upside at 23 years old. He'll have a chance to earn significant playing time at second base this year.
The Philadelphia Phillies have a player who could also turn projected weaknesses into strengths. Crawford, MLB Pipeline's No. 53 overall prospect, is slated to take over as the team's starting center fielder. The son of former big leaguer Carl Crawford, Justin has a similar profile to his dad as an upper-echelon speedster with excellent contact skills. The 22-year-old posted an eye-popping .334/.411/.452 slash with seven homers and 46 steals for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season and has the potential to outperform his modest projections (99 wRC+, 1.7 WAR) by a comfortable margin as a rookie.
The Kansas City Royals have a player who could also turn projected weaknesses into strengths. Caglianone struggled on both sides of the ball as a rookie in 2025, producing -1.6 WAR over 62 games for the Royals. However, the electric bat speed and prodigious raw power that made him the No. 6 overall Draft pick in 2024 haven't gone away. Caglianone's expected stats show a hitter who deserved much better than the .157/.237/.295 slash he actually produced. With multiple exit velocities above 115 mph during Spring Training, Caglianone could be ready to erupt at the plate in 2026.
The Cleveland Guardians also have a player who could turn projected weaknesses into strengths. Williams, though, possesses frontline potential if he can rein in his walk rate, and Bibee was a 3-plus WAR pitcher in both 2023 and '24. There’s also real upside at the back end. Cantillo looked fantastic after moving to the rotation last July, recording a 2.96 ERA with a 3.21 FIP, a 25.9% strikeout rate, and a 30.3% whiff rate over 13 starts. Fellow youngster Parker Messick pitched well, too, posting a 2.72 ERA with a dazzling 6.33 K/BB ratio over 39 2/3 innings. Messick may begin the year in the Minors but should be starting for the Guardians before long.
The Los Angeles Angels have a player who could also turn projected weaknesses into strengths. Lowe, a former first-round Draft pick, put up 20 homers, 32 steals, and 3.4 WAR for the Rays in 2023 and is still just 28 years old. After trading starting left fielder Taylor Ward to the Orioles for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, the Angels collaborated with the Rays and Reds on a three-team deal in January that brought Lowe to Anaheim. Lowe is expected to take Ward’s place in left field, with Mike Trout moving back to center and Jo Adell starting in right.
In my opinion, what makes these players particularly fascinating is their potential to outperform their projections. While some may have struggled in the past, their raw talent and potential make them worth watching in 2026. These players could be the key to their teams' success, turning projected weaknesses into strengths and helping their teams achieve their goals.
In conclusion, while these teams may have been projected to have weaknesses, they have the potential to turn those weaknesses into strengths. With the right players in the right positions, these teams could surprise everyone and have a successful 2026 season. It will be fascinating to see how these players perform and whether they can live up to their potential.
