Editor’s note: Leading up to Opening Day, our staff will share several predictions for the 2026 Red Sox season. In Part 4 of the season preview series, our three-person panel took their picks for who Boston’s breakout star will be this year.
It’s no mystery who the Boston Red Sox’ stars will be in 2026. The club will lean heavily on guys like Garrett Crochet, Roman Anthony, Willson Contreras, and Jarren Duran to lead it back into the postseason.
But if Boston hopes to play in October, members of the supporting cast will have to step up and produce breakout campaigns. The roster consists of several talented players who could make the leap from good to great this upcoming season.
In the latest installment of our season preview series, our three-person panel picked players they expect to be the Red Sox’ breakout stars in 2026:
Justin Leger: Caleb Durbin
Truth be told, Darren stole my answer for this one. I’m all in on Wilyer Abreu making the All-Star leap in 2026. But since he went with Abreu, I’ll go with newcomer Caleb Durbin.
Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason, the 5-foot-6 Durbin finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year race last year. He’ll be Boston’s starting third baseman, and while he doesn’t have the same offensive upside as his predecessor Alex Bregman, his advanced plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills will be a breath of fresh air in a lineup that is expected to rack up strikeouts.
Durbin probably won’t be a Gold Glover or a 20-plus homer guy, but he’ll be a steady force both at the plate and the hot corner. I expect him to become a fan favorite and one of the club’s most reliable players by season’s end.
Nick Goss: Marcelo Mayer
This is the year that Mayer puts it all together and never sees the minor leagues again. If healthy, he should seize the second base job and put together a strong offensive season, potentially hitting 20-plus homers.
Darren Hartwell: Wilyer Abreu
The 26-year-old is already one of Boston’s better two-way players who set career highs in home runs (22) and RBI (69) last season while winning his second consecutive Gold Glove award. He missed 47 games due to injury last season, however, and has yet to make the leap to an All-Star-caliber player. He has the potential, and 2026 is the year he stays healthy and puts it all together.
