Five Players Are Already Changing Their New Teams, and Early April Is Only the Beginning

Ten games into the season is basically nothing. We all know that. But when you're watching a guy absolutely mash from day one in a new uniform? Yeah, you pay attention. Five players have come out swinging early in 2026, and they're making serious statements about what they can do for their new squads.

Brendan Donovan Is the Anchor the Mariners Needed

Here's the thing about Donovan: everybody knew he could play anywhere on the field. But the Mariners didn't bring him in to move around. They got him locked in at third base after that three-team deal with the Rays and Cardinals, and through nine games, his bat is doing all the talking.

The 29-year-old is slashing .323/.432/.581 (that's a 1.013 OPS for you stat nerds) with two home runs and four RBIs in 37 plate appearances. He's hit leadoff six times already, getting on base and setting up the rest of the lineup. Defense hasn't been sharp yet, sitting at minus-3 Outs Above Average, but his offensive start is more than making up for it.

Here's the brutal part though: Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and Josh Naylor, the guys hitting 2-3-4 behind Donovan? They've combined to go 17-for-130 with a pathetic .131/.226/.169 slash line to start the year. If those three can get hot while Donovan keeps getting on base, this lineup could be dangerous.

Four More Names Making Noise Across the League

Owen Caissie, the 23-year-old right fielder for the Marlins, hit a walk-off homer in his first three games. That puts him in some elite company, historically speaking. He's got two home runs and nine RBIs in 31 plate appearances with a .948 OPS, and scouts are saying he looks way more polished than his rough debut with the Cubs last year.

Munetaka Murakami signed with the White Sox for two years and $34 million, and he's making that investment look smart. Four home runs in 10 games with an .892 OPS. Manager Will Venable said it plain: "He's built for this." He's reaching base safely in nine of 10 games, showing the discipline and power that made him elite in Japan.

Ryan O'Hearn is putting up monster numbers for Pittsburgh. Three home runs, 11 RBIs, and a 1.160 OPS through nine games. His 11 RBIs account for nearly a quarter of the Pirates' 45 total runs this season. That matters when you're trying to flip an offense that scored only 3.6 runs per game last year.

The Mariners play next, and Donovan's hot start will be crucial as Seattle tries to build on these early weeks.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.