The 2026 MLB rookie class is already turning heads, and the excitement is only building. With Travis Bazzana making his debut for the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, the latest wave of talent from the stacked 2024 draft is proving this summer could be unforgettable.

First-year stars like Kevin McGonigle and JJ Wetherholt have been making noise since Opening Day, but other prospects, like Bazzana, needed a bit more time in the upper minors to earn their shot. While both league's Rookie of the Year races are heating up, there's still plenty of room for more thrilling debuts. And the pipeline is overflowing with talent ready to step up.

Here are six minor leaguers off to blazing starts who could make a major impact in the big leagues this summer.

James Tibbs III, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
What a journey it's been for the 13th overall pick in the 2024 draft. After a standout career at Florida State, Tibbs was selected by the Giants, then traded to Boston in the Rafael Devers deal, and later flipped to the Dodgers for Dustin May. His time in the Red Sox system was rocky—he posted a .586 OPS across 30 Double-A games—but he finished strong with the Dodgers, flashing the left-handed power that made him a first-rounder. Now at Triple-A, Tibbs has exploded: a .321/.430/.723 slash line with 11 home runs in the first month, tied for the minor-league lead. His underlying batted-ball data is stellar, but two big hurdles remain: he'll need to prove he can handle elite pitching and find a spot in a crowded Dodgers outfield.

AJ Ewing, SS, Detroit Tigers
Ewing's rise has been quiet but steady. Drafted in the third round in 2023, the shortstop has impressed with a polished approach at the plate and plus defensive instincts. This season at Double-A, he's hitting .310 with a .400 on-base percentage, showing gap power and speed that could make him a dynamic top-of-the-order threat. With the Tigers rebuilding and looking for long-term answers up the middle, Ewing could force his way into the conversation by mid-summer.

Kade Anderson, LHP, Miami Marlins
Anderson, a 2024 first-round pick out of LSU, has been electric in the minors. The left-hander features a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider that's already generating swing-and-miss rates north of 40% at Double-A. Through his first five starts, he's posted a 2.10 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 25 innings. The Marlins are in a retooling phase, and Anderson's stuff could play in a big-league bullpen as soon as this summer, with a rotation role not far behind.

Cam Collier, 3B, Cincinnati Reds
The 2022 first-round pick has matured into one of the minors' most disciplined hitters. Now at Triple-A, Collier is walking nearly as often as he's striking out, and his power is finally catching up—he's already hit eight homers this month. With the Reds' infield depth thinning due to injuries, Collier's left-handed bat and plus defense at third base could earn him a call-up to fill a gap and provide a spark.

Josue De Paula, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Another Dodgers prospect making waves, De Paula is just 20 years old but already dominating Double-A. The left-handed hitter has a smooth swing and advanced plate discipline, posting a .290 average with a .390 OBP and five home runs. He's raw but toolsy, and the Dodgers have a history of fast-tracking talent. If he keeps this pace, he could be a mid-summer surprise for a team always looking for an edge.

Brock Wilken, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers
Wilken, a 2023 first-rounder out of Wake Forest, has recovered from a slow start to his pro career. This season at Triple-A, he's mashing with 10 home runs and a .280/.370/.600 slash line. His power is legit, and the Brewers' infield is in flux. If Wilken can tighten up his defense, he could be a key piece for Milwaukee down the stretch.

From first-round pedigree to late-round surprises, these six prospects are proving that the next wave of MLB stars is closer than you think. Keep an eye on them—they might just be the ones wearing your favorite team's jersey come August.