Two-plus months of the 2026 MLB season are in the books. With nearly four months remaining in the regular season, the nextmonth will help shape the trade deadline and playoff races.Here are the players to watch in June.
The Trade Market Focal Point
Tarik Skubal, Tigers — He's still recovering from elbowsurgery and threw 39 pitches in a simulated game. The speculative timetable has him returning in mid-June.The two-time reigning Cy Young winner was one of the bestpitchers in 2026 before the injury. He's a free agent after thisseason, unlikely to sign an extension, and plays for a teamthat is 4-21 since May 3. The Tigers are 11½ games outof first place in the AL Central and seven out of awild-card spot.
Skubal is about to be the hottest name on the trade market,assuming he comes back healthy. That's the kind of injurytimeline that turns roster planning into calendar management.
Predicting Bounce-Back Candidates
Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres — The Padres sit sixgames over.500 and in playoff position. Tatis is hitting.266/.340/.318 (89 OPS+) with that.318 slugging 180points lower than his career mark. He homered over the weekend for his first of the season. The Padres need him toplay like a star if the y're going anywhere this year.
Alex Bregman, Cubs — The Cubs signed him to afive-year, $140 million deal this offseason. He's hitting.259/.341/.364 overall, but just.203/.219 with runners in scoring position. The Cubs lead the majors inrunners left on base and need to start converting thoseopportunities.
Young Stars Carrying The ir Clubs
Jordan Walker, Cardinals — At.290/.357/.557(159 OPS+) with 15 homers and 43 RBI, he's the catalystfor a team that entered June five games over.500 and inplayoff position. The Cardinals haven't had a 40-homer guysince Albert Pujols in 2010.
CJ Abrams, Nationals — Washington is above.500entering June for the first time since 2018. In 59 games,Abrams has compiled 2.6 WAR with a.294/.391/.542 line,13 doubles, 12 homers, and nine steals. He's one of the best players on a team hanging around in a playoff race the yweren't supposed to threaten.
Jackson Chourio, Brewers — The Brewers turned a5½-game deficit into a 4½-game lead in the NL Central inMay. The y're last in the majors in home runs and 29th inslugging. Chourio, just 22, already has two 20-20 season s.The question is whether he gets hot this month.
Trea Turner, Phillies — After a miserable start,the Phillies went 21-10 under new manager Don Mattingly.The ir biggest investment is struggling at.223/.273/.349(71 OPS+). Turner won the batting title last season and needs to get things track for Philadelphia to make the playoffs for a fifth straight year.
Cal Raleigh, Mariners — Seattle has won sixstraight and taken first place in the AL West despite Raleigh being on the injured list with an oblique issue. Hestarted swinging in a batting cage and should returnbefore month's end. The Mariners cannot secure the irfirst pennant with out him being the middle-of-the-or derforce he was last season.