MLB Superstars Struggle Early in 2026 Season

Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Ronald Acuña Jr. among the big names off to slow starts

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:53pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented baseball players and equipment, capturing the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the sport.The early-season struggles of baseball's biggest stars expose the relentless evolution of pitching and hitting in the modern game.Los Angeles Today

The 2026 MLB season is just two weeks old, but some of the league's biggest stars are already off to sluggish starts at the plate. Superstars like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Ronald Acuña Jr. have all posted underwhelming numbers so far, while others like Shohei Ohtani and Tarik Skubal have lived up to their lofty expectations.

Why it matters

Early-season slumps from marquee players can have a significant impact on their teams' fortunes, as well as the overall narrative surrounding the league. However, it's important to remember that baseball is a long season, and these slow starts don't necessarily spell doom for these players or their teams.

The details

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is batting just .237 with 3 home runs and 7 RBIs through 10 games. Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies is hitting .214 with 2 homers and 7 RBIs in 11 games. Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves has struggled the most, batting .178 with no homers and 2 RBIs in 12 games. On the pitching side, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been dominant, posting a 0.00 ERA in his first start, while Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has a 2.55 ERA through 3 starts.

  • The 2026 MLB season is just two weeks old.
  • Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Ronald Acuña Jr. have all posted underwhelming numbers so far this season.

The players

Aaron Judge

A star outfielder for the New York Yankees who is batting .237 with 3 home runs and 7 RBIs through 10 games.

Bryce Harper

A star outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies who is batting .214 with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs in 11 games.

Ronald Acuña Jr.

A star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who is batting .178 with no home runs and 2 RBIs in 12 games.

Shohei Ohtani

A two-way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers who has a 0.00 ERA in his first start of the season.

Tarik Skubal

A star pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who has a 2.55 ERA through 3 starts this season.

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The takeaway

While the early-season struggles of some of baseball's biggest stars are noteworthy, it's important to remember that the season is still young. These players have proven track records of success, and it's likely only a matter of time before they find their groove and start producing at the level we've come to expect.