Year of the Rookie: Kevin McGonigle, Munetaka Murakami, Parker Messick lead a 2026 rookie class that made all kinds of history

It didn’t take long for us to get an inkling that the 2026 rookie class could be special. This cohort of talented youngsters wasted no time announcing themselves on the major-league stage, with a plethora of rookies stealing the show on Opening Day. Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt and Mets outfielder Carson Benge both went yard for their first career hits. Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle, at 21 years old, became just the 21st player since 1900 — and fourth-youngest of that group — to notch four hits in his big-league debut. After making his MLB debut in the postseason last…