MLB Prospects: Tracking Opening Day Rosters & Spring Training Results 2026

JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals secured a starting second base position on Monday, becoming one of a growing number of Top 100 prospects to earn Opening Day roster spots, according to recent evaluations by MLB Pipeline experts.

In February, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline correctly predicted that five prospects would make their MLB debuts, and their assessment of Wetherholt has also proven accurate. The Cardinals’ seventh overall pick in the 2024 Draft has impressed during spring training, earning All-Spring Breakout Second Team honors and demonstrating a 65-grade hit tool, tallying two home runs and nine walks in 44 plate appearances.

Wetherholt is one of several highly-ranked prospects who have either made their MLB debuts or are projected to do so in the coming weeks. Konnor Griffin, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospect and MLB’s No. 1 initially generated excitement with a two-homer game early in spring training. However, a higher strikeout rate led the Pirates to assign him to Triple-A to begin the season, though a call-up in 2026 remains a possibility.

Kevin McGonigle, the Detroit Tigers’ No. 1 prospect, has showcased both defensive versatility and offensive prowess, splitting time between shortstop and third base while posting a .923 OPS with two home runs and more walks than strikeouts in 40 Grapefruit League at-bats. His status for the Opening Day roster remains undecided.

Nolan McLean, a right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets, has earned a spot in the team’s starting rotation after posting a 2.06 ERA, and 1.04 WHIP in eight big league starts last season. His success earned him an invitation to Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Samuel Basallo, the Baltimore Orioles’ No. 1 prospect, is projected to start as the designated hitter, providing an offensive boost with a .1114 OPS and three home runs in 15 spring games, while All-Star Adley Rutschman handles catching duties.

Colt Emerson, the Seattle Mariners’ No. 1 prospect, will begin the season at Triple-A Tacoma, despite posting an .828 OPS with two home runs in Spring Training. The Mariners opted not to employ him as a temporary replacement for injured shortstop J.P. Crawford.

Bubba Chandler, a right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is expected to be the team’s No. 5 starter, showcasing a high-velocity four-seamer averaging 98.9 mph and reaching 102 mph.

Trey Yesavage, a right-handed pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, was initially projected to open the season in the starting rotation but will begin the year on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement. Yesavage made an unprecedented climb from Single-A to the Majors in his first professional season, becoming a pivotal piece in Toronto’s run to the World Series.

Carson Benge, an outfielder for the New York Mets, has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after hitting .366 with a triple, a double, and a stolen base in 46 spring plate appearances, filling a right-field role created by Juan Soto’s shift to left field.

Carter Jensen, a catcher for the Kansas City Royals, is poised for more opportunities behind the plate in his first full season, having slugged three home runs this spring and previously appearing in 20 games for the Royals last year.

Payton Tolle, a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, showcased his strikeout stuff this spring, combining for seven scoreless frames with 12 strikeouts over his final two outings, but will start the year at Triple-A due to the team’s pitching depth.

Sal Stewart, a first baseman/third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, is projected to start at first base, having hit three home runs this spring with a 1.065 OPS.

Bryce Eldridge, a first baseman for the San Francisco Giants, will begin the season at Triple-A, with manager Tony Vitello citing the need for further development in his defense and baserunning.

Andrew Painter, a right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, will start the season in the rotation while Zack Wheeler recovers from surgery, allowing three runs and striking out eight over 11 2/3 innings this spring.

Owen Caissie, an outfielder acquired by the Miami Marlins in a trade, is projected to be the team’s primary right fielder, having hit 22 home runs at Triple-A last season.

Chase DeLauter, an outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians, will have the opportunity to make an impact after making his MLB debut in the postseason last year, slashing .459 with two home runs this spring.

Jonah Tong, a right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets, will start the year at Triple-A after surrendering six earned runs across seven frames this spring, despite striking out seven.

Jett Williams, a shortstop/second baseman/outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, was reassigned to Minor League camp and is projected to start the year at Triple-A, having slashed .353 with two stolen bases this spring.

Justin Crawford, an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, has won the starting center-field spot after making 17 starts at the position in Spring Training, showcasing elite speed with a 75-grade run tool.

Moisés Ballesteros, a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, is expected to fill a similar role as a designated hitter, providing depth behind Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, after posting a 1.056 OPS with two home runs in 15 spring contests.

Connelly Early, a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, earned a spot in the team’s rotation after notching 16 strikeouts across 17 innings this spring with a 1.59 ERA.

Carson Williams, a shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, earned the nod for the Opening Day roster after Taylor Walls suffered an oblique injury, hitting .281 across 15 games this spring.

Dylan Beavers, an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, doesn’t expect to miss Opening Day despite being scratched from the lineup Friday with knee discomfort.

Harry Ford, a catcher acquired by the Washington Nationals, will start the year at Triple-A in order to secure regular playing time.

Rhett Lowder, a right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, cracked the Opening Day roster while competing for starts in a rotation dealing with injuries.

Parker Messick, a left-handed pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, earned the fifth spot in the team’s rotation after sporting a 2.27 ERA in seven starts last year.

Hunter Barco, a left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, cracked the Opening Day roster as a reliever.

Brandon Sproat, a right-handed pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, cracked the Opening Day rotation after racking up 10 strikeouts in nine spring frames.