Prospects get a chance to make their case for an Opening Day roster spot during spring training. Some struggle to impress against big-league competition, while others use the opportunity to show they are ready for The Show.
Those impressions can come in different forms, whether it’s improved defense, eye-catching power, or sharper command on the mound. A handful of players have already turned heads this spring. Here are a few prospects making the strongest cases for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Konnor Griffin, Pirates
Could the Pirates place Konnor Griffin on their Opening Day roster after an offseason that signaled a more aggressive approach to winning? It’s at least possible.
Griffin has already flashed his talent this spring with multiple home runs. Widely regarded as one of the best prospects in recent memory, he excels across the board. Last season in the minors he hit 21 home runs, stole 65 bases, and even captured a Gold Glove.
The main factor working against him is experience. Griffin has only 21 games at Double-A, and Pittsburgh may prefer to give him additional time in the minors while preserving an extra year of team control.
The most likely scenario is Griffin begins the season in Triple-A before arriving in Pittsburgh sometime in May. Still, it would not be surprising if a strong spring pushes the Pirates to accelerate that timeline.
Carson Benge, Mets
There is a vacancy in the Mets’ lineup that Carson Benge could eventually fill. For now, however, it appears likely he will begin the season in Triple-A. Benge posted a .583 OPS in 24 games at the highest level of the minors last year and has yet to record an extra-base hit through his first five spring games.
Despite those numbers, Benge’s profile should translate well to the big-league level. His minor league production may not jump off the page, but he posted a 13.1% walk rate, kept his strikeouts relatively low, and added value on the bases with 22 steals.
The Mets will likely take a cautious approach with one of their top prospects. Still, a strong couple of weeks could allow Benge to push his way into the right field conversation alongside Brett Baty and Mike Tauchman.
JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals
A .978 OPS in 47 Triple-A games last year set JJ Wetherholt up for a big spring. Ranked as the No. 3 prospect by Baseball America, Wetherholt has carried that momentum into camp with a 1.163 OPS in spring training while seamlessly transitioning from shortstop to second base.
His excellent swing decisions stand out immediately. Wetherholt finished 2025 with nearly as many walks as strikeouts and pairs that discipline with strong contact and emerging power.
The Cardinals may not be pushing to contend this season, but Wetherholt has made a strong case to earn an Opening Day roster spot on merit alone, especially after Brendan Donovan was traded.
George Klassen, Angels
Despite posting a 7.71 ERA across a 13-start stretch after being hospitalized following a comebacker to the mound, George Klassen still put together a strong 2025 season that ended with his debut at Triple-A.
Klassen pairs a big fastball with a swing-and-miss slider, and he has already impressed this spring. In his first appearance of camp, he struck out seven hitters across five innings against a formidable Padres lineup.
The Angels have never been shy about promoting their prospects aggressively. Klassen struck out 27.7% of hitters in the minors last year and appears to have improved his command, giving him a legitimate chance to beat out Alek Manoah for a rotation spot.
Ryan Waldschmidt, Diamondbacks
After playing 66 games at Double-A in 2025, 2024 first-round pick Ryan Waldschmidt may not be far from the big leagues. Baseball Prospectus ranks him as the No. 39 prospect in the sport, and he has already made an impression this spring with four extra-base hits in his first six games.
Corbin Carroll’s status for Opening Day remains uncertain, and Jordan Lawlar and Alek Thomas do not completely lock down the other outfield spots. Waldschmidt, who also showed the ability to play some center field at Double-A, could give the Diamondbacks another option if he continues swinging the bat well this spring.
His offensive profile is particularly intriguing. Waldschmidt posted a walk rate above 15% in 2025, a strong indicator of his plate discipline, and there is legitimate 30-30 upside in his game at the big-league level.
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