From seasoned veterans to up-and-coming younger gamers, Spring Coaching supplies a possibility for everybody to shine. Whereas solely 26 gamers per membership will crack the Opening Day roster when all is claimed and accomplished, those that stand out through the spring typically discover themselves rewarded.
With the assistance of every membership’s MLB.com beat author, right here is every crew’s darkish horse to snag a spot on the Main League roster come Opening Day.
Blue Jays: 3B/RF Addison Barger
Barger is a part of a crowded, difficult group of place participant depth in camp. There are higher-ranked prospects, like No. 2 Orelvis Martinez, however Martinez is strictly an infielder who focuses on second base. Barger’s capability to play some proper subject places him nearer to being “an damage away” than so many different gamers competing for jobs. It’s nonetheless possible that Barger opens in Triple-A, however his pathway to reps in proper subject is vital, particularly if his energy bat clicks once more after a down 12 months. He’s specializing in lifting the ball extra in 2024, which is a high quality begin. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: OF Kyle Stowers
Regardless that Stowers made his first profession Opening Day roster final season, the 26-year-old qualifies as a darkish horse this 12 months. He went 2-for-30 for the O’s final April and Might, then by no means acquired again as much as the massive leagues. His Minor League marketing campaign featured each a proper shoulder damage and a fractured nostril. Now, he’s amongst a gaggle of six outfielders battling for both one or two roster spots, and the bunch contains each Colton Cowser (MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 total prospect) and Heston Kjerstad (No. 32). It’s stiff competitors, however Stowers has impressed early in camp, particularly together with his left-on-left at-bats throughout stay batting observe. — Jake Rill
Rays: OF/2B Richie Palacios
With the current addition of infielder/outfielder Amed Rosario, the competitions in Rays camp have taken on a special form. If right-handed-hitting DH/outfielder Harold Ramírez isn’t traded earlier than Opening Day, and everybody else stays wholesome, the Rays may have a handful of candidates for his or her ultimate two position-player spots. Presumably, one will go to both infielder Curtis Mead or outfielder Jonny DeLuca, each right-handed hitters. The opposite may go to lefty-hitting Jonathan Aranda, who has little left to show in Triple-A, or maybe Palacios, who upped his offensive sport after becoming a member of the Cardinals final season and will again up at second base or across the outfield. — Adam Berry
Purple Sox: INF/OF Bobby Dalbec
After getting 453 at-bats as a rookie in 2021 and 353 extra throughout a difficult ‘22 season, Dalbec fell off the map final season, taking simply 53 at-bats for Boston and spending a lot of the season in Triple-A. With Justin Turner having departed through free company, there now appears to be a path for Dalbec to crack the Opening Day roster as a right-handed bat who can play nook infield and nook outfield. Dalbec has apparent uncooked energy, and the Purple Sox hope he can get again to hitting Main League pitching like he did down the stretch in ‘21. — Ian Browne
Yankees: RHP Nick Burdi
Burdi has drawn excessive reward in camp after some electrical live-batting observe and bullpen periods, with supervisor Aaron Boone raving that the right-hander’s stuff is “nearly as good because it will get.” In a single mound project, Burdi gassed the likes of DJ LeMahieu, Anthony Volpe and Giancarlo Stanton together with his mixture of a high-90s fastball, slider and changeup. Having beforehand pitched within the Majors with the Pirates and Cubs, Burdi’s largest hurdle has been remaining wholesome. He has rebounded from two Tommy John surgical procedures and a process to deal with thoracic outlet syndrome. — Bryan Hoch
Guardians: RHP Cade Smith
Let’s assume the Guardians will carry eight relievers on their Opening Day roster. Six of these spots are all however locked in. Emmanuel Clase, Scott Barlow, Trevor Stephan, Sam Hentges, Eli Morgan and Nick Sandlin will return. That leaves two vacancies to fill. Xzavion Curry and Carlos Carrasco will possible battle for a long-relief position. And the ultimate opening could possibly be Smith’s relying how his (and James Karinchak’s) spring goes. Smith was glorious in aid in Double-A Akron final 12 months and bumped into just a little extra bother when he transitioned to Triple-A, however his 95 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings on the 12 months present there’s loads to love in regards to the 24-year-old righty. — Mandy Bell
Royals: LHP Anthony Veneziano
Veneziano went from Double-A to Triple-A earlier than throwing two innings within the Majors final season, and that small style has him longing for extra. The Royals’ No. 16 prospect is being constructed up as a starter and has the instruments to start out within the Majors, but when the crew wants a multi-inning reliever, Veneziano is an intriguing title to incorporate. With a vigorous fastball, good slider and lower-slot supply, he offers a special look to hitters from the left facet. The bullpen competitors is deep this 12 months, and Veneziano may be on the skin wanting in. But when the Royals undergo any accidents and Veneziano has a superb spring, he could possibly be an possibility early on within the season. — Anne Rogers
Tigers: SS/OF Eddys Leonard
The Tigers acquired Leonard eventually 12 months’s Commerce Deadline after the Dodgers designated their former prospect for project to open a 40-man roster spot. He hit .302 with eight homers, 31 RBIs and a .905 OPS in simply 40 video games at Triple-A Toledo down the stretch, catching Detroit’s consideration. Nonetheless simply 23, his fast, high-impact right-handed bat, energetic play and positional versatility — notably shortstop and heart subject — present an intriguing match for Detroit’s roster if he has a breakout spring. — Jason Beck
Twins: UTIL Austin Martin
It nonetheless appears just like the Twins may add a right-handed outfielder to their combine earlier than Opening Day — however within the absence of such a transfer, there’s a great deal of uncertainty as to who may fill the thirteenth and ultimate place participant slot on the roster. With out an addition, Martin might be competing with Trevor Larnach and José Miranda for that final slot, and though he hasn’t performed within the Majors, his right-handed bat and positional flexibility may make him nearly as good of a candidate as any — particularly since he can again up heart subject. — Do-Hyoung Park
White Sox: RHP Jordan Leasure
Pitching coach Ethan Katz lately requested veteran outfielder Andrew Benintendi to call the very best man he had confronted this spring throughout White Sox exercises, and Leasure’s title popped up. The correct-hander was acquired with Nick Nastrini from the Dodgers on the final Commerce Deadline as a part of the deal for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly and is seen by some because the crew’s nearer of the longer term. That includes a high-velocity fastball with good carry to go together with a wipeout slider and a curve he labored on this offseason, Leasure could possibly be a camp shock. — Scott Merkin
Angels: INF Ehire Adrianza
The Angels have one bench spot open, and it’s a contest between Michael Stefanic, Kyren Paris and Adrianza. Adrianza, an 11-year veteran, has the benefit of with the ability to deal with shortstop and is conversant in supervisor Ron Washington from their time in Atlanta collectively from 2021-23. However Adrianza was restricted to only 5 video games final 12 months earlier than present process shoulder surgical procedure, so he’s going to must show he could be wholesome and productive this spring. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: OF/IF Trey Cabbage
The Astros acquired the left-handed-hitting Cabbage final month in a commerce with the Angels, giving them one other choice to compete for a bench spot with Jon Singleton and Grae Kessinger, amongst others. Cabbage brings versatility and pace, with the Astros hoping he can faucet into a number of the energy from the left facet of the plate that he confirmed within the Minors final 12 months. Cabbage hit .306/.379/.596 (.975 OPS) with 30 homers, 89 RBIs, 25 doubles and 32 stolen bases in 107 video games with Triple-A Salt Lake within the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. If he can minimize down on his strikeouts, his versatility, energy and left-handed bat may make him a weapon off the bench. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: INF Darell Hernaiz
Hernaiz – ranked Oakland’s No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline – was in sturdy consideration for a callup final September, in the end ending 2023 hitting .321/.386/.456 with 9 homers, 32 doubles, 4 triples and 71 RBIs in a mixed 131 video games at Double-A and Triple-A. Although primarily a shortstop, he enters massive league camp anticipated to get loads of reps at third base, a spot that was a black gap for the A’s final season as six gamers mixed to hit .192 with a .556 OPS and 10 dwelling runs in 618 plate appearances. If Hernaiz places collectively a robust Cactus League, he has a superb probability to make the Opening Day roster. — Martín Gallegos
Mariners: OF Taylor Trammell
Trammell is on the skin wanting in amongst a crowded nook outfield that features roster locks Mitch Haniger and Luke Raley, with two different bench spots open. He is basically going up towards Dominic Canzone, to whom the Mariners wish to give a possibility, and Sam Haggerty, who has a talent set extra conducive for a bench position. The one issue that would affect Trammell towards the opposite two is that he is out of Minor League choices and would possible be claimed elsewhere if DFA’d. — Daniel Kramer
Rangers: LHP Danny Duffy
The veteran left-hander signed a Minor League cope with the Rangers this offseason after nearly three years of nonstop rehabbing between the Royals, Dodgers and Rangers organizations. Final 12 months, he cut up his time between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Spherical Rock as he continued rehabbing his arm. He pitched in 28 video games between the 2 ranges earlier than pitching for the Cangrejeros de Santurce within the Puerto Rican Winter League this offseason. He constructed up as a starter in Puerto Rico however could possibly be both a starter or reliever for the Rangers if he makes the massive league membership. Normal supervisor Chris Younger mentioned the concept is to proceed constructing him up and consider the membership’s largest wants because the competitors within the rotation and bullpen continues all through camp. — Kennedi Landry
Braves: OF Forrest Wall
Wall performed almost 9 Minor League seasons earlier than lastly making his MLB debut final 12 months. However he’s actually an attention-grabbing candidate for Atlanta’s Opening Day roster. The outfielder’s pace earned him a postseason roster spot after he totaled simply 13 at-bats final 12 months. If the Braves select to hold only one backup infielder, there’s a robust probability they may start the season with Wall primarily serving as only a pinch-running possibility. — Mark Bowman
Marlins: LHP Josh Simpson
Supervisor Skip Schumaker and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. consider Miami’s No. 25 prospect could possibly be this season’s breakout reliever like Andrew Nardi was in 2023. Simpson, who has but to make his MLB debut, must belief his fastball, which might complement his 60-grade curveball (on the 20-80 scale). With A.J. Puk constructing to be a starter and Steven Okert traded to Minnesota, there’s a gap for one more southpaw within the bullpen. — Christina De Nicola
Mets: 1B/DH Luke Voit and Ji-Man Choi
Shortly after the official begin of camp, the Mets signed Voit and Choi to Minor League offers with designs on having them compete for jobs. In an ideal world for the group, Mark Vientos will rake this spring and run with the beginning DH gig. But when Vientos doesn’t, or if veteran DJ Stewart struggles as a lot in Grapefruit League play as he did in September, the Mets may select to hold Voit (a right-handed hitter) or Choi (a lefty) over a type of two. — Anthony DiComo
Nationals: RHP Derek Regulation
The Nationals signed Regulation to a Minor League cope with an invitation to Spring Coaching on Thursday, three months after he was non-tendered by the Reds. Regulation, 33, may convey worth to Washington’s pitching employees with seven years of huge league expertise and the flexibility to pitch one-plus innings out of the bullpen. Final season, he went 4-6 with a 3.60 ERA in 54 appearances, together with three begins and two saves, throughout 55 innings. — Jessica Camerato
Phillies: RHP Andrew Bellatti
Bellatti was a mainstay within the Phillies’ 2022 bullpen earlier than struggling final season and spending a lot of the 12 months in Triple-A. The Phillies outrighted him off the 40-man roster earlier this month to make room for reliever Michael Rucker. So, Bellatti is not going to solely must pitch nicely this spring; he should pitch nicely sufficient for the Phillies to consider they should clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster. — Todd Zolecki
Brewers: INF/OF Christian Arroyo
The non-roster invite is an interesting candidate and will show to be an attention-grabbing possibility as camp progresses as a result of he can play each place on the infield and within the outfield. He’s anticipated to see some motion at first base however will get loads of appears at third base as nicely. The 28-year-old signed a Minor League cope with the Brewers on Jan. 31. — Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: RHP Riley O’Brien
After recording the third-fewest strikeouts in all of baseball amongst their relievers in 2023, the Cardinals aggressively sought out swing-and-miss whereas fortifying their bullpen. The marquee additions have been 2021 AL All-Star Andrew Kittredge and 2023 Yankees standout Keynan Middleton. O’Brien, who was acquired in a November commerce with the Mariners for money issues, was the primary addition, and he principally flew under the radar due to his restricted MLB expertise (15 video games). The 29-year-old struck out 13 batters in 8 1/3 MLB innings with the Mariners in 2023 and fanned 86 batters in 55 innings in Triple-A. O’Brien flashed a sweeper with 21 inches of horizontal break and a fastball that has touched 98 mph this spring. He may make the Playing cards roster together with his capability to get strikeouts out of the bullpen. — John Denton
Cubs: OF Alexander Canario
The Cubs have reached an settlement to re-sign star heart fielder Cody Bellinger, placing him between left fielder Ian Happ and proper fielder Seiya Suzuki. Behind them, the Cubs have complementary items to think about. A lot of the main focus is on prime prospect and elite defender Pete Crow-Armstrong, however don’t overlook about Canario. The 23-year-old prospect (acquired from the Giants as a part of the Kris Bryant commerce in 2021) launched 37 homers with 97 RBIs throughout three ranges in ‘22. Final 12 months, he returned from severe left ankle and left shoulder accidents and hit .294 with a .647 slugging share in his transient style of the Majors (17 at-bats). There’s a situation by which Canario makes the Opening Day roster as a backup piece for all three outfield spots, particularly to face lefty pitching. — Jordan Bastian
Pirates: OF Billy McKinney
The Pirates have an open proper subject competitors this spring, and whereas there are a pair candidates already on the 40 man roster – particularly Joshua Palacios, Edward Olivares and the lately reacquired Canaan Smith-Njigba – McKinney had a style of success with the Yankees final season after making some swing modifications. Olivares posted an .857 OPS towards left-handers final 12 months, which makes for a strong half of a platoon. McKinney, Palacios and Smith-Njigba are all lefties; McKinney’s .349 xwOBA and 89.4 mph exit velocity towards right-handers in 2023 are arguably essentially the most engaging of the group. — Alex Stumpf
Reds: UT Josh Harrison
Signed to a Minor League contract shortly earlier than camp opened as a non-roster participant, the Cincinnati native and two-time All-Star Harrison wished to play for his hometown crew for the primary time. The Reds have a stacked infield, nevertheless, with a number of younger gamers. However Harrison is able to taking part in each place on the sector besides catcher, and that versatility alongside together with his veteran management expertise give him a lane the place he may make the crew out of camp. His deal features a March 21 opt-out date if he’s not added to the massive league roster. — Mark Sheldon
D-backs: RHP Corbin Martin
The centerpiece within the Zack Greinke deal from 2019, Martin is coming off surgical procedure to restore a lat tendon behind his proper shoulder, an damage that value him your entire 2023 season. Earlier than getting injured final spring, the D-backs have been taking a look at him in a aid position and felt he was on the verge of placing all of it collectively. As a substitute he suffered the damage throughout a spring sport. The crew might take it gradual with Martin this spring, which may make it laborious for him to be a part of the Opening Day roster, however he’s positively somebody to regulate. — Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: RHP Gavin Stone
Stone is among the prime pitching prospects in baseball, so it’s laborious to name him a darkish horse, however that ought to provide you with an indicator of the expertise degree at Dodgers camp this spring. However the right-hander has an opportunity to win a spot within the rotation out of camp with Walker Buehler beginning the season on the injured record. Stone will battle it out with Emmet Sheehan, Ryan Yarbrough and Landon Knack and has a practical probability to get begins in April. — Juan Toribio
Giants: RHP Mason Black
The Giants are hoping Keaton Winn’s bout with proper elbow soreness is delicate, but when he finally ends up being sidelined longer than anticipated, the membership may wind up needing one other starter to affix Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks and Tristan Beck within the Opening Day rotation. That would open the door for somebody like Black, who’s ranked the membership’s No. 9 prospect and logged a 3.71 ERA in 29 begins between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento in 2023. — Maria Guardado
Padres: OF Jakob Marsee
Marsee is a lefty-hitting outfielder. The Padres want lefty hitters, they usually want outfielders. So it stands to purpose that the reigning Arizona Fall League MVP — and the crew’s No. 13-ranked prospect in keeping with MLB Pipeline — would have an opportunity to win a roster spot. Among the many quite a few candidates for enjoying time within the outfield, Marsee is considered one of solely a handful able to taking part in heart subject. The Padres are nonetheless wanting so as to add to their outfield combine both through commerce or free company. However for now, the righty-hitting José Azocar is the one heart fielder on the 40-man roster, and a platoon between Azocar and Marsee appears doable. — AJ Cassavell
Rockies: RHP Victor Vodnik
Vodnik joined the Rockies in a commerce with the Braves and was referred to as up for six appearances final season. He averaged 97.1 mph together with his fastball, displayed a plus (above Main League common) changeup and made progress with a slider that he considerably pocketed whereas with the Braves however introduced again with the Rockies’ encouragement. Vodnik is competing with a number of pitchers who noticed massive league time final 12 months and a few intriguing non-roster candidates — John Curtiss and Probability Adams amongst them. Nonetheless, the facility combine makes him a reputable candidate. — Thomas Harding