With Major League Baseball slated to open “spring training 2.0” camps in the coming days, the teams had to present their starting pool of 60 players on Sunday. You can still add players with many teams that list less than 60 names, but this at least gives us an idea of who we will see when the players finally reach the diamond.
Many of the game’s best prospects, including Rays boss Wander Franco, will be in camp, though there is no guarantee they will see any major league action this season. With the minor leagues closed, these camps will provide the best development opportunity for many players.
Players must be in their team’s 60-man group to be eligible to play in the Major League club this season. The group can change throughout the season through standard transactions, such as exemption claims, free agent signatures, and operations. A 30-man roster will be established for the start of the season, with the remaining players continuing to train at an alternate site. The list size will drop to 28 two weeks after the season, then to 26 two weeks after that.
Generously borrowing from the work of ESPN MLB prospect expert Kiley McDaniel, here is a look at some of the notable prospects in each team’s 60-man starting pool, with teams grouped by division. We will update this story as more teams publish their rosters.
At least
Baltimore Orioles
Outfielder Austin Hays was solid on a call last season and has a chance to contribute if his health issues are behind him. Catcher Adley Rutschman (No. 3 in McDaniel’s top 100) is not ready for the big leagues and is not on the Orioles’ starting roster, but they have room to add.
Boston Red Sox
The mighty Bobby Dalbec should have a chance to form at least the starting list. It’s also worth noting: Connor Wong, the minor prospect who came in on the Mookie Betts deal, is on the starting list, but Jeter Downs, the largest prospect in the Betts trade, is not.
New York Yankees
Right-handers Deivi García (No. 45 in McDaniel’s top 100) and Clarke Schmidt (No. 82) could be useful weapons for New York.
Tampa Bay Rays
The phenomenon who is the main consensus prospect in the game, Wander Franco will not necessarily make his debut this season, it would be a great leap from Class A, but it will look good and create a lot of buzz at camp.
Toronto Blue Jays
Nate Pearson, number 6 on McDaniel’s list, is the best name and could make an impact this season, but infielder Jordan Groshans (No. 68) should also be fun to watch at camp. Austin Martin, the fifth pick in the 2020 draft, remains unsigned.
AL Central
Cleveland Indians
Nolan Jones (No. 22 in McDaniel’s top 100) is the Tribe’s top prospect, with intriguing Bo Naylor as a potential daily catcher.
Detroit Tigers
We knew that young Detroit pitchers Casey Mize and Matt Manning leading the way would be here when they are knocking on the door of the big leagues. Added to the fun is catcher Dillon Dingler, part of the 2020 Tigers draft class, plus Riley Greene, his first-round pick in 2019. Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, could be added once he signs. .
Kansas City Royals
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft, will have a chance to thrive here, though he’s not quite ready for the big boys yet.
AL West
Houston Astros
Righty Forrest Whitley has been tempting with his talent, but he hasn’t yet. Its ceiling is still high.
Los Angeles Angels
Jo Adell (McDaniel’s No. 10 prospect and only 21 years old) was expected to debut in the Major Leagues this season; Time will tell if the 60-game format changes that.
Oakland Athletics
Look out for Robert Puason, a great international talent who caught the eye of explorers when he was 13 and who would have made his professional debut this year. It showed above-average tools plus more across the board, according to McDaniel.
Seattle Sailors
The Mariners are bringing all of their best prospects to the party, including 19-year-old Julio Rodríguez (No. 9 in the Top 100) and fellow outfielder Jarred Kelenic (No. 12), as well as four of his draft picks. 2020, Emerson Hancock first round between them.
Texas Rangers
Second baseman Nick Solak and third baseman Josh Jung, both great hitters, are the players to watch.
NL East
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have a slew of potential young talent on their starting roster, with outfielder Cristian Pache (McDaniel’s No. 17 prospect) headlining.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins, unsurprisingly, have all their best prospects coming to camp, including shortstop Jazz Chisholm (No. 37 in McDaniel’s top 100), right-handers Sixto Sánchez and Edward Cabrera, and outfielder JJ Bleday.
New York Mets
David Peterson, a 6-foot 6-foot lefty who works with a solid mix of four average pitches and above-average command, has a good chance to see some action in the big leagues.
Philadelphia Phillies
Alec Bohm, the No. 3 overall pick in 2018, has plenty of brute power and is worth keeping an eye on.
Washington nationals
Jackson Rutledge will be fun to watch; the right one is 6 ft 8 in and can reach 100 mph with a very good slider if you can do it all together.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
Catcher Miguel Amaya and outfielder Brennen Davis aren’t ready for the big boys, but they both have some pop and are already in the top 100.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds will have four players in McDaniel’s top 100 at camp: catcher Tyler Stephenson, shortstop Jose Garcia, left-hander Nick Lodolo and third baseman Jonathan India.
Pittsburgh Pirates
An explorer told McDaniel that 6-foot-7 inch Oneil Cruz looked like a “left-hander[-hitting] Aaron Judge playing shortstop: “Cruz might not fall short, but he is a talent. As McDaniel wrote,” Cruz is fun and exciting and good for baseball, and he has not yet failed. “
St. Louis Cardinals
Top prospect Dylan Carlson (McDaniel prospect No. 28) may be ready to contribute after a 2019 breakup in Double-A and Triple-A.
NL West
Colorado Rockies
Brendan Rodgers, who played 25 games with Colorado last year before injuring his shoulder, is the Rockies’ top prospect.
Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s been said that Josiah Gray could be the best pitcher in the Dodgers’ system, and that’s something he says.
San Diego Padres
The Padres have plenty of talented prospects and are bringing many of them to camp, including pitchers MacKenzie Gore (No. 8 on the McDaniel list) and Luis Patino (No. 11).
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