MLB Spring Training: 1 prospect from every team that should make the Opening Day roster

MLB Spring Training has only just gotten underway, but it’s not too early to take a look at which top prospects could make their respective team’s Opening Day rosters.

Around the league, many of the best young stars the game has to offer are getting off to electric starts in their MLB Spring Training camps.

Each of Heston Kjerstad (Orioles), Justin Foscue (Rangers) and Garrett Mitchell (Brewers) have gone deep twice already in spring.

Beyond that group, Jordan Walker (Cardinals), Zac Veen (Rockies), Jasson Dominguez (Yankees), Addison Barger (Blue Jays), Brett Baty (Mets), Matt McLain (Reds) and Ronny Mauricio (Mets) have all hit home runs in the early going as well.

Gunnar Henderson, a middle infielder for the Baltimore Orioles, is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com’s latest rankings. He is widely expected to begin the upcoming regular season on the big league roster, deservedly so.

Here is 1 prospect from each MLB club that should make their team’s Opening Day roster

New York Yankees — infielder Oswald Peraza

This is a bit of a cheap answer since Peraza technically already made his big league debut, but he’s by far the most likely prospect to begin the year on the big league roster.

Peraza, 22, is the No. 52 prospect in the game per MLB.com. He played in 18 games for the Yankees last year and looked exceptional both at the plate and in the field. He hit .306 with a 139 OPS+ in 49 at-bats and also was worth 0.1 dWAR per Baseball Reference.

Anthony Volpe is a close second on this list, but the No. 5 prospect in all of baseball will likely be kept down until June or July.

Boston Red Sox — first baseman Triston Casas

Casas, the No. 23 prospect in the league, also got his first cameo in the majors last year and his stats are interesting to say the least. The big lefty hit five home runs in 76 at-bats and had an OPS+ of 113 but wasn’t able to get his batting average above the dreaded Mendoza Line.

Batting average be damned, Casas seems like he’s going to develop into the real deal for Boston and is easily the top pick to crack the Opening Day roster and stay in the bigs moving forward.

Baltimore Orioles — infielder Gunnar Henderson

Henderson, the No. 1 prospect in the game is going to be the starting shortstop for the Orioles on Opening Day. The 21-year-old had 116 at-bats last year in the big leagues, hitting four home runs and driving in 18 while posting an OPS+ of 123.

Before his promotion last year, Henderson had 19 home runs and a .297 batting average in 112 games split between Double-A and Triple-A for the O’s. He showed an impressive eye at the plate and also racked up 22 stolen bases along the way.

Tampa Bay Rays — infielder Curtis Mead

Mead, the No. 33 prospect in the league, narrowly beats out right-hander Taj Bradley for this spot.

With the current configuration of the Rays rotation, Bradley does not seem to have an immediate spot on the big league roster. Mead, however, could easily leapfrog some of the current infield options including Taylor Walls and Jonathan Aranda.

Mead, a product of Australia, has double-digit home run potential, is a smart baserunner and plays first, second and third base at an above-average rate.

Toronto Blue Jays — infielder Addison Barger

Barger, unranked in the top 100 by MLB.com, swings it from the left side and has some impressive pop in his bat that he pairs with gap power and one of the best throwing arms in the minor leagues.

The 23-year-old was added to the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster earlier in the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft so he automatically has a leg up on the competition. His strong showing in Triple-A last year did a lot for showing his readiness and he is said to be adding the outfield to his defensive repertoire during Spring Training.