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

By Eric Treuden

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 21, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 21, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: Kerry Carpenter #48 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: Kerry Carpenter #48 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers — outfielder Kerry Carpenter

Carpenter, 25, made his big league debut last season and did more than enough to warrant a spot on the Tigers’ 2023 Opening Day roster, hitting six home runs and posting a 128 OPS+ in 31 games.

While he did not crack the top 100 on MLB.com, Carpenter is listed as the No. 8 prospect in the Tigers system by Baseball America and is currently projected by Roster Resource on FanGraphs to be the club’s primary option at designated hitter.

Minnesota Twins — pitcher Louie Varland

Varland, 25, made five successful starts for the Twins last season and impressed. In 26 innings, he posted a 3.81 ERA with 21 strikeouts and just six walks.

The issue for him is the fact that the Twins starting rotation is mostly spoken for already. However, Kenta Maeda is expected to be healthy and may be best suited for a long relief role at least to start the year.

The No. 5 spot in the rotation is likely going to go to one of Maeda or Varland, with the other functioning as a long reliever/sixth starter.

Kansas City Royals — infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor

Taylor, acquired in the Whit Merrifield trade at last year’s trade deadline, is the No. 24 prospect in the Royals system per Baseball America but stands the best chance at making the Opening Day roster.

Drew Waters would’ve been a lock to be the Royals representative here, but he recently went down with an oblique injury that will keep him out for six to seven weeks. As of right now, Roster Resource projects that Taylor will be the lucky one to replace Waters on the active roster.

Taylor, 24, has blazing speed on the base paths that translates nicely to his defensive work. Over the years, the Royals have loved themselves a utilityman and that is exactly what he is, appearing at second, third, short and all three outfield spots last season.

Cleveland Guardians — catcher Bo Naylor

The younger brother of teammate Josh Naylor, Bo is listed as the No. 64 prospect in baseball per MLB and No. 3 Guardians prospect per Baseball America.

He only just turned 23, but has already established himself as one of the stronger backstops in the minors and is high up on a (very) short list of catching candidates in the organization.

Mike Zunino is going to be the everyday starter with Bryan Lavastida also on hand, not to mention Cam Gallagher’s recent minor league signing. None of the non-Zunino choices offer as much as Naylor does both at the plate and behind it, so he’s the best choice.

Chicago White Sox — outfielder Oscar Colás

Colás, 24, made his MiLB debut last year in the White Sox system and immediately impressed. In 117 games split between three levels, he hit 24 doubles, 23 home runs, drove in 79 and posted a .314 batting average.

He swings it from the left side so he offers a pretty comparable profile to current White Sox outfielder Gavin Sheets, but there has to be a world where Colás swipes the starting right field job away from Sheets.

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