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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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NORTH PORT, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Braden Shewmake #83 of the Atlanta Braves fields during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NORTH PORT, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Braden Shewmake #83 of the Atlanta Braves fields during the Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves — infielder Braden Shewmake

The Braves are one of the most stacked teams in the league when it comes to prospect capital.

While pitchers dominate all of their prospect rankings, there’s not an easy route to the starting rotation thanks to the presence of Max Fried, Kyle Wright, Charlie Morton, Spencer Strider and Ian Anderson.

That leaves Shewmake, the No. 10 Braves prospect per Baseball America and No. 6 per MLB. His best route to the bigs would be as Orlando Arcia’s replacement on the bench as a backup infielder who can play second or shortstop.

Miami Marlins — pitcher Max Meyer

Meyer, 23, made the first two starts of his big league career last season. They did not go well, but he got the experience under his belt and is likely at or near the top of “next in line” starting pitchers for the Marlins.

The No. 67 prospect per MLB, Meyer put on a clinic in Triple-A Jacksonville, posting a 3.72 ERA in 12 starts and 58 innings. He struck out 65 batters and walked just 19. He has shown impressive control over the years and is still viewed as a future rotation piece for Miami.

Washington Nationals — pitcher Cade Cavalli

While the Nationals did an impressive job of retooling the farm in the Juan Soto trade, Cavalli is the pick for “likeliest prospect to make the Opening Day roster”.

Cavalli, 24, is the No. 58 prospect in the league per MLB and is up to No. 4 in the Nats’ system per Baseball America.

In 20 starts for Triple-A Rochester last year, he had a 3.71 ERA in 97 innings, striking out 104 batters along the way and only surrendering three home runs in that time as well.

New York Mets — infielder/outfielder Brett Baty

This one was a toss-up between Francisco Álvarez. Álvarez is the top catching prospect in the league but seems to be blocked in the majors by Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido, at least for now.

Baty could conceivably knock Eduardo Escobar out of a starting spot and become the club’s everyday third baseman. He also has been gaining experience in left field, furthering his value and increasing the chances of him seeing time on a big league field.

Baty, the No. 21 prospect in the game per MLB, hit 19 home runs and drove in 59 in just 89 games for Double-A Binghamton last season. This was enough to warrant a brief promotion to the big leagues, where he hit the first two home runs of his career.

Philadelphia Phillies — outfielder Simón Muzziotti

Muzziotti, the No. 8 prospect in the Phillies system per Baseball America, has a shot at making the Opening Day roster but odds are it won’t be in a starting role. The 24-year-old made his big league debut last year but is blocked in the everyday lineup by Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos.

Muzziotti is on the 40-man roster and could see his path to the majors clearing up a bit once the Phillies realize they have virtually the same player three times on the bench. Each of Josh Harrison, Edmundo Sosa and Dalton Guthrie are right-handed swinging utilitymen who can play both the infield and the outfield.

Then there’s Muzziotti, a lefty-swinging outfielder who doesn’t have a ton of pop but is quick on the basepaths, has good bat-to-ball skills and plays a really solid outfield at all three spots on the grass.

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