1 dark horse candidate to make each Opening Day roster

With Spring Training underway, discussions about who will make Opening Day rosters are in full swing.

While a majority of 26-man rosters are generally set, plenty of clubs will be evaluating battles for a final spot on the bench or bullpen or pitchers deking it out for the last opening in a rotation.

With this in mind, we asked each team's beat writer about dark horse candidates who could make each team's Opening Day roster.

Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: LHP Mason Fluharty
The Blue Jays need a second lefty to pair with Brendon Little, and while Fluharty would need to beat out some more veteran options, there’s a reason he’s so well regarded within the organization. A deceptive lefty with a 3.63 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 67 innings in Triple-A last year, Fluharty should have every opportunity to make an impression this spring. He can pitch multiple innings, too, so at the very least, Fluharty can pitch himself into the depth conversation with a good camp. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: RHP Colin Selby
The O’s 26-man roster is pretty much already set, but there’s always the potential for injuries in Spring Training. If a pitcher goes down over the next month, it could open a door for Selby, a 27-year-old right-hander who was a surprise inclusion on Baltimore’s roster for the AL Wild Card Series last year. Although Selby threw only four innings (all scoreless) for the O’s last season, the club was impressed by his stuff. There’s potential for him to be an impactful addition to the bullpen down the line, and it could be to start the season if a hole is created before then. -- Jake Rill

Rays: RHP Eric Orze
The Rays acquired a handful of optionable relievers capable of pitching multiple innings, knowing they could need more depth than usual as they navigate a season at Steinbrenner Field. One of them was Orze, their return from the Mets for Jose Siri. He’s only made two appearances in the Majors, but he put up big-time strikeout numbers in Triple-A and stood out in his early throwing sessions in camp. It’s worth noting that president of baseball operations Erik Neander said the Rays have liked Orze and his excellent changeup “for some time” and thought he could benefit from working with their pitching department. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: 2B Vaughn Grissom
For all the talk about top prospect Kristian Campbell (No. 7 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100) having a chance to win a spot in the lineup with a strong spring, Grissom has become a forgotten man, at least outside the walls of the clubhouse. After a bust of a first season in Boston thanks to multiple leg injuries that kept him out for an extended period and limited his production when he did play, Grissom is fully healthy this spring. Not only that but he’s added 12 pounds and picked up some bat speed, as evidenced during a live batting practice when he belted a 100 mph from Aroldis Chapman into right field for a hit. Though he still has options, Grissom could still win a job on the team either as the second baseman or a utility player. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: C J.C. Escarra
Escarra has traveled an interesting route to earn a place in the backup catcher competition, with stops in several independent leagues after being released by the Orioles, as well as stints driving for Uber and other odd jobs. The 30-year-old is here because he can rake, something he proved by posting a .302/.403/.527 slash line across 52 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year. Escarra kept it up over the offseason, winning a batting title in the Dominican Winter League. The club’s internal defensive metrics love Escarra, rating him as a top-flight receiver. If the Yankees are OK carrying two left-handed hitting catchers with Austin Wells as the starter, Escarra could make the Opening Day roster. -- Bryan Hoch

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Guardians: RHP Luis Frías
Let’s get the important part out of the way first: Frías, closer Emmanuel Clase and newly acquired starter Luis Ortiz are all tight and are all big dudes with dreadlocks. So a game that goes Ortiz to Frías to Clase would be a lot of fun. The 26-year-old Frías, who was signed to a Minor League deal with a spring invite, could conceivably join recent acquisitions Paul Sewald and Jakob Junis as an option to ease some of the burden on the Guards’ big four (Clase, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin). It’s a numbers game, of course, but the trouble with Spring Training – especially after a deep postseason run – is the possibility of injury issues cropping up, potentially opening an opportunity to someone like the experienced Frías. He had a terrible 2024 with the D-backs and Blue Jays, but the Guards’ pitching factory could untap his best. -- Anthony Castrovince

Royals: LHP Evan Sisk
The Royals added Sisk to their 40-man roster in November because other teams were calling with interest, and they wanted to avoid losing him as a Minor League free agent. The 27-year-old posted a 1.57 ERA across 57 1/3 innings, with 81 strikeouts and just 26 walks, for Triple-A Omaha last year. He’s a different-look lefty with a sidearm delivery and stuff that’s hard for any hitter to pick up, but especially left-handers. He’s competing for a spot in the Royals’ bullpen, and with limited spots, he’s going to have to have a great spring to break camp with the team. Regardless of Opening Day or not, it’s likely the Royals rely on him at some point this year, especially if there’s a series with a lot of left-handed hitters. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: RHP Chase Lee
The Tigers keep accumulating relievers with different looks, and the sidearming Lee – acquired from Texas at last summer’s Trade Deadline for Andrew Chafin – is unique, flinging 90 mph fastballs and high-spin sweepers out of his low arm slot. His late-season run at Triple-A Toledo included a 31-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 22 innings, impressive enough that Detroit added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. He faces an uphill battle to crack a crowded Tigers bullpen, but if manager A.J. Hinch wants more strikeouts in his relief corps, Lee presents an intriguing option. -- Jason Beck

Twins: RHP Eiberson Castellano
The Twins already have a lot of pitching depth, but right-hander Eiberson Castellano, a Rule 5 pick from the Phillies, could possibly help the bullpen as a long reliever. In Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Pirates, Castellano entered the game in the fourth inning and pitched one shutout inning and struck out the side. Castellano split the 2024 season between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading, going a combined 6-5 with a 3.99 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings. Castellano’s success earned him Philadelphia’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year. -- Bill Ladson

White Sox: 2B Chase Meidroth
The Cactus League opener for the White Sox featured Colson Montgomery at shortstop and Meidroth at second, which gave many pause for thought toward a similar double play combination on Opening Day at home on March 27. Montgomery is the No. 39 prospect overall, per MLB Pipeline, and has a legitimate shot to break with the team, while Meidroth, who was part of the four-player return in the Garrett Crochet trade with Boston, also is in the picture. He has an exceptional plate approach, drawing 105 walks with a .437 on-base percentage for Triple-A Worcester last season. -- Scott Merkin

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

Angels: 2B Christian Moore
Moore was the No. 8 overall pick in last year’s Draft and dominated at Double-A Rocket City, nearly earning a callup last September, only to tweak his knee. But Moore, ranked as the No. 68 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, is competing for the starting job at second base with Luis Rengifo. If Moore has a strong spring, he could crack the Opening Day roster. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: RHP Logan VanWey
Undrafted out of Division II Missouri Southern State in 2022, VanWey pitched in the Independent Pioneer in Montana before being invited to Houston for a tryout. He signed as a free agent and he reached Triple-A in his first full season in pro ball in ‘23. He has a 3.21 ERA and 12.35 strikeouts per nine innings as a reliever in the Minor Leagues and could be an option for an Astros bullpen that lacks depth. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: RHP Dylan Floro
Signed to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training earlier this week, Floro brings a track record of success. The 34-year-old right-hander holds a career 3.49 ERA over nine Major League seasons and combined for a 3.80 ERA in 66 appearances for the Nationals and D-backs last season. Getting a late start to camp, Floro will get plenty of opportunities to earn a spot in the A’s bullpen. -- Martín Gallegos

Mariners: 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez
A fresh arrival to camp, signed to a Minors deal with an invite to big league Spring Training, the massive lefty slugger will vie for playing time at a spot that is maybe the Mariners' most questionable. On paper, Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver look like the clearest fits for DH reps, but Tellez bats lefty and has crushed right-handed pitching for most of his career. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: OF Kevin Pillar
The Rangers signed the 36-year-old outfielder on Sunday, adding to an already deep group of outfielders in big league camp. Pillar hit .229 with eight home runs, 45 RBIs and a .667 OPS in 100 games between the White Sox and Angels in 2024, but had offseason thumb surgery and felt like he had more left in the tank before deciding not to retire. Most notably, he slashed .310/.352/.500 against left-handed pitching in 2024, while both Texas center fielders Evan Carter and Leody Taveras struggled against lefties last season. He could be a quality outfield addition to the Opening Day roster. -- Kennedi Landry

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: LHP Jake Diekman
Diekman is a non-roster invitee who posted a 2.18 ERA over his final 50 appearances of the 2023 season with the Rays and then constructed a 5.63 ERA in 43 appearances for the Mets last year. The 38-year-old reliever’s bid to make Atlanta’s roster will be influenced by Angel Perdomo, a fellow southpaw who is already on the 40-man roster and out of options. Perdomo had 44 strikeouts in 29 innings for the Pirates before needing to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2023. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: LHP John Rooney
In a division with so many left-handed sluggers, the Marlins could use multiple southpaw relievers. If Andrew Nardi's lower back inflammation continues to keep him away from the mound, Miami might need to add a non-roster invitee to join Anthony Veneziano in the bullpen. Manager Clayton McCullough is familiar with Rooney from their time in the Dodgers' organization. Other candidates include Dale Stanavich and Justin King, both of whom have less upper-level experience. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: INF Jared Young
The Mets signed Young off a successful half-season stint in Korea, where he slugged .660 over a 38-game sample. The 29-year-old isn’t quite as snug a roster fit as Nick Madrigal, who could back up Francisco Lindor at shortstop and garner some second-base reps as a right-handed foil to Jeff McNeil. But Young is versatile as well, with significant experience at both corner infield and outfield spots. He’s always had power, including two home runs in 22 career Major League games. With a strong spring, Young could win the lone Mets bench job up for grabs. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: INF José Tena
After taking over at third base in the second half of last season, José Tena entered camp with the opportunity to earn the Opening Day starting role. He still is in contention, but the competition got deeper last week when the Nats signed veteran infielder Paul DeJong. Like Tena, DeJong can play around the infield, and he logged over 300 innings on the hot corner last season after spending most of his career at shortstop. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: RHP Koyo Aoyagi
The Phillies signed Aoyagi to a Minor League contract with an invite to big league camp this spring. He is almost certainly going to open the season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but the Phils think he might eventually help them at some point. If he does join the Phils’ bullpen, he will be the first Japanese-born player they’ve signed to ever play for the franchise. -- Todd Zolecki

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Brewers: 1B Ernesto Martinez
Known as “The Cuban Missile,” Martinez stands 6-foot-6 and tops exit velocity leaderboards with a powerful left-handed swing. Rhys Hoskins exercised an $18 million player option to return to Milwaukee for a second season so he’s the starter, and prospect Tyler Black or non-roster invitee Jake Bauers are probably ahead of Martinez on the organization depth chart as left-handed hitters for first base. But if Martinez shows his full arsenal of skills -- which includes dropping into the splits while receiving throws on ground balls -- he has a chance to impress. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: RHP Michael McGreevy
In a perfect world, McGreevy would be a lock to be on the Opening Day roster, especially after the way he pitched down the stretch last season. He was 3-0 in four MLB appearances (three starts), including a season-capping five-hitter over eight innings in a win against the Giants. The Cardinals would like to trade veteran starters Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz, and to do so, both might need to be on the Opening Day roster. That could delay McGreevy’s chances to try and build upon his 2024 success at the big league level. -- John Denton

Cubs: OF Kevin Alcántara
Alcántara, who is ranked No. 90 on Pipeline’s Top 100 list, has an outside shot to crack the Cubs’ Opening Day roster as a bench player who can serve as a righty complement to Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. Alcántara, 22, was acquired from the Yankees in the ‘21 trade that sent Anthony Rizzo to the Bronx, and had a three-game taste of MLB down the stretch last year. In 111 games between Double-A and Triple-A in ‘24, Alcántara hit .278/.353/.428 with 14 homers, 21 doubles, 61 RBIs and 14 steals. That includes hitting at a .292 clip (.848 OPS) in a 35-game stint with Triple-A Iowa. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: RHP Mike Burrows
Burrows debuted at Yankee Stadium last season, a reward for completing his Tommy John rehab and pitching well in the Minors. Now there are a couple opportunities for him to fit into this team, whether it’s the rotation, the bullpen or being a swingman like Luis L. Ortiz last season. The 25-year-old has stuff and enough velocity to play out of any role, and there are jobs up for grabs. -- Alex Stumpf

Reds: INF Cooper Bowman
A Rule 5 selection from the A's this winter who would be required to remain on the roster all season if he made it, Bowman isn't just getting a pedestrian look in camp. Cincinnati is in need of better defense and the 25-year-old has a reputation for being very strong defensively at multiple positions. He most often plays second base, shortstop and center field. Also a speedster, he had 43 stolen bases combined at Double-A and Triple-A. Manager Terry Francona also plans to try Bowman at first base to see if he can bring added value and versatility. The big question is whether he can hit at the big league level. After moving up to Triple-A last season in the Athletics' system, Bowman batted .218 with a .592 OPS in 38 games. -- Mark Sheldon

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

D-backs: INF/OF Garrett Hampson
It’s hard to pick a darkhorse in the Arizona camp with an established team, but Hampson is probably the closest thing to it. Signed to a Minor League deal before camp opened, Hampson has a real shot of capturing the final bench spot on roster thanks to his versatility. Arizona could use a backup shortstop and the fact that Hampson can play in the middle infield and handle any duties in the outfield could make him a valuable piece. -- Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: RHP Luis García
Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech could open the season on the injured list, so if any position group has spots up for grabs, it might be the bullpen. García, a non-roster invitee, had a solid previous season -- although he was much better in his first 45 appearances with the Angels (3.71 ERA) before being traded to the Red Sox (8.22 ERA in 15 outings). If he performs well in spring, he could earn a spot. -- Sonja Chen

Giants: C Max Stassi
Stassi hasn’t played in the Majors since 2022, but he could have an opening to make the team as a backup catcher given the ongoing health struggles of veteran Tom Murphy, who is currently shut down with an oblique strain. Stassi is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but his combination of Major League experience and defensive prowess could make him an intriguing option to pair with Gold Glove winner Patrick Bailey if Murphy is unavailable for the start of the season. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: RHP Bradgley Rodriguez
San Diego has only one bullpen spot available at the moment -- with several strong candidates to fill it. But bullpens are fickle (and injury-prone) by nature. Which is where the Padres’ depth comes in. Rodriguez, a hard-throwing 21-year-old right-hander and the team’s No. 12 prospect, posted a 2.64 ERA at three levels last season, ascending to Double-A San Antonio. At this point he’s a bit of a longshot. But he opened his Cactus League ledger with a 1-2-3 inning on Friday that included strikeouts of Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: RHP Diego Castillo
The Rockies finished last season with a bullpen largely populated with hard-throwing but inexperienced relievers. If they perform well, they’ll make for some tough Opening Day roster decisions. But Castillo, 31, who had solid years with the Rays (141 ERA+ 2018-21) and has pitched for the Mariners and the Twins the last two years, could grab a spot if some of the younger hurlers take a step back or simply need more time. -- Thomas Harding