1 prospect from every team making noise this spring

Spring Training isn¡¯t just a warm-up for established players, it¡¯s also a chance for prospects to showcase their skills and see how they measure up in a big league setting.

Although the spring schedule is still in the early stages, we've already seen a number of up-and-comers make their mark, laying the groundwork for future success in the Majors. Some may even end up earning a spot on the Opening Day roster.

With help from MLB.com's beat reporters, here's a look at one prospect for each team who has been making noise this spring.

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

AL EAST

Blue Jays: OF Alan Roden
Even general manager Ross Atkins singled out Roden, which he typically avoids doing. Roden has been an organizational favorite for a couple of years now, but it¡¯s all coming together for him at the right time and he¡¯s suddenly one of the hottest names in camp. Manager John Schneider has praised Roden, too, and it¡¯s clear that Roden could help the Blue Jays very soon with his excellent plate approach and enough pop to keep pitchers honest. It may still take an injury or slow start in front of Roden, but he¡¯s getting close to forcing the Blue Jays¡¯ hand. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: C Samuel Basallo
MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 13 overall prospect is a 20-year-old with a big bat, which he¡¯s been proving all over the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Basallo¡¯s rounds of batting practice on the backfields have wowed all spectators. He has also carried it into Grapefruit League games, as the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native belted a massive home run over the right-center-field scoreboard on Feb. 27 vs. the Blue Jays. Basallo will return to Triple-A Norfolk to begin the year, but it may not be long before he¡¯s knocking on the big league door. -- Jake Rill

Rays: OF Chandler Simpson
Simpson, one of the Rays¡¯ top prospects, earned plenty of attention last season by stealing 104 bases and leading all full-season Minor Leaguers with a .355 batting average. He made his presence felt quite quickly in his first big league camp, too, picking up two hits and a stolen base in his first game then making arguably the Rays¡¯ best play of the spring so far: a running, diving grab in center field. The 24-year-old has an old-school, speed-based skill-set -- and it¡¯s been hard to keep your eyes off him when he¡¯s on the field. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: SS Marcelo Mayer
The left-handed hitting shortstop is putting it all together this spring, showing no signs of the lumbar strain that took away the final two months of his 2024 season. MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 12 prospect has filled out within the last year, and in a good way. The 22-year-old looks sturdy and ready to compete at the highest level. Mayer is likely to start the season at Triple-A, but he seems on track to make his MLB debut at some point in ¡®25. Mayer had a breakout game in Lakeland against the Tigers on Feb. 27, going 3-for-3 with a triple and a homer. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: RHP Will Warren
Warren took his lumps in his first tastes of the big leagues last year, when he permitted 27 runs (26 earned) and 33 hits in 22 2/3 innings, but the right-hander has looked much sharper this spring. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Warren has improved his changeup, and Warren dusted off a curveball he¡¯d largely abandoned, giving him another weapon to keep left-handed hitters honest. Warren said a key will be remaining ahead in the count: ¡°These are the greatest hitters in the world, so when you¡¯re setting it up for them to have success, it¡¯s hard to pitch.¡± -- Bryan Hoch

AL CENTRAL

Guardians: LHP Doug Nikhazy
Nikhazy (the Guardians¡¯ No. 25 prospect in 2024, according to MLB Pipeline) has been sharp in two appearances this spring, allowing just one walk with four strikeouts in four scoreless innings. The 25-year-old had an impressive 2024 season, compiling a 2.98 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, and Cleveland added him to its 40-man roster in November. He could be someone we see in the Majors sooner than later this season. -- Anthony Castrovince

Royals: RHP Luinder Avila
The obvious answer here is Noah Cameron, who is closest to the Majors and could help in the rotation at some point this season. But someone whose name keeps popping up in conversations is Avila, who finished 2024 as the club¡¯s No. 26 prospect. He¡¯s also a starter and will continue to be built up in Triple-A this season, needing more development time, but his physicality has stood out to coaches watching him throw in games and bullpens. Avila has promising stuff, including a mid-90s fastball that naturally cuts and flashed upper-90s in his first Cactus League outing, a new two-seamer and a big breaking ball that misses bats. The Royals see Avila as being able to help them in a variety of roles, which includes the bullpen, so that¡¯s something to monitor as the season nears. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: RHP Jackson Jobe
Jobe, MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 5 prospect, has made a strong first impression in his quest to earn one of two open spots in Detroit¡¯s rotation. In addition to his upper 90s fastball, sharp cutter and wipeout slider, he has added a big-breaking curveball and two-seamer to his arsenal, the former in a quest to draw more swings and misses from hitters. He shows signs of polish beyond a typical 22-year-old, and a good grasp of how hitters are trying to beat him. -- Jason Beck

Twins: RHP Eiberson Castellano
The Rule 5 selection had a strong first outing. His second started out shaky but then he recovered nicely, an encouraging development for a pitcher with very little high-Minors experience. He¡¯s a work in progress, but he¡¯s caught some eyes, with manager Rocco Baldelli saying on Feb. 28 that ¡°the staff is really excited about watching him pitch whenever he takes the mound. Everyone is paying attention because they like what they see.¡± -- Matthew Leach

White Sox: RHP Grant Taylor
The White Sox are heavier in the pitching prospects, so the natural choices would be Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith, the top two left-handed pitching prospects in the game, per MLB Pipeline, who threw back-to-back scoreless innings on Feb. 26 at Camelback Ranch. But instead this nod goes to Taylor, who topped out at 101.2 mph during his first appearance in Surprise on Feb. 23. The right-hander is a starter to watch, after being drafted while he was recovering from Tommy John and dealing with a lat issue in ¡®24. He has the stuff to be a high-end member of the rotation. -- Scott Merkin

AL WEST

Angels: 2B Christian Moore
Moore, ranked as the club¡¯s top prospect and the No. 68 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, has impressed so far this spring as he¡¯s competing for the starting job at second base. Moore was drafted just last year with the No. 8 overall selection but dominated at Double-A Rocket City and is considered close to being Major League ready. Even if he doesn¡¯t crack the Opening Day roster, he¡¯s expected to be called up early in the season. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: 3B Cam Smith
Smith, acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December, walked in his first two plate appearances in Grapefruit League play before belting a pair of opposite-field homers in his first two official at-bats on Feb. 25 against the Mets. Smith, the Astros¡¯ No. 1-ranked prospect and No. 59 overall, won¡¯t make the Opening Day roster, but general manager Dana Brown could move him quickly through the system if he keeps hitting in the spring and beyond. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: 1B Nick Kurtz
Ranked the Athletics¡¯ No. 2 prospect and the No. 38 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, Kurtz has opened the eyes of the Major League staff in his first big league camp with his impressive displays of power. He¡¯s only 2-for-12 (.167) through seven Cactus League games, but the numbers do not matter much. So far, Kurtz ¨C the fourth overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft ¨C has dominated every level of the Minors, and there is a real chance he could reach the Majors at some point in '25. -- Mart¨ªn Gallegos

Mariners: OF Lazaro Montes
MLB Pipeline's No. 42 overall prospect hit a towering home run off the top of the batter's eye at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Feb. 24, flashing the tape-measure power that he's been touted with for years. The Cuba native has a big personality and has shown comfort and confidence in his own skin as he navigates his first big league camp. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: OF Alejandro Osuna
The Rangers¡¯ No. 16 prospect in 2024 per MLB Pipeline, Osuna has drawn praise from Bruce Bochy and the big league staff for his talent, enthusiasm and energy in his first Major League camp. He¡¯s 4-for-13 (.308) with two RBIs, three walks and two steals in Cactus League play, and he¡¯s made several elite defensive plays in the outfield playing alongside big league regulars. -- Kennedi Landry

NL EAST

Braves: C Drake Baldwin
Baldwin ranks as baseball¡¯s No. 63 prospect and he will continue to rise the ranks if the past few days are an indication of how this season might go. The 23-year-old catcher hit an opposite-field double against the Pirates on Feb. 26 and then went 3-for-4 against the Marlins two days later. His defense has steadily improved and he¡¯ll likely have time to further develop at the Triple-A level to begin the season. But if there¡¯s a chance to be given regular playing time, he could reach Atlanta at some point this year. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: SS Max Acosta
When primary shortstop Xavier Edwards hasn't started in a Grapefruit League, Acosta has gotten the nod. Acquired in the Jake Burger trade with the Rangers at the Winter Meetings, the 22-year-old has impressed with his physicality, glove and at the plate. Through his first three games, Acosta has gone 2-for-5 with a walk and a line-drive homer to left-center field. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: RHP Brandon Sproat
The Mets¡¯ top-ranked prospect (No. 46 overall), Sproat is making the most of his first big league camp, retiring all six batters he faced in his Grapefruit League debut on Feb. 28. While Sproat made headlines by dialing his fastball up to 99 mph, he encouraged Mets officials just as much with his ability to command his changeup, sinker and sweeper -- three weapons that will be crucial if he hopes to make the Majors this year. Sproat won¡¯t break camp with the big club but should have an opportunity to debut early in the season if things continue to go well. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: OF Robert Hassell III
Hassell, the Nationals¡¯ No. 13 prospect in 2024 per MLB Pipeline, is healthy after dealing with injuries throughout his Minor League career. He is in Major League camp with the Nats for the second spring in a row, looking to make a case among a deep group of young outfielders. In his first seven Grapefruit League games, Hassell hit .450 (9-for-20) with a home run, three doubles, five RBIs and a stolen base. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: OF Gabriel Rincones Jr.
The Phillies¡¯ top three prospects are in camp this spring: right-hander Andrew Painter, shortstop Aidan Miller and center fielder Justin Crawford. But so is Rincones, who finished 2024 as the Phillies' No. 10 prospect and has impressed manager Rob Thomson and others with his bat. In Rincones¡¯ first six Grapefruit League games, he was 3-for-10 with two home runs, four RBIs, one walk and two strikeouts. It¡¯s the type of spring that can get people¡¯s attention, especially after he missed much of last season because of a thumb injury. -- Todd Zolecki

NL CENTRAL

Brewers: SS Cooper Pratt
More than the numbers ¨C starting with four hits including a trio of doubles in his first 10 Cactus League at-bats ¨C it¡¯s the way the 20-year-old has carried himself in camp which has most impressed Brewers officials as they move forward without shortstop Willy Adames. Pratt himself says he doesn¡¯t expect to make the team out of camp, but he¡¯s gaining experience that should help him this season at Double-A Biloxi. It wouldn¡¯t be a surprise if he¡¯s vying to make the Major League team at this time next year. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: SS/2B JJ Wetherholt
The No. 1-ranked prospect in the Cardinals system (No. 23 overall) wasted no time in showing why he has earned that lofty ranking, pounding out a single and a three-run home run in his MLB Spring Training debut. Wetherholt, the No. 7 pick in last year¡¯s MLB Draft, has also impressed the Cardinals with his analytical and studious approach to the game, leading some in the organization to believe that he will be a fast riser through the system. His ability to play both shortstop and second base offers the kind of positional versatility that the Cardinals covet. -- John Denton

Cubs: OF Kevin Alc¨¢ntara
¡°The Jaguar¡± continues to flash his potential after making his MLB debut in a short big league stint last September. Alc¨¢ntara, the Cubs¡¯ No. 6 prospect in 2024 per MLB Pipeline, entered the spring looking to earn a spot on the Cubs¡¯ Opening Day roster and add depth to the club¡¯s outfield, which he¡¯ll likely play some sort of role in this summer regardless of where he starts the season. Through his first seven Cactus League games, Alc¨¢ntara has certainly looked the part, batting .375 (6-for-16) with four RBIs, two doubles, two walks and a stolen base. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: OF/1B Matt Gorski
This is a pivotal season for Gorski, who was unranked on Pittsburgh's Top 30 prospects list in 2024 but has gotten off to a hot start this spring, hitting three home runs in the first week. The swing changes he made last season are translating, making him a contender for the fourth outfield and backup first base jobs. -- Alex Stumpf

Reds: 3B/2B Sal Stewart
Ranked 84th overall among MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects entering 2025, Stewart has continued to demonstrate a patient approach at the plate in his first big league camp. After he hit his first homer of spring on Feb. 24 vs. the Dodgers, manager Terry Francona gave the 21-year-old a strong endorsement. "I don't know when it's going to be, but he's going to be a good Major League hitter. Mark my words," Francona said. Stewart is expected to open 2025 at Double-A Chattanooga. -- Mark Sheldon

NL WEST

D-backs: SS Jordan Lawlar
The D-backs top prospect per MLB Pipeline (No. 11 overall) doesn¡¯t have a clear path to the Opening Day roster at the moment with Geraldo Perdomo at short and Eugenio Su¨¢rez at third, but he has had a good camp so far both offensively and defensively and is still very much in the club¡¯s future plans. Lawlar missed a large part of last year due to hamstring and thumb injuries and went to winter ball to make up some of the at-bats. -- Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: OF Zyhir Hope
Hope has gained traction as a prospect to watch since joining the Dodgers' system ahead of the 2024 season. He's in his first big league camp as a non-roster invitee, and he's made an impression by hitting the ball hard and making some impressive plays in the outfield. Hope just turned 20, so it may be some time until he gets a shot with the Dodgers, but he's certainly one to keep an eye on as he continues to develop. -- Sonja Chen

Giants: 1B Bryce Eldridge
Eldridge remains a work in progress at first base, but he¡¯s showing that his bat is tantalizingly close to big league ready. The 20-year-old slugger made a loud statement by crushing a 450-foot, 110-mph home run in his Cactus League debut against the Rangers on Feb. 22, flashing the raw power that has made him one of the most exciting hitting prospects in the Minors. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: OF Tirso Ornelas
The Padres¡¯ 24-year-old outfielder could be on the verge of a long-awaited big league breakthrough after eight years in the organization. The team¡¯s No. 18 prospect in 2024, Ornelas opened camp with five extra-base hits in his first 15 at-bats -- building off a strong 2024 showing in Triple-A (and a similarly excellent showing in the Mexican Winter League). Ornelas¡¯ path to a roster spot got trickier with the recent signings of Jason Heyward and Connor Joe. But he could be lining himself up for a midseason callup. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: RHP Chase Dollander
Rarely has there been a Rockies pitching prospect who has received this much attention so early in his career. The ninth overall pick in 2023, Dollander (MLB Pipeline's No. 25 prospect) showed enough power and poise at High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford last year that he was not only invited to camp but also given a legitimate shot at making the MLB club. A fastball that is touching 98 mph and a unique curve have him on the radar. Even if he needs to begin the year in Triple-A to gain experience, he should work his way to Denver quickly. -- Thomas Harding