On Opening Day last year, Jackson Chourio became the first player born in 2004 to debut in the big leagues. To find out the youngest player this season, fans don't need to look very far. The rosters feature 46 players born in 2001 or later, and still, Chourio is the only one born in '04 -- making him the youngest by three months.
Besides Chourio, Jackson Holliday, Junior Caminero, Jackson Merrill, Cam Smith and Jasson Dom¨ªnguez -- all of whom were born in 2003 -- are the next youngest. There are 17 players born in 2002 and the remaining 23 players making up the group were all born in '01.
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Among the 23 players born in 2002 or later, the Athletics, Cardinals and Nationals are the only clubs with multiple representatives. For the A's, former first-rounders (and high school teammates) Jacob Wilson and Max Muncy are the youngest on the club; in Washington, exciting outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews (MLB No. 4) make the list; for St. Louis, it's the same duo as last year -- Masyn Winn and Jordan Walker.
Let's dig deeper into that group. Here are the 23 youngest players on Opening Day rosters this year:
1. Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers (age 21, DOB: March 11, 2004)
Prior to breaking camp with Milwaukee in 2024, Chourio -- then ranked as MLB's No. 2 prospect -- signed an eight-year, $82 million contract, the largest ever for a player before their big league debut. The deal turned out to be beneficial for both sides, as the Venezuela native broke out in the second half, slashing .310/.363/.552 with 12 homers and 12 steals. This spring, Chourio continued his rise toward stardom, posting a 1.223 OPS in the Cactus League.
2. Jackson Holliday, 2B/SS, Orioles (age 21, DOB: Dec. 4, 2003)
In two big league stints last season, Holliday had stretches of success, but he didn't hit the ground running like Orioles fans might have hoped. With Gunnar Henderson on the shelf to begin 2025, Holliday will slide over to shortstop -- his natural position -- and look to build on his .865 Spring Training OPS.
3. Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays (age 21, DOB: July 5, 2003)
Caminero may be the the third-youngest player in the Majors to start the season, but don't let that fool you -- the 6-foot-1 third baseman possesses light-tower power as a result of elite bat speed. This year will mark Caminero's third in the bigs, but the first of which that he is on an Opening Day roster.
4. Jackson Merrill, OF, Padres (age 21, DOB: April 19, 2003)
Completing the trio of "Jacksons" on this list, Merrill won the center-field job in San Diego last spring and hasn't let it up since. In his first season in The Show, the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder was named to the All-Star team, won a Silver Slugger and finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Merrill patrolled center field in all 155 of his games played and slashed .292/.326/.500.
5. Cam Smith, 3B/OF, Astros (age 22, DOB: Feb. 22, 2003)
This spring, Smith, who had played just 32 professional games prior to Opening Day, became the third quickest hitter to crack an Opening Day roster since the Draft era began in 1965. The former Florida State Seminole burst onto the scene last summer, swatting homers in six straight games as a member of the Cubs' organization. After being dealt in the trade that sent Kyle Tucker to Chicago this winter, MLB's No. 58 prospect once again opened eyes in Spring Training, socking four homers with a 1.130 OPS to earn a spot in the bigs.
6. Jasson Dom¨ªnguez, OF, Yankees (age 22, DOB: Feb. 7, 2003)
Like Caminero, Dom¨ªnguez (MLB No. 21) is entering his third season with time in the bigs, but his first on the Opening Day roster. The switch-hitting outfielder mashed four homers in an eight-contest MLB audition in 2023, but has struggled to find his footing in the Bronx since. Dom¨ªnguez still possesses plus tools and, at 22 years old, has time on his side. The Dominican Republic native, also known as "The Martian," will hold down left field for the Yankees in 2025.
7. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, Braves (age 22, DOB: Nov. 20, 2002)
Smith-Shawver's career started on the fast track. He debuted with the Braves in 2023 at just 20 years old and held his own in six big league games. Last year, however, Smith-Shawver (ATL No. 3) spent most of the year at Triple-A Gwinnett and made just one start in the Majors. Now, with plenty of Minor League innings under his belt, the right-hander will begin the season in Atlanta's rotation.
8. James Wood, OF, Nationals (age 22, DOB: Sept. 17, 2002)
Thanks to a young core led by Wood and Crews, the Nationals are tabbed as one of the more intriguing teams entering 2025. Wood sports titanic power and can spray the ball all over the yard -- his first big league homer was to the opposite field, too. The 6-foot-7 slugger had nine jacks and 14 steals in 2024, and will occupy left field and bat in the heart of the lineup in '25.
9. Javier Sanoja, SS/2B/OF, Marlins (age 22, DOB: Sept. 3, 2002)
Sanoja (MIA No. 15) fanned at a Minors-leading 6.5 percent clip last season, resulting in a September callup to the big league club. He then repeated that success this spring, striking out just five times in 37 at-bats and snagging an MLB spot for the 2025 season. Standing at 5-foot-7, the Venezuela native projects to be a utility-type player for Miami with a knack for getting on base.
10. Max Muncy, SS, Athletics (age 22, DOB: Aug. 25, 2002)
Not only does the Athletics' No. 7 prospect share the same name as the two-time World Series champion Dodger, but he also shares the same birthday -- just 12 years apart. Anyway, the younger Muncy was a first-rounder in 2021 and hit his stride in the Minors last season. He slashed .277/.374/.491 at Triple-A Las Vegas and followed it up with a .768 OPS this spring.
The next 13:
11. Ryan Johnson, RHP, Angels (age 22, DOB: Aug. 5, 2002)
12. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers (age 22, DOB: July 30, 2002)
13. Angel Chivilli, RHP, Rockies (age 22, DOB: July 28, 2002)
14. Kristian Campbell, 2B/SS/OF, Red Sox (age 22, DOB: June 28, 2002)
15. Paul Skenes, RHP, Pirates (age 22, DOB: May 29, 2002)
16. Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals (age 22, DOB: May 22, 2002)
17. Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics (age 22, DOB: March 30, 2002)
18. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs (age 23, DOB: March 25, 2002)
19. Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals (age 23, DOB: March 21, 2002)
20. Luisangel Acu?a, SS, Mets (age 23, DOB: March 12, 2002)
21. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals (age 23, DOB: Feb. 26, 2002)
22. Luis Matos, OF, Giants (age 23, DOB: Jan. 28, 2002)
23. Elly De La Cruz, SS, Reds (age 23, DOB: Jan. 11, 2002)