The Dodgers and Padres got things started early this year with first pitchers and catchers workouts on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Every other club will begin their workouts on Wednesday or Thursday.
Spring isn’t just in the air. It’s on the ground. It’s in the bullpens. It’s in the mitts. It’s in the cage. It’s everywhere all around us -- well, at least if you’re in Arizona or Florida.
Spring Training can be an exciting time in the world of prospects because it presents our first up-close look at them since last fall, and an offseason of preparation can bring sharpened tools in sometimes unexpected ways. It makes me think especially of Julio Rodríguez’s speed-based training ahead of his rookie year in 2022 and how he’s used his run tool to secure his place as one of the game’s most electric stars.
We’ll see what Spring Training surprises arise around the corner, but before the Grapefruit and Cactus League truly kick into gear, here are the five most interesting Major League camps for prospects and potential rookies in 2024:
Baltimore Orioles
It’s the No. 1 prospect-related question on everyone’s mind this spring because it involves the No. 1 overall prospect -- will Jackson Holliday crack Baltimore’s Opening Day roster? As Jake Rill writes, O’s general manager Mike Elias is certainly willing to let the 2022 first overall pick win the job with a strong showing. The defending AL East champs have an opening at second base, and it seems the club would prefer a lefty bat there. After earning an extra Draft pick via the Prospect Promotion Incentive and Gunnar Henderson's Rookie of the Year Award in 2023, there is an opportunity to follow that path again with a high-ceiling talent, and Holliday’s ability to adjust at every level gives him a bigger advantage than your typical 20-year-old non-roster invitee. Additionally, Colton Cowser, Coby Mayo and Heston Kjerstad could each add to the Orioles’ list of good problems with a strong spring.
Milwaukee Brewers
Lots of attention is headed Jackson Chourio’s way after MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 overall prospect signed an eight-year, $82 million extension -- the largest given to a player with zero MLB service time. You’d think that would guarantee the Venezuelan center fielder a spot on Milwaukee’s Opening Day roster, but that isn’t entirely true. Chourio turns 20 on March 11 and has only six Triple-A games on his resume. A quiet turn in the Cactus League could put him back in Nashville with Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell or Joey Wiemer taking over in center. Elsewhere, the newly acquired Joey Ortiz will try to win the open spot at third base in his new organization, while Robert Gasser and Carlos F. Rodriguez try to claim spots in the rotation. Don’t be shocked if Jacob Misiorowski increases calls for a quick jump to the Majors either if his special fastball and slider play as they should in short spring spurts.
Texas Rangers
Look, we know, barring injury, that Evan Carter will be on the World Series champions’ Opening Day roster after his key role last October and November. Will Wyatt Langford join him in the outfield? On paper, Texas is set on the grass with Carter in left, Leody Taveras in center and Adolis García in right. But after showing plus-plus power at Florida and four Minor League stops (including Triple-A), Langford has as high a ceiling as anyone in that group. His bat is basically ready as is. Chris Young and Bruce Bochy seem open to the 2023 fourth overall pick winning a job if his swing decisions and exit velocities hold up in Arizona, and should that happen, he could be right there with Carter and Holliday as co-favorites to win AL Rookie of the Year. Defending World Series champs don’t ordinarily have the chance to get better by plugging in recent Draft picks. There is little ordinary about Langford as a prospect.
