Which of Our Top 100 Prospects Made Opening Day Rosters?
Heading into 2026, 20 of our top-100 prospects made their club's Opening Day rosters. Here's what you need to know.
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At the start of each season, it’s easy to have hope for what the future might bring, and what kind of success your favorite team might have given the clean slate of a new year. Free agent additions are reason enough for hope, but top prospects are what truly bring excitement for the future.
There always seems to be immense hype and build up around a highly touted prospects debut, or first full season with the major league squad. Whether it was Aaron Judge with the New York Yankees, or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the Toronto Blue Jays, they’ve shown that they are the cornerstones of successful franchises.
This year, plenty of top prospects have impressed enough to earn their role on a major league roster. Several have seen time in the big leagues before, but plenty have just made their major league debut.
Without further ado, here is every Just Baseball top-100 prospect in baseball to make their organization’s opening day roster.
90. Alex Freeland, Los Angeles Dodgers
After making his major league debut late last season, shortstop Alex Freeland started his 2026 campaign on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old, a switch hitter, has doubled 30+ times each of the past two seasons in the minors, while blasting double-digit homers along the way. Freeland is also an above-average base runner and defender, which will allow him multiple avenues into a stacked Dodgers lineup.
89. Rhett Lowder, Cincinnati Reds
Rhett Lowder was set to crack Cincinnati’s Opening Day roster heading into 2025 before injuries limited his season to just 9.1 minor league innings. Now, the Reds’ top prospect will have his chance, just a year removed from 30.2 big league innings where he managed a 1.17 ERA. It seems Lowder will start the new year as part of the starting rotation, where he should spend his entire season barring any unforeseen hurdles.
79. Justin Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies
Having impressed in spring training, Justin Crawford was a clear-cut candidate for the Phillies season-opening roster. Over the past three years, the 22-year-old has showcased his above-average contact and base-running abilities, consistently maintaining a batting average of .300+ and routinely swiping 30+ bases. Crawford will serve as an outfield replacement for the recently departed Nick Castellanos and is expected to be a key part of Philadelphia’s starting lineup.
71. Brandon Sproat, Milwaukee Brewers
Earlier this offseason, Brandon Sproat was dealt to the Brewers in a deal that saw the Mets acquire Freddy Peralta. Now, the 25-year-old will begin the season with the major league squad, after experiencing his first taste of the big leagues this past season. Sproat’s five-pitch mix looks like a great match for Milwaukee’s pitching lab, and could lead to plenty of success for the crafty right-hander in 2026.
68. Carson Williams, Tampa Bay Rays
With just over 30 games of major league experience under his belt already, Carson Williams is set to start this season as the Rays’ starting shortstop. The 22-year-old is one of the league’s premier defensive prospects and possesses high power upside, blasting 20+ homers in each of the past three seasons. Williams is also a threat on the basepaths, having stolen 20+ bases in each full season of his minor league career.
55. Moisés Ballesteros, Chicago Cubs
At 22 years old, Moisés Ballesteros is the youngest player on the Cubs Opening Day roster. The left-handed hitter has showcased plus offensive potential at each level in the minors, having never finished a full season with a wRC+ lower than 121. In each of the past two seasons, Ballesteros has also managed 24 or more doubles, and has generally kept his strikeout rate at 15.0% or lower. Currently, Ballesteros will see time as the Cubs’ DH, where he’ll continue to develop his impact bat.
48. Owen Caissie, Miami Marlins
This January, Owen Caissie headlined the Marlins’ return in the deal that sent Edward Cabrera to the Cubs. Now, the 23-year-old has made Miami’s season-opening roster and is ready to contribute to a young and hungry squad. Caissie is one of the highest upside bats in the game, having maintained a wRC+ of 113 or higher and managing 25+ doubles in each of the past three seasons. The left-handed hitting slugger will be a hearty addition to the Marlins’ starting lineup in 2026.
33. Dylan Beavers, Baltimore Orioles
Dylan Beavers already had his first taste of major league action late last year and is set to run things back with the Orioles in 2026. Across 32 games, the 24-year-old managed a 125 wRC+,10 extra-base hits, and 14 RBI. The left-handed hitter has consistently boasted a mid-.850s OPS during his tenure in the minor leagues, and has stolen 20+ bases in each of the past two years. Beavers should see consistent playing time, and could be a key bat in the Orioles lineup.
23. Connelly Early, Boston Red Sox
One of the premier pitching prospects in all of baseball, Connelly Early made his way to the show by the end of 2025. Now, after a strong spring training, he’s here to stay and is holding onto the Red Sox’s fifth rotation spot. The 23-year-old relies on a six-pitch mix, which has allowed him to strike out over 30.0% of opposing hitters at every stop in his professional career. Early should be a staple among Boston’s pitching staff, and is poised to impress as the season carries on.
21. Andrew Painter, Philadelphia Phillies
Since being selected in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Andrew Painter has struggled with the injury bug. Now, though, Painter is finally healthy and ready to start this season on the Phillies’ roster. Prior to a June 2023 Tommy John surgery, the 22-year-old routinely struck out over 30.0% of opposing hitters, but those numbers subsided a bit as Painter recovered. Given his strong spring training performance, there is optimism that Painter can return to form in 2026.
20. Chase DeLauter, Cleveland Guardians
Chase DeLauter made his major league debut in an extraordinary way, with his first appearance coming during last year’s American League Wild Card series. The 24-year-old prospect has impressed in each of his professional seasons, never having posted a wRC+ below 115 at any level. DeLauter has also excelled at putting the ball in play, keeping strikeout rates hovering around 15.0%. He’s already making waves for Cleveland’s starting lineup and isn’t going to stop anytime soon.
15. Sal Stewart, Cincinnati Reds
Although he has just 24 major league games under his belt at this point, Sal Stewart has already made his presence felt in Cincinnati. The 22-year-old blasted five homers and boasted a 124 wRC+ across 58 plate appearances, while striking fear into opposing pitchers. Stewart has never seen his wRC+ fall below 124 at any level, and consistently maintains hard contact. The right-handed hitter offers plenty of pop for a Reds team that desperately needs more offensive firepower.
13. Carter Jensen, Kansas City Royals
Since being drafted in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Carter Jensen has established himself as one of the best catchers in the minor leagues. Now, after a brief stint in the majors to close out last season, Jensen will start the season in Kansas City. Just 22 years old, he possesses 30-homer power potential at the plate, and has owned a 115 wRC+ or higher in each of his professional seasons to this point.
12. Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh Pirates
Bubba Chandler is one of the most impressive arms in Pittsburgh’s wildly talented system, and after making his major league debut in 2025, he is set to stick with the big league squad heading into this season. The 22-year-old runs his fastball up to triple digits, and has struck out at least 25.0% of hitters at every level he’s pitched. In 31.1 MLB innings, Chandler managed a 3.20 xFIP and is poised to see plenty of success with Pittsburgh this season.
11. Carson Benge, New York Mets
A first-round pick in 2024, Carson Benge secured his spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster after a strong spring training performance. At just 23 years old, Benge has one of the smoothest swings in the minor leagues and has never finished a season with a wRC+ below 150. The corner outfielder has also showcased plus defensive ability, and should have room to flourish by joining an already packed Mets lineup.
8. Samuel Basallo, Baltimore Orioles
One of the youngest prospects in the game, Samuel Basallo, made his major league debut at 20 years old last season. Now 21, the left-handed hitter has earned his spot in Baltimore’s starting lineup. Over the past three seasons, Basallo has consistently posted above-average wRC+ numbers, and blasted 15 or more homers. For now, he’ll slot into the O’s lineup as the DH, where he’ll continue developing his power potential.
7. JJ Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals
JJ Wetherholt earned his way onto the Cardinals’ roster after dominating at each level in which he’s played since being drafted in the first round back in 2024. The 23-year-old has maintained a 140 wRC+ or higher at each of his stops thus far, and has shown no sign of slowing down, even blasting a home run for his first major league hit. As the Cardinals continue their rebuild, Wetherholt’s plus bat and defensive ability will aid in guiding their future.
3. Nolan McLean, New York Mets
After pitching in the World Baseball Classic just a few weeks ago, Nolan McLean is ready for the next step of his professional baseball journey, starting with an opening day roster spot with the Mets. Last year, the 24-year-old prospect impressed during his limited time in the majors, boasting a 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 48.0 innings pitched. McLean relies on a six-pitch arsenal, with well-above-average movement profiles contributing to his success.
2. Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are already one of MLB’s most exciting teams, but with the promotion of Kevin McGonigle to the big leagues, there’s more anticipation than ever in Detroit. The 21-year-old has been one of the best all-around players in baseball since making his professional debut, which he showcased during this year’s spring training. McGonigle’s above-average bat, power, speed, and defense will all be on display in Detroit this season–they already have been in his first two contests.
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Written by
Mason Linken first began writing about baseball after founding FBC Reports, and contributing to SABR's book "Henry Aaron". At Just Baseball, Mason is responsible for covering…