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Alan Roden, OF, Blue Jays: Roden was the Blue Jays' minor league player of the year in 2024 for Baseball America. The 2022 third-rounder came to camp this year as a non-roster player expected to be assigned to Triple-A before camp broke. Instead, Roden hit his way into Toronto's short-term plans. In 20 Grapefruit League games, he had as many extra-base hits as strikeouts (four) while batting .407/.451/.704. The Blue Jays' project to have a full outfield when everybody is healthy—Anthony Santander, Daulton Varsho and George Springer—but Varsho will open the year on the injured list, while veterans Santander and Springer could take days at DH, so Roden could be a busy fourth outfielder even when everybody is healthy.

Hayden Senger, C, Mets: Drafted in the 24th round in 2018 out of Miami (Ohio), Senger has been recognized as the best defensive catcher in the Mets system the past two years. In 2025 he has a chance to add another distinction: big leaguer. With Francisco Alvarez opening the year on the injured list and backup Luis Torrens pressed into regular duty, Senger has a good chance to make the Mets' Opening Day roster. Senger re-signed with the organization last fall rather than test minor league free agency. He hasn't hit much this spring, but he finished out the Grapefruit League schedule in style by gunning down two basestealers and hitting a 102 mph single. Senger has a strong reputation as a pitch-framer and he has caught many of the Mets' young pitchers in the minor leagues.

AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, Braves: The Braves traded Ian Anderson to the Angels and optioned Bryce Elder to Triple-A, clearing the way for top pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver to open the season in the Atlanta rotation. Smith-Shawver has seen MLB time in each of the past two seasons but remains rookie eligible because he has not exceeded 45 days of active service. The 22-year-old righthander refined his changeup at Triple-A last season and now has a five-pitch mix that should play in the rotation. He pitched effectively this spring, striking out 20, walking five and allowing zero home runs in 16 innings.

DaShawn Keirsey & Mickey Gasper, Twins: Keirsey and Gasper are both 2018 draft picks who have paid their dues in pro ball. Both made their long-anticipated MLB debuts last summer. This year, they won't have to wait that long to reach MLB. The Twins are carrying both Keirsey and Gasper on their Opening Day roster. Keirsey is a lefthanded-hitting outfielder who reached base 17 times in 18 games this spring. He's coming off a big year for Triple-A St. Paul in 2024 in which he batted .300/.368/.476 with 14 homers and 36 steals. Gasper's versatility helped him make the roster. Drafted as a catcher/first baseman, he began playing second base at Double-A in 2023 but played the position most games this spring. The switch-hitter's .440 on-base percentage was one of the highest in the minors last season, and he kept up the pace this spring with a .417 OBP in 17 games.

Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies: Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski informed reporters that top prospect Andrew Painter will open the season in extended spring training in a few weeks. The 22-year-old righthander pitched well in the Arizona Fall League last year after missing the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Painter hasn't appeared in an official minor league game since Sept. 16, 2022, with Double-A Reading. The Phillies are counting on their pitching prodigy to make his MLB debut near midseason.

Hunter Bigge, RHP, Rays: Bigge tossed seven spring innings before being optioned to Triple-A Durham on March 21. Tampa Bay reversed course on Monday, indicating that Bigge would take the roster spot of Shane McClanahan, who left his last start with a nerve issue in his triceps and will begin the season on the injured list. The Rays added Bigge at the trade deadline last year, onboarding him in the deal that sent Isaac Paredes to the Cubs. Bigge hit 100 mph last season while making his MLB debut and averaged 97.2 mph over 19 appearances.

Editor’s Picks

Not Top 100: For the second consecutive year, Eli Ben-Porat delivers his ‘Not Top 100’ Prospect Team of players to watch. Read more…

Top 100 To The Bigs: As of Monday night, 10 Top 100 Prospects are set to open the season on MLB rosters. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

Each day, we’ll pick a prospect that has our attention.

Mason Montgomery, LHP, Rays: For much of the past decade, Mason Montgomery has had a great fastball. He’s also had concerns about whether his secondary offering would ever catch up to his hard-to-square-up fastball. But J.J. Cooper explains how Montgomery’s plan of attack has simplified since Tampa Bay moved him to the bullpen for good.

Quick Hits

News and notes from around spring training…

• Cardinals SS JJ Wetherholt will open 2025 at Double-A, bypassing High-A Peoria

• Pirates RHP Thomas Harrington was reassigned to minor league camp on Monday

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