Rookies With Big Talent But Low Price-Tags Will Showcase Their Skills When Training Camps Open

Now that a dozen teams can qualify for the baseball playoffs, teams will try anything and anyone when spring training starts this week.

That means rookies, whose salaries begin at the major-league minimum of $720,000, can win spots from established, costlier players by playing well once the 30-game exhibition season begins later this month. They’ll even have more opportunity than usual after teams lose veterans to World Baseball Classic teams from March 8-21.

With the average 2022 salary at $4.41 million, according to The Associated Press, clubs can play seven freshmen for the cost of a typical veteran.

That’s music to the ears of budget-conscious clubs seeking ways to compete with the free-spending New York Mets, whose projected $336,143,332 payroll is the highest in baseball history, or any of the other financial heavyweights.

Prospects are worth their weight in gold even though most lack major-league experience. A few, however, surfaced late last season and simply strengthened their glowing scouting reports.

Corbin Carroll, for example, hit four home runs in his first 32 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Triston Casas of the Boston Red Sox hit five. And Gunnar Henderson, a third baseman with Gold Glove potential, showed left-handed power, speed, and a strong throwing arm after making his big-league debut at age 21.

But Henderson had 132 at-bats, eliminating himself from 2023 Rookie of the Year consideration. Major League Baseball rules state that “a player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).”

Topping the achievements of last year’s rookie trophy winners won’t be easy. A pair of center-fielders, Michael Harris II of the Atlanta Braves and Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners, brought power, speed, and defense that helped both of their clubs reach the playoffs – Atlanta for the fifth year in a row and Seattle for the first time since 2001.

MLB Pipeline, an annual prediction of the game’s Top 100 prospects, had Rodriguez listed at No. 3 last year but Harris further down the list at No. 65. More than 30 other players from last year’s list joined big-league varsities.

The overall list of Pipeline prospects has 29 pitchers, 22 shortstops, nine catchers, seven third basemen, three first basemen, and three second basemen. The up-and-coming Baltimore Orioles have eight prospects, more than any other team, in the 2023 Top 100.

Henderson heads the list but won’t be in the rookie race after exceeding rookie eligibility limits. Here are a dozen who are still eligible:

Francisco Alvarez, Mets – Although the Mets signed free-agent catcher Omar Narvaez, they will give a long spring look to the power-hitting Alvarez, a Venezuelan slugger with All-Star potential if he can upgrade his defense. He could also wind up as a DH. Still just 21, he got some playoff experience last October and seems fully recovered from ankle surgery.

Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks – This 22-year-old left-handed hitter is so good that Arizona felt no qualms in trading Daulton Varsho this winter. With bigger bases this year, Carroll could wreak havoc when he reaches. He also could contend with Harris II for a Gold Glove in center field.

Anthony Volpe, Yankees – With shortstop a wide-open position in the Bronx, Volpe could follow in the footsteps of Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, whose first season resulted in a Rookie of the Year trophy. Last year, after a slow start, Volpe became the first minor-leaguer since Andruw Jones in 1995 with 20 homers and 50 steals in the same season.

Triston Casas, Red Sox – A prime example of a hot prospect on a struggling team, he’s a 6’4″ slugger who is also solid in the field at first base. Although he hits left-handed, Casas has power to all fields, putting the fabled Green Monster well within his reach.

James Wood, Nationals – Like Boston, Washington has nowhere to go but up. Also like the Red Sox, the Nats are mired in a loaded division. As a result, the 6’7″ Wood, acquired from San Diego in last year’s Juan Soto swap, could cement the center-field spot with the varsity and supply much-needed power to a team that lost a club-record 107 times last year.

Andrew Painter, Phillies – Size and strikeout ability will give this 2021 draftee a leg up when the National League champions select their starting rotation. Like Wood, he stands 6’7″ tall and looks even taller on the mound. He fanned 155 in 103 2/3 innings in three minor-league stops last year. Painter used his four-pitch arsenal to craft a 1.56 ERA last summer and may be ready now – especially if he throws strikes more consistently.

Jordan Walker, Cardinals – With Walker coming on fast last summer, the Cards had no qualms about trading fellow outfielder Harrison Bader to the Yankees for starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Walker began his pro career as a third baseman but wasn’t about to put incumbent Nolan Arenado out of work anytime soon. After hitting 19 homers and stealing 22 bases in Double-A, the 6’5″ right-handed slugger won over scouts with his play as an outfielder in the Arizona Fall League.

Druw Jones, Diamondbacks – If the same sounds familiar, it should. The son of Andruw Jones, who also plays center field, has all the same tools: speed, defense, and power and might even turn out to be a better version of his famous father, who won 10 straight Gold Gloves. The nation’s No. 2 choice in the 2022 amateur draft, Druw suffered a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury that required surgery days after signing with Arizona for an $8.2 million bonus but could reach the majors sometime this summer.

Termarr Johnson, Pirates – A little guy with big-time potential, Johnson moved from short to second, where he could blossom into an All-Star for Pittsburgh. Just 5’7″ and 175 pounds, he’s expected to become a power-hitter in the mold of Jim Wynn, whose nickname was The Toy Cannon. The fourth man picked in the 2022 draft, Johnson also has good plate discipline. He should advance to the Pirate varsity quickly and team with 2022 phenom Oneil Cruz in a young and talented double-play tandem.

Eury Pérez, Marlins – A 6’8″ right-handed pitcher who won’t turn 20 until the 2023 season starts, he’s a prime candidate to take the rotation spot vacated when Pablo López went to Minnesota during the winter. With Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Jesús Luzardo, and Johnny Cueto all involved in the World Baseball Classic, Pérez has a golden opportunity to jump all the way to the majors this spring. He’ll certainly get extended exposure while the regular starters are away.

Jackson Chourio, Brewers – After hitting .288 with 20 homers and 16 steals in a season split among three minor-league clubs, the teenaged outfielder placed himself on the fast track to Milwaukee. Blessed with a combination of power plus speed, he could become a star once he learns to cut down his propensity to strike out. He also happens to play for a team that badly needs to boost its offense.

Elly De La Cruz, Reds – The top prospect in the Cincinnati system, he’s a 6’6″ slugger capable of playing both shortstop and third base. A switch-hitting Dominican with abundant speed and power, he turned 21 in January and might need a bit more seasoning. Like several others on this list, he might not arrive before mid-season, though the rebuilding Reds are desperate to add talented young players who can help them move up in the National League Central title chase.

Others to Watch: Logan O’Hoppe, Angels C; Brett Baty, Mets 3B; Michael Vargas, Dodgers 3B; Jace Jung, Tigers 2B; Oswald Peraza, Yankees 2B-SS; Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs OF; Miguel Bleis, Red Sox OF; Hunter Brown, Astros RHP; Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles RHP; Taj Bradley, Rays RHP; Kyle Harrison, Giants LHP; Cade Cavalli, Nationals RHP; Jack Leiter, Rangers RHP; and Bobby Miller, Dodgers RHP.