Did you share the excitement we all felt watching real baseball on TV this past week? The college baseball season officially kicked off last weekend, and a Spring Training game took place on Thursday. One of the joys of both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues is being able to observe many of our favorite prospects in action. Whether they’re vying for a roster spot or simply gaining experience while sporting some quirky jersey numbers, their performances signal the arrival of the new season.

We will soon be attending Spring Training camps, starting next Wednesday. Be sure to check our segments on MLB Network and our reports covering each team’s farm system as we progress through spring. For now, let’s dive into your questions.

What prospect(s) might surprise everyone and secure a spot on the opening day roster, particularly if they excel during spring training? – @mclovin84.bsky.social‬

This week on the MLB Pipeline Podcast, we dedicated significant time to discussing prospects likely to secure jobs or at least challenge existing candidates this spring. Jim Callis and I also compiled a detailed article analyzing the probabilities for each of the Top 100 prospects who have the potential to make the Opening Day roster based on their performance in major league camp.

In considering this, I focused on the lower-ranked players within our analysis, where they are sorted by percentage likelihood. Some prospects have little to no chance, even with outstanding performances in the Grapefruit or Cactus Leagues. Moving up the list, I want to highlight Cole Young of the Mariners, our No. 49 overall prospect. Although he has yet to play above Double-A and his statistics might not stand out initially, his advanced batting approach positions him to hold his own, if not excel. While more experienced options exist at second base, none possess the same potential as Young, who some believe has improved enough defensively to eventually take over as the Mariners’ shortstop when J.P. Crawford’s tenure concludes. Given the Mariners’ ambition to compete now, if Young delivers strong performances throughout the spring, he may earn a spot at second base.

Could Roki Sasaki be in line to earn the Dodgers a PPI pick? If so, this might discourage teams from promoting players too early (like the Phillies with Painter and the Pirates with Chandler, etc.). – @ballsandgutters

We have extensively discussed Sasaki in recent months, including the first part of this question. To clarify, yes, the Dodgers would receive a PPI pick if Sasaki claims the National League Rookie of the Year title (they could also secure a pick if he finishes in the top three for Cy Young or MVP).

The second aspect raises intriguing points, especially since it was more a statement than a question. I recognize the concern that Sasaki’s status as a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year might decrease the likelihood of securing a PPI pick this year. Here’s why I believe organizations won’t let this affect their decisions:

1. Is it guaranteed that Sasaki will win? Unexpected events can occur, and past favorites haven’t always clinched the award.

2. Consider Bobby Witt Jr. He serves as a prime example of a team landing a PPI pick long after a rookie season. Witt placed fourth in ROY voting in 2022, but due to finishing in the top three in MVP voting in 2024 (second place), the Royals will receive a pick in the 2025 Draft. Should any prospect earn a spot on the roster this year and finish in the MVP or Cy Young top three, they would also secure a PPI pick for their team.

Additionally, the examples mentioned in the question are noteworthy. Andrew Painter likely will not pitch during Grapefruit League games this spring, as the Phillies are managing his workload to ensure he’s available in October instead of just April. This significantly reduces his chances of making the roster. I had high hopes for Bubba Chandler to join the Pirates’ roster, and while it’s not impossible, signing Andrew Heaney makes that less likely. Nevertheless, I don’t believe the Pirates will choose to send Chandler to Triple-A solely because of Sasaki’s profile.

What can we expect regarding Braden Montgomery’s potential range? – @buendia2323.bsky.social‬

Our No. 55 ranked prospect has already been drafted in the first round and traded, all without playing a professional game! After the Red Sox selected Montgomery at No. 12 overall in the 2024 Draft, he was moved to the White Sox as part of a significant trade involving Garret Crochet. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury during the NCAA Super Regionals while with Texas A&M.

Montgomery is a switch-hitter (though some believe he should focus solely on hitting left-handed) with significant power potential. His offensive upside hinges on his ability to refine his batting approach, minimize swings at bad pitches, and improve his ability to recognize spin. I am optimistic about his development, envisioning a ceiling of an All-Star caliber right fielder who can produce from the middle of the lineup while being able to drive the ball to all parts of the field. Additionally, I believe he possesses a strong baseline potential as he should tap into his power enough to establish himself as an everyday player, even if his profile leans more towards power hitting over average, potentially hitting 25-30 home runs each year.

Is Chase DeLauter the best candidate for Cleveland’s right field position as the season begins? – @SeatteBB

In short, absolutely. My colleague Anthony Castrovince recently published a great article on DeLauter as he enters his first official big league camp. Honestly, if DeLauter had remained healthy, we wouldn’t be having this discussion — he would already be part of the Guardians’ starting outfield. He possesses the potential to be an excellent hitter with considerable power and has a strong arm that fits perfectly in right field (though he’s versatile enough to play center as well). That said, his ongoing foot issues are a valid concern; he has only played 96 games across two Minor League seasons, so he must demonstrate he can remain healthy. The current projected right-field tandem of Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel combined for 21 home runs and 58 RBIs over 509 at-bats last year; assuming good health, DeLauter should be able to match or exceed those numbers with even greater potential.