Who could be the 5 prospects to crack MLB Opening Day rosters? Konnor Griffin, Carson Benge headline the race

Every spring training brings the same question in Major League Baseball: which young prospects will earn a place on the Opening Day roster. Teams closely watch their rising talents during this time, and strong minor league performances often create real opportunities.

This year, players like Konnor Griffin, JJ Wetherholt, Carson Benge, Justin Crawford, and Ryan Waldschmidt are drawing attention and could push for their MLB debuts if they impress during spring training.

Konnor Griffin could reach the majors quickly with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Shortstop Konnor Griffin is widely viewed as one of the most exciting young talents in baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates prospect finished last season strongly in Double-A, hitting .337 with five home runs and six stolen bases in 21 games.

What makes Griffin’s situation even more interesting is his age. He will not turn 20 until April, which means he could reach the majors at a very young age if Pittsburgh decides to promote him quickly.The Pirates’ roster situation may also help his chances. The team does not have strong competition at shortstop, which could give Griffin a real opportunity to win the job during spring training.

JJ Wetherholt has a clear opportunity with the St. Louis Cardinals

Second baseman JJ Wetherholt may have one of the clearest paths to an Opening Day roster spot.

During the offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals moved several key infielders, including Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado.Those changes created space in the Cardinals’ infield, and Wetherholt appears well positioned to take advantage of it.He performed well in Triple-A last season. In 47 games, Wetherholt hit .314 with 10 home runs and nine stolen bases, showing both power and speed. If he continues producing like that during spring training, he could quickly earn a spot on the roster.

Carson Benge could take advantage of an opening with the New York Mets

Outfielder Carson Benge may benefit from how the New York Mets shaped their roster during the offseason.The Mets made several moves in their infield but added only Luis Robert Jr. to their outfield group. That decision leaves room for a new player to step into a larger role.Benge struggled briefly in Triple-A, but his performance in Double-A was impressive. In 32 games, he hit .317 with a .407 on-base percentage and a .571 slugging percentage.

If he continues that form during spring training, the Mets could give him a chance to take the left field job.

Justin Crawford’s speed keeps him in the Philadelphia Phillies conversation

Outfielder Justin Crawford brings one skill that every team values: speed.The Philadelphia Phillies prospect hit .334 in Triple-A last season and stole 46 bases, showing how dangerous he can be once he reaches base.Crawford’s hitting style is a little unusual. Nearly 60 percent of his batted balls were ground balls, meaning he depends heavily on speed rather than power.

Even so, the Phillies only added Adolis García to their outfield depth this offseason, which keeps Crawford firmly in the Opening Day conversation.

Ryan Waldschmidt quietly building a strong case with the Arizona Diamondbacks

Outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt may not yet be a widely known name, but his numbers suggest he could surprise people this season.The Arizona Diamondbacks prospect hit .309 with a .423 on-base percentage in 66 Double-A games last season. He also showed strong discipline at the plate, nearly walking as often as he struck out.Arizona recently moved on from outfielders Jake McCarthy and Blaze Alexander, which created additional space on the roster. Because of that situation, Waldschmidt could find himself competing seriously for a place on the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup.