With the 2023 Spring Training season in full swing, players that may not have been part of the opening day plan, get a chance to show their teams what they can do. The players that have even bigger opportunities to show their impact against MLB talent are the team’s top prospects. We’ve seen in the past numerous examples of times where prospects have played their way onto the roster in Spring Training. For example, in 2022, shortstop C.J. Abrams played well above expectations, earning a spot on the Padres’ opening roster. Who could be the impact players this year? If they don’t show the team they’re ready in Spring Training, when could they? We will be taking a look at 10 prospects that have yet to touch the MLB level, that could break their Major League club this spring.

Player #1: Cardinals OF/3B, Jordan Walker

In the 2022 Postseason, the Cardinals were swept by the Phillies in two games. As a division winner, this was quite surprising, especially with two MVP candidates Nolan Arenado, and Paul Goldschmidt. What was even more surprising was just how quickly their off-season fell apart when it really counted. Someone that could help this issue is slugger Jordan Walker. In the 2022 MiLB season, Walker did nothing but hit posting 19 homers, .396 wOBA, and a 128 wRC+ at AA. Along with his numbers at AA, Walker shined at the Arizona Fall League, hitting 5 home runs and hitting .286. Walker already has homered once in 2023 Spring Training, and is absolutely shining bright. Walker’s mechanics are incredibly advanced for his age. Fangraphs gives Walker a raw power grade of 70/80, hit grade of 40/45, and a fielding grade of 45/50. Walker’s big, long swing creates incredible power as he posted the 4th highest exit velocities at the Arizona Fall League. If Walker continues to hit this spring, it is very possible for him to break the opening day roster in 2023. If the Cardinals don’t have a spot in the outfield or his size being too large to stick in the infield, it’s very possible Jordan Walker starts at DH for the Cardinals this upcoming season. Only time will tell how far Walker will continue to develop, but he should do nothing shy of continuing to hit wherever he plays in 2023.

Player #2: Yankees SS, Anthony Volpe

With trade rumors circling Yankees infielders Gleyber Torres, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Josh Donaldson, it looks like the Yankees will need to start to involve their prospects as they make trades. With Oswald Peraza having time for the Yankees last season, there still leaves some big question marks moving forward for the rest of their infield. Anthony Volpe might be another solution to the infield situation moving forward. Anthony Volpe has already shined thus far in his time at big league Spring Training, going 2-4 with a double and a single both over 100 miles per hour off the bat. Volpe raked last season hitting 21 homers between AA and AAA. Volpe slowed down once he hit AAA, but it was a small sample size so the Yankees shouldn’t be worried. During his time at AA where he spent most of the season, Volpe had a .358 wOBA, a 122 wRC+, and had a BB% of 11.5%. Anthony Volpe has shown that he can compete against the top competition in the game, and could very easily stand in for the 2023 Yankees infield. Only time will tell what the Yankees will decide to do, but as long as he continues to perform this spring, he could stand in as early as opening day for the 2023 New York Yankees. It’s important to note that Volpe has also made starts at 2B for the Yankees as well, giving them versatility when it comes to how they choose to use Anthony Volpe in 2023. Fangraphs gave Volpe a hit grade of 45/55, a raw power grade of 55/55, a speed grade or 45/40, and a fielding grade of 40/45. Volpe’s ZiPS projections on Fangraphs have him playing really well in 2023, projecting him to hit 17 homers, BB% of 9.0%, .318 wOBA, 3.5 fWAR, and a .284 BABIP.

Player #3: Pirates C/2B/OF, Endy Rodriguez

In 2022, a surprising young star rose in the Pirates organization. With Henry Davis being injured so often, and lack of catching depth in the higher levels in the organization, there came an opening for Endy Rodriguez to further prove himself as a top prospect in the organization. In 2022, Endy Rodriguez played incredibly, posting a total of 25 homers between three levels, never dipping below a wRC+ of 151 throughout all three levels, and also never posting a wOBA below .414. Rodriguez ended the season at AAA, still not slowing down. Being one of the most athletic players in the system, Rodriguez has the ability to play 2B/OF/C, giving him a lot of versatility this upcoming season for the Pirates. Not to mention his pure athleticism, Rodriguez is also a switch hitter, and has been taking reps at 1B this spring. Fangraphs gives Rodriguez a 55/60 hit tool grade, a 40/40 raw power grade, a 55/55 speed grade, and a 45/50 speed grade. Fangraphs’ ZiPS projections have him posting 14 homers, .326 wOBA, and a 3.3 WAR. Given how good Rodriguez played in 2022, he may have already earned himself a spot on the opening day roster. We will have to wait and see how Rodriguez plays this spring, but the Pirates have a lot of openings for Rodriguez this season.

Player #4: Giants LHP, Kyle Harrison

After a great 2022 season between high A and AA, Harrison put his name on the map even further jumping on many prospect lists. In 25 games, Harrison struck out 186 hitters between both levels, posting a K/9 of 13.61 in AA, K% of 36.4% at AA, and maintaining a 1.13 WHIP. With some question marks in the Giants rotation, if Harrison shows he’s capable of facing some of the best bats in the MLB over Spring Training, it’s very possible Harrison could see himself in the MLB as early as the start of this season. Fangraphs gives Harrison a 60/70 grade fastball, 60/60 grade slider, 45/55 grade changeup, and a 40/45 command grade. These numbers are all really impressive and show just how food Harrison has been. It’s really exciting to see the left-handed pitcher Harrison play better and better as his career goes on. Fangraphs ZiPS projections have Harrison developing further in 2023, posting 128ks in 108.3 IP, a K/9 of 10.64, 1.2 WAR, and 72.8% LOB.

Player #5: D-backs SS, Jordan Lawlar

Lawlar, a 2021 first round selection by the Diamondbacks did nothing but perform to expectations. Lawlar jumped a whopping 4 levels in 2022, playing at the complex leagues, A, A+, and AA. Lawlar hit 16 home runs between all the levels he played at last season, posting a wRC+ of 140 or above at 3 of the 4 levels last season, and a wOBA above .380 at 3 of the four levels as well. Due to limited time at AA where he finished, his numbers are a little less than what Lawlar can do, which makes him a little bit more of a stretch to break the MLB team this spring. Although possible, he’s probably the least likely on this list to do so. Fangraphs gives Lawlar a 35/40 hit tool, 55/60 raw power grade, 60/60 speed, and a 45/60 speed grade. Time will tell with how Lawlar plays this spring, but he definitely has a chance to make an impact at the big league level in 2023.

Player #6: Phillies RHP, Andrew Painter

Following a great season in 2022, first round pick Andrew Painter begins spring training with big hopes of being a key role in the Phillies 2023 roster. After pitching at 3 levels in 2022, Painter struck out 155 hitters in 103.2 IP, pitching for a WHIP of 0.89. Painter reached as high as AA in 2022, pitching flawlessly in 28.1 IP. Painter struck out 37 at AA in limited action, rising to MLB Pipeline’s #1 right-handed pitching prospect. As long as Painter keeps pitching well in Spring Training facing a mix of big-league and top prospect hitters, he could make a case to start in the MLB this season. Although potentially unlikely, the Phillies have expressed interest to get Andrew Painter and Mich Abel to the MLB this season.

Player #7: Brewers OF, Sal Frelick

After a great year in 2022, Frelick comes into camp hoping to prove he can step in for the 2023 Milwaukee Brewers. The first rounder Frelick, played at three levels in 2022, playing really well at each one and finishing at AAA. Frelick hit 11 homers between the three levels, posted a wRC+ of 155 in AAA, .420 wOBA at AAA, and a 7.4 K% at AAA. Frelick surprised many in 2022, showing his tools to their fullest during his first full year in pro ball. Fangraphs gave Frelick a 55/60 hit tool grade, 45/45 raw power grade, 60/60 speed grade, and a 35/45 fielding grade. If Frelick stays consistent this spring, there’s a good chance Frelick can join another Brewers first rounder in Garrett Mitchell in the outfield this season.

Player #8: Orioles OF, Colton Cowser

Another outfield prospect that’s coming off of a scorching hot 2022 is former first rounder Colton Cowser. Cowser played at 3 levels in 2022, hitting 19 homers between the 3 levels. The highest level Cowser reached in 2022 was AAA Norfolk, where he posted a 10.5% BB%, 106 wRC+, and a .345 wOBA. Although having limited AAA experience in 2022 hurt Cowser’s counting stats, Cowser remains on the brink of the MLB going into 2023. With the Orioles potentially being on the brink of being a contender, it’s easy to see how Cowser could potentially fit into the MLB roster on opening day. Fangraphs gives Cowser a 40/45 hit grade, 45/50 raw power grade, 55/55 speed grade, and a 50/55 fielding grade. As long as Cowser hits well against MLB pitching this spring, it’s very possible to see Cowser playing in Camden yards this season.

Player #9: Dodgers RHP, Bobby Miller

Former first round pick Bobby Miller is coming into camp this season after a spectacular 2022 campaign where he played at 2 levels. Bobby Miller struck out 145 batters between AA and AAA. Although he pitched great between both levels, Miller arguably pitched better in AAA than he did in AA, posting a K/9 of 11.81, a K% of 32.9%, BB% of 7.1%, 76.1% LOB. All of these numbers are increasingly better than at AA, which is really impressive considering the jump from AA to AAA is arguably one of the hardest jumps in pro baseball. Fangraphs also gives Miller incredible grades, consisting of a 65/65 fastball grade, 60/60 grade slider, 45/60 curveball grade, 45/50 changeup grade, and a 40/45 command grade. As the right-handed flamethrower pitches in Spring Training this season, it should be interesting to see as he could be on the brink of making it to the MLB by opening day.

Player #10: Orioles INF, Jordan Westburg

The final player we will be checking out today will be another Orioles prospect, Jordan Westburg. Westburg turned heads in 2022, playing great through AA and AAA. Westburg hit a total of 27 homers this past season between AA and AAA and showed signs of improvement at AAA. Westburg posted a BB% of 10.7%, .379 wOBA, and a 129 wRC+. Fangraphs gives Westburg amazing grades, including a 35/40 hit tool, 55/55 raw power grade, 50/50 speed grade, and a 40/40 fielding grade. With some long-term question marks in the infield for 2023, and Westburg potentially on the brink of the MLB, as long as he plays well this spring he makes a really good case to start the year in the MLB.