Image credit: Cam Smith (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Baseball America published its initial Top 20 Rookies ranking nearly a month ago.

Since then, much has changed… but not our rookie ranking. That remains largely the same.

What you’ll find in this Opening Day update are two new faces—Cam Smith and Marcelo Mayer—as well as information about how rookies performed in spring training and what role they are expected to play this season.

We tacked on an extra 10 names to know at the end.

1. Roki Sasaki, RHP, Dodgers

• Age: 23
• Opening Day role: Dodgers rotation
• Spring training: 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 SO, 0.86 WHIP

Led by Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and now Sasaki, the Dodgers have more Japanese star power than any team outside the NPB. Sasaki is the best pitching prospect in the world, one capable of sitting 96-100 mph and backing his heater with a plus slider and elite splitter. He throws a ton of strikes for a power pitcher and should instantly be an effective MLB starter.

2. Dylan Crews, OF, Nationals

• Age: 23
• Opening Day role: Nationals right fielder
• Spring training: .273/.385/.345 (15-for-55), 19 G, 13 R, 2 3B, 5 RBIs, 9 BB, 19 SO, 3-for-5 SB

Crews zoomed from No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft to his MLB debut in August 2024. Now, he has a clear path to holding down right field in Washington for the next six seasons, and maybe more. Crews does a little bit of everything well and is a big part of the Nationals’ future core, along with James Wood, CJ Abrams and MacKenzie Gore.

3. Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Tigers rotation
• Spring training: 3.65 ERA, 4 GS, 12.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 HR, 4 BB, 8 SO, 0.89 WHIP

Drafted third overall in 2021, Jobe turned in his first mostly-healthy season on the farm in 2024 and made his MLB debut in September, even making two postseason appearances. He added a curveball this season to go with his four-seamer, sweeper, cutter and changeup, and his wide arsenal of swing-and-miss pitches gives him a good chance to adapt quickly.

4. Kristian Campbell, 2B, Red Sox

• Age: 23
• Opening Day role: Red Sox second baseman
• Spring training: .167/.305/.271 (8-for-48), 20 G, 8 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 10 BB, 18 SO, 0 SB

Red Sox hitting development helped turn Campbell from a nondescript 2023 fourth-rounder out of Georgia Tech into one of the top prospects in the game a year later. Now, he has a good chance to factor for a Boston lineup that could use a righthanded bat—even after adding Alex Bregman—and a long-term second baseman.

5. Matt Shaw, 3B, Cubs

• Age: 23
• Opening Day role: Cubs third baseman
• Spring training: .227/.320/.593 (5-for-22), 8 G, 4 R, 1 2B, 4 RBIs, 3 BB, 2 SO, 1-for-1 SB

Following a 21-homer, 31-steal season in the upper minors last year, Shaw is ready for his rollout as Cubs third baseman this season. If the natural shortstop can stick at the hot corner, he will help solidify a deep, balanced Chicago lineup that has been infused with Kyle Tucker for the 2025 season. Shaw didn’t play much this spring because the Cubs had to get ready in a hurry to be in Japan in mid March for the Tokyo Series versus the Dodgers.

6. Jasson Dominguez, OF, Yankees

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Yankees left fielder
• Spring training: .267/.302/.467 (16-for-60), 19 G, 14 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBIs, 3 BB, 17 SO, 5-for-5 SB

Dominguez burst on the MLB season late in 2023 when he homered off Justin Verlander in his first at-bat. But then he spent most of 2024 working his way back to the Bronx as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. Now, the switch-hitter has a clear path to everyday reps in left field. 

7. Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics

• Age: 23
• Opening Day role: Athletics shortstop
• Spring training: .308/.321/.558 (16-for-52), 19 G, 9 R, 1 2B, 4 HR, 13 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 SB

About a year after being drafted sixth overall in 2023, Wilson made his MLB debut for the A’s. On his way to Oakland, he hit .433 with a 6.6% strikeout rate in the upper minors. A hamstring injury sidelined him and keeps him rookie eligible for 2025, when he will make plenty of contact and play shortstop every day for the A’s.

8. Cam Smith, OF, Astros

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Astros right fielder
• Spring training: .342/.419/.711 (13-for-38), 15 G, 8 R, 1 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBIs, 5 BB, 11 SO, 0 SB

Smith entered spring training with modest expectations. Drafted 14th overall by the Cubs last year, he joined the Astros in the December trade that sent Kyle Tucker to Chicago. Smith put up a 1.004 OPS and reached Double-A in his pro debut. He apparently had no intention of returning to the minor leagues, because he hit his way onto the Astros’ Opening Day roster with a loud spring training. It didn’t hurt that Houston sorely lacks offensive production in the outfield sans Tucker.

9. Roman Anthony, OF, Red Sox

• Age: 21
• Opening Day role: Triple-A Worcester outfielder
• Spring training: .206/.391/.324 (7-for-34), 17 G, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 10 BB, 12 SO, 0-for-1 SB

Anthony ascended to No. 1 overall prospect status last summer and fell out of the top spot only when Roki Sasaki signed with an MLB club. Anthony is the youngest player to rank in the top 20, so he faces the steepest learning curve—but his power-and-patience approach and lefthanded bat seem tailor-made for a big league outfield. Anthony was a late spring cut but will be in the Fenway outfield mix at some point this season.

10. Drake Baldwin, C, Braves

• Age: 24
• Opening Day role: Braves catcher tandem
• Spring training: .286/.400/.733 (12-for-42), 17 G, 4 R, 2 2B, 4 RBIs, 8 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB

The Braves bid adieu to part-time catcher Travis d’Arnaud this offseason, clearing the way for Baldwin to win a share of Atlanta’s catching job with Sean Murphy. The lefthanded-hitting Baldwin did his best to prove he was ready in the upper minors last year by getting on base, hitting for power and improving his work behind the plate. A spring injury to Murphy paved the way for Baldwin to make the Opening Day roster.

11. Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Triple-A Indianapolis rotation
• Spring training: 19.29 ERA, 3 G, 2.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 2 SO, 3.00 WHIP

A two-way star in high school who initially tried to play both ways as a pro, Chandler has steadily risen to elite status as a pitching prospect since focusing his time on the mound. Now, he’s ready to bring his elite fastball and strong secondary stuff to a Pirates rotation that saw Paul Skenes and Jared Jones debut last year. Chandler received only a brief spring look before being reassigned to minor league camp. The Pirates have an eye on managing his innings after he threw 119.2 last year.

12. Chase Dollander, RHP, Rockies

• Age: 23
• Opening Day role: Triple-A Albuquerque rotation
• Spring training: 7.13 ERA, 6 GS, 17.2 IP, 17 H, 16 R, 5 HR, 10 BB, 24 SO, 1.53 WHIP

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: Dollander will make half his starts in Coors Field. Now, for the good news: He is the best pitching prospect the Rockies have ever developed. Dollander has the type of power stuff and wide arsenal that portends success at sea level—or above. A late cut from big league camp, Dollander can quickly get in the big league mix with a good run at Triple-A.

13. AJ Smith-Shawver, RHP, Braves

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Braves rotation
• Spring training: 3.94 ERA, 5 G, 4 GS, 16 IP, 19 H, 9 R, 0 HR, 5 BB, 20 SO, 1.50 WHIP

A one-time high school teammate of Bobby Witt Jr., Smith-Shawver made his MLB debut as a 20-year-old in 2023. He spent most of 2024 at Triple-A, but it was not time wasted. Smith-Shawver truly refined a changeup to go with his fastball, slider and cutter. Now, he has claimed an Opening Day rotation spot alongside fellow homegrown starters Spencer Schwellenbach and, eventually, Spencer Strider.

14. Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers

• Age: 25
• Opening Day role: Rangers rotation
• Spring training: 13.00 ERA, 4 GS, 9 IP, 15 H, 13 R, 3 HR, 6 BB, 12 SO, 2.33 WHIP

Rocker had Tommy John surgery in 2023, but he didn’t let that slow his ascent to the big leagues. The third overall pick in 2022 required just 65 total minor league innings before making his MLB debut last September. Rocker throws hard, throws strikes and owns one of the best sliders in the business. He has the goods to be a No. 4 starter or better. Rocker will get a chance to show what he’s got in Texas after making the Opening Day roster.

15. Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Extended spring training
• Spring training: Did not play

Painter turned in an all-time season in 2022, reaching Double-A as a 19-year-old and recording a 1.56 ERA at three stops. Elbow trouble and eventual Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2023 and 2024 seasons, but he made a triumphant return in the Arizona Fall League. Now, the Phillies are targeting July to unleash Painter’s deadly pitch mix on MLB hitters. Painter did not pitch in Grapefruit League games and will get built up in extended spring training before a more traditional assignment.

16. Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox

• Age: 23
• Opening Day role: Triple-A Charlotte shortstop
• Spring training: .111/.111/.444 (1-for-9), 4 G, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0 SB

Montgomery looked out of sync at the plate for much of 2024 at Triple-A, but he appeared to right the ship in September and on into the Arizona Fall League. If those gains hold, he has the inside track to most of the shortstop reps in Chicago for the rebuilding White Sox. Power is his calling card, but he’s a sturdy shortstop defender as well. A bout of back spasms cut short Montgomery’s spring training time, and he will round into shape at Triple-A.

17. Marcelo Mayer, SS/3B, Red Sox

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Triple-A Worcester shortstop
• Spring training: .333/.455/.528 (12-for-36), 20 G, 6 R, 2 3B, 1 HR, 11 RBIs, 8 BB, 11 SO, 0 SB

Mayer entered spring training as a long shot to make the club, but then he started hitting. He kept hitting until the end of camp, while appearing in games at shortstop, third base and second base. He was one of Boston’s final roster cuts. Mayer could cover the Red Sox if they have an injury on the infield or if Kristian Campbell loses his grip on the second base job.

18. Quinn Mathews, LHP, Cardinals

• Age: 24
• Opening Day role: Triple-A Memphis rotation
• Spring training: 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 SO, 1.33 WHIP

Drafted in the fourth round out of Stanford in 2023, Mathews defied all expectations in 2024 by climbing from Low-A to Triple-A and winning Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors. Adding power to his fastball keyed Mathews’ rise, but his secondary pitches and plus control give him a chance to succeed as a rookie starter. He didn’t make the Cardinals’ opening rotation configuration, but if he pitches well at Triple-A, he will get a look this season.

19. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Triple-A Las Vegas first baseman
• Spring training: .261/.452/.522 (6-for-23), 14 G, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 7 BB, 5 SO, 0 SB

The Athletics drafted Kurtz fourth overall out of Wake Forest in July, pushed him to Double-A by the end of August and by the end of the year had him raking in the Arizona Fall League. If he hits in the minor leagues at the outset of 2025, he will get an MLB look for the upstart A’s in relatively short order.

20. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins

• Age: 22
• Opening Day role: Triple-A St. Paul center fielder
• Spring training: Did not play—injured

Rodriguez produces numbers that look like misprints. In 2024, he posted a .459 on-base percentage via 51 walks in 47 games, mostly at Double-A, and he hits the ball as hard as any prospect. Health is Rodriguez’s bugaboo. He did not appear in a spring training game this year because of a sprained ankle and has topped 50 games in only one of his four pro seasons.

The Next 10 Eleven Names To Know

Here are 10 more rookie names to know. Players are listed in alphabetical order, with baseball age in parentheses.

Note: An earlier version excluded Blue Jays outfielder Alan Roden. That was an oversight.

Thomas Harrington, RHP, Pirates (23)
Harrington climbed to Triple-A Indianapolis last season and showed off a four-pitch mix in spring training that should have him on the short list for a 2025 rotation callup.

Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks (22) 
The 2021 first-rounder can do a bit of everything. Now, Lawlar needs to stay healthy at Triple-A Reno to get his foot in the door in Phoenix. He played shortstop and third base in equal measure at spring training while hitting .294/.368/.529 in 13 games.

Rhett Lowder, RHP, Reds (23) 
An elbow injury precluded Lowder from pitching in spring training and will force him to the injured list at the outset. The command artist has plenty of time to get back on the mound and turn in a productive rookie season. 

Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers (23)
The Brewers toggled Misiorowski from starting at Double-A to relieving at Triple-A last season. This season, they want him to focus on fastball command and bringing along his changeup as a starter at Triple-A Nashville. He has premium velocity and breaking pitches. He won’t need to be too fine.

Coby Mayo, 3B, Orioles (23)
Mayo appeared in more games at first base than third in spring training, hinting at a possible full-time switch. First up is putting together another good season at Triple-A Norfolk after struggling as a 2024 callup to Baltimore and in spring training this year.

Christian Moore, 2B, Angels (22)
The Angels gave Moore a long look this spring before opting against rostering him on Opening Day. The eighth overall pick last year out of Tennessee hit .222/.327/.289 without a home run in spring training, and will return to Double-A Rocket City to get in a groove offensively and defensively.  

Agustin Ramirez, C, Marlins (23)
The Marlins received virtually no offensive production from catchers last season. So look for Ramirez to be in play early this season if he hits at Triple-A Jacksonville. 

Alan Roden, OF, Blue Jays (25)
Roden is the organization’s reigning minor league player of the year after finishing strong at Triple-A last season. Still, he didn’t enter spring training as a favorite to occupy a roster spot. That changed when Roden hit .407 with a .541 OBP in 20 Grapefruit League games. He had four extra-base hits and as many strikeouts, making him a potential fit as Blue Jays’ leadoff man.

Dalton Rushing, C, Dodgers (24)
Rushing blasted 26 home runs in the upper minors last season and will have to keep mashing to earn a look in the Dodgers’ deep lineup. Catcher, first base and left field are his primary positions. Those positions, along with DH, are occupied by expensive veterans in Los Angeles.

Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP, Orioles (35)
A savvy veteran of the Japanese major leagues, Sugano uses a “kitchen sink” approach to befuddle hitters. He throws four-seamers, sinkers, cutters. He also throws sliders, curveballs and changeups. Sugano’s approach worked in spring training, when he struck out 15, walked five and allowed one home run in 15 innings.

Trey Sweeney, SS, Tigers (25)
Trade acquisition Sweeney solidified shortstop for the Tigers last season after his mid-August callup. It looks like he will get first crack at the job this year, with veteran Javier Baez moving into more of a utility role.