1 player who has made a big impression in each camp

2:00 AM UTC

Spring Training is arguably the best time for a player to make a good impression on his team. When a hitter or pitcher turns heads in the lead-up to Opening Day, it can set the tone for his entire season, offer a preview of what's to come, and make for interesting roster decisions when it comes time to break camp.

With help from MLB.com's beat writers, here is one player for each team who's made the biggest impression this spring.

Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

AL East

BLUE JAYS: INF

The Blue Jays’ roster was 95% set coming into camp, so we need to look one level deeper here. Kasevich, the Blue Jays’ No. 13 prospect, has grabbed the attention of the big league coaching staff this spring, making good on all the support he’s built on the player development side. Back and wrist injuries took the air out of Kasevich’s 2025 season, but he’s a solid defender with a reputation for being “half robot,” which is high praise. He’s showing more offensive upside in camp than many expected, though, and has positioned himself to take a run at a roster spot early this season. -- Keegan Matheson

ORIOLES: INF

Things finally began to click for Mayo at the big league level last September, when he hit .301 with five homers and a .941 OPS over his final 24 games of the season. This spring, the 24-year-old has carried his positive momentum forward, hitting .500 (13-for-26) with three doubles, one home run and 10 RBIs in his first 10 Grapefruit League games. The former top prospect is showing how integral he could be to Baltimore’s lineup in 2026, and he’ll get plenty of playing time early, as he’s returned to third base to fill in for Jordan Westburg (partial right UCL tear) after playing first down the stretch last season. -- Jake Rill

RAYS: RHP

Englert enjoyed a solid, albeit somewhat unremarkable, first season with the Rays last year. After joining the team in a minor trade with the Tigers, the right-hander posted a 3.83 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 44 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings over 29 appearances. The Rays had plans to stretch him out in September, but a season-ending shoulder injury forced them to wait until this spring. Now, Englert is making a clear case for a key spot in Tampa Bay’s Opening Day bullpen. On Thursday’s off-day, he pitched four innings in a back-field game and struck out nine, continuing to solidify his standing for some sort of multi-inning role in the relief corps. -- Adam Berry

RED SOX: OF

How does a 27-year-old non-roster invite make such a strong impression in Spring Training? By stealing 17 bases in his first 18 attempts. Since MLB started officially tracking logs for Spring Training games in 2006, Ward has the record for most stolen bases in the Grapefruit or Cactus League. Unfortunately for Ward, the outfield is the deepest position on Boston’s roster, so he is all but certain to start the season in the Minors. But if the Sox make it to the postseason, don’t be surprised if Ward -- who has yet to play in the Majors -- makes the roster. Perhaps he will get a trial run -- pun intended -- when rosters expand to 28 in September. -- Ian Browne

YANKEES: RHP

You know you're making a good impression when even Gerrit Cole -- a Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star -- says he's "never seen anything like it." That was just part of the praise Cole heaped on the 22-year-old Lagrange, who checks in as the Yankees' No. 2 prospect. The right-hander has routinely hit triple-digits this spring, topping out at 103.1 mph in Grapefruit League play. -- Bryan Hoch

AL Central

GUARDIANS: OF

It could have been easy to overlook Martínez this spring in a crowded Guardians outfield picture brimming with up-and-coming talent. But Martínez (who’s only 24) has made a huge impression, and it increasingly looks like he will earn a spot on the Guardians' Opening Day roster. In 11 games through Saturday, the switch-hitter went 10-for-28 (.357) with eight extra-base hits (six doubles, two homers), while playing left and center field. He also notched five doubles from the left side of the plate, from which he hit .197 in 2025. -- Tim Stebbins

ROYALS: UTIL

Most of the roster seems set for the Royals, except for the final spots. That includes the bench, and Loftin has established himself as a frontrunner to grab hold of it, not only because of his performance in Cactus League games, but also his defensive versatility. He’s played everywhere, including the corner outfield, his main positions in the infield and more first base than ever before. He’s also hitting the ball hard and making good swing decisions. Every one of those things has him inching closer to being on the roster come Opening Day. -- Anne Rogers

TIGERS: LHP

It would be easy to tout top prospect Kevin McGonigle here, but Anderson has quietly produced a superb camp that has shown why the Tigers signed him to a Major League contract for $7 million to get him back from KBO. Despite seeing the rotation spot he was competing for filled by Justin Verlander at the start of camp, Anderson has dominated, starting his spring with 11 scoreless innings on just six hits with a 14-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His fastball is averaging just under 96 mph, his changeup is generating a 44 percent whiff rate, and his slider and curveball are looking like effective breaking pitches. -- Jason Beck

TWINS: RHP

It’s telling that when Abel allowed two runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays on Friday, it was a noticeable step down from his previous outings. And even then, the right-hander struck out four and threw more than two-thirds of his pitches for strikes. Abel has been exceptional, showing top-tier stuff with solid command and control. It’s still not clear he’ll make the rotation, but if he gets sent down, it likely won’t be for long. -- Matthew Leach

WHITE SOX: IF

Antonacci, the No. 9 prospect for the White Sox according to MLB Pipeline, has gone from a young player on the rise to almost a household name with his play in Arizona and for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic. Antonacci homered off Jameson Taillon and Tanner Bibee during Cactus League play and connected against Nolan McLean in the WBC, but his hustle and baseball acumen have made people really take notice. Antonacci won’t break camp with the team but soon could be in Chicago. -- Scott Merkin

AL West

ANGELS: RHP

Klassen, the club’s No. 5 prospect, has turned heads this spring with his impressive velocity and wipeout slider. He’s posted a 2.25 ERA with nine strikeouts and three walks in eight innings. He’s likely to start the year at Triple-A Salt Lake but could make his debut early in the season if he continues to display the stuff and results he’s shown so far this spring. -- Rhett Bollinger

ASTROS: RHP

The Astros gave up promising prospects Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito to get Burrows from the Pirates in a three-team trade in December, and the early returns have been terrific. Burrows has thrown 12 2/3 scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play with six hits and six walks allowed and 15 strikeouts. He pounds the strike zone and works at a quick pace and has the Astros eager to see what he can do in the regular season. He throws five pitches -- a sinker, four-seamer, changeup, slider and curveball -- and can touch 96 mph. -- Brian McTaggart

ATHLETICS: OF

Bolte, ranked the A’s No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has always been touted as having impressive raw tools. This spring, that high ceiling has translated into success on the field. He entered Sunday batting .375 with a 1.094 OPS in 16 games this spring and has earned a longer look in camp both with his performance at the plate and on defense as a plus defender who can handle all three outfield spots. It’s unlikely that Bolte breaks camp with the big league club, but his outstanding spring is pretty much ensuring that he gets his first call to the Majors at some point in 2026. -- Martín Gallegos

MARINERS: LHP

The No. 3 overall pick in last year's MLB Draft has looked every bit the part while taking in his first big league camp -- so much so that the Mariners are legitimately considering him to be part of their plans in 2026. Anderson, Seattle's No. 2 prospect and No. 21 in baseball per MLB Pipeline, has been stretched out akin to Seattle's big league starters, made three Cactus starts, flashed plus stuff across his four-pitch arsenal and showed a mentality growth. The club will still want to see seasoning in the Minors, but the first impressions were strong. And if there’s a need later this summer, Anderson has likely solidified himself to be in the mix. -- Daniel Kramer

RANGERS: RHP

The Rangers’ No. 25 prospect per MLB Pipeline, Baumler was selected by the Pirates in the Rule 5 Draft this past December and promptly traded to the Rangers. He hasn’t yet pitched above Double-A, though he posted a a 2.04 ERA in 39 2/3 innings across three levels of the Minors in Baltimore’s system last season, making him ripe for the taking in the Rule 5 Draft. He’s impressed in Rangers camp, allowing no runs in 6 2/3 relief innings in Cactus League play entering Sunday. He could easily make Texas’ Opening Day roster and remain with the club for the duration of the year. -- Kennedi Landry

NL East

BRAVES: RHP

Fuentes, the Braves' No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has looked like a future ace and somebody who is far more ready than he was when he was rushed into action last summer just days after his 20th birthday. Fuentes’ four-seamer has sat in the upper 90s and the sweeper he threw last year has become a slider because it’s now registering in the upper 80s. There’s a need to develop a third pitch. But as long as Fuentes stays healthy, he could find himself back in the Majors at some point this year. -- Mark Bowman

MARLINS: LHP

Snelling, who ranks as MLB Pipeline's No. 39 overall prospect, has picked up where he left off in 2025 as the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The 22-year-old hasn't given up a run in two of his three Grapefruit League outings, including three scoreless innings with six strikeouts while facing Astros regulars in his most recent appearance on March 5. Snelling is making a strong case that he is big league ready. -- Christina De Nicola

METS: RHP

Is there a player in the Majors with a wider range of outcomes than Senga? At times, he’s been a Cy Young candidate for the Mets. At other times, he’s been unpitchable. But Senga looks the part of an ace again this spring, most recently dialing his fastball up to 99 mph in a dominant Grapefruit League outing against the Marlins. If Senga is truly back, the Mets’ rotation has a chance to be formidable. -- Anthony DiComo

NATIONALS: RHP

Cavalli earned the honors of being named the Nationals 2026 Opening Day starter. The achievement comes after he battled through nearly three years of Tommy John recovery. Cavalli, 27, emerged as not only an electric hurler on the mound, but a humble, well-respected leader in the clubhouse this Spring Training. When he was informed of his starting role, he told manager Blake Butera, “Man, thank you so much. Let’s get it. We’re going to set a tone this year.” -- Jessica Camerato

PHILLIES: 2B

It feels like Stott has been knocking on the door of an NL All-Star appearance the first few years of his career, but he just hasn’t been able to put everything together. But after mechanical and approach adjustments in the second half last season propelled him to a strong finish, Stott has picked up where he’s left off this spring. Stott has hit .400 with a 1.180 OPS in his first 11 games of the spring. It included a double and two home runs. If Stott can carry this success into the regular season, there’s no reason to think he can’t finally make his first NL All-Star team, which would be something because this summer it’s in Philly. -- Todd Zolecki

NL Central

BREWERS: 1B

Vaughn, who was stuck in Triple-A with the White Sox when he was traded to Milwaukee last summer, and wound up giving the Brewers a second-half jolt, has been one of the most impressive hitters so far in camp. He went into Sunday with 13 balls in play at 100 mph or above, according to Statcast, one shy of the spring high of 14 shared by three others. All that loud contact produced three doubles, two homers and a .400/.471/.700 slash line through his first 10 Cactus League games. -- Adam McCalvy

CARDINALS: 2B

It’s not official, but expect Wetherholt, baseball’s No. 5 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, to be named the Opening Day second baseman. He's been one of the Cardinals’ best hitters this spring. Entering Monday’s action, Wetherholt had a slash line of .240/.441/.480 and was tied for the second-most RBIs on the team (six). The question is, will he be St. Louis’ leadoff hitter or hit second behind Masyn Winn? Wetherholt appears to be the best choice for the top spot because of his plate discipline, while Winn may be better off in the middle of the order and try to drive in runs. A shortstop by trade, Wetherholt is holding his own with the glove and has made some nice diving plays at second base. -- Bill Ladson

CUBS: INF

The 21-year-old Ramírez (No. 9 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Cubs) did not come into camp competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he has put himself on the MLB radar for ‘26. Chicago added Ramírez to the 40-man roster over the offseason and he has used this spring to open eyes. In 12 Cactus League games, Ramírez was hitting .364 with two homers, 10 RBIs, four steals and a 1.111 OPS. Asked whether Ramírez would be considered if an unexpected need came up for the MLB infield, manager Craig Counsell said “1,000 times, yes” without hesitation. Counsell added that Ramírez has also won over veterans in the room with his approach to workouts and how he handled himself in the clubhouse. -- Jordan Bastian

PIRATES: SS

Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but the 19-year-old Pirates prospect is the real deal. Sure, Griffin, MLB’s No. 1 prospect, has played in just 122 professional games -- none of them above Double-A -- but he’s done everything to force Pittsburgh’s hand this spring. That includes driving in a team-high-tying eight runs through 12 Grapefruit League contests, slugging three homers and committing just one error at shortstop in 29 chances. Griffin is also proving mature beyond his years, and now, it’s up to the Bucs to determine whether the complete package enough for them to take him north with them when camp breaks. -- Dawn Klemish

REDS: 2B

McLain was never in danger of not making the club, but there was hope his offense would return to form this season for him to remain in the daily lineup. And although Spring Training numbers can sometimes deceive, McLain was leading all of MLB this spring in average, slugging, on-base percentage and OPS entering Sunday, and had the second-most homers. More importantly, two years removed from left shoulder surgery, his swing looks great and he's been very fluid on defense. All signs are pointing toward McLain regaining his spot at No. 2 in the lineup. -- Mark Sheldon

NL West

D-BACKS: INF

The Diamondbacks protected Fernandez from the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason and watching him play this spring you could see why they did. Fernandez may have fallen off some people’s radars after he signed at 17 and skipped the Dominican Summer League and went right to the Arizona Complex League. It took a little bit for his offense to show itself, but he came into his own last year with Double-A Amarillo and this spring he opened eyes among the Major League staff. A natural shortstop, he is going to open the year playing both short and third for Triple-A Reno. -- Steve Gilbert

DODGERS: INF

Signed to a Minor League deal at the beginning of Spring Training, Espinal's hot start prompted Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to state it would be "hard to imagine" him not making the Opening Day roster just a few weeks into camp. His defensive versatility could make him especially valuable for a Dodgers team that will be without Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández to open the season. -- Sonja Chen

GIANTS: OF

Bericoto came into camp as an under-the-radar outfield prospect, but he quickly turned heads by batting .429 with a 1.147 OPS, two home runs and 11 RBIs over his first 14 Cactus League games. The 24-year-old Venezuelan isn’t expected to crack the Giants’ Opening Day roster, but his hot spring could boost his standing within the organization and put him in line for a potential big league callup down the line. -- Maria Guardado

PADRES: 1B/DH

Following his messy departure from Philadelphia, Castellanos caught on with the Padres in mid-February, signing a one-year deal. The 34-year-old has looked good while learning first base this spring, while his at-bats have been productive (.258, one home run, six RBIs in his first 37 plate appearances entering Sunday). Castellanos appears to be on track to make the Opening Day roster, where he’ll see some at-bats at DH while also potentially playing first base against some left-handed pitchers. The Padres may have found a steal in Castellanos, as San Diego will pay him the league minimum while the Phillies pick up the rest of his $20 million contract. -- Mark Feinsand

ROCKIES: 1B

Rumfield arrived in the type of trade that could accelerate the Rockies’ path to improvement. The Yankees saw Angel Chivilli as the type of strong-armed reliever who is on the cusp of a breakout. The Rockies not only saw a solid hitter who was blocked in the Yankees farm system, but one with low risk since Rumfield was not a 40-man Major League roster player. Given a true chance at regular playing time, Rumfield showed immediate power and steady production from the beginning of camp. -- Thomas Harding