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Carson Williams (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

This year, a total of 19 MLB rookies on Opening Day rosters have a chance to add Prospect Promotion Incentive eligibility if they remain in the big leagues—or on the MLB injured list—all season.

This is a record number of PPI hopefuls on Opening Day rosters since the program began in 2022, which speaks to the high caliber of this year’s rookie class. The previous high for PPI hopefuls was 17 players in 2024, highlighted by Michael Busch, Wyatt Langford and Jackson Merrill.

Major league teams must meet three requirements to have a chance to earn a PPI draft pick:

There are a few caveats to the above having to do with prior major league IL time, trades and contract extensions, but those are not factors for most players.

Any player who meets the prospect pedigree, roster assignment and service time requirements will have PPI eligibility attach. For an MLB team to capitalize on that eligibility and redeem a PPI draft pick, the player must win a Rookie of the Year award or finish top three for MVP or Cy Young Award in any season prior to arbitration.

2026 PPI-Eligible Rookies On Opening Day Rosters

The following 19 players will add PPI eligibility if they remain on an active MLB roster or the IL all season, provided that they do not change teams after making their MLB debuts.

Moises Ballesteros, C, Cubs

Ballesteros hit well in Cactus League play to cement his spot on the Opening Day roster. He will serve as the Cubs’ primary DH, but he also saw action in eight games behind the plate and one at first base during spring training. Ballesteros hit well in a 20-game MLB debut last year, batting .298/.394/.474 (151 OPS+) with two home runs, nine walks and 12 strikeouts.

Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles

The 21-year-old Basallo put on a power display in Grapefruit League action with a .692 slugging percentage to lock in his spot in the Baltimore lineup. He is expected to serve as the primary DH but saw most of his spring training time at catcher and even appeared at first base. Basallo scuffled to a batting line of .165/.229/.330 (56 OPS+) last year while making his MLB debut, but he appears ready for takeoff this season after signing an eight-year extension in August.

Dylan Beavers, OF, Orioles

Beavers improved his timing at the plate heading into last season and reaped the rewards, including an International League MVP award and a callup to Baltimore. The corner outfielder showed encouraging power and patience in a 35-game MLB debut, batting .227/.375/.400 with four home runs. Beavers was sidetracked by a knee injury late in spring training but is healthy for Opening Day. 

Carson Benge, OF, Mets

The Mets drafted Benge 19th overall in 2024 out of Oklahoma State. He sped through the minor leagues last year, reaching Triple-A for 24 games. This spring, Benge hit for average and drew walks in Grapefruit League play while playing quality defense in right field, the position at which he will start on Opening Day. He has no prior MLB experience but won’t have to be a focal point of the Mets’ veteran lineup.

Owen Caissie, OF, Marlins

Caissie played for Team Canada during the World Baseball Classic, going 7-for-17 (.412) with a home run and three doubles in five games. He started slowly in Grapefruit League games but is ready for an extended MLB look in right field after the Marlins traded Edward Cabrera to acquire him from the Cubs in January. Caissie made a 12-game MLB debut with Chicago last season.

Bubba Chandler, RHP, Pirates

Chandler has a two-way background, much like fellow Pirates organization pitchers Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and 2025 first-rounder Seth Hernandez. Chandler pitched 31.1 big league innings last summer, recording 31 strikeouts and a 4.02 ERA. That same bat-missing ability was intact this spring (17 strikeouts in 11 innings, 15% swinging strikes) but so too was a zone-missing issue that will need to be ironed out (11 walks, 45% strike rate). 

Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies

Only the Dodgers had an older lineup than the Phillies last season, so injecting youth into the roster will be a key part of Crawford’s role. He played well at Triple-A last season, batting .334 with 46 stolen bases in 112 games, and will be tasked with continuing to hit for average, steal bases and hold down center field as a 22-year-old in the big leagues this season.

Chase DeLauter, OF, Guardians

DeLauter made his MLB debut in the AL Wild Card Series last year, collecting his first MLB hit in the postseason before appearing in a regular season game. He is a lock to hold down a lineup spot in Cleveland this season, provided that he can stay off the injured list, because he has impact offensive potential. DeLauter focused his time in right field this spring and will see most of his time there.

Connelly Early, LHP, Red Sox

Early drew the start in Boston’s elimination game against the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Series last year. He struck out six in 3.2 innings but allowed four runs. Early missed a ton of bats in a four-start MLB debut as well, generating an elite 16% swinging-strike rate. He continued missing bats in the Grapefruit League—fanning 16 in 17 innings—to earn a spot in the Opening Day rotation.

Carter Jensen, C, Royals

Jensen announced his arrival as a big leaguer during a 20-game MLB debut last season, batting .300/.391/.550 (161 OPS+) with three home runs. Now, the Kansas City product will learn the finer points of catching under the wing of his boyhood idol Salvador Perez. Jensen will see lots of time behind the plate and at DH in his official rookie season. He has a chance to be a key part of a young lineup.

Nolan McLean, RHP, Mets

Last year, McLean focused only on pitching for the first time in his life. The former two-way player raced through Double-A and Triple-A to make his MLB debut, during which he went 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts. This spring, McLean pitched for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, starting the championship game vs. Team Venezuela, and will hold a prominent spot in the Mets’ rotation.

Kevin McGonigle, 3B, Tigers 

The Tigers entered spring training with an unsettled left side of the infield. McGonigle could help stabilize the situation after proving his mettle in 20 Grapefruit League games to make the Opening Day roster. He walked 11 times and contributed two home runs, two doubles, a triple and two stolen bases to win a job, most likely at third base, with Javier Baez at shortstop, to open the year.  

Parker Messick, LHP, Guardians

Messick’s wide pitch array and deceptive delivery served him well last summer during his seven-start MLB debut season. He pitched to a 2.72 ERA in 39.2 innings with good markers for strikeouts, walks and home run suppression. He may never be more than a No. 3 or 4 starter, but he’s ready to assume that role right away after surviving the hitter-friendly Cactus League this spring with a 4.12 ERA in 19.2 innings. 

Andrew Painter, RHP, Phillies

Painter carved up minor league competition in 2022 and appeared poised for stardom. But then he lost the 2023 and 2024 seasons to Tommy John surgery. Painter returned to action last season and made 26 starts as he ran up a 5.40 ERA. Painter looks more like his previous version this spring—2.31 ERA, eight strikeouts in 11.2 innings—and will open the season in the Phillies’ rotation. 

Sal Stewart, 1B, Reds

Stewart opened last season at Double-A and finished it batting cleanup for the Reds in the postseason. He improved his conditioning in the offseason and looks primed for a big season after ripping up Cactus League competition. In 20 games, he struck seven extra-base hits and drew 11 walks. He saw most of his spring training time at first base but also played second base and third base sparingly.

Brandon Sproat, RHP, Brewers

Like many lower-payroll clubs, the Brewers rely on acquiring key young players from outside the organization. Sproat could be the latest example. He revamped his cutter this spring and pitched effectively enough—15 strikeouts, four walks in 13 innings—to win a rotation spot. Milwaukee added Sproat and shortstop Jett Williams when it traded Freddy Peralta to the Mets in January. Sproat made four starts for the Mets last summer, pitching to a 4.79 ERA in 20.2 innings. 

JJ Wetherholt, 2B, Cardinals

The Cardinals cleared a path for Wetherholt to make the Opening Day roster when they traded veteran infielders Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan in the offseason. Wetherholt sealed the deal with a productive spring training showing in the Grapefruit League. He showed plus on-base skills and occasional power, while manning mostly second base. St. Louis drafted Wetherholt seventh overall out of West Virginia in 2024. He will be making his MLB debut.

Carson Williams, SS, Rays

Williams has power and can pick it at shortstop. It’s an open question as to how much he will hit, especially as a rookie. Williams appeared in 32 games for the Rays last season, batting .172/.219/.354 (57 OPS+) with five home runs. Now, he gets the first chance to lock down shortstop and gain batting reps with Tampa Bay after a late injury to Taylor Walls thrust Williams into the starting role. 

Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays 

World Series hero Yesavage will begin the year on the injured list with a shoulder impingement and did not throw a Grapefruit League inning. The Blue Jays say that he will return in fairly short order. Once healthy, Yesavage can spend up to 30 days in the minor leagues on a rehab assignment before he has to either be added to Toronto’s 26-man roster or optioned to a Toronto affiliate. 

Where They Came From

This year’s PPI hopefuls come from six primary sources: the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 drafts and also the 2021 international free agency.

2020 Draft: Owen Caissie (HS)

2021 Draft: Bubba Chandler (HS), Carter Jensen (HS), Andrew Painter (HS), Carson Williams (HS)

2021 IFA: Moises Ballesteros (VZ), Samuel Basallo (DR)

2022 Draft: Dylan Beavers (4YR), Justin Crawford* (HS), Chase DeLauter (4YR), Parker Messick (4YR), Sal Stewart (HS)

2023 Draft: Connelly Early (4YR), Nolan McLean (4YR), Kevin McGonigle* (HS), Brandon Sproat (4YR)

2024 Draft: Carson Benge* (4YR), JJ Wetherholt* (4YR), Trey Yesavage (4YR)

* Not on 40-man roster entering spring training

Other Top Prospects With Paths To PPI

Qualifying for PPI does not require a prospect to make an Opening Day roster, though it does require an early-season callup. Two deadline dates are relevant, depending on whether a prospect is on the 40-man roster.

40-Man Roster Players On Optional Assignment

April 13 is the 20th day of the 2026 season. This is important for 40-man roster players on optional assignment to the minor leagues. Any player recalled to play in an MLB game on April 13 will have spent fewer than 20 days in the minor leagues and thus will have his minor league time converted to MLB service. That will keep open a path for one full year of service, a requirement for earning PPI eligibility.

This April 13 guideline pertains to the following 40-man roster players. Those with an asterisk have previous MLB experience.

Joshua Baez, OF, Cardinals

Leonardo Bernal, C, Cardinals

Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Giants*

Harry Ford, C, Nationals*

Angel Genao, SS, Guardians

Joe Mack, C, Marlins

Connor Prielipp, LHP, Twins

Elmer Rodriguez, RHP, Yankees

Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins

Payton Tolle, LHP, Red Sox *

Jonah Tong, RHP, Mets*

Relevant Prospects Not On 40-Man Rosters

Any player from the list below who is called up on April 9 or earlier will still have enough season left to reach 172 service days and thus qualify for a full year, which would satisfy PPI requirements. The list highlights top prospects who remained in big league camp late into spring training.

Tyler Bremner, RHP, Angels

Colt Emerson, SS, Mariners

Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates

JR Ritchie, RHP, Braves

Robby Snelling, LHP, Marlins 

Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Diamondbacks

Jett Williams, SS, Brewers

Previous PPI-Eligible Players Who Did Not Qualify

Not every player positioned for PPI eligibility on Opening Day will make it to the finish line.

This is the fifth season in which PPI considerations factor into Opening Day roster decisions. In each of the four previous seasons, at least two players who were on track to attach PPI on Opening Day fell off that path by being optioned to the minor leagues.

SeasonOpening Day HopefulsActually Qualified For PPI202211*92023141120241714202596202619TBD* Estimated total. Baseball America did not track this in real time. See footnote below for names of PPI hopefuls who fell short

According to our records, the following players would have gained PPI eligibility had they not been optioned to the minor leagues during the season—or in the case of Gore, had he not been traded.

2022: CJ Abrams, SS, Padres; and MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Padres (traded to Nationals in Juan Soto deal)

2023: Oscar Colas, OF, White Sox; Ryan Pepiot, RHP, Dodgers; Miguel Vargas, 2B, Dodgers; and Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals

2024: Jasson Dominguez, OF, Yankees; Jackson Holliday, 2B, Orioles; and Curtis Mead, 2B, Rays

2025: Kristian Campbell, 2B, Red Sox; Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers; and Matt Shaw, 3B, Cubs