Everything you need to know about prospects and Spring Training

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So you’d like to follow Spring Training. Maybe you’re sick of winter -- the cold, the ice, the snow -- and are ready to dive headlong into warmer times and warmer climes. Maybe your favorite club made big offseason moves and you can’t wait to see the freshly arrived players in their new uniforms. Maybe you’re just a, you know, baseball fan.

Whatever has generated the Spring Training twinge of excitement this February, you’re not alone. We at MLB Pipeline have spent the last few weeks churning out prospect reports ahead of the Top 30s reveal in March, and that only heightens our own anticipation.

So for your sake -- and ours in a way -- let’s answer some questions you may have about Spring Training. Many of the basics are covered in this FAQ, so we’ll cover more through a strictly prospect lens:

Is one state better for prospects than the other?

For the completionists among you, it’s easier to hit up all 15 camps in Arizona given the centralization of the Cactus League. But there are pods with multiple organizations over in Florida as well. Fort Myers hosts both the Twins and the Red Sox. The Tampa-Clearwater region has the Blue Jays, Phillies and Yankees (and Tigers if you’re willing to expand that east to Lakeland). The Atlantic side is navigable with five clubs in the Astros, Cardinals, Marlins, Mets and Nationals all within driving distance. Depending on your willingness to drive, either state can allow multiple looks at top prospects.

Is one specific site better for prospects than all the others?

This year, it’s Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. -- Spring Training home of the Dodgers and White Sox.

Los Angeles has plenty of intrigue, not only as the defending World Series champion but also as the organization that signed No. 1 overall prospect Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers have five more Top 100 prospects beyond the Japanese right-hander in Dalton Rushing, Josue De Paula, Jackson Ferris, Alex Freeland and Zyhir Hope, and the org may have more on the way.

The White Sox are at the other extreme of the MLB contention spectrum, but that means they have an added emphasis on the next generation of South Side stars. Top 100 prospects Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery are fresh faces acquired in the Garrett Crochet blockbuster, and 2024 first-rounder Hagen Smith is looking to show off why he could be a quick mover and give future Chicago rotations another talented lefty alongside top prospect Noah Schultz.

Can we see Minor Leaguers work out?

Yes, but in most cases, you’ll have to head to the backfields. Most clubs have space in a walkable distance beyond the main stadium to spread out their dozens of prospects. (Some clubs like the Pirates and Blue Jays have distinct Minor League complexes elsewhere in town.) Contact the club’s ticket office to learn more about the best ways to enter and exit the backfields.

You can also see prospects work out with Major Leaguers, if they are members of the 40-man roster or non-roster invites.

What is a non-roster invite?

Sorry, I should have clarified that. A non-roster invite is a player who is not on the 40-man roster but is included in a club’s Major League Spring Training program. You’ll often hear that players sign Minor League deals with an invite to Spring Training, and this is how they’re covered. Clubs can handle NRIs differently.

Some prioritize players with an actual shot at making the MLB Opening Day roster. Others are willing to include top prospects who they want to get exposure to MLB players and coaches. For example, the Padres invited 18-year-olds Leodalis De Vries and Ethan Salas because they see them as big parts of their future, even if there’s virtually no chance they’ll crack the MLB club come March.

Can other Minor Leaguers still play in Major League spring games?

Yes. A player doesn’t need an NRI to play in Cactus or Grapefruit League games. They can be called up at any time. For example, Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter homered four times in 13 spring games last year but was never officially in Cleveland’s Major League camp.

What’s our best opportunity to see top prospects this spring?

That’s Spring Breakout, which returns for its second year from March 13-16. (Full schedule here.) The exhibition series puts a spotlight on prospect talent in Major League parks across both Arizona and Florida. You might remember Paul Skenes facing off against Jackson Holliday in Bradenton last year. Prepare for more loaded matchups in just under a month.

Looking ahead, are any Top 100 prospects stone-cold locks for MLB Opening Day?

As it stands now, there are three that should have a strong upper hand because they already have MLB experience and they aren’t blocked by the current roster: Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews, Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez and Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson. Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe, Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder, Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker, Braves catcher Drake Baldwin and Angels right-hander Caden Dana might be in that next group but don’t have the same clear lanes.

Wait, there are a lot of players on the Top 100 list with “MLB” listed as their level. What’s up with that?

Any player on a 40-man roster gets an MLB designation on the rankings pages. This will change as prospects are officially assigned to Minor League clubs later in the spring.

What are some of the key position battles?

Alex Bregman’s decision to sign with the Red Sox last week had many domino effects.

Bregman could move to second base, blocking a lane for No. 7 overall prospect and 2024 Hitting Prospect of the Year Kristian Campbell. Elsewhere, the Cubs’ inability to land Bregman means top prospect Matt Shaw still has the inside track on the third-base gig, and he’d be a fun power-speed consolation. Over in Detroit, the Tigers might have to turn to Jace Jung, who missed out on the Top 100 but could be fully healthy and ready to go after offseason wrist surgery.

The Prospect Promotion Incentive also can’t be ignored and could push eligible prospects to the Majors for Opening Day if clubs want a shot at an extra Draft pick down the line. Someone like Jobe could be the beneficiary of such a rule, if Detroit thinks it’s close between him and another candidate for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

Do you, Sam Dykstra, have any hot Spring Training takes?

Sure, why not. Red Sox officials are so high on Campbell -- and have been for a long time -- that, I think, he starts at second base on Opening Day on March 27.

Another: Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson gets a long look in Tampa Bay camp. His bat-to-ball skills are elite. His speed is the best in the sport. The Rays lack stellar options in center field. If Simpson hits .350 and leads the spring in steals, he’ll make it a tough call for Kevin Cash and other Rays brass, even if he still hasn’t played in Triple-A.

And one more: always travel through Yeehaw Junction on the road from Tampa to West Palm Beach.