MLB's 100 Names You Need To Know For 2023: Orioles' Gunnar Henderson tops the list

An invigorating dose of new blood will accompany a season of unprecedented change in Major League Baseball.

With a pitch clock and a shift ban heralding a new and potentially action-infused era in the game, the rookies and first-year players leaving a mark on the season will have grown up with these rules in the minor leagues, where game experimentation has been the norm for a decade.

Now, those players are ready for prime time - and ready for a major impact. That's reflected in USA TODAY Sports' list of 100 Names You Need To Know for 2023.

This collection of talent from all 30 teams reflects not necessarily the top prospects, but rather those you will almost certainly see bubble up from the bushes this year. The players are ranked by both prospect pedigree and path to find a significant role this season.

Players are eligible if their 2022 minor league plate appearances or innings pitched exceed their career major league total entering this season. A top prospect buried deep in this list may be heading it up in 2024.

Players are ranked in order of their anticipated impact this season:

1. SS/3B Gunnar Henderson, Orioles: Expectations are high for the favorite to win American League Rookie of the Year. The 2019 second round draft pick had a strong showing (.264 with a .788 OPS) in 34 games last season and even homered in his second major-league at-bat on Aug. 31. Henderson, 21, who has power and speed, is positioned to play a significant role this season, likely splitting time on the left side of the infield.

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2. OF Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks: Carroll enjoyed a 42-game debut three years after he was a first-round pick. After the pandemic wiped out his 2020, he played in only seven games in 2021 due to a shoulder injury. Finally healthy, he rode his power stroke to USA TODAY’s 2022 Minor League Player of the Year. Carroll, 22, hit .307 with a 1.036 OPS with 24 homers, 62 RBI, 31 steals and 89 runs scored in 93 games, mostly across Classes AA and AAA, prompting the Diamondbacks to sign him to a precedent-shattering $111 million contract and slot him in left field from Day 1.

3. RHP Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles: The 6-5 right-hander's lat injury delayed his major league debut, but he went on to a have a brilliant minor league season, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.62 ERA over 75 ⅔ innings. Armed with a fastball that can reach triple-digits, the organization envisions the 23-year-old as a potential ace and could debut in the big league rotation.

4. 1B Joey Meneses, Nationals: The 30-year-old journeyman became a cult hero in Mexico during the WBC. Meneses led Mexico to an 11-5 rout over Team USA with two home runs and a bat flip for the ages. He had never played a single major-league game until last August, when the Juan Soto trade prompted a call-up. He spent 12 years in the minor leagues, with three clubs giving up on him. He hit a home run in his major-league debut and batted .324 with 13 homers in 56 games and now, will hit in the middle of the Nationals almost every day, splitting time at first base, DH and left field.

5. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals: After posting a .383 OBP and .832 OPS in a 72-game debut, Pasquantino, 25, should be the Royals’ everyday first baseman (and qualifies as a Name to Know by just 15 plate appearances). Batting cleanup behind Salvador Perez should yield significant RBI opportunities and the Royals are intrigued to see his power play out over a full season.

6. 1B Triston Casas, Red Sox: Casas, 23, showed his patented power through his first MLB stint last season with five home runs in his first 75 at-bats. He did, however, strike out in 23 of those plate appearances. He still has the ability to reach base consistently, and skipper Alex Cora has even floated the idea of batting him in the leadoff spot. At 6-foot-4, Casas plays a solid first base.

7. SP Hunter Brown, Astros: Brown, 25, made a flashy debut over three starts (1-1, 1.47 ERA, 16 strikeouts in 18 ⅓ innings). The 2019 second-round pick out of Oregon could stick at the back of the rotation or in the bullpen this season. He is a 6-3 right-hander who throws hard and has a strong mix of pitches, striking out 10.5 batters with 3.2 walks per nine innings The departure of Justin Verlander and Lance McCullers’s forearm injury that will keep him out for a while gives Brown, 24, a chance to assert himself in the rotation. The right-hander powered through the Pacific Coast League last season (9-4, 2.55 ERA) with 134 strikeouts in 106 innings.

8. SS Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies: Tovar, 21, played in the Dominican Summer League when he was 16 and steadily rose to a brief major league debut (nine games) in 2022. He can hit (.284 in 283 minor league games), run (41 steals in 50 attempts over the last two seasons) and play elite defense. The power is also developing (29 homers over the last two seasons). His .927 OPS in 2022, which he mostly spent in Class AA, was a career high. The job on a team that likely won’t contend is his to lose.

9. SS Oswald Peraza, Yankees: Peraza batted .306 with a .404 on-base percentage during his first callup last September and claimed a spot on the AL Championship Series roster. His play down the stretch has him in the driver’s seat to claim New York's starting shortstop job in 2023, though a significant utility role awaits if and when prospect Anthony Volpe beats him out. The Venezuela-born Peraza, 22, has swiped 73 bases over the last two seasons in the minors.

10. 3B Josh Jung, Rangers: Jung, the eighth overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech, has reached the majors with his bat (.311-30-118 in 153 career minor league games). Jung, 25, hasn’t proven he can hit at the big-league level yet. If that trend continues while the Rangers stay in the race for a few months, they might bump him for a veteran acquisition. Until then, the third base job appears to be his.

11. 2B Miguel Vargas, Dodgers: A .313 career hitter in the minors, the 23-year-old is Los Angeles’ presumed second baseman entering the season despite limited experience at the keystone. He suffered a fractured pinky that prevented him from swinging the bat early in spring training games – but the Dodgers felt confident enough about Vargas that they let him play anyway to get reps in the field.

12. C Logan O'Hoppe, Angels: Acquired from the Phillies for Brandon Marsh last summer, O'Hoppe had a big 2022, hitting 26 homers with a .961 OPS in Class AA, earning himself five games in the majors. “As far as what we’ve seen here, his preparation, the way he handles the pitchers, I think he’s ready to play here,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “I don’t think there’s any question about that.” O’Hoppe is certainly the team’s catcher of the future but he’s only played 11 games above Class AA and could start the year in the minors.

13. INF Vaughn Grissom, Braves: Grissom, along with teammate Braden Shewmake, is being groomed to replace Dansby Swanson at shortstop. But roster mechanics prompted the Braves to option both to the minors and give veteran Orlando Arcia the job. However, it shouldn't take long for Grissom to return. The Braves organization has shown a willingness to be aggressive with their young stars. Grissom made the rise from High-A Rome to the big leagues last year and hit .291 with five homers in 41 games for Atlanta, playing mostly at second base.

14. OF Jordan Walker, Cardinals: The Cards converted their top prospect to an outfielder because he was never going to supplant Nolan Arenado at third base. With an impressive spring, Walker, 20, could go directly from Class AA to the opening day roster. Possessing elite power and plus speed, he hit .304 with 19 homers and 22 steals last season in the minors.

15. OF Oscar Colas, White Sox: The time might be now for Colas to inherit right field on the Southside, after producing an .895 OPS across three levels, culminating at Class AAA. Signed out of Cuba in 2020, Colas, 24, will have the luxury of batting deep in the White Sox lineup as he tries to tap into his 30-homer potential.

16. C Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks: Veteran Carson Kelly’s broken right forearm should keep him out for several months, opening the door for Moreno to be the primary catcher. Moreno, 23, was the key player received from the Blue Jays in the December deal for outfielder Daulton Varsho. Moreno is a solid defender with a strong arm and good receiving skills who can also make an impact at the plate. Moreno has shown some power in the minor leagues (.479 slugging percentage) but he flashed the potential for more in spring training.

17. INF David Hensley, Astros: Hensley, 27, should gain the most playing time with second baseman Jose Altuve out at least two months with a broken thumb. Hensley’s versatility (he has played every field position except catcher in college, the minors or majors) makes him a good bet for filling in elsewhere, too. He has hit .271 with a .733 OPS in the minor leagues and .345/1.027 in a 16-game major league sample.

18. SS Anthony Volpe, Yankees: Volpe, the Yankees' vaunted 21-year-old prospect, has a chance to start at shortstop on Opening Day after a strong spring. He struck out 118 times in 511 at-bats between Class AA and Class AAA in 2022, but he also has 48 home runs over the last two seasons. Volpe overcame a slow start last season to still put together a 20-homer, 50-steal campaign.

19. OF Kyle Stowers, Orioles: The 25-year-old slashed .253/.306/.418 with three home runs in a 34-game debut. He's competing for a corner outfield spot, but could also platoon at DH. If the lefty can come close to his minor league numbers (.897 OPS in 2021 and .884 OPS in 2022), he could become a solid run producer.

20. SP Ryan Pepiot, Dodgers: The 25-year-old made his big-league debut last season and Tony Gonsolin’s injury opened up a rotation spot that Pepiot could seize on the opening day roster. Pepiot pitched 36 ⅓ innings with a 3.47 ERA and 42 strikeouts in the majors and looked sharp in spring training, striking out 19 in his first 13 ⅔ innings. Even if the right-hander doesn’t start the year in the rotation, he’s proven he can handle big-league pitching and should get ample opportunity in 2023

21. OF Garrett Mitchell, Brewers: A first-round pick (20th overall) in 2020, Mitchell doesn’t pack a lot of punch, but was 34-for-37 on stolen base attempts over two minor league seasons. The speedster got a taste of the majors at the end of last season, hitting .311, swiping eight bases and recording the fastest home-to-first time in the majors, according to Statcast. He’s in line to be the Brewers’ opening day center fielder.

22. 3B Spencer Steer, Reds: Acquired from Minnesota in the Tyler Mahle trade, Steer posted an .879 OPS with 23 home runs in 492 plate appearances over two minor league levels. The 25-year-old can play any infield position but should spend most of his time at third base. The Reds have penciled him in as the starter there, even though he hit just .211 in his 28-game MLB debut.

23. C Francisco Alvarez, Mets: One of the most prolific home-run hitters the past two seasons in the minors, Álvarez cracked 51 between 2021-22 and made a 12-at-bat debut last year. Álvarez will start the season in Class AAA, but it should not be long until he returns to Queens. Defensive concerns could keep him in a mostly designated-hitter role.

24. SP Jared Shuster, Braves: Shuster, 24, is the top prospect in the organization and in competition with Dylan Dodd for the fifth spot in the rotation. Shuster and Dodd, both lefties, have matched each other every step of the way; in 2022, Shuster posted a 3.29 ERA with a 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings between Class AA and AAA.

25. SP Ken Waldichuk, Athletics: The 6-4 lefty came over from the Yankees in the Frankie Montas trade last summer and made seven starts for Oakland. With a fastball sitting in the upper-90s, Waldichuck has improved his slider and should be a regular in the back end of the Athletics’ rotation this season.

Nos. 26-50

26. OF James Outman, Dodgers: Outman will make the Dodgers’ opening day roster and should get plenty of strong-side platoon opportunities, having hit 31 home runs in the minors last year. Manager Dave Roberts said earlier in March that Outman is "big league ready", but he’ll be competing for outfield at-bats with veterans David Peralta, Trayce Thompson and Jason Heyward.

27. INF Elehuris Montero, Rockies: His power has played in the minors (43 homers over his last 185 games) and has potential to be monstrous at Coors Field. He got 53 games’ worth in 2022, moving between third and first bases and hitting six homers with a .702 OPS. The home split (five homers, .856 OPS in 23 games) is worth watching. The 6-3, 235-pound Montero, acquired in the Nolan Arenado trade, has been mashing in spring training and figures to slide into at least a semi-regular role at third.

28. OF Will Benson, Reds: Following a trans-Ohio trade from the Guardians, Benson, 24, now has a much clearer path to playing time. Nick Senzel is still recovering from offseason toe surgery, so Benson has the inside track to be the Reds’ center fielder on opening day. The 14th overall pick in the 2016 draft has displayed both power and speed in the minors, but he hit just .182 with no homers or steals in 28 games with Cleveland.

29. 3B Curtis Mead, Rays: A native of Australia, Mead, 22, could have made his debut last season if not for an elbow injury. He doesn’t hit much for power but batted .321 in 2021 and posted a .298/.390/.532 slash line at Class AA and Class AAA. Mead started most games at third in 2022 but his arm might make him better-suited for second or first.

30. OF Kerry Carpenter, Tigers: It’s been a steady climb for a 19th-round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2019, and now Carpenter, 25, could find himself in the middle of Detroit’s lineup at points this season. He hit six homers in his 113 at-bat debut, posting a 128 adjusted OPS, and will at least be a lefty DH this year.

31. SP Ryne Nelson, Diamondbacks: Nelson, 25, made a flashy 2022 debut over three starts (1-1, 1.47 ERA, 16 strikeouts in 18 ⅓ innings). The 2019 second-round pick out of Oregon could stick at the back of the rotation or in the bullpen. He is a 6-3 right-hander who throws hard and has a strong mix of pitches, striking out 10.5 batters and walking 3.2 per nine innings in the minor leagues.

32. SP Hayden Wesneski, Cubs: Acquired from the Yankees at last year’s trade deadline, the 25-year-old earned a promotion to the majors and pitched well enough (3-2, 0.94 WHIP in 33 IP) to earn a shot at making this year’s Cubs rotation. He sports a five-pitch mix, headlined by a big-breaking slider.

33. SS Brice Turang, Brewers: After an underwhelming 2021 season, Turang re-established his prospect pedigree by hitting .286/.360/.412 last year at Class AAA Nashville with a career-best 13 homers and 34 steals. Added to Milwaukee’s 40-man roster over the winter, the 23-year-old is a solid defender who can play both middle infield positions.

34. OF Esteury Ruiz, Athletics: Ruiz was traded from Milwaukee to San Diego to Oakland in 2022 and is competing for the Athletics’ center field job. A former second baseman, the 24-year-old hit .332 with a .973 OPS and 85 steals in the minors last season and has team officials confident he can handle center field on a daily basis.

35. 1B Darick Hall, Phillies: Hall slugged nine homers with an .804 OPS in a 42-game debut and should start this season as the club's primary DH as Bryce Harper recovers from Tommy John surgery. Hall also may access more at-bats after first baseman Rhys Hoskins' knee injury. At 27, Hall may not have much ceiling left, but the man did slug 37 homers between Class AAA and Philadelphia last year, and has a long runway to do damage as the Phillies' wounded sluggers mend.

36. SP Dylan Dodd, Braves: Dodd, also a left-hander like Shuster, is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation after Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder were optioned to Class AAA Gwinnett. Dodd, who was taken as a fifth-year senior out of Southeast Missouri State in 2021's third round, is known for his ability to generate swings and misses with his fastball, which regularly touches the mid-90s.

37. C/OF Blake Sabol, Giants: A converted outfielder, Sabol hit .284 with an .859 OPS in Classes AA and AAA for the Pirates organization last season and has to stay on the Giants’ 26-man roster all season as a Rule 5 pick.. San Francisco’s backstop situation is unclear with Sabol, Roberto Pérez, Joey Bart and Austin Wynns competing for roster spots, but Sabol’s versatility should earn him a fair share of at-bats this season. “Guys have been raving about throwing to him,” Giants starter Alex Cobb said. “His setup, his demeanor and confidence as a catcher – I’ve been really impressed with him.”

38. SP Chase Silseth, Angels: The right-hander was knocked around in the majors (6.59 ERA in seven starts) upon his promotion from Class AA and won’t start 2023 in the majors – but had a 2.28 ERA in 15 minor-league starts last year. He’ll get some time under his belt in Class AAA and will be back up at some point this season.

39. 3B Brett Baty, Mets: At one point this offseason destined for the outfield, Baty’s future remains at the hot corner with the Mets’ pursuit of Carlos Correa falling through. Baty batted .315 between Class AA and Class AAA with a .943 OPS and his defense at third base has looked much-improved during spring training.

40. RP DL Hall, Orioles: Hall could start the season in the O's bullpen or in Class AAA Norfolk’s rotation. He made his MLB debut in a start last Aug. 11, but when he returned as a September callup, he made all 10 of his appearances out of the bullpen. He posted a 5.93 ERA over 13 ⅔ innings in 11 games.

41. C Yainer Diaz, Astros: Diaz, 24, has shown steady improvement offensively and defensively since the Guardians signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2016. He has hit .321 with an .868 OPS in 340 minor league games and batted .306-25-96 in 105 games between Classes AA and AAA in 2022. The latter performance came after the Astros acquired him in the 2021 deal that sent outfielder Myles Straw to Cleveland. He is likely the Astros’ catcher of the future who could share time with Martin Maldonado, 36, while also getting DH at-bats.

42. OF Heliot Ramos, Giants: The former top prospect is still only 23 but time may be running out on his window with San Francisco. Ramos was an early roster cut in spring training after hitting .227 in Class AAA last year and is going to start 2023 in the minors. Expect to see him in the majors when the Giants need an outfielder.

43. SP Bobby Miller, Dodgers: The right-hander had shoulder soreness during spring training but should be good to go for the start of the minor-league season. A first-round pick in 2020, Miller had 145 strikeouts in 112 ⅓ innings across two levels, making four starts in Class AAA later in the year. “You can’t debate the stuff. But the breaking ball, the fastball command, all that stuff is things that he’s going to continue to tighten up,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Seeing him debut this year is not far-fetched at all.”

44. RP Scott McGough, Diamondbacks: The right-hander has closing experience from his time in Japan — and he might find himself getting a chance to close in Arizona, at least given how he's thrown this spring. Not only does McGough, 33, have two good secondary offerings, he can throw both his splitter and slider out of the zone to elicit chase or land them in the zone for strikes. And while he doesn’t overpower with his 92-94 mph fastball, the pitch seems to get on hitters in a hurry. McGough, though, has only six games of major league experience and right-handers Miguel Castro, Kevin Ginkel and Jeurys Familia have all had solid springs.

45. SP Andrew Painter, Phillies: He'd be much higher were it not for an elbow injury in spring training that prevented one of baseball's most imposing young arms from grabbing a spot in the defending NL champs' rotation. The Phillies will try to treat his elbow with rest and injections. If he avoids Tommy John surgery, Painter could impact this club sometime in the first half. If not, see you late in 2024.

46. 2B Michael Massey, Royals: After a fair 52-game debut, Massey, 25, may break camp at least as the Royals’ platoon second baseman. He has little to prove in the minors, what with a .356 career OBP and .862 OPS. As for his major league upside? Massey will have the platform to show how high his ceiling may be.

47. INF Ji Hwan Bae, Pirates: Bae stole three bases in a 10-game September debut and was bidding to earn the starting second base job in Pittsburgh. A slow spring means he'll likely back up both Rodolfo Castro and shortstop Oneil Cruz, but things are always fluid in Pittsburgh and Bae, 23, may get a solid shot at second at somee point.