Happy MLB Opening Day! Keep An Eye On These Six Prospects

Introducing a new YouTube series, plus a look at our MLB predictions, top rookies & more.

Author

Mark Chiarelli
March 28, 2024

Happy MLB Opening Day! We’re Keeping An Eye On These Six Prospects

At long last, Opening Day for most of MLB has arrived. And it’s bringing a host of notable rookies who could make major impacts. That includes both Wyatt Langford and Jackson Chourio.

Both players rank among the top prospects in all of baseball. They’re also two of the top five MLB rookies entering the 2024 season. Langford was arguably the best hitter of any player in spring training, and certainly among prospects. Chourio wasn’t far behind.

We featured both Langford and Chourio, along with four other notable prospects set to debut, in a new ‘BA Prospect Profile’ YouTube series. You can check out our full channel here.

Below, here’s more info on both Langford and Chourio ahead of their impending big league debuts.

Jackson Chourio

Chourio ranks as the No. 2 prospect in baseball and has four tools that project to 60 or higher on the 20-80 scouting scale. How much faith do the Brewers have in their prized outfielder? Chourio signed an eight-year, $82 million contract this offseason, a record for a player with no MLB experience. Chourio has only played six games above Double-A. Even so, he looked plenty comfortable this spring, hitting .323/.373/.403 over 62 at-bats.

While it may take him a bit of time to get settled, Chourio is expected to become Milwaukee’s everyday center fielder at just 20 years old and has the look of a franchise cornerstone. Our preseason scouting report even hinted at 30-30 potential at his peak. The precocious outfielder has explosive bat speed, plus-plus raw power and a solid approach at the plate, though improving his swing decisions is a necessary step as he matures. He’s also a plus-plus runner, which should provide excitement both defensively and on the base paths.

Wyatt Langford

As Baseball America’s J.J. Cooper notes in the video above, Langford can mash. He demolished spring training pitching to the tune of a .350/.403/.683 line and six homers. Baseball’s No. 5 prospect firmly entrenched himself in the Rangers’ lineup. He’s expected to get the bulk of his reps at designated hitter, which should only further ease the transition to the majors for the defending champions.

Langford’s quick rise is fascinating. He has played only 44 career minor league games, where he ambushed pitchers amid a torrid 2023 debut. Langford was one of the 13 prospects who most impressed scouts during big league spring training.

Here’s what Baseball America’s Josh Norris wrote earlier this week:

The Rangers announced on March 22 that Langford, whom they drafted fourth overall last year, had made the Opening Day roster. The Florida alum earned that nod after spending the spring demolishing the Cactus League competition with a performance that put him at or near the top of many offensive categories. Scouts who saw Langford were impressed by a swing that is both simple and explosive and should allow him to produce both average and power in heavy doses. He and Evan Carter should form the nucleus of a young, talented Rangers lineup for years to come.

You can find our full scouting report on Langford here.

If you enjoyed the videos above, we have good news: there’s more. Below, find the rest of our BA Prospect Profile series on the following prospects…

MLB Predictions

Baseball America’s 2024 MLB Predictions, Season Preview & More

We’re ready for the start of games this afternoon. Below, find our eight burning questions & season predictions, plus a link to our power rankings, division previews, analysis & more.

MLB Predictions

Dive deep into Baseball America’s rookie coverage…

BA staff crystal ball predictions…
Interested in subscribing to Baseball America?

Join the thousands of fans, players, coaches and front office personnel who are the backbone of the Baseball America community by subscribing today.