{"id":113480,"date":"2026-02-04T19:45:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T00:45:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=113480"},"modified":"2026-02-04T20:22:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T01:22:27","slug":"al-central-prospects-make-roster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/04\/al-central-prospects-make-roster\/","title":{"rendered":"Top AL Central Prospects Who Could Make Opening Day Rosters"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n
\u200bContinuing our trip around the minors and majors begun in a previous <\/span>article<\/a>, several of the AL Central\u2019s top prospects have a chance of making the big leagues out of Spring Training for Opening Day. The Cleveland Guardians lead the list with five players, while all other teams in the AL Central only have one prospect each.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

AL Central Prospects Who Could Make Their Team’s Opening Day Roster<\/h2>\n

\u200b<\/span>Something to Prove<\/span><\/h3>\n

Kevin McGonigle – INF (Detroit Tigers)<\/span><\/h4>\n
Kevin McGonigle<\/a> will return to action, coming off an Arizona Fall League MVP when he arrives in Lakeland, Florida. McGonigle has shown the ability to play wherever needed within the infield during his time in the minors. He is currently ranked second on <\/span>MLB.com<\/span>\u2019s Top 100 Prospects list<\/a>, and his bat is the main factor. The infielder profiles as a perennial batting champ with above-average power and speed. While he has played second, shortstop, and third base in the minors, he is likely to settle into a long-term role at second base due to his range.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"Tigers
Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Florida, on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Credit: \u00a9 Junfu Han \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\u200b<\/span><\/div>\n
Kevin McGonigle may be the least likely to make his team\u2019s big league roster out of Spring Training. There is no doubt that he will be in Detroit at some point next season, but Opening Day seems like a stretch. Last season\u2019s Tigers roster had All-Stars at all three infield positions. McGonigle has seen time. Additionally, if McGonigle were to break camp with the big league club, he would do so without playing in a Triple-A game. McGonigle would have to be a dominant force in Florida to make the team out of Spring Training.<\/span><\/div>\n
\u200b<\/span><\/div>\n

Noah Schultz – LHP (Chicago White Sox)<\/span><\/h4>\n
Noah Schultz<\/a> is the highest-ranked pitcher on the list, coming in ranked 49th. Schultz, from a physical standpoint, is every team\u2019s dream. He comes in at 6\u201910″ and 240 pounds. Even at his size, he has great body control and is able to repeat his delivery with ease. He\u2019s a heavy user of his fastball and slider, with his slider potentially being a plus-plus pitch at the next level.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

Noah Schultz had a good past season with the Chicago White Sox organization. He pitched across two levels for both the Birmingham Barons and the Charlotte Knights. The top prospect has received a non-roster invite to major league spring training this year.<\/p>\n

2025 Season Stats:\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AuUPdlRIKr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Milb Central (@milb_central) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n