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On Friday, the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a trade that sent outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. to the Rays in exchange for minor league infielder Angel Brachi. Mesa had been designated for assignment on Tuesday in a corresponding roster move that allowed the Marlins to claim Garrett Acton off waivers. Mesa remains in the state of Florida, but leaves the only professional franchise that he's ever known. The 24-year-old had been the longest-tenured position player in the Marlins organization, signing alongside his brother, Victor Victor Mesa, in October 2018 when both were international free agents. In 2025 at the Triple-A level, Mesa slashed .286/.352/.460/.813 with seven home runs, 33 RBI and a 121 wRC+ in 52 games played. He was called up to the majors and made his debut where in 16 games, he hit .188/.297/.344/.641 with one home run, six RBI and an 81 wRC+. Mesa will have a slightly easier path to regular MLB playing time with Tampa Bay than he had in Miami, but making the Opening Day roster looks like an uphill battle for him. The Rays have three other left-handed-hitting outfielders ahead of him on their depth chart in Chandler Simpson, Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley. If necessary, the Rays can option him to the minor leagues (Mesa has one more option left). As for Brachi, 19, he signed for $800k in the 2024 international signing class. Repeating the Dominican Summer League last season, he slashed .337/.453/.408/.861 with 21 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a 142 wRC+ in 51 games. The Cumana, Venezuela, native has led all rookie-level players in Minor League Baseball with 30 HBP since making his pro debut—that is a major reason for his career .403 OBP. Entering the 2025 season, FanGraphs had Brachi as the 49th-best prospect in the Rays organization with a 35+ future value on the 20-80 scale. "He’s a gritty scout favorite with limited tools but advanced baseball acumen and feel to hit," wrote Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan. Brachi's biggest obstacle long term will be producing power (zero homers in his MiLB career thus far). The Marlins and Rays have linked up on at least one trade with each other every year dating back to 2021, so this deal extends that streak to six years. View the full article

At Marlins Media Day, right-hander Max Meyer updates his status coming off hip surgery and explains the tweaks he made to each of his pitches entering 2026.View the full article

Our Opening Roster Projection, v 3.0 shows that almost all of the Chicago Cubs' roster spots are accounted for. That piece left open two places among the initial 26-man group -- one on the bench, one in the bullpen. The 40-man roster contains plenty of candidates to fill these roles, but that group will be getting pressure from non-roster invitees (NRI) who have substantial MLB experience. North Side Baseball looks at three hitters and two pitchers from the NRI set who we think have the best chance to win a job in Mesa. We're excluding minor-league prospects such as Jaxon Wiggins and Jefferson Rojas. Those players are still in the development stage. They'd need to set the world on fire in Arizona to have a chance of breaking camp with the big-league club. Cubs' Best Non-Roster Invites: Hitters OF Dylan Carlson Age: 27 2025 MLB stats: 241 PAs, .614 OPS, 74 wRC+, 6 HRs. Carlson is a candidate to challenge Kevin Alcantara and Justin Dean for a reserve outfielder spot. He is a switch-hitter who can play all three outfield positions. Statistically, his best position is center (career +4 OAA in 1737 1/3 innings), and he has shown a plus arm in the past. Five years ago, he looked like a rising star when he posted a 111 wRC+ and 18 home runs for the St. Louis Cardinals in his first full MLB season. A series of injuries followed, however, and his stats crashed. The year-by-year percentile rankings tell the tale: Expecting him to return to anything like his old self is probably a fool's errand, but there's enough potential baked into both his glove and bat that he should be considered the second-favorite to claim the fourth outfielder job after Kevin Alcantara. OF Chas McCormick Age: 30 2025 MLB stats: 116 PA, .569 OPS, 62 wRC+, 1 HR. If McCormick makes the team, he could serve as a right-handed-hitting complement to Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. He's known more for his defense (+30 career OAA in 3481 1/3 innings, plus a memorable catch in the World Series), but he has shown flashes of ability at the plate (.842 OPS, 132 wRC+, 22 HRs in 2023). Last year was a bust -- he missed 2 1/2 months during the middle of the season with an oblique strain and then was optioned to Triple-A in September. The Houston Astros non-tendered him last November. IF/OF Scott Kingery Age: 31 2025 MLB stats: 29 PA, .392 OPS, 0 HRs. Kingery is best known for the six-year, $24 million contract extension he got from the Philadelphia Phillies as a rookie in 2018. That deal turned out to be a horrible contract for the club: Kingery spent most of the final three years in Triple-A. He got a fresh start with the Los Angeles Angels, who called him up last year and got him into 19 games. L.A. moved on from him in the offseason. His best tools are his speed and versatility -- he can play second, third, short and all three outfield positions. That alone could endear him enough to Craig Counsell to earn him a surprise spot on the Opening Day roster. Others: Christian Bethancourt, Owen Miller Cubs' Best Non-Roster Invites: Pitchers RHP Trent Thornton Age: 32 2025 MLB stats: 42 1/3 IP, 4.68 ERA/4.74 FIP, 2.29 K:BB ratio. Thornton took a step back last year with the Seattle Mariners before suffering an Achilles tear at the end of July. His K rate plunged from a career-high 26.2 percent in 2024 to 17.8 percent, and his home run rate jumped from 2.7 percent to 3.3 percent. He's healthy again, as evidenced by him throwing in the low-90s at his workout for teams in January. And he might have a new pitch to showcase this spring. RHP Corbin Martin Age: 30 2025 MLB stats: 18 IP, 6.00 ERA/5.30 FIP, 2.56 K:BB ratio. This journeyman has a live arm: his two main pitches are a 96-mph four-seamer and a 92-mph slider. If you're willing to excuse "one bad game," then Martin was decent last year for the Baltimore Orioles. He was charged with six earned runs while not recording an out against the Phillies on Aug. 4; in his other outings, he posted a 3.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts. Others: Collin Snider, Vince Velasquez View the full article

At Marlins Media Day, right-hander Josh White reflects on his dominant 2025 season and looks ahead to his first big league spring training camp. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins announced two wallet-friendly ticket packages to get fans back to Target Field this season. Will you take advantage of these limited-time offers?View the full article

The San Diego Padres are still looking to add to their roster with spring training set to begin in just a few days, and two reports say they were in play for two free agents who agreed to deals this week. The first was the top pitcher on this year's free-agent market, left-hander Framber Valdez. Valdez agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Jon Heyman, an insider for MLB Network and the New York Post, said the Friars "showed late interest" while also mentioning the Padres first among teams who were in contention for the two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion with the Houston Astros. The Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles were the other teams, aside from the Tigers. Then, following first baseman Paul Goldschmidt agreeing to a one-year deal to return to the New York Yankees on Friday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic noted that the Padres "were a finalist" for the 2022 NL MVP. Goldschmidt's salary for 2026 is expected to be less than $5 million. This comes on the heels of the Padres bringing in corner infielder-outfielder Miguel Andujar on a one-year, $4 million deal Thursday. Whether Andujar was Plan B after possibly being notified that Goldschmidt was going back to the Yankees, or if the Friars would have taken both, is unknown. There are still budget-friendly rotation options available. View the full article

The Brewers were blessed in 2024 and 2025, as Brice Turang’s offense took some quantum leaps in each of those seasons. He went from a barely adequate starter to a perennial Platinum Glove threat with a lethal offensive profile, posting a 121 OPS+ and racking up 28 doubles and 18 home runs. He’s also been reliable, playing in 311 out of 324 games the last two seasons. Let’s see how second base breaks down for your 2026 Milwaukee Brewers. Brewers Second Base 2025 Review Turang, who won a Gold Glove and the Platinum Glove in 2024, posting 4.7 WAR per Baseball Reference, managed to be even better in 2025. His OPS and OPS+ were the best among any Brewer with more than 300 at-bats. His defense was still superb, even if he was robbed of the Gold Glove by Nico Hoerner. The only drop-off/regression that Brewers fans saw was a decline in stolen bases, from 50 to 24, a career low for Turang, who was also caught a career-high eight times. Then again, Turang’s power surge upped his WAR to 5.6 in 2025, per Baseball Reference. Brewers Current Roster Situation Turang is the incumbent starter and is arguably on the cusp of eclipsing Rickie Weeks as the best second baseman in team history. He’s blown past other notables at the position like Fernando Vina and Jim Gantner. Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio each saw ten games at second in 2025. Both would be capable choices at the position, but the offensive and defensive prowess of Turang would be noticeably absent. Other players with some experience at the position on the 40-man roster and among the NRIs are Tyler Black, Anthony Seigler, Eddys Leonard, Jesus Made, Cooper Pratt, Eduardo Garcia, and Jett Wiliams. In the high minors, the Brewers also have Ethan Murray and Freddy Zamora, while further down on the farm, Josh Adamczewski, Luis Pena, Jadyn Fielder, and Filippo di Turi could be fast risers in the organization due to their bats. In short, in the next few years, the Brewers could have the proverbial overflowing cup at second. Brewers Second Base Best-Case Scenario Brice Turang gets roughly 140 starts at second base, getting time off from the presence of players like Black and Williams, while delivering 2025’s at the plate profile with 2024’s basepath production. Turang could be a 20-50 player for the next few years with Gold Glove-caliber defense. This is one area where Milwaukee may not get pure power, but a guy who takes extra bases and steals bases can be very useful in scoring runs. HI paying fewer games would not be a bad thing, either: He’s played 155 games the last two seasons, but the team did appear to run out of gas against the Dodgers in the 2025 NLCS, and a few more games off might help the team out in October. There are plenty of options. Brewers Second Base Worst-Case Scenario Andruw Monasterio sees more than 20 games at second base. This is not because Monasterio would be horrible – in fact, he’s a competent option at the position. The problem would be that Turang and other higher-ceiling options were injured or ineffective, leaving the Brewers no choice but to go further down their depth chart. Overview There are a lot of ways for second base to go very well for Milwaukee, both for 2026 and the long term. Turang is probably the most familiar option, and if he is a 20-50 player, it will be hard for the Crew to get any better than his performance – or keep him around past 2027 (free agency and a massive payday will beckon). That said, if Caleb Durbin gets a lot of time at second, due to Turang moving to shortstop to fill in for a slumping Joey Ortiz, that’s not a bad outcome for Milwaukee, either. Neither is Jett Williams, Cooper Pratt, or Tyler Black taking playing time. Later in the season, one of Made, Adamczewski, Pena, or Garcia could be a viable choice. Brewers fans will likely have some very talented second basemen in the near future – worthy successors or complements to their current one. View the full article

If San Diego Padres fans are looking for a reason to cheer for a team other than the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic, there is no doubt it is the Dominican Republic. That is because of the 11 Friars participating in the WBC, three are on the DR's roster. Padres appear on eight rosters overall. Despite some insurance issues along the way, official 30-player rosters for all 20 WBC teams were announced Thursday. The tournament begins March 4. Superstars Manny Machado, a third baseman, and Fernando Tatis Jr., a right fielder, were already knowns on the Dominican roster and figure to be among the top players in a loaded lineup. Also on the roster is left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta. Machado will be in his third WBC, while Tatis and Peralta will be making their debuts. Closer Mason Miller is on Team U.S., while shortstop Xander Bogaerts will be playing for the Netherlands, left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui for defending champion Japan, and a pair of Padres in right-hander Ron Marinaccio and minor-league right-hander Alek Jacob playing for Team Italy. Three other minor-leaguers are on rosters with left-hander Miguel Ciengfuegos playing for Panama, right-hander Carter Loewen for Canada and right-hander Josh Mallitz for Israel. Infielder Sung Mun Song would have played for South Korea, but an oblique injury kept him out of the WBC. Another Friar, Yu Darvish, is expected to be an advisor for Japan as he is negotiating a retirement settlement with the Friars on his contract due to injury. The Dominican Republic is one of the favorites to win the WBC. This year's roster is highlighted by Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto, Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz and Philadelphia Phillies left-handed starter Cristopher Sanchez. Despite typically have the deepest roster of players, the Dominicans have won just one of the five prior WBC championships, capturing the title with a 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in 2013 in San Francisco. The DR has only made the semifinals one other time, in the inaugural WBC in 2006 and finished fourth, losing to eventual runner-up Cuba 3-1 at Petco Park. The Dominican trio of Machado, Tatis and Peralta will go up against Bogaerts and the Netherlands in Pool D in Miami on March 8. Miller and the U.S. face the Italy duo of Marinaccio and Jacob on March 10 in Pool B in Houston. Matsui and Japan are in Pool A, which takes place in Tokyo, The top two teams in each pool advance to the quarterfinals, with the championship game taking place on March 17 in Miami. View the full article

At Marlins Media Day, catcher Liam Hicks speaks with Fish On First about building up his bat speed and arm strength during the offseason, and why this team could exceed expectations again. View the full article

Well, the Boston Red Sox did get a defensive-minded middle infielder, as promised, signing Isiah Kiner-Falefa for one year and $6 million. Visions of Pete Alonso playing alongside of Alex Bregman have gone by the wayside as the front office has committed to bolstering the infield defense. Kiner-Falefa fills that exact role and almost nothing more. He will be competing with lefty-killer Romy Gonzalez, Nate Eaton, Nick Sogard, and even David Hamilton for the starting second base job this spring. Given the timing and the $6 million price tag just five days before pitchers and catchers report, there is little doubt he will be on the Opening Day roster. The bigger question is how often he cracks the starting lineup, especially with Gonzalez offering the superior bat and Mayer appearing to be the preferred option at third base. Kiner-Falefa is the standard utility infielder manning 2B, SS, and 3B in 2025, playing all of them at an average to an above-average level. Second was where he got the fewest reps, with only 34 attempts on a play, and according to Baseball Savant, he was expected to convert 85% of those chances and did so. For his career, he is a +16 Outs Above Average player, though that's come with some serious regression, with most of it coming from an 11 OAA season in 2019; he posted -1 OAA in 2025. Even still, he is a reliable option, posting solid Defensive Runs Saved numbers with three at 3B, one at SS and one at 2B. This simply shows he might not have the same first step he did as a rookie, limiting his previously outstanding range, but he is reliable at making the plays he should with a consistent arm. A lot of the positive things I have to say regarding Kiner-Falefa end at his fielding. His bat is nothing to boast about, never slugging over .376 in a season. As indicated by the graphic above, he is quite clearly not a power option in any capacity. He's hit eight home runs twice in his career, and that is a career-high, and the underlying metrics show no indication that this season will be any different. A 1.1% barrel rate, a Max EV of 106.1, paired with an 8.1% Pull Air% do not bode well for a sudden power boost. That was never his game, regardless, but if you can't hit the ball hard there needs to be another elite trait to supplement that. Outside of his ability to avoid swinging and missing, that impact skill simply is not there. Kiner-Falefa is coming off a season where he slashed .262/.297/.334 while tallying a 75 wRC+. As much as I want to find the underlying breakout metric in his swing, it is not to be found. In fact, he outperformed all of his expected metrics by a good chunk. The role I envision for him is a late-inning defensive fill-in or a surefire way to get the regular infielders some needed rest, thanks to his defensive flexibility on the infield dirt. He provides the ultimate versatility that teams can never have enough of and something I'm sure Alex Cora will appreciate. In the scenario where Kiner-Falefa gets regular at-bats though, something has either gone horribly wrong or he's having an Abraham Toro-style June heater. In a vacuum, the signing is a smart one thanks to his legitimate utility role, but with a glaring need for some pop in the lineup, it has left many fans, including myself, wanting for more. View the full article

Between a quartet of quality middle infielders, which option stands out as the best fit for the Boston Red Sox's second base opening in 2026? In the mix are Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Nick Sogard, David Hamilton, and Romy Gonzalez. View the full article

This winter has felt like a contradiction wrapped in plausible deniability for the Minnesota Twins. On one hand, the organization has preached restraint while trimming payroll and reshuffling leadership. On the other hand, reports keep popping up that suggest the Twins at least poked around on some of the most expensive starting pitching available. Framber Valdez sits at the top of that list. As his free agency dragged deeper into the offseason, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported that Minnesota was among the teams involved. That alone raised eyebrows. A Valdez deal would have represented a dramatic shift for an organization that has been cutting costs and just parted ways with president of baseball operations Derek Falvey in a move that landed somewhere between shocking and confusing. Valdez was not the only surprise. The Twins also reportedly jumped into conversations on Freddy Peralta before Milwaukee ultimately sent him to the Mets. Whether Minnesota was a serious contender or simply checking in is impossible to know. Given the context of this winter, diligence feels like the safer assumption. Ownership has reduced spending. The front office structure is still settling. Plans for a full rebuild were shelved after minority investors came aboard to help stabilize the franchise financially. All of that has happened while the on-field product desperately needs help. The Twins lost the second-most games in the American League last season. The winter additions have been modest at best. Victor Caratini adds some flexibility behind the plate. Josh Bell brings a strong bat to an offense that struggled in the second half. Taylor Rogers returns to a bullpen that barely resembles last year’s version. None of that screams urgency. And yet, the rotation is quietly one of the more stable areas of the roster. Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, and Bailey Ober give Minnesota a legitimate top three. Simeon Woods Richardson showed real progress. Taj Bradley brings upside. Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Mick Abel, Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Andrew Morris, and Marco Raya round out a group that is deep if not perfectly defined. Teams never have enough starting pitching, but the Twins might have too many arms for too few rotation spots. Realistically, some of those pitchers will end up in the bullpen, whether by design or necessity. That internal depth is likely a big reason why Minnesota can talk itself out of a major free agent splurge. There are still high-end starters available, or they were recently available. Zac Gallen headlines that group after declining Arizona’s qualifying offer. Signing him would cost a draft pick, something the Twins rarely treat lightly. Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt, and Zack Littell represent solid but less transformative options. None carries the same impact as Gallen, and none feels like an obvious fit for a team trying to balance competitiveness with financial caution. So where does that leave Minnesota? Interested but not aggressive. Aware but not reckless. The Twins can tell agents and rival teams that they checked in on Valdez and Peralta, and technically, that can be true. It also does not mean they were ever close. Still, the fact that Minnesota keeps appearing on the periphery of these conversations matters. It suggests a front office that understands the need for impact talent, even if circumstances prevent them from acting on it. For now, browsing might be all they can afford. View the full article

'Tis the season of fringe roster talents getting their chance to make (and aspire to stay) in the big leagues. In this video, we go over the following players: Eloy Jimenez, Charles McAdoo, Chad Dallas, Edward Duran, and Arjun Nimmala (Jays' no. 3 prospect). Who has the best chance to make the roster, and what is the upside for each of these Jays? We give the full deep dive right here on Jays Centre. View the full article

The Minnesota Twins' farm system has quietly reloaded over the last few seasons, and the national rankings are finally starting to catch up. Depending on the publication, the organization currently boasts as many as six prospects landing on Top 100 lists, a reflection of aggressive drafting, targeted international spending, and meaningful deadline trades that infused the system with upside. Even with that level of recognition, prospect lists can only stretch so far. Every organization has players just outside the cut line, and in the Twins' case, several names feel far closer to breaking through than their current status suggests. Some are polished hitters whose statistical profiles lag behind flashier peers. Others are arms with loud tools but have incomplete resumes due to age or health. Two of the players below arrived via trade, while two were selected in the MLB Draft, a snapshot of how Minnesota has diversified its talent acquisition. None currently carry Top-100 prospect labels, but each has a clear path to forcing that conversation by this time next year. Gabriel Gonzalez, OF Gonzalez has already lived the Top-100 life once with MLB.com ranking him 79th in 2024, which makes his exclusion now feel more like a temporary detour than a verdict. Signed out of Venezuela by Seattle in 2021, Gonzalez established himself as a premium bat-to-ball hitter early in his career and reached national prominence before being dealt to Minnesota in the Jorge Polanco trade. A back injury derailed his 2024 season and robbed him of the impact he showed the year prior. Rather than stagnate, Gonzalez used that lost year as motivation. He reported to camp in better shape in 2025, added strength, and reminded everyone why his offensive foundation is so appealing. Across three levels, he hit well north of .300 with a 148 wRC+ and finished the year as one of the youngest regulars in Triple A, holding his own against advanced pitching. The profile is built around contact and aggression. Gonzalez rarely strikes out (14.5 K%) and consistently finds barrels, even if his swing plane and approach are not optimized for over-the-fence power. Defensively, he has improved with better conditioning, but still projects best in a corner, which places pressure on his bat to carry everyday value. 2026 focus: Gonzalez tightening his strike zone and lifting the ball more consistently would go a long way. Even a modest power bump would change how evaluators view his ceiling. Kendry Rojas, LHP The Twins did not acquire Rojas for what he has already done. They acquired him for what they believe he can still become. Injuries limited his workload in Toronto’s system, but Minnesota saw enough raw stuff at the deadline to part with meaningful big league pieces (Louis Varland, Ty France) to bring him over. When healthy, Rojas flashes a fastball that creeps into the upper 90s and a slider that misses bats at a high rate. His changeup gives him a third legitimate weapon, and the ingredients are there for a starter who can turn over a lineup. Last season, he posted a 28.8 K% while reaching Triple-A in his age-22 season. The problem has been availability and consistency. His brief Triple-A run highlighted both sides of the coin: dominant stuff paired with erratic command that led to far too many free passes (15.9 BB% after the deadline) . Rojas will pitch the entire 2026 season at 23 years old, and for the first time in years, the priority is simply staying on the mound. The Twins have a strong track record of maximizing arms with this kind of profile, and even if the rotation path narrows, there is a fallback as a high-leverage reliever. 2026 focus: Health and strike throwing. A full season with improved command would quickly push Rojas into national conversations. Dasan Hill, RHP Hill may not have cracked any Top 100 lists yet, but the ingredients scream breakout. A towering right-hander with premium velocity, Hill overwhelmed Low-A hitters with pure stuff in his first full professional season (40.2 Swing%). Opponents struggled to make contact, and when they did, it was often weak. The challenge was control. Walks piled up as Hill adjusted to longer outings and a professional workload (15.0 BB%), and his late-season jump to High-A exposed how far he still needs to go with fastball command. That said, it is hard to overstate how rare it is to find a teenager with this combination of size, velocity, and secondary pitch quality. The Twins have been patient with similar arms in the past, and Hill’s development arc suggests his biggest gains are still ahead. If the control comes even a step forward, the upside looks like a rotation anchor. 2026 focus: Throwing more strikes and working deeper into games. Efficiency will determine how fast Hill climbs. Marek Houston, SS Houston entered pro ball with one carrying tool that never came into question. His defense. Widely viewed as the best shortstop glove in last July’s draft class, Houston immediately showed why Minnesota valued him so highly with his range, arm strength, and instincts on the left side of the infield. The offensive side remains the swing factor (pun intended). Houston surprised evaluators with a power spike during his final college season (.597 SLG), but skepticism followed him into his debut due to park factors and underlying contact data. His first taste of pro ball offered a mixed picture, with a strong start at Low-A (.868 OPS) followed by a difficult transition after a promotion (.459 OPS). The floor here is relatively high because elite defense at shortstop is always valuable. The ceiling depends on whether Houston’s bat settles somewhere above playable. If it does, the Twins may have found a long-term answer at a premium position. 2026 focus: Adjusting to better pitching and finding a consistent offensive approach at higher levels will determine his trajectory. The Twins system is no longer just top-heavy. Prospects like Gonzalez, Rojas, Hill, and Houston illustrate the depth that exists beyond the headline names. If even one or two take the expected step forward in 2026, Minnesota’s presence on national Top 100 lists could grow even stronger heading into 2027. Which prospect has the best chance to be on next winter’s top-100 lists? Would you add any other prospects to the ones outlined above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Milwaukee Brewers fans have a few choices when it comes to which team they will throw their support behind in the World Baseball Classic. It might just boil down to who their favorite member of the 2026 Brewers is. Or, of course, you can root for all the Brewers players until they end up going up against one another. There will be 14 players from the Brewers' organization playing in this year's WBC, representing eight countries. You can add one more to each of those totals if you include a member of the 2025 team who is a current free agent. The 30-player rosters were announced Thursday for all 20 WBC teams. The tournament begins on March 4. Venezuela and Nicaragua lead the way with three members of the Crew. Venezuela, though, has the Brewers' star power in outfielder Jackson Chourio and catcher William Contreras as well as left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa, while Nicaragua's roster includes three minor-leaguers in right-handed starter Carlos Rodriguez, infielder Freddy Zamora, and right-hander Stiven Cruz. Two countries have a pair of Brewers, as Canada has left-handed reliever Rob Zastryzny and minor-league infielder Tyler Black, while Great Britain includes minor-league right-handers Myles Langhorne and Jack Seppings. Going it along are second baseman Brice Turang on the U.S., shortstop Joey Ortiz with Mexico, right-handed reliever Abner Uribe on the Dominican Republic, and 2025 first-round draft pick Andrew Fischer, a corner infielder, with Italy. Left-handed starter Jose Quintana, currently a free agent, will play for Colombia for a third time in the WBC. Turang (US), Ortiz, and Fischer (Italy) are in Pool B in Houston, with Turang and Ortiz meeting on March 9. Italy faces the U.S. on March 10 and Mexico on March 11 to conclude group play. Also in their group are Brazil and Great Britain. Pool D in Miami will have the largest representation by the Crew. That is where Chourio, Contreras, and Zerpa (Venezuela), Uribe (Dominican Republic), and Rodriguez and Zamora (Nicaragua) will be. Seeing Contreras and Chourio face Uribe on March 11 is a possibility. Canada, with Zastryzny and Black, will be in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for Pool A. Cuba, Colombia, Panama, and host Puerto Rico are the other teams in that bracket. The top two teams in each pool advance to the quarterfinals. The championship game ison March 17 in Miami. View the full article

Team United States of America’s official roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic is in, and Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha will be a part of the team. The announcement of Wacha’s addition will mean that Team USA will have both Wacha and Bobby Witt Jr. from the Royals. Wacha becomes the eighth Royal to be named to the WBC, joining Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone, Seth Lugo, and Carlos Estévez. Wacha is entering his third season with the Royals in 2026. Last season, the right-hander started 31 games, pitching to a record of 10-13, an earned run average of 3.86, and a WHIP of 1.22. Wacha led the Royals pitchers in innings with 172 ⅔ in 2025. Signed to a three-year extension worth $51 million in November of 2024 with a club option for 2028, Wacha has posted a 23-21 record, 3.61 ERA, and 1.20 WHIP in 60 starts in the 34-year-old’s two seasons with the club. Wacha will hope to help the USA bounce back from the 2023 WBC, in which they fell to Japan in the championship game, 3-2. Wacha is a USA Baseball alumnus, as he was a member of the 2011 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. A 13-year MLB veteran, Wacha has a career record of 111-75, an ERA of 3.89, and a WHIP of 1.27 across 309 games in his career. Team USA kicks off its tournament on Friday, March 6th, in Houston, Texas, against Brazil. View the full article

At Marlins Media Day, outfielder Jakob Marsee speaks with Fish On First about his mindset entering his first full major league season and World Baseball Classic debut. View the full article

The World Baseball Classic begins March 5, and the opening round will be played in four locations. Pool play games will be held in Tokyo, Japan; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida. The Toronto Blue Jays have 12 players and prospects participating in the WBC tournament. José Berríos intended to play, but he was denied an insurance policy. He participated in the last three classics, playing for Puerto Rico. The righty had an up-and-down MLB season last year, posting a 4.17 ERA with 138 strikeouts over 166 innings. In the first half of the season, he posted a 3.75 ERA and held batters to a .238 average over 115 1/3 innings. However, those numbers inflated over 50 2/3 innings in the second half, when he posted a 5.15 ERA and a .284 batting average against. He was sent to the bullpen, but he only threw two innings before he was placed on the 15-day injury list for the first time in his 10-year career with right elbow inflammation. Berríos was later revealed to be dealing with a biceps tendon issue. Japan is looking to repeat as WBC champions. However, the teams from the USA, Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic will be stiff competition. There is also the chance of a surprise team making a run (What about that Canadian roster?). Blue Jays in the WBC Here are the Blue Jays players participating and the countries they will represent: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B, Dominican Republic Alejandro Kirk - C, Mexico Adam Macko - LHP, Canada Ernie Clement - INF, USA Kazuma Okamoto - 3B, Japan Andrés Giménez - SS, Venezuela Leo Jiménez - SS, Panama Yariel Rodríguez - RHP, Cuba CJ Stubbs - C, Israel RJ Schreck - OF, Israel Will Cresswell - C, Great Britain Ismael Munguia - OF, Nicaragua Guerrero will be making his first WBC appearance. He committed to play early after missing out on the 2023 tournament due to knee discomfort. Kirk will be the starting catcher for Team Mexico. He's also making his first WBC appearance after missing the 2023 event due to the birth of his child. Clement is still riding the high of a hot October, in which he set the record for hits in a single postseason (30). It'll be his first appearance for Team USA, and he'll offer versatility in the field. Clement can play any infield position for manager Mark DeRosa. Okamoto makes his second WBC appearance; he was a key contributor in Team Japan's 2023 WBC victory. He had a 1.278 OPS with two home runs and seven RBIs throughout the tournament. One of those home runs was against Team USA in the championship game. Giménez will also be making his second WBC appearance for Team Venezuela. In 2023, he slashed .294/.368/.294 with two runs and an RBI. However, he makes most of his impact with his glove. He is a three-time Gold Glove winner and won the Platinum Glove Award in 2023 while with the Cleveland Guardians. The Blue Jays' shortstop can play both middle infield positions, giving manager Omar López flexibility with the plethora of MLB infielders Team Venezuela has. Rodríguez will be making his second appearance for Team Cuba. During the 2023 tournament, he made two starts. He allowed two earned runs and struck out 10 batters over 7 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays also have several prospects participating in the classic. Stubbs is the only one with WBC experience. He played in the 2023 tournament for Team Israel. However, he played in only one game and went 0-for-3 at the plate. Of the notable minor leaguers participating, Macko is on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. Rodríguez, Stubbs, and Schreck will be non-roster invitees in spring training. All four could make an appearance with the major league club during the season. If Macko or Schreck get called up, it would be their MLB debuts. Stubbs made a brief debut last season with the Washington Nationals, taking three plate appearances. Rodríguez has pitched in 87 big league games, but will also most likely be starting the season in Triple A. View the full article

The Mets and Twins might as well be playing different sports when it comes to their level of investment in the product on the field. That said, both teams could use some roster upgrades and could match up on a deal. Should the Twins look to deal starting pitching for a young position player? The Twins are currently expected to wind up with a win total somewhere in the low to mid-70s range, according to several projection systems and betting outlets. It’s not difficult to see why, as the team remains largely unchanged at its core after their disastrous finish to 2025. With spring training approaching, the team should be looking for upside to try to outperform expectations, and the Mets have a pair of young players the Twins should target. The Mets have utilized their deep pockets this offseason to bring in Jorge Polanco, who is expected to take over first base duties, as well as Bo Bichette, who is expected to switch to third base. They also parted with a young, borderline top-100 pitching prospect to acquire Freddy Peralta, who is currently on a one-year deal. As a result, a pair of young hitters in Brett Baty and Mark Vientos have been displaced, and their stock of young, near-MLB pitching has taken a bit of a hit. The Twins and Mets should look to help each other. Mark Vientos Vientos is the less intriguing of the pair of young Mets hitters the Twins should target, but he isn’t without intriguing traits, and will undoubtedly be the most affordable in trade. He looked to have broken out in 2024 when he slashed .266/.322/.516 while slugging 27 homers in just 111 games. He fell flat out of the gate in 2025, posting a .640 OPS in the first half, but quietly rebounded with a .778 OPS to finish the year. Vientos can play third base, though he’s been a liability there so far in his career by all accounts. He’s been around neutral defensively at first base in a limited sample, making 1B/DH a stronger possibility long term. The fit isn’t obvious for 2026, but that is a result of the Twins' head-scratching roster build, rather than Vientos’ abilities. His performance against left-handed pitching will likely far surpass any other options the Twins currently have in the 1B/DH slot, and his power would only rival that of Matt Wallner’s on the current roster. Vientos has the kind of offensive upside that makes him worth gambling on, and he's more than capable of making the positional fit moot. Because of his defensive limitations and current fit on the Mets, he would likely fetch the lower end of the Twins' current rotation depth, perhaps in the Kendry Rojas or Andrew Morris range. Even if it took a bit more, Vientos is team-controlled through 2029. Brett Baty It’s possible Baty’s breakout 2025 was enough for the Mets to take him off the table completely, but the Twins would be wise to at least find out. Baty is a former top prospect who, despite swinging left-handed, is exactly the kind of profile the Twins should look to acquire. His .748 OPS in 2026 was solid, as his quality of contact jumped significantly and he posted a slash line 11% better than league average according to wRC+. His offense is strong enough for him to play every day, but his defensive versatility can also make him viable in a utility role. Unlike Vientos, Baty was a solid defender at third base. He also posted a positive Defensive Runs Saved at second base, and is capable of playing first. He would be strong injury insurance for Royce Lewis , with the kind of upside to completely take over the position long term, should injuries or performance continue to be a problem. He’s also strong insurance for Luke Keaschall , who has an injury history of his own and could potentially see more time in the outfield in 2026. The Mets may be convinced that Baty is a budding star after his breakout 2026, but it’s hard not to notice that he currently has no place in their Opening Day lineup. If they’re interested in swapping him out for what they see as similar value in rotation depth, the Twins would be a good fit. Several names, such as Mick Abel and Zebby Matthews, are unlikely to make the roster in the Minnesota rotation on Opening Day. Parting with MLB-ready rotation options may seem like a risk, but it may be worth taking to try to raise the lineup’s ceiling to another level. The Twins have no shortage of rotation options under control for years to come, and it’s far more likely that if the team struggles in 2026, it’s due to offensive performance rather than starting pitching. A late offseason pivot to transfer some of that starting pitching depth into legitimate lineup help may be a wise choice to help the offense. Do you agree? Where would you draw the line at acquiring Vientos and Baty? View the full article

Kaelen Culpepper is more than likely to start his 2026 season at Triple-A St. Paul. It does call into question what veteran Orlando Arcia's role will be with the team, but having a veteran shortstop like Arcia alongside Culpepper starting the year at Triple-A could prove to be to his benefit. View the full article

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Before diving into this article, we recommend reading part one, Gold Standard Padres, Infield Edition. With that said, let's look at the gold standard Padres of the outfield and designated hitter. LF Greg Vaughn "Vaughnie" "Hootie" 1998 (6.3 WAR) The Sultan of the Fifty AVG: .272 | H: 156 | R: 112 | 2B: 28 | HR: 50 | RBI: 119 | SB: 11 | BB: 79 | OPS: .960 NL All-Star | Silver Slugger | TSN NL Comeback Player of the Year | Players' Choice NL Comeback Player | NL Player of the Week 7/19 | Padres Team MVP | Padres Chairman’s Award The Five Pillars of Hootie Innovation: After a disastrous 1997 season where many thought his career was fading, Vaughn innovated his entire offensive philosophy by apprentice-studying under Tony Gwynn. He abandoned his "all-or-nothing" pull-heavy swing for a shorter, more scientific stroke that utilized the gaps. Under Gwynn's mentorship, Greg spent countless hours in the video room, learning to stay back on the ball and drive outside pitches to the opposite field. This mechanical overhaul allowed him to remain a terrifying power threat while significantly improving his plate discipline, turning him into a surgical slugger who punished pitchers for nibbling at the strike zone. Impact: Vaughn was the indispensable engine of the 1998 squad, providing the middle-of-the-order gravity that allowed Tony Gwynn to see better pitches. By launching a franchise record (50) home runs and finishing 4th in NL MVP voting, he single-handedly altered the defensive strategy of every opponent the Padres faced. His production reached a crescendo in the World Series; in Game 1 against the Yankees, his two-homer performance silenced the Bronx and gave San Diego a legitimate belief they could capture a title. He was the emotional heartbeat of a clubhouse that won a franchise record (98) games, which remains the winningest season in franchise history and still stands years 28 later. Legend: The "Legend of Hootie" is etched into San Diego lore as the man who conquered the 50-home run plateau, a feat no other Padre has ever achieved. While the national media focused on the McGwire-Sosa race, Vaughn was the blue-collar hero of the West Coast, delivering massive shots that seemed to defy the heavy marine layer at Qualcomm Stadium. His story is one of pure resilience, having gone from the trade block to the MVP conversation in the span of twelve months. He became a folk hero for his grit, culminating in his (50th) blast on the final day of the season—a moment that remains a cornerstone of Padres history. Iconic Look: Standing in the box with a menacing, wide-legged stance and a high, rhythmic bat waggle, Vaughn was a terrifying silhouette. His visual presence was defined by his trademark goatee and jersey sleeves stretched to the breaking point over his massive biceps. Clad in the home white jerseys where navy pinstripes served as the sharp accent, paired with the navy cap featuring the white and orange interlocking "SD," he looked like a modern-day gladiator. The "Vaughn Trot"—a slow, purposeful stroll around the bases punctuated by his signature gold chain catching the stadium lights—became a symbol of 1998 dominance. Every at-bat felt like a heavyweight title fight, with his violent follow-through serving as the definitive exclamation point. The "Did You Know" Factor: Did you know that Greg Vaughn was the first player in the National League to reach the 10, 15, and 20-homer milestones during the historic 1998 home run chase? While the national media eventually shifted focus to Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, Vaughn was the one setting the pace for the first two months of the greatest power-hitting season in baseball history. He even became the only Padre in history to hit two home runs in a single World Series game, going deep twice off David Wells in Game 1. Furthermore, he joined an exclusive group by winning the Silver Slugger and Comeback Player of the Year awards in the same season. Despite the high-strikeout era, his discipline in 1998 was elite; he drew 79 walks and posted a .960 OPS, which still stands as one of the top offensive seasons in team history, proving he was a complete offensive force CF Steve Finley "Fins" 1996 (7.2 WAR) The Five-Tool Technician AVG: .298 | H: 198 | R: 126 | 2B: 45 | 3B: 9 | HR: 30 | RBI: 95 | SB: 22 | XBH: 84 | TB: 348 | OPS: .924 Gold Glove (1995-1996) | NL Player of the Week (7/7/96) The Five Pillars of Fins Innovation: Finley was a pioneer in "Biomechanical Longevity." Holding a degree in physiology, he treated his body like a laboratory, innovating a training regimen of chiropractic care, yoga, and precise nutrition long before they were standard in MLB clubhouses. He incorporated visual conditioning exercises to sharpen ocular tracking and neural reaction speeds, maintaining the twitch-fiber explosiveness of a man a decade younger. He wasn't just "talented"; he was a finely tuned machine who mastered a way to sustain peak "Speed-Power" output for six months straight. This commitment to physiological maintenance demonstrated that elite athleticism could be extended through science—a philosophy that allowed him to play until age 42. Impact: The statistical impact of Finley's 1996 is massive, but his "clutch impact" was global. He dominated the historic "Monterrey Series" in Mexico, hitting the first-ever regular-season home run on Mexican soil to ignite a sweep of the Mets that galvanized the San Diego fan base. On the field, he was a statistical vacuum; he led the Majors with 655 at-bats while setting franchise records for total bases (348), extra-base hits (84), and runs scored (126)—benchmarks that remain the franchise's all-time single-season records 30 years later. This offensive engine was anchored by his defensive erasure in center field; his elite range earned him the Gold Glove, as he turned sure-fire doubles into outs and provided an essential safety net for the pitching staff. This combination of iron-man durability and defensive mastery was the primary catalyst that powered the Padres to a 91-win division title. Legend: The legend of Steve Finley is that of the ultimate "Five-Tool Technician." He possessed a "Zen-like" focus that made him arguably the best defensive center fielder in the history of Jack Murphy Stadium. His legend was cemented on the final day of the 1996 season in a head-to-head battle for the National League West title against the Dodgers, where his consistent pressure helped San Diego clinch the division crown. His historical legend is tied to his membership in two of baseball's most exclusive clubs: he is one of only three players, joining Willie Mays and George Brett, to record 300 home runs, 425 doubles, and 100 triples; furthermore, he and Mays are the only two in that group to also surpass 300 career stolen bases Iconic Look: Finley’s iconic look was the epitome of lean, mid-90s baseball grace. Standing 6'2" with a wiry, athletic frame, he featured a silhouette that seemed perfectly designed for the expansive gaps of "The Murph." His stance was a masterclass in balance: a low, controlled crouch followed by a smooth, left-handed "loop" swing that generated effortless whip. Clad in the classic white-and-navy pinstripes with his pants worn high to emphasize his speed, he was the ultimate technician in motion. The most enduring image of Finley is him at a full sprint in center field, closing the gap with elite acceleration before a perfectly timed, head-first dive that preserved a late-inning lead. Did You Know" Factor: Did you know that in 1996, Steve Finley became only the second player in Padres history, after Tony Gwynn, to record 5 hits and a home run in the same game, with Finley's performance featuring a go-ahead home run. He also established a "Gold Standard" for versatility that year, finishing just one triple shy of becoming the first player in major league history to join the 30/40/10 club, ending the season with 30 home runs, 45 doubles, and 9 triples. Most impressively, his strict "physiology-first" lifestyle allowed him to start 161 games in center field, proving that his specialized conditioning made him one of the most reliable and durable fixtures in the National League during the Padres' title run. RF Tony Gwynn "Mr. Padre" 1987 (8.6 WAR) The High-Tech Hit King AVG: .370 | H: 218 | R: 119 | 2B: 36 | 3B: 13 | HR: 7 | RBI: 54 | SB: 56 | BB: 82 | IBB: 26 | SO: 35 | OBP: .454 | OPS: .958 8x NL Batting Champion (1984, 1987-1989, 1994-1997) | 5x Gold Glove (1986-1987, 1989-1991) | 7x Silver Slugger (1984, 1986-1987, | 8x Silver Bat Award | (1984, 1987-1989, 1994-1997) | 1989, 1994-1995, 1997) | 15x NL All-Star (1984-1987, 1989-1999) | 5x NL Player of the Month (May 1984, May 1987, July 1988, Aug 1993, May 1997) | 11x NL Player of the Week (June 7 & June 21, 1987) | 7x Padres Team MVP (1984, 1986-1988, 1990, 1994-1995) | Branch Rickey Award (1995) | Padres Chairman’s Award (1995) | Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1998) | Roberto Clemente Award (1999) | Padres Hall of Fame (2002) | #19 Retired by the San Diego Padres (2004) | National Baseball Hall of Fame (2007) The Five Pillars of Mr. Padre Innovation: Gwynn pioneered the "Information Age" by becoming the sport's first true video junkie in 1987. He traveled with two professional-grade VCRs, utilizing shuttle-search frame-by-frame technology to build a mental and physical database of pitcher tendencies, release points, and sequence patterns. This was the birth of the "Captain Video" era. That same year, he overhauled his physical approach to develop explosive hand speed, which he maximized by using some of the smallest, lightest bats in MLB history—typically 32 to 33 inches and weighing only 31 ounces. This technical combination of video study and precise swing-weight innovation resulted in a .370 average, which was his career high at the time. Impact: The 1987 campaign remains the most complete individual season in Padres history. Gwynn’s 8.6 bWAR was fueled by a historic dual-threat performance where he earned a Silver Slugger while leading the league in (AVG .370), (H 218), and (158 Runs Created) while swiping a career-high (56 SB). His situational impact was statistically staggering—he hit a remarkable .375 with runners in scoring position for the entire 1987 season. He was the only player in the 20th century to finish a season with at least 200 hits, 100 runs, and 50 stolen bases while hitting over .350. Defensively, he utilized his "basketball feet" and elite lateral quickness to record 348 putouts and 10 assists in right field, earning his second Gold Glove Legend: Tony Gwynn remains the only player to serve as the heartbeat of both Padres World Series teams (1984 and 1998). In 1987, he maintained a historic "Contact Gap," striking out only 35 times in 680 plate appearances; he was 1.6 times more likely to steal a base (56) than he was to strike out. His bat control was so precise that he recorded only one multi-strikeout game during that entire campaign and maintained a .300 average even when reaching a two-strike count. This mastery was defined by his ownership of the "5.5 hole" between third base and shortstop, a corridor he exploited so often that it became his personal trademark. His status was solidified by his performance against the era's elite; he hit a combined .331 against Hall of Famers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Pedro Martinez. Iconic Look: His 1987 aesthetic was deeply rooted in the Padres' vintage "Brownie" era (1985-1990) uniforms, in which the pinstripes emphasized his lean point guard physique, which still carried the athletic grace of his time on the court. Taller and more agile than in later years, he sported a closely trimmed mustache that framed an intense focus. He stood in a signature "closed" batting style, defined by a constant, rhythmic circular bat waggle and an inward knee-knock that triggered his legendary weight transfer. On his hands, he sported black Franklin batting gloves paired with vibrant orange wristbands on each arm, while his Rawlings glove was known for its distinctively soft, broken-in leather. Completing the late-eighties look was the clean, straight-line aesthetic of the ribbon sock style and a high-shine reflective brown helmet that caught the glint of the San Diego sun. The "Did You Know" Factor: Did you know that in 1987, Tony Gwynn became the first player in National League history to win a batting title and record over 50 stolen bases in the same season? This campaign stands alone in the Padres' record books as the only time a player hit the "200 Hit / 100 Run / 50 Steal" trifecta—a benchmark that has never been challenged in the decades since. Gwynn recorded a staggering 73 multi-hit games that year, meaning he collected more than one hit in nearly half of his appearances (46.5%). Furthermore, he showcased rare gap-to-gap power by tying the franchise record with 13 triples; fittingly, his 200th hit of the year was one of those record-setting triples. He capped off the season by winning the batting title by a massive 32-point margin over runner-up Pedro Guerrero, a gap that remains one of the largest in the modern era of the National League. Vince Coleman after John Kruk error - 1987" width="200"> DH Gary Sheffield "Sheffield of Dreams" "Sheff" 1992 (7.0 WAR) The Triple Crown Chaser AVG: .330 | H: 184 | R: 87 | 2B: 34 | 3B: 3 | HR: 33 | RBI: 100 | SB: 5 | BB: 48 | IBB: 12 | SO: 40 | OBP: .385 | SLG: .580 | OPS: .965 | OPS+ 168 | wRC+ 172 NL Batting Champion (1992) | Silver Bat Award (1992) | NL Silver Slugger (1992) | NL All-Star (1992) | NL Player of the Month (August 1992) | NL Player of the Week (May 24, 1992) | Sporting News MLB Player of the Year (1992) | Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year (1992) | Padres Team MVP (1992) The Five Pillars of Sheffield of Dreams Innovation: Sheffield engineered a swing that prioritized violent bat speed over traditional weight transfer in a way the league had never seen. His signature "bat waggle" served as a timing mechanism that allowed him to keep his hands back until the last possible moment, making him able to turn on triple-digit fastballs with ease. In 1992, he refined a lift-and-separate timing mechanism that maximized rotational force in his lower half, allowing him to dominate the inside pitch. He utilized a distinct open-stance foundation, providing a clear vantage point to identify the pitch early before the trigger synchronized his body for the point of contact. This mechanical shift allowed him to put backspin on the ball, which in the modern Statcast era is recognized as the foundation for spin rate, launch angle, and exit velocity. Impact: The impact of Sheffield's 1992 campaign is defined by a 7.0 Peak Value. He secured the NL Batting Title with a .330 average, becoming the first Padre other than Tony Gwynn to win the crown and the youngest player to do so since Tommy Davis in 1962. He remains the only player in franchise history to win a batting title while also hitting 30+ home runs in the same season. Sheffield led the Major Leagues with 323 total bases and produced an elite strikeout-to-home-run ratio, recording only 40 strikeouts despite smashing 33 home runs. His dominance was further cemented on August 6, 1992, when he and Fred McGriff became the first teammates since 1955 to hit back-to-back home runs twice in a single game. This 1992 breakout earned him the Sporting News Major League Player of the Year award and 9 first-place votes in the NL MVP race, where he finished 3rd behind Barry Bonds and Terry Pendleton. Legend: The 1992 season was a display of offensive dominance where Sheffield nearly rewrote history, fueled by a pursuit of the first NL Triple Crown since 1937. This chase represented the closest any National League player has come to the feat in the last 88 years—a drought that continues in the Senior Circuit to this day. He held the lead in all three Triple Crown categories as late as August 23rd and ultimately finished just two home runs and nine RBIs shy of the Crown. A fractured finger that ended his season a week early was the only thing that could stop the pursuit. By capturing the batting title that season, he became the first National League third baseman to do so since 1933—a 59-year historical gap spanning from the Great Depression to the end of the Cold War. This campaign established the foundation for a career that saw him become the first player in MLB history to record 100-RBI seasons with five different franchises. Iconic Look: Sheffield’s visual profile was the definition of "90s cool." He wore the white home navy pinstripe jersey featuring the navy-and-orange accented "Padres" script across the chest, paired with matching navy headwear showcasing the white-and-orange interlocking "SD". To commemorate San Diego hosting the Midsummer Classic, the 1992 All-Star Game patch was featured on both the side of his cap and his left jersey sleeve—drawing attention to his massive forearms. This look was further defined by thick navy wristbands, Franklin batting gloves, white-and-navy Nike high-tops, and a swinging gold chain. Every at-bat felt intense, as Sheffield stared down pitchers while pacing in the box and holding his pine-tar-stained Rawlings bat high, swinging it like a cobra. The "Did You Know" Factor: Traded to San Diego just 11 days before the 1992 season began, Sheffield arrived as a key piece of "The Four Tops"—the legendary quartet of Tony Fernandez, Tony Gwynn, Gary Sheffield, and Fred McGriff. Whenever any of the four recorded a hit at Jack Murphy Stadium, the PA system would blare Motown hits. Notably, Sheffield credited his entire transformation to Tony Gwynn, who took him under his wing after the trade and taught him how to "think" like a professional hitter. Despite being traded away in 1993, Sheffield famously said he cried when leaving San Diego because of the bond he had formed with Gwynn and the city. The ultimate family showdown occurred on May 12, 1992, when he faced his uncle, Dwight Gooden, at Shea Stadium; Sheffield famously smiled at the mound before lacing a line-drive single off the Cy Young winner. View the full article

Can you feel it? The San Diego Padres' season is right around the corner, and the excitement is palpable. One sure sign of that is when teams reveal their non-roster invitations to spring training. The Padres did that by updating their website. All of these players are on minor-league contracts, so a bulk of them will be ticketed to start the season at Triple-A El Paso. But there might be a couple of players who earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. First baseman Gavin Sheets was one of those guys last year. This year, there are 28 players who have formally been revealed as having non-roster invites. There is an additional one I included because of a recent announcement. As a reminder, spring training opens next week in Peoria, Ariz., with pitchers and catchers due to report on Feb. 11 and position players shortly after on Feb. 15. The first Cactus League game is Feb. 20 against the Seattle Mariners, with whom the Friars share the Peoria Sports Complex. Pitchers (13*) LH Marco Gonzales Gonzales didn’t pitch in 2025 and only seven times in 2024 due to having left flexor tendon surgery in September 2024. Gonzales only pitched in 10 games in 2023 and had nerve decompression surgery. He will get $1.5 million if he makes the Padres’ roster. The soon-to-be 34-year-old is an interesting low-risk gamble, as JP Sears and Kyle Hart are the top lefty options in the rotation at the moment. He was pretty solid in 2021 and 2022 with the Seattle Mariners before the injuries hit. RH Triston McKenzie If there is one pitcher to watch during spring training, it is McKenzie. Once a highly touted prospect in the Cleveland Guardians' system, the 6-foot-5 right-hander appeared to be breaking through with a 2022 season in which he posted a 3.59 FIP (2.95 ERA) in 30 starts (31 games). Shoulder and elbow issues led to Tommy John surgery in 2023. He wasn’t sharp in his return in 2024 and was designated for assignment by the Guardians after a rough start to 2025. McKenzie took a lottery ticket from the Padres and is the top candidate not on the 40-man roster to claim a rotation spot. If not, he likely heads to Triple-A El Paso to be called upon when needed. RH Riley Pint* This is the asterisk inclusion as Pint was not included on the website, but that might be because that move is fairly fresh and could be a paperwork holdup. He would make 14 NRI pitchers. Pint is a very intriguing candidate for a bullpen role. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Colorado Rockies has career minor-league walk and strikeout rates that will make you pull your hair out (7.8 walks per nine innings) and simultaneously make you drool (10.9 K’s). He is coming off a 2025 season in which he didn’t pitch in the minors for the Guardians due to an undisclosed injury, but hit Driveline this offseason and showed enough during a workout for teams (97.4 mph fastball, 95 mph sinker) to get a deal with the Padres. He is likely ticketed for Triple-A, but if he has turned the corner with his control, he would be a huge weapon out of the bullpen or even as a starter if he were to be stretched out. LH Omar Cruz Due to the lack of rotation depth, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cruz stretched out to be a starter this spring. He made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2025 with two relief appearances, but does have 67 starts in 159 career minor-league games. That included 11 starts in 2025 at Triple-A El Paso. He has the strikeout potential with a career 10.4 K’s per nine in the minors. He appears to be an organization favorite as he was an international signee by the Friars in 2017, then brought back as a minor-league Rule 5 pick after the 2023 season. He re-signed on a minor-league deal this offseason. RH Sean Boyle The 29-year-old was a 25th-round draft choice by the New York Yankees in 2018 out of Dallas Baptist and has spent all that time in the minors in that organization. He has bounced between reliever and starter, with 71 of his 134 minor-league games as a starter. In 2025, he spent the entire season at Triple-A, with 23 starts and five relief appearances, compiling a 4.61 ERA in 134⅔ innings. For his career, he has a 3.83 ERA with 2.5 walks and 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings. RH Evan Fitterer The 25-year-old starter was a fifth-round draft choice by the Miami Marlins in 2019 and signed with the Friars in December. He is a SoCal native, born in Mission Viejo and attending Aliso Niguel High School. He plateaued with six starts at Triple-A in 2024, but has otherwise spent the last three seasons at Double-A. That included a swing role in 2025, where he made 33 appearances, including 10 starts, with a 3.92 ERA. Walks have been a slight issue for him as he has a career four walks per nine innings to go with 8.9 strikeouts per nine. RH Justin Yeager A 29th-round draft choice by Atlanta in 2019 out of Southern Illinois, the recently turned 28-year-old reliever has spent all six seasons in the minors, last year splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization. He posted a 0.64 ERA in 18 Triple-A games and has a career ERA of 3.04. Yeager was one of the three players the Brewers got in the three-way trade between Atlanta and the A's in which the Crew netted William Contreras. LH D.J. Snelten A very under-the-radar candidate, the 6-foot-6 left-hander has four games of MLB experience — in 2018 with the San Francisco Giants. Since then, Snelten has seen action in five other organizations. There is no record of him playing in 2025, although he was with the Chicago White Sox until being released in mid-May. His path to the Padres has been filled with stops in independent ball, including Mexico, and was disrupted by Tommy John surgery in 2021. He reportedly was clocked in the triple-digits in Mexico. Prospects LH Jagger Haynes, MLB Pipeline's No. 10 Padres prospect, was a fifth-round draft choice in 2020 as a 17-year-old from a small North Carolina high school. He has experienced a number of injuries, including having Tommy John surgery shortly after making his pro debut in 2021, then blister and shoulder issues after returning to begin 2023. But he has stayed in the rotation the last two years, first at High-A Fort Wayne, then at Double-A San Antonio. He has walked 5.4 batters per nine each of those seasons, while striking out 9.3 and 8.8 per nine, respectively. RH Francis Pena, just turned 25, was a late international signing, joining the Padres just before turning 21 in 2022 for $10,000. He is the Friars' No. 20 prospect who made 43 relief appearances in 2025 at Triple-A El Paso. He struggled with his control there, walking 5.8 per nine innings en route to a 5.68 ERA. He also struck out 8.1 per nine. He has a 3.85 ERA in 125 career minor-league games. LH Jackson Wolf enters his age-27 season having been a fourth-round draft choice in 2021 out of West Virginia. He made his MLB debut with the Friars in July 2023 with a five-inning start and went back to the minors the next day. A week later, he was sent to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the deal that brought left-hander Rich Hill and first baseman Ji Man Choi to the Friars at the trade deadline. He came back to the Padres just after Opening Day 2024 in a 1-for-1 deal for minor-league shortstop Kervin Pichardo. In five minor-league seasons, Wolf has started 102 of 118 games, registering a 4.91 ERA with 3.6 walks and 9.5 strikeouts per nine. LH Ryan Och was the Friars' seventh-round draft pick in 2021 out of Southern Mississippi and is a 27-year-old reliever who spent all of 2025 at Double-A San Antonio. He appeared in 45 games with a 4.28 ERA, walking 4.8 and striking out 9.1 per nine innings. RH Logan Gillaspie, who went undrafted out of Oxnard College in 2017 and played independent ball, enters his age-29 season having appeared in three MLB games with the Padres as a reliever in 2025 and nine more in 2024. He also made 28 relief appearances with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022 and 2023. He has a 4.75 FIP in those 40 games, walking 6% of batters faced while striking out 14.5%. In seven seasons in the minors, Gillaspie has made 29 starts among his 198 appearances, with a 4.61 ERA. RH Manuel Castro is a 23-year-old reliever who joined the organization in the summer of 2021 and has made a steady climb, spending 2025 between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso. He posted a 3.66 ERA at El Paso, with a .198 opponent batting average. RH Ethan Routzahn enters his age-28 season having been an undrafted free agent out of St. John's. He bounced between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso in 2025, making a combined 46 relief appearances with a 4.50 ERA. He walked 4.5 batters and struck out 7.2 per nine. Catchers (4) Ethan Salas This is the name that pops out due to all of the hype surrounding the player some have ranked as the Friars' top prospect. Salas was the No. 1 prospect in the international class when he signed as a 16-year-old in January 2023. Born in Florida with family ties to Venezuela, he made his pro debut that year and made headlines by not only being a 16-year-old at Low-A Lake Elsinore, but then being promoted as a 17-year-old to High-A Fort Wayne and then Double-A San Antonio by the end of the season. It was an aggressive approach by the Friars to their top prospect who is known for his tremendous defense. While the left-handed hitter had a good offensive showing at Lake Elsinore, posting a .267/.350/.487 slash line with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 48 games, he hasn't been able to replicate that. He has a slash line of .221/.305/.347 for his three-year career, which included playing in just 10 games in 2025 with San Antonio due to a stress reaction in his back. As he enters his age-20 season, the Padres are likely to give Salas a full year of seasoning in the minors while banking on the chance of him making the Opening Day roster in 2027. Blake Hunt The Southern California native who was a Padres second-round pick in 2017 returned on a minor-league deal this offseason. Like others on this list, the former Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana) figures to be simply an option should the Friars need a catcher. The right-handed hitter was a backup at Triple-A with the Seattle Mariners in 2025, with a slash line of .272/.368/.452 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 68 games. He was part of the Padres’ package shipped to the Tampa Bay Rays in the December 2020 Blake Snell trade. Anthony Vilar Vilar is a 26-year-old who was drafted in the 15th round in 2021 by the Friars out of Miami (Fla.). The left-handed hitter spent all of 2025 at Double-A San Antonio, notching a .209/.316/.317 slash line with six homers and 32 RBIs in 100 games. In five seasons in the minors, Vilar has a .220/.346/.339 slash line with 22 homers and 125 RBIs. Rodolfo Duran Duran turns 28 on Feb. 19 and signed with the Padres last offseason. The right-handed hitter began his career as a 17-year-old after signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, then joined the New York Yankees' system before 2023 as a free agent, then the Kansas City Royals before 2024. Duran appeared in 86 games with Triple-A El Paso in 2025, turning in a .288/.344/.503 slash line with 16 homers and 73 RBIs, so the offensive juice is there. Infielders (7) 1B Nick Solak Solak has the most MLB experience of the non-roster invitees, having played in 259 games, including 11 with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2025. Once a highly touted second baseman, the 31-year-old right-handed hitter has transitioned to be a first baseman who could probably play the outfield corners if needed. While good offensively, with a career .250/.325/.369 slash line in the majors with 21 homers and 93 RBIs, defense has been an issue, thus the move to a corner spot. The good news for Solak is the Friars could use a little extra offense from first base, especially from a right-handed hitter. In nine minor-league seasons, the 2016 second-round pick has a .295/.385/.458 slash line. 3B Jose Miranda Another corner infield option, the 27-year-old was not brought back by the Minnesota Twins after having good showings in 2022 and 2024. The 2016 second-round selection had a poor start to 2025 and was relegated to Triple-A, where his struggles continued. That was surprising after a 2024 in which the right-handed hitter had a .284/.322/.441 slash line with nine homers and 49 RBIs, setting an MLB record with hits in 12 straight plate appearances. As a rookie in 2022, he put up a .268/.325/.426 showing with 15 homers and 66 RBIs. He would be another candidate to be a backup corner infielder and could improve his chances if he added some left field to the mix. 2B/SS/3B Samad Taylor The most versatile of all the players on this list, Taylor has seen action at all three outfield spots as well as second base and third base in 38 MLB games, 31 of those coming with the Kansas City Royals in 2023. The Friars list the right-handed hitter as an infielder. He spent the last two years with the Seattle Mariners, also playing shortstop at Triple-A. Taylor put up a .296/.378/.461 slash line in Triple-A in 2025, with 17 homers and 86 RBIs as well as 44 steals in 54 tries. But he has just a .205/.272/.260 in his brief MLB experience, although he has eight steals. If he could put together a good spring, he would be the perfect bench addition for any team due to his positional versatility. Prospects 1B Romeo Sanabria was the Friars' 18th-round draft pick in 2022 out of a Florida junior college and is entering his age-24 season. He is the 21st-ranked prospect in the Padres' system. After playing at three levels in 2024, including Double-A San Antonio, he spent all of 2025 at San Antonio and had a .257/.309/.376 slash line with 12 homers and 56 RBIs. 2B/3B Marcos Castanon enters his age-27 season after being a 12th-round draft choice by the Friars in 2021 out of UC Santa Barbara. He also attended Wilmer Amina Carter High School in Rialto. The right-handed hitter was at Double-A San Antonio for much of 2025, although he did make his Triple-A San Antonio debut with 16 games. Between the two, he had a slash line of .273/.339/.442, hitting 15 homers with 75 RBIs. 2B/3B/SS/OF Clay Dungan was a ninth-round draft choice by the Kansas City Royals in 2019 out of Indiana State and is 29 years old. The Friars added the left-handed hitter through the minor-league Rule 5 draft before the 2024 season. He spent all of 2025 at Triple-A El Paso and put up a .273/.368/.448 slash line with 14 homers, 80 RBIs and 30 steals in 140 games. 2B/3B/SS Francisco Acuna enters his second season in the Friars' system and just turned 26. He played 121 games in 2025, with 109 at Double-A San Antonio and the other 12 at Triple-A El Paso. Across the two stops, he had a slash line of .259/.359/.380 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs. Outfielders (4) OF/2B/3B Pablo Reyes The 32-year-old has played in the majors in each of the last seven MLB seasons he was eligible. Reyes was suspended for 80 games before the 2020 season due to performance-enhancing drugs. The right-handed hitter has positional versatility. In 2025 with the New York Yankees, he played four positions in addition to being a DH in 24 games. He has an MLB career slash line of .245/.305/.342 with eight homers and 56 RBIs across 257 games and 606 plate appearances. He also had 14 steals in 20 tries. OF Jase Bowen The 25-year-old was an 11th-round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 draft out of an Ohio high school. The right-handed hitter is coming off a 2025 in which he put up a .272/.353/.449 slash line with nine homers, 37 RBIs and 20 steals at four levels, including his Triple-A debut. There he slashed .294/.386/.484 in 36 games with three homers, 17 RBIs and seven steals. OF Carlos Rodriguez A 25-year-old, the left-handed hitter has split time between Double-A and Triple-A each of the last two seasons, first with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024, then Atlanta in 2025. In 128 games at Triple-A last year, Rodriguez slashed .247/.317/.323 with eight homers, 32 RBIs and 17 steals. OF Nick Schnell Entering his age-26 season, Schnell was a first-round pick (No. 32 overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 out of an Indianapolis high school. The left-handed hitter reached Triple-A each of the last two seasons, first with the Rays then with the Washington Nationals, whom he signed with last offseason. Following a promotion from Double-A last year, Schnell turned in a .244/.322/.490 slash line with 21 homers, 68 RBIs and 12 steals. View the full article

There was a moment, not that long ago, when the sweeper felt unavoidable. Every broadcast featured it. Every Pitching Ninja clip highlighted it. Every development staff wanted one more guy who could rip a Frisbee-like breaking ball that darted horizontally and embarrassed hitters. The pitch existed before, of course, but the league finally figured out how to define it, measure it, and teach it. According to The Athletic, pitchers had been throwing slider-like pitches with sweep for years. The breakthrough came when teams identified the specific properties that made a sweeper effective and used that information to scout and develop arms who could do what was needed to produce those results. Once that door opened, the flood followed. From 2020 through 2023, the league added roughly 10,000 sweepers each season. It was the hot new pitch type, and everyone wanted in. Then, hitters did what hitters always do. They adapted. As sweepers proliferated, they became less exotic, and thus less deceptive. The league's batting average against the pitch climbed from .183 in 2020 to .215 by 2025. Slugging jumped more dramatically, from .280 to .364. Hitters chased less often and swung more frequently when the pitch actually entered the zone. What was once a deception-driven pitch became something batters could recognize earlier and square up more consistently. When a pitch goes from rare to common, the advantage flips. Hitters see it in bullpens. They see it on video. They see it on highly specialized Trajekt pitching machines. They see it in games multiple times a week. Training catches up. The sweeper did not suddenly get worse. The league just got better at hitting it. This is where Stuff+ comes into play. Stuff+ is designed to answer a deceptively simple question for teams: “What inherent qualities make a pitch good?” Velocity, movement, release traits, and shape are all baked in. The challenge is that baseball never stops moving. What worked in 2020 does not necessarily work in 2026. That forced a difficult decision. How much old data should inform what we think makes a pitch effective today? How relevant is the early sweeper boom to the current environment, where hitters are actively hunting the pitch? To address that, Stuff+ removed 2020 and 2021 from its training data and added 2025. The goal shifted from being a historical artifact to answering a more practical question. What makes a pitch good right now? That reduces its usefulness for comparing across eras, but it strengthens its predictive value, which is where Stuff+ shines, anyway. In small samples, it can tell scouts, teams, and fantasy players a lot about pitch quality before the results stabilize. The update by the engineers of Stuff+ brought with it a reckoning. As batters improved against sweepers, the pitch type itself lost Stuff+. Some pitchers took a hit as the model adjusted to the new reality. Zebby Matthews was one of them. He tied for the third-largest Stuff+ drop following the update, falling from a 106 to a 101. Only Luis Severino and Aaron Civale saw larger declines. On paper, that looks concerning. In practice, it's more complicated. Matthews still leaned heavily on the pitch, throwing his sweeper 25.1% of the time in 2025, just a slight dip from 25.9% the year before. The results, however, were dramatically better. Opponents slugged .252 against the pitch last season, down from .462 during his rookie year. Contact quality declined as well, with average exit velocity dropping from 90.2 to 87.5 mph. Part of that improvement came from added life. Matthews generated an additional 70 rpm of spin, giving the pitch more late action. Within his arsenal, the sweeper remained his best bat-missing weapon. It posted a 38.5% whiff rate on swings and successfully put a hitter away in two-strike counts 24.3% of the time, both of which were the top results for his pitch mix. Even as the league cooled on sweepers overall, Matthews found a way to refine his version and stay ahead of the curve. Pablo López's sweeper arc is a slightly different story. When the Twins acquired him before the 2023 season, one of the first changes they made was adding a sweeper. The early returns were excellent. In its first season, hitters managed just a .210 wOBA against the pitch, with a 36.5% whiff rate. It gave López another look that complemented his fastball and changeup beautifully. Last season was more complicated. Injuries likely influenced his approach and execution, but the sweeper clearly changed. López held batters to a .163 wOBA with the pitch, his lowest mark for any offering, but the swing-and-miss wasn’t the same. His whiff rate dropped to 30.1%, the lowest since he introduced the pitch. Hitters were making more contact, even if that contact did not always turn into damage. That tension captures where the sweeper sits in 2026. It can still work. It can still produce weak contact, because it has lots of horizontal movement, which traditionally does better at limiting damage. But it no longer consistently fools hitters the way it once did, and because it often has less vertical depth than a traditional slider or a hard curve, it doesn't miss as many bats. Vertical movement is better at producing whiffs. The league is already adjusting. The kick-change is gaining momentum, offering deception through velocity separation and late movement rather than a sweeping horizontal break. That's an innovation that benefits pitchers most when they face opposite-handed batters, rather than same-handed ones, but teams can adjust to the changing pitch design-and-adjustment cycle by sacrificing the platoon advantage to chase exoticism and deception in key matchups. Even when it comes to same-handed batters, though, the sweeper might be overtaken by another tack soon. Something else will follow. It always does. The story of the sweeper is a reminder that no pitch remains king forever. As hitters learn, pitchers must evolve. The question now is, which pitch will be next to explode across the league, and how long will it take hitters to catch up this time? How will Matthews and López change their approach in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

The Twins dipped back into familiar waters this week, agreeing to a minor league deal with catcher David Bañuelos. The deal includes an invitation to big league camp, giving Bañuelos a chance to reintroduce himself to an organization that knows him well. At 29 years old, Bañuelos does not bring much in the way of major league experience. His time in the big leagues has been fleeting, appearing in just two games with Baltimore across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Those appearances amounted to three plate appearances and not much opportunity to leave an impression. The Orioles ultimately removed him from their roster last summer, and he hit free agency after the season. Even in the minors, recent playing time has been hard to come by. Baltimore frequently stashed Bañuelos on its taxi squad as emergency depth, which limited his opportunities to get regular at-bats. Over the last two seasons, he logged fewer than 200 plate appearances on the farm and struggled to find a rhythm in sporadic usage. That lack of recent production does not erase his longer history in Minnesota. Originally acquired from Seattle in 2017 for $1 million in international bonus pool money, Bañuelos spent several years climbing the Twins' minor league ladder. From 2021 through 2023, he bounced between Double- and Triple-A, offering occasional power but also plenty of swing and miss. In 176 plate appearances in the minors over the past two years, he slashed .171/.284/.270 (.554).The offensive upside never fully arrived, but the defensive reputation stuck. That glove-first profile is what brings him back into the picture now. The Twins currently project Ryan Jeffers and Victor Caratini as their primary catching tandem, with Caratini also capable of spelling first base or serving as a designated hitter. Alex Jackson looms as the third catcher on the roster, though his lack of remaining options complicates the roster math. Bañuelos slots in neatly as depth beyond that group. He gives the Twins a reliable defensive presence at Triple-A and an experienced option if injuries strike or roster maneuvering thins the catching corps. If Jackson were to be lost on waivers, or if the Twins need an extra backstop for a short stretch, Bañuelos provides coverage without forcing a rushed promotion. There is also a longer view to consider. If the Twins fall out of contention later this summer, Jeffers becomes an obvious trade chip as an impending free agent. Even Caratini, under contract through 2027, could draw interest in the right scenario. In that kind of shakeup, organizational depth suddenly matters a lot more. For now, the signing is quiet and practical. Bañuelos is unlikely to push his way into a prominent role, but he fills a necessary space on the depth chart. Those are the kinds of moves that rarely make headlines in February, yet often become important by August. View the full article