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After a near-constant revolving door at first base over the past few seasons, the Boston Red Sox believe they have found their answer at the cold corner for the next couple of seasons thanks to a trade that sent starting pitching back to the St. Louis Cardinals. The team is hoping to get far more production from first base than they have in recent memory, and it looks like they’ve set themselves up to do just that. What was once a position of weakness for the Red Sox suddenly looks like a major strength as we head into the 2026 season. Red Sox First Basemen At A Glance Starter: Willson Contreras Backup: Isiah Kiner-Falefa Depth: Andruw Monasterio, Mickey Gasper, Triston Casas, Romy Gonzalez (Both will start 2026 on the IL) Prospects: Nathan Hickey Red Sox fWAR Ranking Last Year: 22nd out of 30 Red Sox fWAR Projection This Year: 14th out of 30 The Good Arguably the best move Craig Breslow made this offseason was to acquire Contreras from the Cardinals in a trade that sent starting pitching prospects back to the rebuilding club. Contreras is a pull-ball hitter and has a veteran's plate approach. He’s got some power to boot, and playing half of his games at Fenway Park should bump his home run totals up by at least a few in 2026. He’s going to provide a steady presence at the cold corner for the next two seasons, possibly three if the club exercises his 2028 option. Behind him, Kiner-Falefa has showcased his stellar defense across the diamond during spring training and, while an offensive downgrade when he’s in the lineup, is another veteran presence on this team of young guns. Don’t be shocked to see Monasterio leapfrog Kiner-Falefa for that backup job though, as he’s been one of the biggest standouts in camp so far and has likely earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. Like Kiner-Falefa, Monasterio can play all over the infield so his positional versatility plays right into Alex Cora’s plans. The Bad Notably, Contreras has a bit of an injury history. Most of those came when he was still a catcher, but it’s something to keep in mind moving forward. He’s also currently 33 and will turn 34 during the season, so he’s no spring chicken. Behind Monasterio and Kiner-Falefa, the Red Sox are thin at first base, at least for now. Waiting in the wings, and coming back sooner than many expected, is Triston Casas. He’s going to be looking to shed his ‘injury-prone’ label and provide a spark that many have been clamoring for since he debuted. Casas has 30-plus home run power, but we’ve yet to see a completely healthy season from him. When Casas returns to the major-league roster he’s likely going to be featured more as a designated hitter than a first baseman, but he will become the primary backup for Contreras at that point. Behind Casas, we have Gonzalez, who will begin the season on the 60-day IL as he’s recovering from recent shoulder surgery. Gonzalez should see the field at some point this season, and his success against left-handed pitching will help him once he’s healthy, but his spot is going to quickly come up for discussion if Monasterio continues to be the breakout performer he’s been in camp. The Bottom Line Willson Contreras will be a net-positive for the Red Sox, full stop. He’s going to contribute on both sides of the field and will step into a clubhouse leader role with ease. His bat should anchor the middle of the lineup, and hitting at Fenway Park should do nothing but bump his numbers in a positive direction. Once Casas is able to return to the 26-man roster, then the team will be at full strength. The Red Sox are finally stable at first base, and those are words that haven’t been said since at least 2018. While the cold corner isn’t as demanding as the rest of the infield, finally having legit major-league production from the position will help give the Red Sox the edge they need to compete for the AL East title in 2026. View the full article

With Opening Day hurtling toward us, Nico Hoerner enters his eighth (and possibly final) season as a Cub. The impending free agent will look to have a great season, to set himself up for a lucrative contract—barring an extension with the Cubs yet this spring. This year, though, his defense and unique plate approach will continue to make him a fan favorite and a valuable player. Cubs Second Basemen at a Glance Starter: Nico Hoerner Backup: Matt Shaw Depth Options: Ben Cowles, Scott Kingery Prospects: James Triantos, Ty Southisene, Eziquiel Pena, Juan Capada Cubs fWAR ranking in 2025: 5th Cubs fWAR projection in 2026: 3rd The Good After an uneven, oft-injured start to his career, Hoerner has found his groove the last three years. He's played at least 150 games in each of the last three seasons, and in 2025, he was his best self. He's a bit of an anachronism, harkening back to the days when 100 strikeouts was considered an insulting figure. He only struck out 49 times last year, protecting the plate as well as virtually any player in baseball. Hoerner doesn't walk at a high rate, but makes up for that with a 99th-percentile contact rate. He slashed .297/.345/.394 in 2025. Hoerner's defense is his calling card, though. In his third season as keystone partner with Dansby Swanson, the Cubs were fifth in double plays at their positions, with 75. He doesn't have the rotational explosiveness of high-end left-side infielders, but has learned to use his straight-line quickness and brilliant instincts well enough to make up for that. Matt Shaw will capably back up the position, including taking over when Hoerner is in the lineup but Swanson isn't, sliding Hortner to shortstop. Second base will be just one position where Shaw finds time this year, though, and if Hoerner stays healthy, it won't be a place he gets to play much. Should Hoerner leave via free agency this coming winter, Shaw is a fair bet to take over the position, and would be a fine replacement. The Bad Unless Hoerner does get hurt and Shaw takes over amid a highly successful sophomore season, the Cubs will be light on power from their second baseman again. It's just not Hoerner's game to hit for power; it never will be. It feels like picking nits, but it's the key thing that separates him from superstardom. He does virtually everything else well. He's gotten a bit less efficient in stealing bases over the last two seasons, too; that's been part of his aging process. The Bottom Line Enjoy Hoerner in full this spring, summer and fall. He could leave in the winter, forcing the Cubs to scramble a bit to backfill the position. For this year, though, they can still count on a tough, smart, tenacious, charismatic and talented player who has emerged as both a dynamic two-way force on the field and a leader in the clubhouse. View the full article

BlackStack isn’t just a brewery. It is a space that feels purpose-built for moments like this. Located in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, the taproom sits inside the historic American Can Company building – a late-1800s industrial giant that once produced billions of cans before being reimagined into something entirely new. Today, that same space has been transformed into what the brewery calls an “industrial cathedral-meets-modern museum,” blending exposed brick, towering ceilings, and natural light into one of the most unique drinking environments in the Twin Cities. Oh, and a 190" TV to watch baseball. Reserve your spot to find out for yourself next Thursday! Founded in 2017, BlackStack Brewing is a family-run operation built on collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to quality. From hop-forward IPAs to lagers and fruited sours, their beer program has earned a devoted following across Minnesota, driven by a philosophy emphasizing “no shortcuts” and constant innovation. But what truly sets BlackStack apart, and what makes it such a natural fit for a Twins Daily event, is the atmosphere. This is not a place where you show up, grab a drink, and leave. It is a place where you settle in, socialize with your neighbors, and watch the Twins end our baseball drought with a win. It's a place built for gathering. So, let's do this! When the Minnesota Twins take on the Baltimore Orioles to kick off the 2026 season, we'll gather in a great space, cheer a first pitch, react with every big swing, and maybe even find some optimism for this new season. (Or at least find some good beer over which to commiserate.) And that’s exactly what Opening Day should be. A new season. A packed taproom. A community that cares about every pitch. Let's do this! EVENT DETAILS RSVP: bit.ly/4sgSTnG What: Twins Daily Social Club's Opening Day Watch Party Cost: Free When: 1 pm, March 26, 2026 Where: Blackstack Brewing, 755 Prior Ave N, St Paul, MN View the full article

Without a doubt, one of the biggest beneficiaries from the World Baseball Classic may be Jac Caglianone, the projected Opening Day right fielder for the Kansas City Royals. Team Italy's dream run ended on Monday night, as they lost to Team Venezuela 4-2 in Miami. That sets up a massive WBC championship matchup between Venezuela and Team USA, which is trying to win its first WBC since 2017. While Team Italy's journey ended in the semi-final, their stellar performance allowed Caglianone to get some much-needed at-bats against good competition. There was some worry initially that Caglianone's absence from the Royals camp due to the WBC could affect his work with the Royals' new assistant hitting coaches. However, if anything, he showed the same kind of approach in the WBC that he did in Cactus League play, which should bode well for him with Opening Day roughly eight days away. Let's explore how Caglianone did this spring, the changes he made from his rookie year with the Royals, and what fans can expect from the promising slugger this season. Caglianone Showed Progress in Arizona and WBC Caglianone didn't get a whole lot of plate appearances in Cactus League play before reporting to Italy for the WBC. That said, his small sample was stellar, with him showing growth in the right areas offensively. In six games and 20 plate appearances in Arizona, Caglianone slashed .400/.550/.733 with a 1.2833 OPS. He only struck out in 15.5% of at-bats and had a walk rate of 25.5%. Furthermore, the batted-ball metrics were excellent, as he ranked in the upper percentiles in 90th EV, Max EV, and xwOBA, as seen in his Statcast percentiles below. The power has always been Caglianone's calling card, especially in Spring Training. Last spring, he posted a 25% barrel rate, 50% hard-hit rate, and .667 ISO. However, the plate discipline was a lot more questionable last season in Arizona. In 23 plate appearances last spring, Caglianone had a swinging-strike rate of 13%, a swing% of 50%, and an O-Swing% of 34.1%. That hurt him in his transition to the Major Leagues, as his over-eager approach was exposed last season. That said, it's been a different story this spring, as the former Florida Gator has shown a more discerning approach at the plate. His swinging-strike rate is down to 10.3%, his swing% is 37.9%, and his O-Swing% is 23.4%. As a result, his O-Swing% ranks in the 67th percentile, a major improvement from his mark last spring. As a result, his better pitch selection has led to more pulling of the ball than a spring ago. His pull% is 42.3%, which is much better than his 21.4% pull% last spring. He still needs to work on launching the ball better, as his pull air% of 15.4% is 6 percentage points lower than a year ago. That said, it seems like Cags is seeing the ball better at the plate, which shows the progress he has made since his Royals debut. In the WBC, it's been much of the same for Caglianone with Italy. In 14 at-bats, he slashed .286/.500/.571 with a 1.071 OPS. He had five walks to four strikeouts, scored six runs, collected four RBI, and launched a home run against Ryan Yarbrough of Team USA in pool play. While he had only one home run, Caglianone had a patient approach that was valuable to Team Italy in the middle to lower end of the lineup. It seemed like he wasn't used as an everyday player initially (he sat out Italy's second game of pool play), but after his strong performance against Team USA, manager Francisco Cervelli made Caglianone a mainstay in the Italian lineup for the remainder of the WBC. Caglianone's .500 OBP was the third-best mark of Italian players, and 1.071 OPS ranked 7th. Issues With Chase and Launching the Ball It was a tough MLB debut for Caglianone in 2025. In 62 games and 232 plate appearances, he slashed .157/.237/.295 with a .532 OPS. He showed some solid exit velocity and hard-hit ability, but he failed to launch the ball and struggled with chasing out of the zone, as illustrated in his TJ Stats Statcast summary below. Last year, Caglianone ranked in the 8th percentile in O-Swing% and 71st percentile in Swing%. It's been the opposite story this spring, both in the Cactus League and the WBC competition. That is an encouraging sign that Caglianone is not only developing better pitch recognition but is relaxing and not pressing at the plate, something he struggled with in 2025. The main area of focus will be Caglianone launching the ball, as his 30.4% LA Sweet-Spot% ranked in the 20th percentile last year. We haven't seen a ton of progress in this area, as his 26.9% LA Sweet-Spot% this spring is actually lower than his mark in the 2025 regular season. That said, it is such a small sample, so some time for adjustment may be needed, especially for a hitter as talented as Caglianone. When looking at his radial chart from last year via Savant, he hit so many balls on the ground, both of the fielding out and base hit variety. For a hitter with elite exit velocity and hard-hit skills, that needs to improve. He has been pulling the ball better in the air this spring, as his 15.4% pull air% is 3.4% higher than his regular-season mark last year. His 9.0-degree average launch angle is also 4.9 degrees better than his average launch angle from his Royals debut. Thus, baby steps are being made for Caglianone this spring, which is promising. Another promising development for Calgianone is his gradual improvement in Ideal Angle% over the course of the season. Below is the definition of Ideal Attack Angle and why it's important, according to MLB.com. Here's a look at Caglianone's Ideal Attack Angle rolling chart from last year, via Savant. Caglianone showed some initial progress, but hit a wall around the 150th to 225th competitive swing range. However, after that 225th swing, he ended up seeing a positive Ideal Angle% trend and ended up being an above-average hitter in this category by the conclusion of the season. Caglianone, carrying this positive trend into 2026, will help him get off to a much better start in his sophomore season with the Royals. Final Thoughts on Caglianone's Spring The Royals do not need Caglianone to be a "savior" of this Royals lineup, as was the case last June when they called him up to the big leagues. The top of Kansas City's lineup is well-established with Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. These four guys will carry the Royals offensively and should be due for strong years, even if one or two of them regress. Furthermore, the floor of this Royals lineup is better with Jonathan India and Michael Massey looking to bounce back, and newcomers Isaac Collins and Starling Marte giving Kansas City some professional at-bats at the bottom of the lineup. Lastly, don't forget Carter Jensen, who had a sensational rookie campaign in September and has been looking good this spring with an .880 OPS in 32 plate appearances. In addition to posting solid Statcast percentiles, especially in terms of exit velocity, barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and O-Swing%, he has launched three home runs this spring. That included this 438-foot one below from a few days ago against the Diamondbacks. Thus, the Royals need Cags to do what he's been doing this spring with the Royals and Italy. If he can be a solid bat in the middle of the lineup, Kansas City will be more than happy. Here are a few projections for Caglianone in 2026: ATC: 496 plate appearances, 19 home runs, 58 runs scored, 64 RBI, 100 wRC+ The BAT X: 496 plate appearances, 16 home runs, 56 runs scored, 60 RBI, 90 wRC+ ZiPS: 524 plate appearances, 23 home runs, 64 runs scored, 71 RBI, 109 wRC+ If Caglianone can produce something in the range of those three projections, not only will the Royals be a playoff team, but they will have a player in Caglianone who may be worth a long-term extension at the conclusion of the 2026 season. View the full article

The Blue Jays Top Prospects series continues, as we review the No. 15 to No. 11 prospects in Toronto's pipeline, per the Jays Centre writers. Consider this your rundown on all things Josh Kasevich, Blaine Bullard, Jake Cook, Tim Piasentin, and Silvano Hechavarria. View the full article

The surprising trade of Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio to the Red Sox in early February cleared an unexpected hole on the diamond for the Brewers. Rumors of Isaac Paredes and CJ Abrams swirled around the internet, but all of fans’ questions were soon answered when the Brewers signed Luis Rengifo to a one-year deal to be the starter at the hot corner on Opening Day. BREWERS THIRD BASEMEN AT A GLANCE: Starter: Luis Rengifo Backup: David Hamilton Depth: Joey Ortiz, Eddys Leonard Prospects: Jett Williams, Brock Wilken Brewers fWAR Ranking Last Year: 20th out of 30 Brewers fWAR Projection This Year: 29th out of 30 THE GOOD Rengifo brings major-league experience to the position. He has played in parts of seven MLB seasons and owns a career .250/.307/.382 slash line. He's looking for a bit of a bounce-back year with the Crew, as his 2025 OPS was the lowest it has been since 2021. He doesn’t walk a lot—only 6.1% of the time in 2025—and doesn’t steal much, with only 10 stolen bases last year. However, when healthy, he's shown better speed utility than that. A returning piece from the Caleb Durbin trade, David Hamilton hasn’t had the previous offensive success that Rengifo has had. However, Pat Murphy and the coaching staff believe there's "a whole other level" to unlock for him. That remains to be seen, as Hamilton brings a career slash line of .222/.283/.359 to Milwaukee. However, he offers the consistent speed threat Rengifo likely can't. The Brewers have been known to find underwhelming hitters and make them serviceable, so don’t rule out offensive production from Hamilton. He's also the better defender of the two main options, despite spending most of his time on the middle infield. THE BAD Defensively, Rengifo doesn’t grade out well. He's neither big nor exceptionally quick, and his arm is just average. In 568 innings at third base last year, he posted -5 Defensive Runs Saved, according to Sports Info Solutions. Rengifo could end up being an adequate defender at the hot corner with the help of infield coach Matt Erickson, who helped develop Caleb Durbin into a capable glove, but that would be a big leap. Hamilton has already shown that moving to third will be no problem for him, but he lacks experience at the spot and won't get frequent enough reps there to get as comfortable as Durbin was by the end of last season. THE BOTTOM LINE Rengifo is a serviceable replacement for Durbin, but probably just a placeholder. The main thing the Brewers should focus on is finding the third baseman of the future, as many thought that could be Durbin himself. That player may be in the upper minors when the season begins, as Jett Williams and Brock Wilken could be pushing toward major-league at-bats soon. Williams, too, is better suited to other positions and has limited experience at third, while Wilken is close to being too big and burly for the spot. Each will put the good kind of pressure on Rengifo and Hamilton, though. Jesús Made, Cooper Pratt and Luis Peña all still want to prove themselves capable shortstops, but they, too, are candidates to be helpful at the hot corner—be that this year or next. While the Durbin trade left the team without as clear-cut an answer at the spot as they appeared to have, their organizational depth at third base is impressive. View the full article

Onto the podium we go. We've finally arrived at the top three of Talk Sox's 2026 prospect rankings for the Boston Red Sox, this team featuring a young shortstop with an exceptionally high floor. Be sure to check out all of our previous rankings here: Part 1 (Nos. 16-20) Part 2 (Nos. 11-15) Part 3 (No. 10) Part 4 (No. 9) Part 5 (No. 8) Part 6 (No. 7) Part 7 (No. 6) Part 8 (No. 5) Boston Red Sox Top Prospects: No. 3 Franklin Arias When the Red Sox signed Franklin Arias as an international free agent, they did so with the thought of him evolving into a Gold Glove shortstop. Since then, he’s consistently surprised the organization with his ability to put the ball in play, turning himself into a top prospect within the organization. The 2025 season took his outlook to a whole other level. Playing as a 19-year-old, Arias showcased his abilities out of the gates, opening the season with Salem before becoming one of the youngest players in High-A with Greenville. His performance there allowed him to finish the season with Double-A Portland, roughly 4.5 years younger than the average player. In 116 games between the three levels, Arias hit .278/.335/.388 with 27 doubles, one triple, eight home runs and 66 RBIs, all while playing elite defense at shortstop. Arias’ ability to make contact is thanks in part to his quick hands and a swing that is line-drive oriented. The young infielder also has great barrel control and a feel for contact. Despite all those positives, however, he does not have the best bat speed and needs to improve his approach at the plate, as he can get too aggressive. Arias has a habit of attacking fastballs early in an at-bat as he tries to hit the ball all over the field. With secondaries, he sometimes has difficulty recognizing the pitch out of a pitcher's hand, leading to high chase rates, though some of that is balanced out by strong in-zone contact skills. Power-wise, he has meager over-the-fence pop and it’s not a big part of his game. He can, however, produce great exit velocities for his age. Arias is a gap hitter due to his line-drive approach and scouts have described his power as below average. Speed is also not a big part of his game, as he’s viewed as having below average speed. While he can go first to third on a single or second to home, he will never be viewed as a speed threat. He does make up for his lack of speed with quality baserunning instincts, but he won't derive a lot of his value on the basepaths. Defense is what Arias is best known for. The infielder is mainly a shortstop but has also seen some time at second base. He has great range and is comfortable playing all angles when charging the ball. He also has the ability to make difficult plays look rather routine. Still just 20 years old, he’s viewed as one of the best middle-infield gloves in all of the minor leagues. Arias’ value will be determined by how his hit tool continues to develop. Already he’s shown that he can handle shortstop at an elite level, but should his bat not continue to develop, he might peak as a defense-first utility infielder. If his offense continues to improve, he can become a quality starting shortstop despite his lack of power and speed. Arias will open the season with Portland, where he’ll man the six. In 2025, he only got to play 10 games there and the organization will want to see how he handles a prolonged exposure to higher-level pitching. Given his youth, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he spent the entire season with Portland. If he gets promoted, it would likely be in a similar situation to his schedule last year — a late season showcase against the next minor-league level. View the full article

Kyle Stowers entered the 2025 regular season at the nadir of his career. After being blocked from consistent playing time in Baltimore, he had a golden opportunity to prove himself with the Miami Marlins, but he was failing to capitalize on it. Stowers proceeded to hit .186 with a strikeout rate north of 35 percent as a Marlin in 2024, followed by a more disheartening .175 slugging percentage the ensuing spring. The announcement that he had made the club's Opening Day roster took some—myself included—by surprise. What Stowers did in the season opener would be a precursor to one of the most improbable All-Star campaigns in franchise history. His game-winning RBI single, the first such Opening Day hit in franchise history, was one of numerous clutch moments for the outfielder. While the Marlins' talented starting pitchers underachieved early in the year, as did their speedy leadoff man Xavier Edwards, Stowers would hit .288/.368/.544/.912 en rout to being their lone representative at the Midsummer Classic. Predicting Stowers to earn All-Star accolades again would not be particularly bold. Right-hander Eury Pérez and center fielder Jakob Marsee also come to mind immediately, as does ace Sandy Alcantara, who's been an All-Star twice before. Even shortstop Otto Lopez is overqualified for this conversation given his well-rounded skill set and projected playing time. On the other hand, with apologies to Brian Navarreto and his fellow minor league depth options, I don't want to reach too far in the other direction. Under ideal circumstances and with the appropriate adjustments, which Marlins could improbably play their way to Philadelphia for the 2026 All-Star festivities? The Kyle Stowers candidate: Connor Norby What better place to start than with the player Stowers found himself traded with two summers ago? Upon coming over to Miami in 2024, Norby showcased some of the promise he had in the minor leagues, hitting seven home runs in 36 games, totaling a .760 OPS. At this time last year, he was widely viewed as the club's third baseman of the future. However, after a season that saw him take three trips to the injured list and provide mediocre production when available, Norby's role on the 2026 roster is somewhat uncertain. This spring, the club has sought to make Norby more versatile, starting him at his usual third base along with a pair of appearances at first. A lack of plate discipline is still apparent in his .316/.316/.421/.737 Grapefruit League slash line, but his ability to distribute extra-base hits to all fields is alluring. Although Norby is expected to begin 2026 as platoon partners with Graham Pauley, his role could expand quickly if he rakes the way he's capable of. Bat-dependent: Javier Sanoja While he certainly played the super-utility role to a tee last season, even winning a Gold Glove, Javier Sanoja would have to do a whole lot better than the 87 OPS+ he put forth in 2025. Assuming the Leury García role for Miami, appeared in games at seven different positions, including eight appearances on the mound. That said, his selection here is due to (lack of) offensive process. Though he hit .277 with a .719 OPS in the minor leagues, respectively, Sanoja owns just a .668 OPS in 378 plate appearances at the big league level. There are some signs that the 23-year-old could be turning the corner, though, as he's hit .375 with an OPS north of 1.100 in a limited, eight-plate-appearance sample in the World Baseball Classic. On the mound: Chris Paddack While he may have been a touted prospect, the return on investment in Chris Paddack's parts of seven seasons at the big league level has been a mixed bag. The closest he's ever come to the All-Star conversation was his rookie year of 2019, when he pitched to a 3.33 ERA with the Padres. He has posted a 5.06 ERA since, often missing significant time due to injury. Among 149 pitchers to throw at least 400 innings in the 2020s, Paddack's ERA ranks 143rd. Those results kept him on the job market into February when the Marlins finally signed the free agent to a one-year/$4M deal. "Something I think we all need to be reminded of, even at this level, is, 'Hey man, you're really good. Believe in yourself.' That's something that was told to me in that first Zoom call, and that, 'We're not on the phone to fill a roster spot—we think you can contribute...and we want to help you find that ceiling,'" remarked Paddack. With a defense that will feature the likes of Edwards, Lopez, and Marsee up the middle (and eventually, catcher Joe Mack), Paddack should see some positive regression, especially coming from the Minnesota Twins (minus-11 outs above average) and Detroit Tigers (-4 OAA). The Marlins, on the other hand, ranked seventh-best in that department at plus-17. It is a stretch to say that this proposed positive regression could net Paddack an All-Star nod, but he has looked like a savvy investment for Miami to this point, hurling nine innings across four spring appearances without yielding an earned run. View the full article

I wanted to share a quick note with the Grand Central Mets community before we dive into our full-time coverage on the site. We at DiamondCentric are so excited to be joining this fanbase — it's the ninth site operating under our banner, and the eight owned outright by DC. Having grown up in New Jersey, the Mets have been a big part of my life since I first started following baseball. I am honored to finally have the chance to cover this team on a professional basis from an editorial standpoint. You may have seen my byline at Rising Apple if you've ever frequented that site, and I want to ensure all of our longtime Crane Pool Forum members that we'll work tirelessly to provide the best possible coverage and analysis of this team. No matter what you're coming to Grand Central Mets for, I hope you find the right space to discuss, rant about, and root for the New York Mets. - Brandon Glick [Original article as follows.] Compared to the likes of Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, and Devin Williams, the New York Mets' acquisition of Luis Robert Jr. didn't generate the kinds of headlines that suggest this team is all-in on a championship push in 2026. Still, his addition was necessary in the wake of the Brandon Nimmo trade and the departures of Cedric Mullins and Starling Marte in free agency. Just a few short years ago, though, Robert would have been considered a genuine highlight of the offseason. His status was brushing up against that of a superstar, playing on a fledgling White Sox team with lots of young talent. He exploded onto the scene in 2021, hitting .338/.378/.567 in just 68 games en route to a .946 OPS and 155 wRC+. After winning a Gold Glove and finishing as the runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting the year prior, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Robert would become a perennial MVP candidate. He was less effective and efficient in 2022 (111 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR) but came back with a vengeance the next season, earning an All-Star nod and Silver Slugger on the back of a robust 38-homer, 20-steal campaign that also featured brilliant defense (+12 Outs Above Average, +7 Defensive Runs Saved). Perhaps most importantly, he finally stayed healthy enough to play in more than 100 games, reaching the 145 mark in what remains his personal best for a single season. Things derailed after that, both for Robert and the White Sox. The Pale Hose proceeded to accrue an all-time worst 121 losses in 2024, while the young center fielder sunk to an 84 wRC+ both that season and the year that followed. Owed a $20 million salary, his shine had worn off, and Chicago proceeded to deal him to New York for another former top prospect who had lost some luster (Luisangel Acuña) and Truman Pauley. And thus, we find ourselves at the here and now. Robert is an injury-plagued, strikeout-prone project with declining metrics who must stave off a spirited push from last year's starter (Tyrone Taylor) and a top prospect (Carson Benge) in order to maintain regular playing time. Can a change of scenery make all the difference, though? Robert was meant to be the franchise savior on the South Side of Chicago. Now, he's merely got to be a reliable center fielder to earn his keep in Queens. The beginning chapter of his career was almost designed to fail. From MLBTR: "Robert was a high-profile prospect when he signed with the Sox out of Cuba in 2017. He commanded a $26MM bonus, the kind of hefty sum for an international amateur that would subsequently be prohibited in the collective bargaining agreement. Robert’s dominant minor league performance further spurred optimism, and the White Sox signed him to a $50MM extension over the 2019-20 offseason. At the time, it was the largest extension for a player who had to make his MLB debut, and it ensured he’d break camp in 2020 without any kind of service time games." Talk about being burdened with expectations from the jump. While he delivered on his promise some of the time as aforementioned, the performance just never matched the projections. So, what can Robert do better with the Mets? For one thing, he can stop striking out so dang much. Between 2021-22, he punched out in 19.8% of his plate appearances. From 2023-25, that number exploded to 29.3%. It's hard to do damage and make an impact at the plate when you aren't making contact. A lot of that can be traced back to the fact that he's whiffing more often than ever, but intriguingly, it hasn't been a failure of his plate approach. He's cut his out-of-zone swing rates drastically over the past few years, meaning he isn't chasing bad pitches nearly as often. It actually seems to be a rare case of a once-agressive hitter becoming too patient; Robert's overall swing rate has dropped off a cliff. In that first sample (2021-22), he swung at 61.5% of the total pitches he saw; in the latter sample, that number has fallen below 55%. Without diving too much into the swing changes he's had to implement due to various injuries, this could be fixed with a more pointed attack plan against specific pitch types. Like most hitters, Robert is best against fastballs (though he also has historically hit off-speed offerings well). He whiffs far more often against breaking balls and changeups and he watches a lot more fastballs. Can he flip the mental switch — and get enough consistent reps — to swing more at heaters and lay off more of the breaking stuff? More than any other improvement he can make on the field, though, the best thing that could happen to Robert is that his body finally cooperates. His injury history is long. Really, really long. If you can think of a part of the body, odds are he's missed time in his career because he injured it. To that end, the Mets have been quite cautious. They slow-played his arrival to camp, and Robert has drawn all of eight spring-training appearances thus far as he ramps up for the regular season. "Load management" is a term often reserved for NBA stars, but he may get the same treatment as the team tries everything in their power to keep him healthy. With better luck on that front — and some conscious changes to his plate approach — there's still a lot of raw talent laying dormant in Luis Robert Jr. Will the Mets be able to unlock that potential? Odds are, they've certainly got a better chance than the White Sox ever did. View the full article

Jays Centre is counting down the top 50 Blue Jays in franchise history. Check out prior entries in the series here: Introduction 50 to 46 As we continue our countdown of the greatest players in Toronto Blue Jays history, this group from 45 to 41 highlights a fascinating mix of postseason legends, modern stars and quietly excellent contributors. Some names here were difficult to place. A couple could easily rank much higher (and I personally did rank one of them much higher). Regardless of where they fall on the list, each of these players left a meaningful impact on the franchise. No. 45: Pat Borders Accolades & Notes 1992 World Series MVP Two‑time World Series champion (1992, 1993) 10 seasons with the Blue Jays (1988–1994, 1999) One of the most memorable October performances in team history Caught Dave Stieb’s no-hitter on September 2, 1990 This is the first ranking on the list where I have to plant my flag: I had Pat Borders at #17 on my personal ballot, and I stand by it. He was never the most talented hitter, nor the flashiest defender, but baseball is full of players whose true value shows up at the right place and time, and Borders is the textbook example. His 1992 postseason was the stuff of legend. He was steady behind the plate, timely at the dish, and unshakeably calm in the biggest moments the franchise had ever experienced. For a team built around power and swagger, Borders was the grounded core. He handled elite pitching staffs, delivered when it mattered most and carried himself like the heartbeat of a champion. Rankings don’t change legacy, and Borders’ place in Jays lore is as secure as it gets. No. 44: Jack Morris Accolades & Notes World Series Champion with Toronto (1992) AL wins leader in 1992 (21 wins) Six complete games for the Jays Pitched 240+ innings in 1992 Hall of Famer I had Jack Morris a bit higher at #36, partly because I value what he brought to the 1992 transition from “contender” to “champion.” Morris gave the rotation a battle‑tested leader during a season in which the team needed one. His performance wasn’t as historically dominant as his 1991 Game 7 masterpiece in Minnesota, but he provided innings, leadership, and credibility. He was the kind of veteran presence that rubs off on everyone around him. His Toronto tenure was brief but extremely impactful. After recording 21 wins for the Jays in 1992 (tied for second with Roger Clemens for most wins in a season behind Roy Halladay), he went 7-12 in 1993 and did not pitch in the postseason. One of the most iconic starting pitchers in Jays history? Maybe. But one of the most important? Absolutely. No. 43: George Springer Accolades & Notes Silver Slugger as DH with Toronto (2025) All‑Star in Toronto (2022) Franchise record for most leadoff home runs in a season 70+ HR, 200+ RBI, and excellent defensive versatility during his Toronto tenure George Springer’s time in Toronto has been defined by high‑energy plays, big‑game moments and stretches where he simply carried the lineup on his back. At his peak, he was the ignition switch for a team built around power and athleticism. He remains capable of changing a game from the first pitch or with a sliding grab in the gap. The nagging injuries sometimes overshadow the consistency of his impact, but when Springer is right, the Blue Jays look like a completely different ballclub. He’s one of the most dynamic outfielders ever to suit up for the team, and his legacy when it comes to leadoff records, clutch moments and veteran leadership is secure. No. 42: Luis Leal Accolades & Notes 10.6 fWAR as a Blue Jay Three seasons of 200+ innings Career 4.14 ERA in the AL East during one of its strongest eras Ranked among the club leaders in starts, innings, wins and strikeouts when he retired Often overshadowed by the bigger names of the early 1980s, Luis Leal was one of the most reliable arms the Jays had during their first competitive era. He wasn’t flashy, but he was steady. He could be counted on to take the ball every fifth day and go deep into games. That durability was invaluable for a young team trying to establish an identity in a brutal division. Leal may not get the same fanfare as the later stars who powered the playoff runs, but his contributions were foundational. He helped raise the floor of the franchise, allowing the stars around him to shine. No. 41: Teoscar Hernández Accolades & Notes Two Silver Slugger Awards (2020, 2021) All‑Star (2021) 129 HR in a Jays uniform One of the top power hitters of the late 2010s/early 2020s Fan favourite and clubhouse cornerstone Few players of his era were as beloved or as electrifying as Teoscar Hernández. What started as a somewhat raw, strikeout‑prone outfielder blossomed into one of the most dangerous middle‑of‑the‑order bats in the league. Hernández brought joy, charisma and a big bat. His evolution from project to star mirrors the Jays’ return to relevance. Sure, he had some growing pains, but he made major strides that ultimately led to something special. Teoscar’s legacy in Toronto is built on energy, power and a sense that something exciting could happen every time he stepped into the box. View the full article

On Tuesday, during the Royals' evening Spring Training game against the Dodgers, Kansas City announced that Cole Ragans would be the Opening Day starter for their first game against Atlanta on March 27th. This will be the third-straight Opening Day start for Ragans, as he toed the rubber for the Royals on Opening Day in 2024 and 2025. This will be his first Opening Day start away from Kauffman Stadium. Manager Matt Quatraro was highly complimentary of Ragans after sharing the news. He pointed out in the Rogers piece that the 28-year-old ace will be key to their playoff chances in 2026. Ragans is coming off a tough 2025 marred by injury. He only made 13 starts for the Royals and pitched 61.2 innings in 2025. The ERA was high at 4.67, but his WHIP was 1.18, his FIP was 2.47, and his K% and K-BB% were solid at 38.1% and 30.4%, respectively. For context, his 30.4% K-BB% was 9.9 percentage points better than his 2024 mark. An issue for Ragans in 2025 was that he gave up more barrels and allowed fewer ground balls. That said, his percentiles otherwise were encouraging, as illustrated in his TJ Stats Statcast summary below. Ragans has been fully healthy this spring, making four starts and pitching 10.2 innings. The ERA is rough at 8.44, and he's been hurt by an 18.2% HR/FB rate. Conversely, his K% is 30%, his K-BB% is 24%, and the stuff metrics have been impressive, as illustrated in his TJ Stats summary below. Even though the ERA isn't great, the solid TJ Stuff+ (104 overall), strong chase (31.1%) and whiff (35.5%) rates should make Royals fans encouraged that Ragans is not just ready for Opening Day, but for 2026 in general. View the full article

The Boston Red Sox made an addition to their relief corps Tuesday night as they came to an agreement with veteran right-hander Tommy Kahnle on a minor league deal, according to New York Post Sports’ Jon Heyman. The right-hander has been a factor in several bullpens since breaking into the majors back in 2014 with the Colorado Rockies. For his career, Kahnle has appeared in 456 games for the Rockies, Yankees, White Sox, Dodgers, and Tigers, compiling a 3.61 ERA and 436 2/3 innings pitched. In that span, he struck out 502 batters. 2025, however, was a bit of a down year for Kahnle as he appeared in 66 games with the Tigers and tossed 63 innings with a 4.43 ERA, his highest since 2018. Kahnle, however, was a dominant reliever in both 2023 and 2024 with the Yankees. The Red Sox have tried several times to sign Kahnle, but each attempt ended in failure for the franchise until now. Kahnle will likely spend the final week of spring training in major league camp attempting to win the final bullpen spot. It is likely that he will open in Triple-A, depending on his conditioning, and with it being so late in spring training to join an organization. Kahnle provides the Red Sox with another veteran arm to potentially help the bullpen should it struggle. View the full article

Jake Bauers's finish to the 2025 campaign and overall postseason performance grabbed the attention of many Brewers fans, and this year, he should get a chance to extend that surge. If you’re the Brewers, the hope is that it’s actually tough to get him in the lineup on a semi-regular basis. If it’s a challenge to justify Bauers’s inclusion with any regularity, it means first baseman Andrew Vaughn has continued his career bounceback and is sitting pretty in the middle of the lineup. It also indicates Christian Yelich is healthy, productive and holding down the DH spot most of the time. Even the team's skipper acknowledges that that's asking for a lot. "Not everybody's gonna have as great a year [as in 2025]," Pat Murphy said earlier this month. "Vaughn, [Sal Frelick], Yelich. You can't predict they're gonna have as great a year." But even if those two optimistic outcomes do occur, Murphy needs to find a way to get Bauers’s power and on-base potential in the lineup four times a week. His intriguing offensive skillset—particularly with some adjustments he made while on the IL last season—could add significant value to a diverse lineup that remains similar to the 2025 version that scored the third-most runs in baseball. Bauers’s career numbers might make you scoff at giving him more reps, and even his overall 2025 campaign looks underwhelming in 218 plate appearances (though a .353 OBP is nice to look at). But the case for finding Bauers more at-bats comes from his stellar numbers following a shoulder impingement, and the possibility he discovered what works best for him. Brewer Fanatic’s Matthew Trueblood detailed that development earlier in camp. As a quick reminder, Bauers went .321/.433/.500 with four doubles and a pair of home runs across his final 26 regular-season games last year. He then went 4-for-13 with a double and a homer in 14 postseason plate appearances. While he didn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify for leaderboards, his Statcast color chart shows a pretty picture, with plenty of red. He has kept it going in spring training, too, though one must always take numbers in Arizona (and small samples in general) with a grain of salt. Bauers has slashed .440/.576/.920 through his first 33 plate appearances. That includes three doubles and three home runs. The most predictive form of success in the Cactus League is a good strikeout-to-walk ratio, and Bauers has six of each of those thus far. However, two of those strikeouts recently came against lefty Robbie Ray, whom Bauers would almost never face in a game that counts. So in practical terms, he really has six free passes compared to four punchouts. Every step in the dissection of his numbers makes things look better. So, how can the Brewers get Bauers 350 plate appearances this season, assuming his production is in the same ballpark as his post-injury results? First Base: Vaughn will get every chance to prove the start of his Brewers career is legitimate, and he should. While he might not post a 141 OPS+ over a full year like he did in 64 Brewers games, something around 115–120 is a realistic expectation for a 28-year-old former third overall pick who appears to have rediscovered his joy by playing for a successful franchise. Still, Vaughn will need days off to stay fresh, and would probably welcome sitting against certain right-handed pitchers. It wouldn’t necessarily be based solely on how dominant the righty is that day, but rather the type of pitcher and how each hitter matches up, as Trueblood also explored. Depending on those factors, that could mean one or two starts per week for Bauers at first base. Designated Hitter: Yelich is the primary DH, and coming off a 29-homer, 121 OPS+ season across 150 games, he has earned that role. But even as the club’s main DH, his 34-year-old body (not to mention his injury history) suggests he should sit more often. Even if he feels good most of the year, it’s hard to ignore how he finished in the playoffs, going 2 for his last 25 in the postseason with nine strikeouts, no RBIs and a .327 OPS. Perhaps more rest during the regular season keeps him stronger for October. Getting Yelich down to around 130 games would open the door for Bauers to DH at least once a week. In some cases, it could also mean Vaughn DHs while Bauers plays first, but either way, it would create opportunities with Yelich on the bench. It probably wouldn’t be more than once per week, however, since they’re both left-handed hitters. Murphy will also likely slot in catcher William Contreras at DH occasionally, to keep his bat in the lineup while resting his legs. Left Field: This is where things could get most interesting. Left field is one of the least demanding defensive spots, but the Brewers still prefer above-average run prevention at every position. Bauers probably won’t provide that, and would represent a noticeable defensive drop-off from several other options. Much could depend on who the extra outfielders are, as Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick seem like locks to occupy two of the three outfield spots nearly every game. If Garrett Mitchell doesn’t make the big-league roster—and it’s starting to look like he could miss out—that could open the door for Bauers. Blake Perkins is a switch-hitter (and the better hitter from the right side), but he doesn’t offer the same offensive upside as Bauers. Brandon Lockridge hits right-handed and has shown improvement at the plate, but he’s still a step behind Bauers offensively. That means it comes down to Murphy’s comfort level with putting Bauers in left field on a given night, essentially trading some defense for offense. The Brewers could limit their defensive risk by starting Bauers in left when Milwaukee has a pitcher with a low fly-ball percentage. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s about playing the percentages. With a late lead, tightening up the defense would be easy enough. If Bauers starts once per week in left field, the path to 350 plate appearances becomes clear. There are roughly 26 weeks in the season. Give Bauers four starts per week at the various positions and assume an average of 3.5 plate appearances per game, and that’s 364 by year’s end. If he can maintain his recent offensive production over that many trips to the plate, the Brewers would once again be playing chess, while most of the rest of the league is playing checkers. View the full article

In the third installment of the Twins Daily top prospect rankings, we enter the top 10 as voted on by Twins Daily contributors. Gabriel Gonzalez had a monster 2025 season, but was it enough to crack the top 5? Discussed in the video are Charlee Soto, Marek Houston, Kendry Rojas, Gabriel Gonzalez, and Dasan Hill. View the full article

Twins Daily recently finished ranking the top prospects in the Twins system, revealing how close several are to the majors. Six of the top eight prospects are expected to start at Triple-A St. Paul, just one step below the big leagues. With so much talent at the upper levels, multiple prospects could debut in 2026. Beyond the rankings, though, there are more ways to draw the future out of obscurity and guess at the shape it will take as time flattens it into the present. Here are three predictions about Twins position-player prospects for the year to come. Marek Houston Wins Twins Minor League Player of the Year Houston has the tools to move quickly through the Twins system, and could finish the season at Triple-A. His elite defensive skills at shortstop put him on every organization’s draft radar, but his offensive development turned him into a first-round pick by 2025. After a swing change helped him produce 15 home runs and a 1.055 OPS as a junior, the Twins selected him in the middle of the first round and signed him for $4.5 million. Since turning pro, Houston has focused on producing line drives while keeping his college plate discipline. If he becomes even an average hitter with some power, his outlook is strong. Already a plus defender with range and arm strength, Houston could climb quickly. Emmanuel Rodriguez Leads Twins Rookies in WAR Rodriguez appears positioned to be one of the first outfielders called up from Triple-A this season, especially after his strong performance this spring. The talented outfielder has flashed impressive tools since signing with the Twins for $2.5 million in 2019, but injuries have limited his development. His career high in games played remains 99, set in 2023, after dealing with multiple injuries over the last few seasons. Despite the setbacks, Rodriguez still reached Triple-A at just 22 years old in 2025 and hit well in the Dominican Winter League to make up for lost at-bats. When healthy, he shows elite bat speed, significant raw power, and a remarkable ability to draw walks, entering 2026 with a career walk rate of 21.7%. Swing-and-miss remains the biggest concern, as he carries a career strikeout rate above 30%. Still, if he can stay healthy and refine his approach, Rodriguez has the talent to become a middle-of-the-order bat and could lead Twins rookies in WAR this season. Twins Select Justin Lebron With Third Overall Pick With the third overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Twins could have a chance to land a franchise-altering player. Lebron, a shortstop from the University of Alabama, has already turned heads early this season. Through his first 18 games, Lebron is hitting .313/.466/.716. He has already hit eight home runs and three doubles, while going a perfect 18-for-18 on stolen base attempts. His strong plate discipline is also evident, with 14 walks compared to 14 strikeouts. That blend of power, speed, and on-base ability is exactly the type of profile that climbs draft boards quickly. If Lebron continues producing against tougher competition once Alabama's conference schedule gets going, he could easily remain in the top tier of the draft class and give the Twins an opportunity to add another high-end shortstop prospect. The Twins are approaching a point where many of their best prospects are ready to contribute at the highest level. With so much talent at Triple-A and another high draft pick on the way, 2026 could mark the arrival of the organization’s next wave of young players. If Houston breaks out in the minors, Rodriguez stays healthy and produces in Minnesota, and the Twins land a top talent like Lebron in the draft, the future could look even brighter. What are your predictions for the Twins' farm system in 2026? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

In case you were having a severe case of FOMO regarding Opening Day for the Milwaukee Brewers, the team just threw you a lifeline. The Brewers announced they are putting about 1,000 tickets for the March 26 game against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on sale. In addition, more tickets for the second and third games of the season, March 28 and March 29, have been made available for purchase. You can buy them by visiting brewers.com/tickets. The tickets became available from what the team had previously reserved for expected or potential attendees. View the full article

With the Royals looking to return to being competitive in the AL Central, we wanted to take a look around at the other teams in the division and what moves they made this offseason. This is a look at what to expect from the 2026 Detroit Tigers. The Tigers finished second in the AL Central and secured a Wild Card spot, defeating the Guardians 2-1 in their opening playoff series before being eliminated by the Mariners in a five-game Division Series. This offseason brought about a series of significant moves for Detroit, as they attempt to attain October for the third straight season. Notable Tigers Subtractions Chris Paddack (starting pitcher) Tommy Kahnle (relief pitcher) Alex Cobb (starting pitcher) Alex Lange (relief pitcher) Andy Ibáñez (lefty masher) Justyn-Henry Malloy (third baseman/outfielder) Notable Tigers Additions Framber Valdez (starting pitcher) Justin Verlander (starting pitcher) Kenley Jansen (relief pitcher) Drew Anderson (swingman) Looking at these transactions, it appears the additions outweigh the subtractions for the Tigers. Specifically, Framber Valdez, a playoff-caliber starter, signed a lucrative three-year deal to slot in behind two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Meanwhile, Tigers legend Justin Verlander returns on a one-year deal, bringing valuable experience to fortify the rotation. Verlander will strengthen a rotation dealing with injuries, though given his age and recent track record, he could be among the injured at times. Drew Anderson is also joining as a depth rotation option, while Kenley Jansen is set to fill the primary closer and high-leverage bullpen role. Three key players who had at least a chance of going elsewhere have also returned. Starter Jack Flaherty exercised his player option for 2026; second baseman Gleyber Torres accepted the qualifying offer of $22.025 million; and trade deadline acquisition Kyle Finnegan hit free agency but ultimately re-signed for two years. Tigers Injuries Jackson Jobe - returning from Tommy John surgery Troy Melton - slowed by elbow inflammation in spring training; will start on 60-day IL Reese Olson - out for the year Key Tigers Players C Dillon Dingler - 3.1 bWAR in 2025 1B Spencer Torkelson - 2.3 bWAR in 2025 2B Gleyber Torres - 2.9 bWAR in 2025 3B Zach McKinstry - 2.8 bWAR in 2025 LHP Tarik Skubal - 6.5 bWAR in 2025 Skubal, embarking on a defense of two straight Cy Young Awards and trying to position himself for a historic free-agent payday, is the most obvious center of gravity for the team, but last year, the club thrived because of its balance. They ranked 11th in runs, 10th in home runs, 12th in OPS, and 16th in batting average last season. Their 61 steals, however, were last in MLB. Top Tigers Prospects Kevin McGonigle - SS Max Clark - OF Josue Briceno - C/1B Bryce Rainer - SS Thayron Liranzo - C/1B Observers are especially optimistic about Kevin McGonigle, a likely early-season call-up—if he's not on the Opening Day roster. Max Clark, taken just before Walker Jenkins in the 2023 MLB Draft, will be compared to Jenkins as their careers unfold in the AL Central. Tigers Spring Storylines (and Beyond) Verlander's triumphant return and Skubal's potentially imminent exit loom large, but the team is trying to establish a winning identity that will stretch beyond this year and those two players. At 25, Riley Greene is expected to continue progressing toward stardom. Emerging talents like Colt Keith, McGonigle, and Clark could shape the Tigers’ future core. When and how well Jobe returns from Tommy John surgery will be a major storyline, too. Beyond Jansen, Finnegan and Vest line up for late innings. However, the work of the pen will be spread very evenly. A.J. Hinch has earned considerable praise for his nimble usage of an often motley relief crew. What he dubbed 'pitching chaos' during the 2024 playoffs has been an effective tack for keeping order over the last year and a half, leading to two straight overachieving seasons. The Tigers are expected to remain competitive in the AL Central in 2026. Projected Tigers Lineup Parker Meadows - CF Gleyber Torres - 2B Riley Greene - LF Spencer Torkelson - 1B Kerry Carpenter - DH Dillon Dingler - C Colt Keith - 3B Matt Vierling/Wenceel Pérez - RF Zach McKinstry - SS Note: Javier Báez is an option off the bench with this lineup—and could sometimes be the starting shortstop, with McKinstry shifting to third base, like he played last year. Projected Tigers Rotation Tarik Skubal - LHP Framber Valdez - LHP Justin Verlander - RHP Jack Flaherty - RHP Casey Mize - RHP Projected Tigers Record PECOTA: 2nd place, 83-79 Fangraphs: 1st place, 85-77 If everyone stays healthy, the Tigers are the favorite to win the Central this year. They seem to have improved overall in the offseason, and are looking for the young core group to take a step forward and see if they can get past the Division Series. View the full article

The Chicago Cubs enter 2026 in a rather interesting position in center field. On the one hand, they have Pete Crow-Armstrong entrenched as the anchor of the outfield grass. His speed, obscene glove, and baserunning acumen will keep him in the lineup even when the bat is being pinned down by a still-developing approach. We know the upside is in there; Crow-Armstrong took steps toward stardom in 2025 courtesy of a 109 wRC+ and impressive counting stats that included 31 home runs and 35 stolen bases. However, he's held back by his immaturity, with chase and whiff rates that were among the league's worst and strikeout and walk numbers to match. The hope is that some growth is in the tank and a more measured approach can yield larger gains on the offensive side. Even so, though, he's the guy in the longer-term. Behind him, however, things are a bit cloudy. Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley are interesting prospects near the top of any prognostication of the team's system, but each at least a couple of years away. Brett Bateman is closer but features less upside. That means that beyond Crow-Armstrong in the short term, you're looking at some combination of Kevin Alcántara or whichever of the smattering of non-roster invitees stick around past spring camp. Not that it's cause for concern when you're employing someone like Crow-Armstrong, but you'd like perhaps just a bit more certainty, especially if the starter proves as susceptible to burnout as he appeared to be in the latter portion of 2025. Cubs' Center Fielders At A Glance Starter: Pete Crow-Armstrong Backup: Kevin Alcántara Depth & Prospects: Dylan Carlson, Chas McCormick, Justin Dean, Ethan Conrad, Kane Kepley, Brett Bateman fWAR Ranking Last Year: 4th (5.4) fWAR Projection This Year: 2nd (4.8) The Good The center field position for the Cubs features one of the most exciting players in baseball. While some growth is needed on the offensive side, the glove plays. Crow-Armstrong's Outs Above Average finished at 24 in 2025, leading all defenders regardless of position. He was three ahead of Ceddanne Rafaela in OAA and seven in front of the next-closest outfielder. It's not a mystery where the strongest facet of his game lives. Even with the development still needed at the plate, Crow-Armstrong has the chops to bring that same level of excitement on offense. His Barrel% sat at 13.0 percent, which helped to feed into the .234 ISO he posted. A leveling out of his contact — his fly-ball rate was up near 50 percent — could allow his offense to take off on on-base gains alone. That'd allow him to utilize his 96th-percentile sprint speed with even more regularity. Beyond Crow-Armstrong, the prospects the Cubs have in their center field pool represent another layer of good for this group. Ethan Conrad may be destined for a corner before long, but possesses intriguing offensive upside. Kane Kepley represents a more traditional archetype at the position as a high-speed, high-contact guy. Along with Alcántara in Iowa, it's a position worth watching in a system that doesn't run too deep in terms of impact offensive talent. The Bad Swing-and-miss is a fairly prominent trait among this group. Crow-Armstrong did it 28.9 percent of the time last year and punched out 24.0 percent of the time overall. Alcántara did so at nearly a 30 percent clip while in Iowa. Neither will be able to fully realize their offensive potential if that element remains as it is. Given that he's the starter at the major-league level, though, Crow-Armstrong remains the focus. It's not so much the idea that he's an aggressive hitter. He very much is, but it's about the inconsistency within that aggression and the inability to make consistent contact as a result. Aggressive hitters can thrive, but too often Crow-Armstrong fails in maintaining a steady approach. That's how you get something that looks like this: Note that this graph charts his swings and misses inside of the strike zone. It's unlikely he's going to be able to eliminate the aggression entirely. Aggressive hitters generally stay aggressive. But he's going to have to find something consistent in terms a plate approach in order to stave off some of the streakiness we've seen to this point. Some mechanical tweaks could also be in the cards to level things out as well, but everything's going to have to start with some level of a plan when he steps into the batter's box. The Bottom Line This is a fun position in the organization. Not only do the Cubs employ one of the most exciting players in the sport in the middle of their outfield, but some of the most interesting prospects in the system come from that same spot. As such, Crow-Armstrong represents one of the most intriguing storylines in the game. Can he take the appropriate next steps forward? How far can the other names ascend in the system? These are legitimately fun questions to ask and the results will be worth monitoring regularity throughout 2026. View the full article

There was nothing unusual about Joe Ryan on Monday afternoon. The right-hander took the ball at Hammond Stadium, worked four innings, allowed a single run on five hits, and struck out six with one walk. It looked like a standard March outing, the kind that blends into the rhythm of spring training. Except it wasn’t supposed to happen there. Ryan’s latest appearance came against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Fort Myers, not under the lights in Miami at the World Baseball Classic championship. For weeks leading up to this, the expectation was that Ryan would factor into Team USA’s pitching plans deep into the tournament. Instead, as events unfolded, he was left watching as the roster shifted in a different direction. The decision caught him off guard. “That was a shock,” Ryan told the Star Tribune. “Definitely a weird one to process. I was fully prepared, ready to go, the car was all ready, and excited to go there, obviously, the whole time. Then was told I wasn’t going to go.” The path to that moment had been anything but straightforward. Back in December, Ryan was originally named to Team USA’s roster as part of a loaded pitching staff assembled for a title run. However, a bout of back inflammation during spring training altered his early availability, keeping him out of pool play but leaving the door open for a return in the knockout rounds as the spring progressed. As Team USA advanced through the tournament, that opportunity seemed likely to materialize. At one point, Manager Mark DeRosa even indicated publicly that Ryan could step in for Clayton Kershaw if the team reached the later rounds, potentially pitching in the championship mix. Instead, when it came time to finalize the roster for the later rounds, Team USA ultimately used its available spot on reliever Jeff Hoffman, prioritizing bullpen depth over inserting Ryan into a starting role. This decision, made near the championship stage, left Ryan on the outside looking in, although his throwing schedule was carefully built around the possibility of pitching in the final. Adding to the frustration was the timing and method of communication. Ryan said he first learned of the roster change through Twins leadership shortly after the decision, not Team USA directly, and didn’t hear from USA Baseball until days later. Still, he made it clear where the support came from. “The Twins were great, super supportive with a really good plan the whole time,” Ryan said. “They really wanted me to go. It wasn’t up to us at the end of the day.” From Minnesota’s perspective, there is at least a practical silver lining. The organization had adjusted Ryan’s spring workload to align with a potential WBC appearance, and now that plan rolls seamlessly into the regular season. He remains on track to start Opening Day in Baltimore, a role that carries its own weight even if it lacks the global spotlight. It is a strange baseball reality. One week, you are penciled into a potential championship game for your country. The next, you are back on a spring mound facing a split-squad lineup. For Ryan, the preparation never changed. The opportunity did. Joe Ryan Timeline for World Baseball Classic Dec. 17: Team USA announces that Ryan will be on its roster. Feb. 21: Ryan is scratched from his Grapefruit League debut due to back discomfort. Mar. 1: Ryan throws a bullpen session but is removed from consideration for the round robin portion of the tournament. Mar. 10: Ryan makes his 2026 game debut for the Twins. Mar. 12: Mark DeRosa says Ryan and Nolan McLean could pitch in some combination during the championship game. Mar. 13: Team USA adds reliever Jeff Hoffman to the roster instead of Ryan. Mar. 14: Ryan throws a bullpen session, and the Twins confirm he will remain in camp. Mar. 15: Ryan makes his second spring start for Minnesota. View the full article

The television landscape can be difficult to navigate for baseball fans, so the Milwaukee Brewers are offering 10 games this season in seven markets in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Upper Michigan. The games include Opening Day on March 26 vs. the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field. Here are the cities and the channels games will be simulcast from the Brewers.TV feed: Milwaukee: WITI Madison: WISC, TVW Duluth-Superior: KDLH, KBJR Green Bay: WGBA, WACY La Crosse-Eau Claire: WKBT Marquette, Mich.: WJMN Wausau-Rhinelander: WSAW, WZAW, WYOW Brewers Games On Local Broadcast TV Here are the games that will be telecast (all times Central): March 26: vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:10 p.m. March 31: vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 6:40 p.m. April 28: Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m. May 12: vs. San Diego Padres, 6:40 p.m. May 19: at Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m. June 2: vs. San Francisco Giants, 6:40 p.m. Aug. 4: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40 p.m. Aug. 18: vs. Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m. Aug. 25: at New York Mets, 6:10 p.m. Sept. 8: Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs, 6:40 p.m. View the full article

MIAMI, FL — Although Italy was eliminated by Venezuela in the semifinal round of the World Baseball Classic on Monday night, this tournament was definitely a successful step for the country. This was the furthest that Italy has ever advanced in the WBC, a run that included five consecutive wins and an upset of Team USA during pool play. Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee was able to soak it all in as their starting center fielder. Marsee, who was participating in his first WBC, has grandparents of Italian descent on both sides of his family, which made him eligible to participate. "It's been amazing," Marsee told Fish On First prior to Monday's game. "The atmosphere has been electric everywhere I've been. We've been the away team most of the time wherever we've gone, but it's been a lot of fun playing in these packed crowds. We're making a lot of noise early, and getting to play baseball that means something this early is a lot of fun." Heading into the 2026 season, the Marlins have one of Major League Baseball's youngest rosters. Every hitter on their 40-man roster is still in their 20s (Marsee is 24), and even their coaching staff has very limited MLB playing experience. That's why in the two weeks he spent around Team Italy, Marsee found it valuable to speak with veterans like Jon Berti and Vinnie Pasquantino. "They've been around and they're successful at what they do. I wanna play this game a long time and try to find out what makes them click each year." The Italian club was managed by Francisco Cervelli, who himself spent 13 seasons in the majors. The former catcher's final season as a player came with the 2020 Marlins. "Jakob is one of our best players, and I've known that from the start," Cervelli said pregame. "He’s someone who wants to play every day no matter what. I've tried to give him a day off his feet and put him in as the designated hitter, but he doesn’t want that—he wants to play center field. He has truly impressed me, and I think the Marlins have a future star." Marsee's insistence on remaining in center field paid off in the top of the first inning against Venezuela. With one out and Maikel Garcia on first base, Luis Arraez lined out to Marsee, who noticed Garcia was nearly all the way down to second. Marsee fired a 90.5 mph throw to Pasquantino to turn an inning-ending double play. It marked Marsee’s second outfield assist of the tournament, both coincidentally with Aaron Nola on the mound. In six WBC games, Marsee posted a .174/.345/.217 slash line. His five walks were tied for the second-highest total on the team. Marsee will return to Marlins spring training camp on Wednesday, according to manager Clayton McCullough. In the meantime, Tuesday’s WBC championship game is set between the United States and Venezuela. Nolan McLean (New York Mets) will start for Team USA, while Venezuela will go with veteran left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (Arizona Diamondbacks). With a Venezuelan victory, Javier Sanoja would join Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich (2017) as the only Marlins players to ever win a WBC title. First pitch will be shortly after 8:00 p.m. ET. View the full article

Once it became clear that Pat Murphy is enamored of David Hamilton, the suspense about the Brewers' Opening Day position-player roster was virtually gone. William Contreras and Gary Sánchez will be the catchers. Andrew Vaughn, Jake Bauers, Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz, Luis Rengifo and Hamilton are locks on the infield. Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell are locks in the outfield. As important a teammate and defensive presence as Blake Perkins has often been over the last two years, it would be tempting to at least write in his name, too, using heavy pencil. That would sew up all 13 spots that will go to hitters when the team breaks camp next week. At this point, though, Perkins looks nearly certain to head to Triple-A Nashville, for one simple reason: Brandon Lockridge will not be denied. Since he was acquired last July, it's been clear that the Brewers were high on Lockridge, internally. The front office found plenty to like about him, which is why they were willing to trade a promising (if far-off) prospect, Jorge Quintana, to get him. At the time, it felt like a move motivated partially by a vague need for depth and partially by a vague desire to be rid of Nestor Cortes, but every moment since the deal, it's become clearer that Lockridge himself was essential—and that the Brewers were right to like him. Broadly speaking, the front office and manager Pat Murphy agree on their objectives and plans for the team, but there are times when they clearly hold different views on a particular player. This is not one of those times. Lockridge has become a favorite of Murphy's, too, after he handled himself well and flashed some of the skipper's favorite on-field traits (high-end speed, and a high baseball IQ) during his brief audition last summer. This spring, Murphy has repeatedly referred to Lockridge as "the right who"—his favorite way to praise a player's makeup, implying that they fit well in the clubhouse and have the combination of resiliency and attention to detail that Murphy prizes. To those soft factors and floor-setters, Lockridge has added thunderous power this spring, making his bid for the roster virtually undeniable. He spent time over the winter adjusting his posture and his swing path, he said, and the results speak for themselves. Of his 23 batted balls in Cactus League play, six have left the bat at 105 miles per hour or more. On Monday, he hit a grand slam against the Dodgers, his second homer of the spring and the latest evidence of the changes he's made. Speaking to reporters after leaving the contest, Lockridge was detailed and thoughtful about his "swinghauling". The biggest things, he believes, are being more opportunistic in taking his 'A' swing early in counts and using better posture to feed a more productive bat path. Let's examine those assertions. Compare the video above with this hit, from when he was still a Padre last year. TzBsNDRfWGw0TUFRPT1fVkZNRFhGTlZCVmNBREZFS1h3QUhCUTlYQUFBSFZBVUFCQWRSQXdvQ1V3UUFWUUJm.mp4 Like the pitch he hit out of Camelback Ranch on Monday, this was a very hittable pitch in an early count. As Lockridge self-diagnosed, though, last year, he wasn't taking an appropriately aggressive cut on such pitches. Indeed, by looking at two crucial moments within these two swings, we can see the differences at work. The top two panels show Lockridge the moment when his front foot lands, last year and on Monday. The difference here is subtle, but he's more upright and much more engaged in his lower half in the screenshot on the right. By starting a bit more locked in, he begins his swing more explosively this year than last. In the lower two frames, we see the moment where Lockridge releases his hands to attack the ball—when he makes his final swing decision. Look at how much more open his front hip and shoulder are this spring. Look at how he's letting his top hand drive a more powerful swing, rather than keeping the right elbow tucked to his body and being direct to the ball with less force. He's unleashing himself this spring, and while he's swung and missed more often than he might have otherwise, the hard contact has been more than worth it. You can also see the added thickness in his legs this year. Lockridge is much stronger than he was a year ago, so he's naturally swinging faster, but a big piece of his improved performance is the way he's moving, to catch the ball out front and do more potential damage, rather than a simple increase in swing speed. Perkins hasn't been able to get untracked this spring. He's batting just .231/.300/.269, with anemic batted-ball data. Lockridge is hitting .323/.462/.742, with his average batted ball hovering around 95 MPH. Spring results don't determine these types of battles, but there's a threshold at which the disparity can't be ignored. Perkins is an exceptional fielder, and Murphy values not just his tools, but his savvy within moments. He feels the wall well. He charges singles and makes excellent throws. He's a switch-hitter. Lockridge, though, is faster. He's also a terrific defender. The two are the same age, and each has two minor-league options remaining. It would feel strange to send Perkins to the minors, Murphy acknowledged earlier this month, but he didn't flinch at the idea the same way he did with Jared Koenig during the same conversation. Lockridge, meanwhile, has seized his attention in a way no rival to Koenig's roster spot has done. Mitchell might be in position to be platooned. Frelick could benefit from the occasional day off, and when those come, they should come against left-handed pitchers, anyway. Yelich should be shielded from outfield duty as much as possible, and all of them (plus Chourio, and Perkins, for that matter) come with some injury history that suggests a risk of sudden need. Lockridge is becoming the obvious candidate to fill that need. "In the last meeting I was in, with our coaches," Murphy said on Mar. 5, "I just had a moment. I figured out, now, why I'm excited—why I believe that this conglomeration of guys can do something." He meant something big—something beyond even what they did the last two years. And that reason why he's excited, he went on to say, was position-player depth. It was upside that had been absent in the past. He didn't say the name, but it was clear: he was thinking (among others) about Lockridge. Two weeks later, he still is, and two weeks from now, fans are going to be thinking about Lockridge, too—because he's going to be on the roster, making significant contributions. View the full article

The 2026 Twins are certainly set up to have a much better rookie class in 2026 than they did in 2025. Cody Christie asks Jamie and Jeremy which of the Twins top prospects at Triple-A will become the Twins rookie leader in WAR this upcoming season. Discussed in this video are Emmanuel Rodriguez, Alan Roden, and Mick Abel. View the full article

No pitcher in baseball last season produced as much horizontal separation between their four-seam fastball and their changeup as did Cubs righthander Cade Horton. What he calls a four-seamer (but which, in fairness, Pitch Info tags as a hard cutter) is a pitch with an extreme amount of relative cut for a fastball, which is part of the equation. Still, the 13.1 inches of difference between the lateral movement of his fastball and his offspeed pitch paced the league. In fact, only a handful of pitchers even come close. Freddy Peralta (then of the Brewers, now of the Mets) achieves a solid foot of separation, thanks to a much lower arm slot than Horton's and the ability to generate more sheer run on the changeup. That has led Peralta, who functionally lacked a changeup until 2021, to use the pitch more each season since, until it became his most reliable complement for the fastball last year. There's a simple reason for that: a changeup that can even vaguely mimic the fastball out of the hand but move that much is bound to end up generating lots of whiffs, and lots of weak contact even when the batter connects. That's why, as his rookie campaign unfolded, Horton, too, went to his change more and more often. By season's end, over 47% of swings against it had resulted in whiffs. Like Peralta, Horton was late in developing the changeup. When he entered pro ball, the headliners were his fastball and his slider, with a sharp curveball coming along for the ride. He's tightened his command and comprehension of each of those pitches, but it's the changeup that has transformed him. As he prepares for his first full season in the majors, he's a dark-horse candidate for the NL Cy Young Award, for the same reason why Paul Skenes exploded into that caliber of pitcher sooner and more completely than pundits predicted: because great players find unexpected ways to improve. Skenes added a splinker that changed his scouting report for the better, even after being the first overall pick in 2023. Because of injuries (and a bit less raw talent), it took longer for Horton to unlock his game-changing new weapon, but his changeup is just that. Yankees lefty Max Fried does technically have more separation between his changeup and his primary fastball (a cutter, and more of a true cutter than Horton's, with less ride on it) than does Horton. He has an even deeper arsenal than Horton's burgeoning five-pitch mix, too. Horton, however, uses his change much more than Fried does, akin to the amount that Peralta uses it. After he laid waste to the Guardians with the pitch in his penultimate spring tuneup Monday night, we might see his reliance on that offering rise even more this year. Note, too, that Horton's so-called four-seamer is two miles per hour harder than Fried's cutter, so hitters have less time to react to the gulf between his heater and his changeup than they do with Fried. More similar in their relative usages and plans are Horton and Twins righty David Festa, who operates with a higher-carry four-seamer but gets lots of depth on the change. Festa's ability to do that, though, reflects the motor preference of his arm, which generates so much arm-side movement and allows him to command a two-seamer but doesn't allow him to move the ball to the glove side very much. Horton, more like Fried and Peralta, can move the ball all the way from east to west. Unlike Peralta, though, he does it from a high arm slot where the horizontal movement on both his sweeper/slider and his changeup surprise the batter more, and unlike Fried, he has two-plane separation between his heater and his changeup, because he gets more carry on his fastball than Fried does on his cutter. In short, Horton's changeup has turned him into a unicorn. He won't strike out 10 batters very often, because his stuff is geared more toward outs than toward whiffs. He's still unlikely to win the Cy Young Award this year; Skenes and Logan Webb are early favorites. However, this development—this ability to make the last pitch he brought along (save his little-used sinker) his best one, even though it works opposite the movement pattern that comes most naturally to him—has unlocked the next level of success for him. Don't be surprised if Horton is the Cubs' ace this season, letting his former fourth pitch emerge as his signature weapon. View the full article

It seems that in recent years, the Twins have had very few classic roster battles in spring training. Part of this decline is due to the fact that spring training performance isn’t taken as seriously as it once was, but the Twins have also had a pretty set roster coming into camp for a few years. The “battles” on the offensive side tend to be “which of this pool of guys could be the 13th man on the bench,” which came more down to preference between very different roles. For instance, would Mickey Gasper’s bat or DaShawn Keirsey’s speed be more useful? (Because look, not all of the questions had a right answer.) This year, though, the Twins have a specific need: backup shortstop. After an offseason of collecting fringe major-league talent (and letting some of it, like Vidal Bruján, pass right through without ever actually donning the uniform), they have three options to fill the spot. Each has a unique profile, so it’s unclear that their talent level will be the deciding factor. However, this is one of the battles in camp least adulterated by outside factors like minor-league options or deferring to seniority. Orlando Arcia: The Veteran Arcia is in Twins camp on a minor-league deal worth $1.25 million if he makes the team out of camp. He has an opt-out clause, so if the Twins don’t add him to the 40-man roster, he may be able to re-enter free agency. Just two seasons removed from an All-Star nod, Arcia is the biggest name of the bunch. He spent a couple of seasons in Atlanta, hitting fine (100 OPS+ between 2022 and 2023), but his offense has fallen off a cliff over the last two seasons (.599 OPS, 64 OPS+ between 2024 and 2025). His peak was league-average, so there’s not much room to fall offensively. Once lauded for his defense, Arcia has slipped a bit upon entering his 30s. Stepping in for Dansby Swanson in Atlanta, he registered 7 outs above average (OAA) at shortstop over 2,591 innings between 2023 and 2024, but clocked in at -2 OAA in 173 innings at shortstop in 2025. He was still a plus defender at second base (3 OAA in 115 innings) and third base (1 OAA in 115 innings), but he’s not getting any younger, and his primary function would be playing shortstop. Arcia has played mostly shortstop and second base this spring and has put together a solid enough spring, with a .780 OPS. Obligatory “spring training stats don’t mean anything,” but if he’s looking good enough at shortstop, he might have the inside track on the spot, since the Twins can keep the other two choices. They both have minor-league options. Nothing about Arcia's batted-ball data suggests a significant change in who he is, though he's made more contact this spring than he has in recent big-league seasons. Ryan Kreidler: The Glove Kreidler was claimed late in 2025 from Pittsburgh and has lasted the entire offseason on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old is getting big-league opportunities for one reason: he can pick it at short. He's probably the best shortstop defender in the organization who’s not named Marek Houston. For a team with a starting shortstop (Brooks Lee) who has major defensive questions, Kreidler can provide some stability. He’s registered 2 OAA at the position in 253 big-league innings. He can also play a solid center field, league-average by OAA at 0 in 117 innings there last season. The eye test matches the stats, though he lacks the raw speed you look for in a center fielder. The issue? The dude has never hit. In his best season, 2022, he slashed .178/.244/.233, for a 39 OPS+, where 100 is average and higher is better. This is saying he was less than half as productive as an average hitter—in his best year. Funny enough, he was worth positive WAR by both Fangraphs and Baseball Reference for that season, and would have been a 1-2 WAR player if given 300 plate appearances. That might tell you something about his defense. I guess it might also tell you something about WAR's utility in edge cases. He’s only got 211 MLB plate appearances in his career, and if he can hit even a little, he could be an adequate bench player who can play both shortstop and center field when needed. But it’s difficult to see him mustering even 2024-2025 Arcia-level offense at this point in his career. He’s played all three infield positions (other than first base) and both center and right field this spring, but he’s only got a .469 OPS in 30 (meaningless) spring training plate appearances. He's making slightly better and more frequent contact than has been his wont, but there hasn't been a breakout or visible overhaul. Tristan Gray: The Hitter Now, “The Hitter” might be overselling it a bit with Gray, but compared to the other two options, hitting is his defining trait. Gray was acquired for minor-league catcher Nate Baez this winter, and he’s stuck around on the 40-man roster, like Kreidler, indicating that the Twins have some lasting interest in him. Gray turns 30 this season, and he’s registered 122 plate appearances in his three-year MLB career between Tampa Bay, Miami, and Oakland. He’s also been in the Pirates, White Sox, and Red Sox organizations. He slashed .231/.282/.410 last season, and his OPS was just 9% below league average. He plays all four infield positions. He’s played 80 or fewer big-league innings at each infield position, but he’s been worth 0 OAA at first, 0 OAA at second, -2 OAA at third, and 1 OAA at short. I’m listing these for consistency in this writeup. The sample is too small for the stats to be meaningful. But the scouting report suggests that Gray could be serviceable at shortstop—not standout by any means, but potentially serviceable. One knock against Gray is that he’s left-handed, which adds another lefty to a roster crowded with lefties. However, the other infield positions are currently manned by Luke Keaschall and Royce Lewis, which would give Gray opportunities to give them days off against righties in addition to his normal days backing up Lee. He’s split his time evenly between second, third, and short this spring. If the Twins think he can hit a little and play a decent enough shortstop, he might be a better fit than the light-hitting options. And here’s your meaningless spring training stat: .648 OPS. He's swung and missed disturbingly often for Grapefruit League action and isn't hitting the ball especially hard, but he has plus bat speed, which the other two can't say. The Verdict: I Don’t Know Funny enough, at the time of writing, all three have exactly five appearances at shortstop this spring. I could see it going any way. I think I’d say 1) Kreidler, 2) Arcia, 3) Gray, but I could also see a world where Gray makes the team alongside one of the other two, due to injuries. In less than a week, we'll know for sure. View the full article