The wait is finally over, and baseball is back! It's been a long winter with a lot of exciting transactions. Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, Garret Crochet to the Red Sox, and every star player signing with the Dodgers.
Now, it’s time to watch the new generation of baseball players try to make their way into the big leagues and for some veterans to show everyone they still have some baseball left in them. For fantasy owners, focusing on the events unfolding over the next month is essential to get a jump start on our seasons. So today, I will go over some players to watch in spring training. Let's dive in!
Top Prospects
Many other prospects could be on this list, but I chose these players for two reasons. Firstly, I believe they have the potential to make a significant impact in fantasy, not just as roster holders but as legitimate starters or stars.
Secondly, they aren't locks to get called up or sent down. Guys like Jasson Dominguez and Matt Shaw are essentially guaranteed a roster spot as long as they do a decent job. Other guys like Andrew Painter or Samuel Basallo are here for the experience and have little to no chance of making the opening-day roster.
Roman Anthony, OF
(Boston Red Sox)
Roman Anthony is arguably the best position player prospect in baseball. He's a solid all-around hitter who hit 18 home runs and stole 21 bases over 119 minor league games last year.
Anthony has a ton of raw power, and people believe he can develop into a 30-homer player while also hitting .300. He's only 20 and has played just 35 games in AAA.
Still, he has excelled in every step so far, and a strong spring training could land him on the opening-day roster. We could see a Julio Rodriguez-esque rookie season if Anthony makes the cut.
Jacob Misiorowski, P
(Milwaukee Brewers)
Jacob Misiorowski enters spring training without a definite role. He's been brought up as a starting pitcher but went to the bullpen after being called up to Triple-A last August.
Misiorowski should get the opportunity to earn his role as a starting pitcher. He is one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, with an 80-grade fastball, 70-grade curve, and 60-grade slider. His only real issue is his lack of control. Last year, Misiorowski gave up 60 free passes in 97.1 innings.
If Misiorowski doesn't make it as a starter, he's expected to develop into the Brewers’ next closer. Labeled “the right-handed Josh Hader,” Misiorowski oozes talent and should be a good option this year.
Bubba Chandler, SP
(Pittsburgh Pirates)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a solid young rotation featuring Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Jared Jones. Bubba Chandler has the opportunity to join them with a solid spring.
Chandler is the 15th-ranked prospect in baseball and the fourth-best pitcher. His best weapon is his fastball, which averaged 96.7 miles per hour last year. He’s been developing his secondary pitches and can generate outs without relying on the heater.
Chandler was close to making his debut last year after scorching the competition in AAA, tallying a 1.83 ERA in seven starts. If he can continue that performance in spring training, he’ll likely force the Pirates’ hand and make the opening-day roster. The Pirates also lost out on an extra PPI draft pick because they kept Skenes in the minors at the beginning of last year, so they've likely learned from their mistakes.
Jackson Holliday, 2B
Coby Mayo, 3B
(Baltimore Orioles)
Coby Mayo is the 14th-best prospect in baseball, and Jackson Holliday would be in the top five if he didn’t recently graduate. Both players are incredibly talented and should perform well enough to earn a spot on the opening-day roster, but it is likely that only one will make it.
Coby Mayo is a powerful right-handed hitter. He has a career OPS of .922 in the minor leagues, including over .960 in the past two seasons. He also has good plate discipline, posting walk percentages of 15.1% and 10.3% in the last two years. He still needs to adjust to MLB pitching, but many believe he's the next Austin Riley.
Considered one of the best pure-hitting prospects in the game, Jackson Holliday combines an incredibly advanced approach(.431 OBP last year, 75 walks in 73 games) with a mighty swing(.477 SLG percentage) that made him feared in the minor leagues. He struggled in his first taste of MLB action but should stay for good upon his next opportunity. He also has above-average speed and should steal a couple of bases this year.
Holliday has the edge to make the opening-day roster. He fits into the second-base slot and has more time in the majors. But Mayo should still force the Orioles to have some serious conversations about bringing him along as well. If Holliday struggles, the Orioles can move Jordan Westburg to second to make room for Mayo.
Chandler Simpson, OF
(Tampa Bay Rays)
Chandler Simpson is a long shot to make the Rays’ opening-day roster. But he's also an exciting prospect who could be a serious fantasy asset if he makes it.
Simpson is fast. Since 2022, he has stolen 206 bases in 233 minor-league games. He also does an excellent job putting the ball in play, recording a .355 average last year. His downfall is his power or lack thereof. Simpson posted a .397 slugging in 2024 and a .345 slugging in 2023.
Simpson will need a masterclass spring training to make the opening day roster. Especially considering he has yet to play in AAA. But Simpson could run his way into the lineup and become a valuable fantasy asset this year.
Comeback Players
Matt McLain, 2B
(Cincinnati Reds)
Matt McLain had a fantastic rookie season, posting a slash line of .290/.357/.507 while hitting 16 home runs and stealing 14 bases. McLain was helping form what looked like an encouraging future with the Reds.
Unfortunately, McLain missed the 2024 season due to a torn labrum and a stress reaction in his rib cage. He recovered in time to participate in the fall league, hitting four home runs in 13 games. He also played center field in some games.
McLain enters spring training as the second baseman and should be a top-of-the-lineup bat. The only question left is: Will McLain return to form, or does he have rust to shake from his injuries?
Sandy Alcantara, SP
(Miami Marlins)
Sandy Alcantara had a rough 2023 season that finished with him tearing his UCL and undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has spent 16 months recovering and should finally face hitters this spring.
Alcantara was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2022. He recorded a 2.28 ERA, 207 strikeouts, and a 180 ERA+. He also led the league in pitching WAR(8.0), complete games(6), shutouts(1), innings pitched(228.2), and batters faced(886) en route to a Cy Young win.
Alcantara had a regular offseason program, so he should be 100% in spring training. There will likely be some rust he has to shake, but it’ll be interesting to see if Alcantara returns to his award-winning form.
Shane McClanahan, SP
(Tampa Bay Rays)
Shane McClanahan, like Alcantara, had a strong 2022 season, but his 2023 performance declined, and he ultimately finished with Tommy John surgery. He hasn't thrown a major league inning since August of 2023.
McClanahan had a tremendous sophomore season in 2023. While he didn't lead the league in anything, he earned Cy Young votes and made them the all-star game. McClanahan recorded 194 strikeouts over 166.1 innings and recorded a 2.54 ERA.
McClanahan is expected to have an innings limit and be on a shorter leash because of his injury and having pitched only over 125 innings in one season. His first experience of spring baseball was decent, as he recorded one strikeout while allowing three hits and no runs in two innings.
International Signings
Roki Sasaki, SP
(Los Angeles Dodgers)
Roki Sasaki was the second-biggest free agent of the 2024 offseason. Born and raised in Japan, Sasaki debuted in the NPB at the young age of 19. At 23, he’s headed to the United States to play in the major leagues.
Sasaki dominated the NPB. Even in his worst season, he recorded a dominant 2.35 ERA. He threw a perfect game and was a strikeout machine. His biggest flaw is his endurance. The most innings he threw in a single season was 129.1.
Plenty of eyes will be on Sasaki to see if he can replicate his NPB success. It'll also be important to see how far the Dodgers stretch him regarding workload.
Hye-Seong Kim, 2B
(Los Angeles Dodgers)
Hye-Seong Kim came over from the KBO this past offseason. After having plenty of success there, he joins a loaded Dodgers team, hoping to make an impact.
Kim was an impact player in Korea. Stealing at least 20 bases every season, he also hit over .300 in the last four years. He won't be a huge power bat; he only has 37 career home runs in 953 games, but he doubles regularly.
Kim is expected to be the Dodgers' starting second baseman. He should find opportunities to play around the field as long as he shows he can hit at the major league level. Spring will be a great first look to see if he has the makings of a major leaguer.