Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Joshua Baez, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Stats: 1/1 HR, BB

Notable Data: 111 mph HR

Why The Performance Matters:

Baez has continued his 2025 breakout campaign into MLB Camp this spring. While we are looking at a small sample, Baez did blast his first home run of the spring off Orioles Albert Suarez. The shot left the bat with an impressive 111 mph exit velocity and traveled 436 feet. He also added a walk on the day.

The performance upped Baez's line to .333/.444/.533 in the spring witha homer and a stolen base. This builds on what was one of the biggest breakouts of 2025. In 499 plate appearances, Baez hit 20 home runs and stole 54 bases while posting a slash of .287/.384/.500. He saw his strikeout rate drop to a career low 20.6 percent, which was a substantial improvement on the 35.5 percent mark we saw in 2024.

A physical specimen, Baez stands at 6’3”, 220 pounds, but is a strong athlete. He runs well and was efficient on the base paths, stealing 54 bases on 63 attempts. The glove is also respectable as he played all three outfield spots.

The underlying data was highly impressive as Baez posted a 90th percentile exit velocity north of 107 mph with a hard-hit rate near 50 percent. The contact rates steadily improved all year, and Baez wound up with an overall contact rate of 74 percent and an in-zone contact of 80 percent. The chase rate of 22 percent rounded out a strong skillset and impressive season in 2025.

Fantasy Spin:

The Cardinals' outfield is pretty weak, with Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker set to play at the corner spots. While Nootbaar is a respectable hitter, he is often injured and despite Walker still being young, I am not sure he is good or will be. There are not outfielders in the system closer to being ready than Baez, so it would not be shocking to see him getting plenty of reps in the Majors in 2026. -CC

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Quinn Mathews, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Stats: 2 IP/2 H/1 ER/0 BB/7 K

Notable Data: 12 Whiffs

Spring Line: FB Velo back up to 95.2 mph on average, 4 whiffs on FB, CH, SL each

Why The Performance Matters:

Mathews went from a low-90s innings-eating arm out of Stanford, who went in the fourth round in 2023, to one of the top pitching prospects in baseball very fast. After sitting 91.5 mph at Stanford, Mathews averaged nearly 95 mph in 2024. During the 2025 season, he saw the fastball velocity fall back to 93 mph, and the results were also inconsistent.

After posting a 2.76 ERA across 143 innings in 2024, Mathews pitched just 99 innings in 2025. The ERA looked fine at 3.73, but the 1.55 WHIP paired with a 17 percent walk rate was a major issue. The control issues could have coincided with injury.

Mathews turned in quite the outing on Thursday, tossing 2.2 innings with seven strikeouts. He allowed just two hits and one earned run, an Alika Williams home run. The most impressive thing about the outing was his 12 whiffs, spread around between his fastball, changeup, and slider. He ran a 55 percent whiff rate and a 42 percent CSW.

The fastball velocity being back up is also important. I mentioned in 2025, it fell nearly two ticks. While we are looking at a smaller sample of 50 pitches yesterday, Mathews averaged 95.2 mph and touched 96.5 mph with 17 inches of IVB and eight inches of arm-side run.

Mathews’ changeup and slider were both dialed in, working at 83 mph and 87.5 mph, respectively. The two plane curveball in the mid-70s was sharp, and Mathews also featured a 96 mph sinker with 15 inches of arm-side run.

Fantasy Spin:

If it were not for injury and the lack of command in 2025, we would have seen Mathews in the Majors. This year seems to be the year, though, where he takes a rotation spot. Matthew Liberatore is locked in the SP1 spot, but given what we have seen in the past from Dustin May, Andre Pallante, Michael McGreevy, and Kyle Leahy, its hard to imagine Mathews not being able to take a spot and pitch significant innings in 2026. -CC

Welcome to our team prospect rankings. Over the next three months, I will be pumping out team top 30 prospect rankings and evaluations for dynasty baseball. These reports are generated from live looks, film study, and advanced data analysis to bring you in-depth fantasy scouting reports on every player you need to know, with today’s being the St. Louis Cardinals’ Top Prospects for 2026.

Including 50 players in the ranks should help all you deep-league dynasty folks out there, and the reports on the top 30 give you insight into everyone you need to know!

To get the full report, you need to be a paid subscriber. Why? These reports take a ton of time, and I feel like they are as good as any in the industry. It is filled with advanced data, scouting thoughts, live look reports, long-term outlooks, and more. Each team report is around 8,000 words to help you better understand the prospects. I include peak projections, future fantasy grades, variance factors, and dynasty buys and sells. To see a preview, check out the article below. If you are a Dugout member, scroll down for the top 50 Cardinals top prospects.

St. Louis Cardinals Top Prospects for Dynasty

Links to Reports

• St. Louis Cardinals Top Prospects for 2026

  • 1. JJ Wetherholt, MI, 23, 5’9”/190, AAA

  • 2. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, 19, 5’10”/197, A+

  • 3. Liam Doyle, LHP, 21, 6’2”/220, AA

  • 4. Joshua Baez, OF, 22, 6’3”/220, AA

  • 5. Jurrangelo Cijntje, BHP, 22, 5’11”/200, AA

  • 6. Quinn Mathews, LHP, 25, 6’5”/188, AAA

  • 7. Jimmy Crooks, C, 24, 6’0”/230, MLB

  • 8. Brandon Clarke, LHP, 22, 6’4”/220, A+

  • 9. Leonardo Bernal, C, 22, 6’0”/245, AA

  • 10. Tanner Franklin, RHP, 21, 6’5”/225, A+

  • 11. Yairo Padilla, SS, 18, 6’0”/170, CPX

  • 12. Yhoiker Fajardo, RHP, 19, 6’3”/181, A

  • 13. Tink Hence, RHP, 23, 6’1”/195, AA

  • 14. Tai Peete, OF, 20, 6’2”/193, A+

  • 15. Ixan Henderson, LHP, 24, 6’2”/200, AA

  • 16. Ryan Mitchell, SS/OF, 19, 6’2”/185, HS

  • 17. Emanuel Luna, OF, 16, 6’2”/204, NA

  • 18. Tekoah Roby, RHP, 24, 6’1”/210, AAA

  • 19. Nathan Church, OF, 25, 5’10”/190, MLB

  • 20. Sebastian Dos Santos, MI, 18, 6’0”/140, DSL

  • 21. Jesus Baez, 3B/SS, 21, 5’10”/180, A+

  • 22. Deniel Ortiz, CI, 21, 6’1”/230, A+

  • 23. Nate Dohm, RHP, 23, 6’4”/210, A+

  • 24. Cooper Hjerpe, LHP, 25, 6’3”/200, AA

  • 25. Cade Crossland, LHP, 22, 6’2”/210, NCAA

  • 26. Braden Davis, LHP, 22, 5’11”/180, A+

  • 27. Brycen Mautz, LHP, 24, 6’3”/190, AA

  • 28. Chen-Wei Lin, RHP, 24, 6’7”/188, AA

  • 29. Hancel Rincon, RHP, 23, 6’2”/160, AA

  • 30. Blaze Jordan, 1B, 23, 6’1”/220, AAA

  • Spreadsheet Link to the Top 50!

Format: Name, Position, 2026 OD Age, Height/Weight, Highest Level

St. Louis Cardinals Top Prospects for 2026

1. JJ Wetherholt, MI, 23, 5’9”/190, AAA

Drafted seventh overall during the 2024 MLB Draft, Wetherholt has developed into everything the Cardinals hoped he would. A solid debut in Single-A during his draft season saw the Cardinals skip him to Double-A to start 2025, and Wetherholt split the season between there and Triple-A.

Across 496 plate appearances at both levels, Wetherholt hit 17 home runs and stole 23 bases, but had 47 extra-base hits. He slashed .306/.421/.510 with just one more strikeout than walk for the season.

Wetherholt saw the power tick up all season and hit the cover off the ball in Triple-A. With an average exit velocity near 91 mph and has raised his 90th percentile exit velocity on the season up to near 105 mph. While Wetherholt does not post super high-end exit velocities, he consistently squares up baseballs and creates plenty of barrels.

When you talk about consistency, Wetherholt is who comes to mind. Wetherholt reached base in 96 of his 109 games played last year. The feel for the barrel is fantastic, and his approach is so sound. Wetherholt ran an 80 percent overall contact rate, with an in-zone contact rate of around 85 percent. He does not expand the zone, shown by the absurd number of walks he took, and the chase rate was quite low at 16 percent.

Expect Wetherholt to make the Opening Day roster for the Cardinals and make a run at NL Rookie of the Year.

FFG: Well-Round, Super Consistent Fantasy Asset

90th Percentile Peak Outcome: .300/.400/25 HR/20 SB

Variance: Low

Buy/Sell: Buy

Get 30 written reports by subscribing below!

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous days action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees

Stats: 2/4 HR

Notable Data: 104.2 MPH HR off Crochet, 108.5 mph Single off Crochet

Why The Performance Matters:

Lombard created a ton of hype last spring as he entered camp stronger and just looked the part in spring action. The season did not go as planned statistically, but Lombard made plenty of notable strides as a player.

This spring, he looks to have taken another big step. Lombard led off the game yesterday by blasting a 392-foot home run off Garrett Crochet that left the bat with a 104.2 mph exit velocity. Next time around, Lombard smoked a single off Crochet that left the bat with a 108.5 mph exit velocity.

The surface numbers for Lombard were pretty meh again in 2025 as he slashed .235/.367/.381 for the season with nine home runs and 35 stolen bases. The underlying metrics steadily improved all season. Lombard posted a 103.3 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which was improvement on 2024 and seems to be taking another step with power now.

The approach is sound and the contact skills are respectable. Lombard is still a very talented prospect who could be ready for MLB by the end of the season.

Fantasy Spin:

Lombard is not likely to see playing time in the Bronx this year, but it is not crazy to think he has a short stint in Double-A this year before spending a lot of the year in Triple-A. With growth in some areas, a late season call-up would not be out of the question. -CC

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers

Stats: 3/3, HR, BB

Notable Data: 110.4 mph, 461 foot HR, 100.5 mph 1B, 93.7 mph 1B

Why The Performance Matters:

The performance matters because McGonigle is proving he deserves to be on the Opening Day roster. The Tigers a contending team with the weakest positions on the roster being shortstop and third base. McGonigle can handle either.

Blasting a massive home run in the first inning off Luis Severino showcased the power that McGonigle is capable of getting to. The shot left the bat at 110.4 mph and traveled an impressive 461 feet. This is nothing new; McGonigle reached 112 mph in 2024 and 113 mph in 2025. He has juice in the bat with an elite hit tool. This home run was off a 98 mph fastball. Then in the second inning, McGonigle scorched a 100.5 mph single off a 96.5 mph fastball. Finally, he ended his day with a 93.7 mph single off Camilo Doval. More impressively, McGonigle saw 16 pitches; he did not chase one out of the zone or have a whiff on the day.

In 397 plate appearances in 2025 between High-A and Double-A, McGonigle hit 19 home runs and stole 10 bases while slashing .305/.408/.583. Not only was the performance impressive, but the underlying data stands out, too.

The contact rates are remarkably impressive, achieving an overall mark of 83 percent with an in-zone contact rate of 87 percent. The approach has been stellar throughout McGonigle’s career, with a chase rate of 20 percent. Not only does McGonigle rarely expand the zone, but he also does serious damage on pitches in the zone, having elite zone and heart swing rates.

While he may be small, McGonigle has more power than you might think. The exit velocities show that as McGonigle has reached 113 mph and 112 mph several times in his career. The 90th percentile exit velocity of 106 mph is already plus, and when you factor in the hit tool and angles, this is a special talent.

Fantasy Spin:

You could argue that the two weakest points on the Tigers’ roster are shortstop and third base. McGonigle could handle either spot well, and his high floor and hit tool mean he is likely ready. Do the Tigers put him on the Opening Day roster? I don’t think it’s crazy, but it is also possible he stays down for two weeks and then comes up still PPI eligible. -CC

Welcome to our team prospect rankings. Over the next three months, I will be pumping out team top 30 prospect rankings and evaluations for dynasty baseball. These reports are generated from live looks, film study, and advanced data analysis to bring you in-depth fantasy scouting reports on every player you need to know, with today’s being the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Top Prospects for 2026.

Including 50 players in the ranks should help all you deep-league dynasty folks out there, and the reports on the top 30 give you insight into everyone you need to know!

To get the full report, you need to be a paid subscriber. Why? These reports take a ton of time, and I feel like they are as good as any in the industry. It is filled with advanced data, scouting thoughts, live look reports, long-term outlooks, and more. Each team report is around 8,000 words to help you better understand the prospects. I include peak projections, future fantasy grades, variance factors, and dynasty buys and sells. To see a preview, check out the article below. If you are a Dugout member, scroll down for the top 50 Pirates top prospects.

Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospects for Dynasty

Links to Reports

• Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospects for 2026

  • 1. Konnor Griffin, SS, 19, 6’3”/222, AA

  • 2. Bubba Chandler, RHP, 23, 6’3”/206, MLB

  • 3. Edward Florentino, OF, 19, 6’3”/200, A

  • 4. Seth Hernandez, RHP, 19, 6’4”/190, HS

  • 5. Esmerlyn Valdez, OF, 22, 6’2”/234, AA

  • 6. Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, 23, 6’0”/224, MLB

  • 7. Antwone Kelly, RHP, 22, 5’10”/238, AA

  • 8. Termarr Johnson, 2B, 21, 5’7”/201, AA

  • 9. Hunter Barco, LHP, 25, 6’4”/229, MLB

  • 10. Rafael Flores, C/1B, 25, 6’3”/232, MLB

  • 11. Thomas Harrington, RHP, 24, 6’2”/210, AAA

  • 12. Wilber Dotel, RHP, 23, 6’3”/238, AA

  • 13. Wyatt Sanford, SS, 20, 5’11”/175, A

  • 14. Johan De Los Santos, MI, 17, 5’10”/165, DSL

  • 15. Jeancer Custodio, OF, 17, 5’10”/185, NA

  • 16. Murf Gray, 3B, 22, 6’4”/230, NCAA

  • 17. Reinold Navarro, LHP, 19, 6’0”/178, A

  • 18. Tony Blanco Jr., 1B, 20, 6’7”/243, A

  • 19. Jesus Travieso, RHP, 19, 5’11”/140, A

  • 20. Callan Moss, 1B, 22, 6’3”/225, A+

  • 21. Sammy Stafura, SS, 21, 6’0”/188, A+

  • 22. Omar Alfonzo, C, 22, 6’1”/242, AA

  • 23. Darell Morel, SS, 18, 6’4”/180, DSL

  • 24. Khristian Curtis, RHP, 23, 6’5”/215, AA

  • 25. Nick Yorke, 2B/OF, 23, 5’11”/220, MLB

  • 26. Axiel Plaz, C, 20, 5’11”/165, A+

  • 27. Duce Gourson, 2B, 23, 5’11”/204, AA

  • 28. Levi Sterling, RHP, 19, 6’5”/202, A

  • 29. Zander Mueth, RHP, 20, 6’6”/205, A

  • 30. Jack Brannigan, 3B/SS, 25, 6’0”/201, AA

  • Spreadsheet Link to the Top 50!

Format: Name, Position, 2026 OD Age, Height/Weight, Highest Level

Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospects for 2026

1. Konnor Griffin, SS, 19, 6’3”/222, AA

After reclassifying to be part of the 2024 MLB Draft, Griffin wound up being selected ninth overall by the Pirates. Turning 19 in April last season, Griffin dominated his way to Double-A by season’s end, turning in one of the best seasons in the minors. Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 and got better as the season went on. He hit 21 home runs and scored an insane 117 runs. He stole 65 bases in the process.

Already having a well-filled-out frame, Griffin stands at 6’4”/222, but despite filling out his frame, he is still a 70-grade runner. Not only that, but Griffin has a strong glove in the field.

At the plate, Griffin put up some pretty absurd underlying data. He made contact on 85 percent of his swings on pitches in the zone and a 74 percent overall mark. While many panicked about the high chase rate at the beginning of the season, which was never an issue, Griffin wound up with a 25 percent chase rate for the season.

The power is off the charts, as Griffin ran a 108 mph 90th percentile exit velocity. It was one of the highest marks among all minor league hitters, but one of the top among players of his age.

So, we are talking about potential 70-grade power and speed to pair with a solid hit tool. Is Griffin the best prospect we have seen in years? He might just be.

FFG: 5-Tool Stud

90th Percentile Peak Outcome: .280/.380/35 HR/30 SB

Variance: Medium

Buy/Sell: Buy High

Get 30 written reports by subscribing below!

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Luisangel Acuña, OF/MI, Chicago White Sox

Stats: 2/3 HR, 2 RBI

Notable Data: 104.3 mph HR, 106.6 mph 1B

Why The Performance Matters:

While Acuña may have graduated last year, he feels young enough and worthy enough to talk about on a day when few prospects really stood out in a big way. The switch hitter had quite the day, blasting a 104.3 mph home run that traveled 419 feet and a single that left the bat at 106.6 mph.

Being traded to the White Sox as part of the Luis Robert Jr. trade, Acuña now finds himself in a situation where he should get regular playing time. Primarily playing in the middle infield last year, Acuña has been getting reps in centerfield, which could be his avenue to playing time. It does not seem likely that Colson Montgomery or Chase Meidroth gets bumped from their spots at short or second, but Acuña stands a good chance to take the centerfield spot that Brooks Baldwin seems penciled into.

While we are talking about a tiny sample to this point, it is worth pointing out that Acuña has been hitting the cover off the ball, running an average exit velocity over 100 mph. The launch angle is also up from what we have previously seen as Acuña put the ball on the ground at a 55 percent clip last season. While we don’t want to take too much away from his small sample size at this point, there might be some intruige here, especially with regular playing time.

Fantasy Spin:

Acuña has plenty of wheels and speed to burn on the basepaths. He swiped 16 on 17 attempts in the Majors last season and stole 40 and 57 the previous two seasons in the minors. Power has never been a part of his game, but if Acuña can be a ten-homer bat, all of a sudden we are looking at an intriguing fantasy asset. -CC

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

Stats: 2/2 2B, HR, 2 RBI

Notable Data: 106 mph HR, 99 mph 2B

Why The Performance Matters:

DeLauter has missed substantial time throughout his career, and it looked like he was poised to miss more this spring as he was scratched several days ago with lower-body soreness. The good news is that he returned and looked the part on Sunday, blasting a 106 mph home run off Jaden Hill, but he also had a first-inning double off Chase DeLauter that also nearly left the yard to the opposite field.

It is not often we see a player make their MLB debut in a playoff game, but that is what happened with DeLauter in 2025, who has seen his career riddled by injuries to this point. When on the field, DeLauter performs. The problem is that Delauter has played in an average of 46 games a year in his pro career.

Standing at 6’3”, DeLauter has one of the best combinations of athleticism and size in the minors. The swing takes flak from some because it is compact and has a short follow-through, but that has not affected his ability to hit for power or make consistent contact. The barrel control is elite, and the swing creates a natural loft.

If you have questions about whether DeLauter’s swing can play, look under the hood. The power is easily plus based on the average and 90th percentile exit velocities of 91 and 107 mph, respectively. He lifts the ball with ease and posts ideal launch angles consistently.

Fantasy Spin:

The issues regarding DeLauter have always revolved around injuries. As mentioned earlier, DeLauter struggles staying on the field. Given that he debuted in the playoffs, it seems that if he is healthy, he will be on the roster come Opening Day. If healthy, the performance will be there. Otherwise, he could be a wasted pick due to lack of plate appearances, which are key in fantasy leagues. -CC

Welcome to our team prospect rankings. Over the next three months, I will be pumping out team top 30 prospect rankings and evaluations for dynasty baseball. These reports are generated from live looks, film study, and advanced data analysis to bring you in-depth fantasy scouting reports on every player you need to know, with today’s being the Philadelphia Phillies’ Top Prospects for 2026.

Including 50 players in the ranks should help all you deep-league dynasty folks out there, and the reports on the top 30 give you insight into everyone you need to know!

To get the full report, you need to be a paid subscriber. Why? These reports take a ton of time, and I feel like they are as good as any in the industry. It is filled with advanced data, scouting thoughts, live look reports, long-term outlooks, and more. Each team report is around 8,000 words to help you better understand the prospects. I include peak projections, future fantasy grades, variance factors, and dynasty buys and sells. To see a preview, check out the article below. If you are a Dugout member, scroll down for the top 50 Phillies top prospects.

Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospects for Dynasty

Links to Reports

• Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospects for 2026

  • 1. Aidan Miller, SS, 21, 6’1”/205, AAA

  • 2. Andrew Painter, RHP, 22, 6’7”/215, AAA

  • 3. Justin Crawford, OF, 22, 6’2”/188, AAA

  • 4. Aroon Escobar, 2B, 21, 5’10”/180, AA

  • 5. Francisco Renteria, OF, 17, 6’3”/216, NA

  • 6. Gage Wood, RHP, 22, 6’0”/205, A

  • 7. Dante Nori, OF, 21, 5’9”/190, AA

  • 8. Matthew Fisher, RHP, 20, 6’3”/200, HS

  • 9. Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF, 25, 6’3”/225, AAA

  • 10. Yoniel Curet, RHP, 23, 6’2”/250, AA

  • 11. Cade Obermueller, LHP, 22, 6’0”/170, NCAA

  • 12. Moises Chace, RHP, 22, 6’1”/213, AA

  • 13. Griffin Burkholder, OF, 20, 6’1”/195, A

  • 14. Alirio Ferrebus, C, 20, 6’2”/174, A

  • 15. Carson DeMartini, INF, 23, 6’0”/197, AA

  • 16. Cody Bowker, RHP, 22, 6’1”/212, NCAA

  • 17. Sean Youngerman, RHP, 21, 6’3”/230, NCAA

  • 18. Jean Cabrera, RHP, 24, 6’0”/145, AA

  • 19. Anderson Araujo, C, 17, 5’11”/177, DSL

  • 20. Felix Reyes, 1B/OF, 24, 6’4”/195, AA

  • 21. Devin Saltiban, 2B/OF, 21, 5’9”/180, A+

  • 22. Keaton Anthony, 1B, 24, 6’2”/211, AAA

  • 23. Casey Steward, RHP, 24, 6’5”/260, A+

  • 24. Alex McFarlane, RHP, 24, 6’3”/215, AA

  • 25. Romeli Espinosa, SS, 17, 6’4”/169, DSL

  • 26. Gabe Craig, RHP, 24, 6’5”/209, A

  • 27. Seth Johnson, RHP, 27, 6’1”/205, MLB

  • 28. Zach McCambley, LHP, 26, 6’2”/225, AAA

  • 29. Dylan Campbell, OF, 23, 5’8”/205, AA

  • 30. Ramon Marquez, RHP, 20, 6’2”/182, A

  • Spreadsheet Link to the Top 50!

Format: Name, Position, 2026 OD Age, Height/Weight, Highest Level

Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospects for 2026

1. Aidan Miller, SS, 21, 6’1”/205, AAA

A lot of people faded Aidan Miller last year due to his surface stats. The interesting thing is, he was steadily improving his underlying data compared to 2024. Through the end of June, Miller was slashing a modest .234/.346/.367 with a 26 percent strikeout rate and six home runs in 58 games. After that, Miller went on a heater and wound up hitting 14 home runs and stealing 59 bases while slashing .264/.392/.433.

The positives in the profile are that Miller has a strong 106 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and solid launch angles on hard-hit balls. The contact skills and approach are impressive, as Miller has a contact rate near 78 percent overall and a chase rate under 18 percent.

Miller is currently dealing with a back injury that will keep him out for the spring, but the upside still remains. I am not worried about the injury long-term and view Miller as a player with big power upside and one who has evolved into a plus runner.

This is a profile that is a buy for me in dynasty. Miller has remained high on real-life prospect evaluators’ lists, but fantasy people seem to be off him. The underlying data screams buy.

FFG: Power/Speed Threat with High OBP

90th Percentile Peak Outcome: .275/.375/25 HR/30 SB

Variance: High

Buy/Sell: Buy

Get 30 written reports by subscribing below!

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Kevin McGonigle, INF, Detroit Tigers

Stats: 2/2 2B, 3B

Notable Data: 102.2 mph 3B, 0 whiffs on 6 swings

Why The Performance Matters:

While Konnor Griffin stole most of the thunder so far this spring, McGonigle has continued to swing it well and is putting himself in a great spot to potentially make the team out of Spring Training. We do have to remember it is still February and there is nothing guaranteed at this point, but McGonigle is swinging it well.

A double and a triple off Nick Martinez set him up for a nice game and brought McGonigle’s average up to .462 this spring with a 1.302 OPS. Remember, this is a very small sample, and numbers can change quickly. While some were talking about Griffin’s low average so far, I calculated that if he goes 2/2 on Sunday, he would see his batting average jump to .308. So while we take the stats with a grain of salt, McGonigle certainly has looked the part.

In 397 plate appearances in 2025 between High-A and Double-A, McGonigle hit 19 home runs and stole 10 bases while slashing .305/.408/.583. Not only was the performance impressive, but the underlying data stands out, too.

The contact rates are remarkably impressive, achieving an overall mark of 83 percent with an in-zone contact rate of 87 percent. The approach has been stellar throughout McGonigle’s career, with a chase rate of 20 percent. Not only does McGonigle rarely expand the zone, but he also does serious damage on pitches in the zone, having elite zone and heart swing rates.

While he may be small, McGonigle has more power than you might think. The exit velocities show that as McGonigle has reached 113 mph and 112 mph several times in his career. The 90th percentile exit velocity of 106 mph is already plus, and when you factor in the hit tool and angles, this is a special talent.

Fantasy Spin:

You could argue that the two weakest points on the Tigers’ roster are shortstop and third base. McGonigle could handle either spot well, and the high floor with the hit tool means he is likely ready. Do the Tigers put him on the Opening Day roster? I don’t think it’s crazy, but it is also possible he stays down for two weeks and then comes up still PPI eligible. -CC

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Zac Veen, OF, Colorado Rockies

Stats: 1/2 Walk-Off HR

Notable Data: 101.6 mph fly out(393 feet), 108.7 mph walk off HR(447 feet)

Why The Performance Matters:

Coming into camp, reports stated that Veen added 42 pounds and that he has matured in several ways. Dealing with substance abuse in the past, Veen stated that he is now sober and completely clean from any substances. Mental struggles and all sorts of other things affected him, and his career has been up and down to this point. Making his MLB debut last year, Veen struggled badly and got just 37 plate appearances.

Veen nearly left the yard in the seventh inning of Friday’s game, blasting a 101.6 mph shot that traveled to the warning track 393 feet in right-center. He redeemed himself as he came to the plate in the ninth inning and ended the game with a 447-foot blast to walk it off. The shot left the bat with a 108.7 mph exit velocity and left no doubt.

It was Veen’s second home run of the year, and the exit velocity data is off the charts. Sure, we are looking at a small sample, but Veen has already smashed his max exit velocity with a 113.3 mph shot.

Contact has still been an issue, which is something to keep an eye on. But if the power games are legit, then Veen should see plenty of time in Colorado this year. The baseball talent has been there, but the off-the-field stuff has clearly limited him. Hopefully that is behind him at this point.

Fantasy Spin:

The Rockies are slated to run out Jake McCarthy and Jordan Beck in the outfield with Mickey Moniak at DH. If Veen continues to surge all spring, it would not be surprising to see him on the Opening Day roster, especially given his service clock has already started. Veen is sure to see his redraft ADP soar, but you can likely still get him on the cheap right now. In dynasty, I would say Veen is worth taking a shot on in a trade. -CC

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders (Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Nolan McLean, RHP, New York Mets

Stats: 4 IP/1 H/0 ER/1 BB/6 K

Notable Data: 96.5 average FB velocity, 8 whiffs on 24 swings(33%), 36% CSW

Why The Performance Matters:

McLean looked like an ace on Thursday, dominating the Astros lineup full of regulars. He tossed four scoreless innings and was nearly perfect. McLean allowed just one hit and a walk while striking out six batters.

The arsenal was dominant as McLean mixed six different pitches, generating eight whiffs on 24 swings. McLean added 12 more called strikes for a 36 percent CSW.

McLean worked two fastballs, a sinker that averaged 96.3 mph and the four-seam, which sat at 96.8 mph. He throws from a 5’4” release height, which helps the pitch play at the top of the zone and has a rising effect despite the IVB not being overwhelming. The sinker showed good depth and had 19 inches of arm-side run on average, while the four-seam had 14 inches of IVB and 13 inches of arm-side run.

The slider has around 10 mph of velocity separation from the fastball, sitting in the mid-80s with heavy sweeping action. It has late horizontal movement, which deceives hitters, largely due to its extremely high spin rates, which have been up to 3200 rpm. Watching the pitch, it is easily plus or better, and the metrics back it up.

McLean mixed in his cutter at 93.5 mph and threw an 88 mph changeup with heavy fading action and a ton of depth. The curveball was a big pitch for him in 2025, but McLean threw it just three times on Thursday, sitting 83 mph with strong two-plane movement.

Fantasy Spin:

Over the last month on NFBC, McLean has an ADP in the top 100. It certainly feels high, but the upside warrants it. In a dynasty league, I am usually hesitant to buy high on arms, but McLean feels like he could reach SP2 status and maybe beyond. He should smash his projections this season and have a mid-threes ERA and an upper twenties percent strikeout rate. -CC

Welcome to our team prospect rankings. Over the next three months, I will be pumping out team top 30 prospect rankings and evaluations for dynasty baseball. These reports are generated from live looks, film study, and advanced data analysis to bring you in-depth fantasy scouting reports on every player you need to know, with today’s being the Miami Marlins’ Top Prospects for 2026.

Including 50 players in the ranks should help all you deep-league dynasty folks out there, and the reports on the top 30 give you insight into everyone you need to know!

To get the full report, you need to be a paid subscriber. Why? These reports take a ton of time, and I feel like they are as good as any in the industry. It is filled with advanced data, scouting thoughts, live look reports, long-term outlooks, and more. Each team report is around 8,000 words to help you better understand the prospects. I include peak projections, future fantasy grades, variance factors, and dynasty buys and sells. To see a preview, check out the article below. If you are a Dugout member, scroll down for the top 50 Marlins top prospects.

Miami Marlins Top Prospects for Dynasty

Links to Reports

• Miami Marlins Top Prospects for 2026

  • 1. Thomas White, LHP, 21, 6’5”/240, AAA

  • 2. Robby Snelling, LHP, 22, 6’3”/210, AAA

  • 3. Aiva Arquette, SS, 22, 6’5”/220, A+

  • 4. Owen Caissie, OF, 23, 6’3”/190, MLB

  • 5. Joe Mack, C, 23, 6’0"/210, AAA

  • 6. Karson Milbrandt, RHP, 21, 6’2”/190, AA

  • 7. Kevin DeFrank, RHP, 17, 6’5"/202, DSL

  • 8. Brandon Compton, OF, 22, 6’1”/225, A+

  • 9. Luis Cova, OF, 19, 6’1”/160, DSL

  • 10. Dillon Lewis, OF, 22, 6’3”/205, A+

  • 11. Kemp Alderman, OF, 23, 6’2”/235, AAA

  • 12. Fenwick Trimble, OF, 23, 6’3”/200, AA

  • 13. Starlyn Caba, SS, 20, 5’9”/160, A

  • 14. Cam Cannarella, OF, 22, 6’0”/185, A+

  • 15. Brendan Jones, OF, 23, 5’10”/180, AA

  • 16. Santiago Solarte, SS, 17, 6’5”/200, NA

  • 17. Andrew Salas, OF/SS, 18, 6'2"/180, A

  • 18. Dillon Head, OF, 21, 6'0"/185, A+

  • 19. Luis Arana, INF, 18, 5’10”/154, DSL

  • 20. Liomar Martinez, RHP, 20, 6’2”/165, A

  • 21. PJ Morlando, OF, 20, 6’3”/198, A

  • 22. Noble Meyer, RHP, 21, 6’5"/185, A+

  • 23. Keyner Benitez, LHP, 19, 6’1"/165, A

  • 24. Cristian Hernandez, SS, 22, 6’2"/175, A+

  • 25. Josh White, RHP, 25, 6’1”/205, AAA

  • 26. Grant Shepardson, RHP, 20, 6’1”/195, A

  • 27. Nate Payne, LHP, 20, 6’3”/200, A

  • 28. Josh Ekness, RHP, 24, 6’4"/225, AAA

  • 29. Eliazar Dishmey, RHP, 21, 6’1”/175, A+

  • 30. Jared Serna, INF, 23, 5’7”/174, AAA

  • Spreadsheet Link to the Top 50!

Format: Name, Position, 2026 OD Age, Height/Weight, Highest Level

Miami Marlins Top Prospects for 2026

1. Thomas White, LHP, 21, 6’5”/240, AAA

A 2023 comp-A round pick, White has flourished and gotten better year over year. The 2025 season saw White reach Triple-A and pitch 89.2 innings across three levels, posting a 2.31 ERA with a 38.6 percent strikeout rate and a 13.6 percent walk rate. Something clicked post All-Star break as White struck out 76 batters in nine starts, good for a 42.5 percent strikeout rate.

White dominates with a big fastball from a low-effort delivery, currently sitting around 96, but has gotten up to 99, on occasion, playing better at the top of the zone with its ride. The pitch averaged nearly 16 inches of IVB from a sub-six-foot release height and high spin rates.

White already has an advanced changeup, which plays quite well with his fastball, having late dive-and-fade. The pitch features as much as 30 inches of vertical drop and consistently 15 inches of fade, making it a firm plus pitch, sitting around 86 mph.

The sweeper is White’s go-to swing-and-miss pitch, sitting between 78 and 83 mph with a ton of vertical movement plus sweeping action.

White has all the upside in the world, but has been limited at times by command and control. The strike rate of 61 percent is slightly below average, but not in a dangerous range. The future upside in the Majors will hinge on how many batters he walks.

FFG: SP2/3 Depending on Walks

90th Percentile Peak Outcome: 170 IP/2.90 ERA/195 K

Variance: High

Buy/Sell: Buy High

Get 30 written reports by subscribing below!

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Bryce Eldridge, 1B, San Francisco Giants

Stats: 1/2 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 2 R

Notable Data: 101.3 mph HR

Why The Performance Matters:

Eldridge blasted his first home run of the spring on a 101.3 mph home run that traveled 391 feet. It was just his second hit of the spring, but hopefully, it is a catalyst for him as he looks to claim a spot on Opening Day in the Giants’ lineup.

Eldridge did strike out in the game, but he also took a walk and came around to score. He now has a .250/.455/.750 slash line in the spring, though it has been just 11 plate appearances.

Last season, Eldridge spent the year between Double-A and Triple-A and slashed .260/.333/.510 with 25 home runs and made his MLB debut, though he did struggle in his ten games.

There is no denying the kind of power Eldridge brings to the table, as his 90th percentile exit velocity near 109 mph is a high-end mark for a 20-year-old. Not only does he hit the ball hard, but Eldridge also puts batted balls at ideal angles and runs one of the highest barrel rates in the minors.

Eldridge is aggressive on pitches in the zone, especially over the heart of the plate. The approach and contact skills are around average, but when you have 70-grade power, the profile can work. He ran a 78 percent zone contact rate, and has an average chase rate at 27 percent.

Fantasy Spin:

Eldridge will spend the entire 2026 season as a 21-year-old and should be the Giants’ everyday DH and get reps at first base. You can likely expect ups and downs from him, but if he plays every day or even on the strong side of a platoon, Eldridge feels like a good bet to hit 20 home runs this year. -CC

Get everything you need to know with a report over 3000 words by subscribing below!

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Konnor Griffin, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Stats: 2/4, 2 HR, 4 RBI

Notable Data: 104.8 mph HR, 111.2 mph/440 ft HR

Why The Performance Matters:

Hey Siri, queue the song Superstar by Lupe Fiasco. That's what we have on our hands with Konnor Griffin, a 19-year-old who is budding into a superstar. In the second inning of yesterday’s game, Griffin took a Ranger Suarez curveball and blasted it out of the stadium in left field. The exit velocity registered 104.8 mph and traveled 374 feet, but im certain that thing went much further.

When Griffin returned to the plate in the fourth inning, he showed the true power upside, blasting a home run 111.2 mph that traveled 440 feet. Griffin just looks like a superstar when you watch him play.

Turning 19 in April last season, Griffin dominated his way to Double-A by season’s end, turning in one of the best seasons in the minors. Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 and got better as the season went on. He hit 21 home runs and scored an insane 117 runs. He stole 65 bases in the process.

Already having a well-filled-out frame, Griffin stands at 6’4”/222, but despite filling out his frame, he is still a 70-grade runner. Not only that, but Griffin has a strong glove in the field.

At the plate, Griffin put up some pretty absurd underlying data. He made contact on 85 percent of his swings on pitches in the zone and a 74 percent overall mark. While many panicked about the high chase rate at the beginning of the season, which was never an issue, Griffin wound up with a 25 percent chase rate for the season.

The power is off the charts, as Griffin ran a 108 mph 90th percentile exit velocity. It was one of the highest marks among all minor league hitters, but one of the top among players of his age.

So, we are talking about potential 70-grade power and speed to pair with a solid hit tool. Is Griffin the best prospect we have seen in years? HE might just be.

Fantasy Spin:

While the Pirates have said Griffin is unlikely to be on the Opening Day roster, it does not seem crazy to think he could force their hand. It would seem foolish to not have him up early enough to put team in a spot where they could get a PPI pick, but crazier things have happened.

I would say the Opening Day chances seem low. But a May or early June call-up is in the realm of possibility. -CC

🔥 Impact Hitting Performances

Jac Caglianone, RF, Kansas City Royals

Line: 1/3, HR, R, RBI

Notable Data: 115 MPH EV on HR

Analysis:

Cags is no longer a prospect, but he is like prospect adjacent, so hopefully Chris doesn’t fire me for mentioning him here. We all know Cags brings a ton of power to the plate but it's good to see it actually in a game and on video.

Cags routinely barrels up pitches when he makes contact, and that is the big part of the equation: will he make enough contact to be the 30-homer bat we as fantasy managers want him to be? Also, Royals fans are dying for this because they just need to surround Bobby Witt Jr. with other above-average offensive pieces.

He will get a full year in the majors to prove that he can make enough contact to be the middle-of-the-order bat we all dream he would be. The upside is immense with him, but the hit-tool risk is scary. I don’t think Kansas City moving in the walls really affects him, because, well, he has light tower power. The encouraging thing is he can’t be worse than last year, right? - RW

Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians

Line: 2/3, HR, R, 3 RBI

Notable Data: 107.8 EV on HR

Analysis:

This is a nice little tune-up before Travis Bazzana goes off to represent Australia in the World Baseball Classic. Two hard-hit batted balls on the day, and a home run for good measure. Bazzana looks primed to carry Australia to win the WBC, or so I hope anyway.

Last year didn’t go as planned for Bazzana. He felt like the rare member of his draft class to not make the major leagues and dealt with injuries in 2025 that only resulted in him making it to Triple-A. There seems to be no world where Bazzana is not in the mix for the Guardians this coming season. Their second-base options are bleak, to say the least, and he provides the most offensive upside of any of the middle infield options the Guardians have collected.

The dream with Bazzana is a 25-homer bat at second base who can be a nonzero in the stolen-base department. I would set a June ETA if I had to set a date, just knowing how the Guards operate. They will want to get that extra year of service, so whenever Super 2 is, I would expect Bazzana to be up shortly after that. - RW

Josue De Paula, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Line: 3/3, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Notable Data: 110 EV on 2B

Analysis:

Josue De Paula is another big-time power bat with some hit tool concerns. His stem from being far too passive, but maybe just maybe the Dodgers can get him to swing more. In yesterday’s game, he was perfect at the plate and barreled up an 87 mph changeup from Austin Peterson.

JDP is going to be a fun prospect, because if he can be slightly less passive, you can see a 30-homer bat, and with his power, he could just get there right now even with his level of passivity at the plate. Speed isn’t going to be a big part of the profile, but that is fine. He is a big boy; he has plenty of physicality to him.

I doubt we see him in 2026, but you never know; he could be one of the Dodgers’ nine best options by the time the deadline comes around, and they have to play him. He has that upside. Keep an eye this year if we see some of him playing first base. I am not fully convinced he is an outfielder, and neither are some people I talk to. He could slide in and be the heir to Freddie Freeman’s throne. - RW

🎯 Notable Pitching Standouts

Jack Wenninger, RHP, New York Mets

Line: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Notable Pitch Data: 7 Whiffs

Analysis:

Jack Wenninger was able to collect 7 whiffs yesterday, three of them coming off his changeup. It seemed like the changeup was the point of emphasis for him, as he led off with his plus changeup. Everything plays well off the changeup, and watching Jack Wenninger on video, he is your classic pitch diversification type. He throws most of his pitches about 15-20% of the time, and that allows everything to play up ever so slightly because it gives batters a few different looks to worry about.

You know a pitcher trusts his changeup when he is not afraid to throw it to same-handed batters, and that is what Wenninger does. The four-seamer and changeup tunnel well off one another. He gets 18 inches of IVB from a high release point, and that interacts well with a changeup that gets about 11 inches of horizontal break. To go along wit the movement profile he gets upwards of 10 mph of separation between the fastball and changeup. 

There is a cutter here, and he has a slider, and a sinker, so there are a few pitches for him to play with. Wenninger is in the mix to get some starts with the Mets at some point this season, or he could be moved to a team with more runway for him to start. He has the stuff to be a good back-end starter type that throws a ton of strikes, can get whiffs, while limiting the long ball. Keep an eye on the Mets moving him at the deadline because he does need to be added to the 40-man this offseason. - RW

Chase Shores, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

Line: IP

Notable Pitch Data: 11 inches of Run on the Sinker

Analysis:

The Angels love to draft these bad fastball-shape guys who throw really hard and hope they can be relievers of note for them. It has yet to work for them. Chase Shores is likely the next in line for this designation, and if this is the case with Shores, it would be the wrong deployment of him.

I think Shores has enough of a changeup and a slider to be relied upon to be developed as a starter, but he needs some time. I would invest in him in any other organization. But for the crowd out there that likes immediate returns, Chase Shores might be able to provide some innings and some strikeouts. I am not as sure about the ratios. 

Shores will probably pitch in low-leverage spots for the Angels and can maybe get some holds. I don’t think he has the stuff to be a closer for any team other than the Angels, because their bullpen looks rough as currently constructed. - RW

👀 Under-The-Radar Prospect Performer

Yordany De Los Santos, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

De Los Santos was once a buzzy prospect, and some of the hype came from me. Spending time on the backfields during complex ball in 2024, De Los Santos really stood out physically and with his performance.

Listed at 6’2”/170, De Los Santos looks around 6’4” to my eye and brings an intriguing skillset to the table. After a strong complex performance in 2024, De Los Santos really struggled in Single-A. There were a couple of people I talked to who mentioned the struggles may not have been skills-related.

He returned to action in 2025 and looked much improved. Hitting 11 home runs in a pitcher-friendly Florida State League, De Los Santos stole 51 bases and slashed .249/.311/.388.

The exit velocities were disappointing last year as he ran an 84 mph average exit velocity, but the 90th percentile was much higher at 103.4 mph. The chase rate was quite high as well at 38 percent.

Seeing him blast a 107.5 mph home run on Tuesday off a Major League arm was encouraging. De Los Santos is still a watch list type guy, but someone to watch out for, because the tools are there. -CC

🚨 Daily Overreaction

Riley Cornelio, RHP, Washington Nationals

Typically, this section has been about players performance that we should not overreact to despite the buzz they get on social media. Today, there is a performance I am overreacting to, that no one is talking about. That player is Riley Cornelio.

I watched Cornelio pitch several times last season, and he seemed to get better each time I saw him. He worked his way up to Triple-A by season's end and wound up pitching 134.1 innings with a 3.28 ERA and a 24.8 percent strikeout rate.

Cornelio was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of TCU, and after getting off to a slow start in 2023 and 2024, something changed last year. Adding over two ticks of velocity, Cornelio also refined the delivery, and it has made all the difference. 

In the sixth and seventh innings of yesterday’s game against the Cardinals, Cornelio did not face a star-studded lineup, but did square off against Jordan Walker, Nelson Velázquez, and a couple of respectable prospects. The result? Two scoreless innings with one hit allowed and three strikeouts. Cornelio generated a daily best nine whiffs.

The velocity was up another tick as Cornelio sat 96.2 mph and averaged over 19 inches of IVB and 12 inches of arm-side run. Throwing from a 5’7” release height, those are strong traits on the pitch.

The slider was nasty as well, sitting in the mid-80s, and having a respectable shape. It averaged five inches of IVB and two inches of horizontal break. Cornelio’s changeup sat in the upper-80s with 17 inches of arm-side movement.

With a lot of the Boston crew now in Washington, don’t be surprised when Cornelio takes the next step and pitches in the Majors this year. At the moment, he is a watchlist guy, but be ready to pounce if we get another few spring outings. -CC

📊 Quick Hitters

• Owen Murphy: 2 IP/1 H/0 ER/0 BB/3 K - 5 Whiffs, FB velo up(92 avg), new cutter??

• Jake Casey(2025 Blue Jays Draftee): HR, 2 RBI (103 mph HR)

• Angel Bastardo: 1 Scoreless IP, big stuff on the mound!

• Jack Wenninger: 2 Scoreless IP, 2 BB, 3 K. FB Velo up again!

• Joe Mack: HR

• Josue De Paula: 3/3 110 mph 2B

• Travis Bazzana: 2/3 1 HR, 3 RBI (108 mph HR, 103 mph BBE)

Welcome to our team prospect rankings. Over the next three months, I will be pumping out team top 30 prospect rankings and evaluations for dynasty baseball. These reports are generated from live looks, film study, and advanced data analysis to bring you in-depth fantasy scouting reports on every player you need to know, with today’s being the New York Mets’ Top Prospects for 2026.

Including 50 players in the ranks should help all you deep-league dynasty folks out there, and the reports on the top 30 give you insight into everyone you need to know!

To get the full report, you need to be a paid subscriber. Why? These reports take a ton of time, and I feel like they are as good as any in the industry. It is filled with advanced data, scouting thoughts, live look reports, long-term outlooks, and more. Each team report is around 8,000 words to help you better understand the prospects. I include peak projections, future fantasy grades, variance factors, and dynasty buys and sells. To see a preview, check out the article below. If you are a Dugout member, scroll down for the top 50 Mets top prospects.

New York Mets Top Prospects for Dynasty

Links to Reports

• New York Mets Top Prospects for 2026

  • 1. Nolan McLean, RHP, 24, 6’2”/214, MLB

  • 2. Carson Benge, OF, 23, 6’1”/184, AAA

  • 3. Jonah Tong, RHP, 22, 6’1”/180, MLB

  • 4. Ryan Clifford, 1B/OF, 22, 6’3”/200, AAA

  • 5. Wandy Asigen, SS, 16, 6’0”/180, N/A

  • 6. Jacob Reimer, 3B, 22, 6’0”/205, AA

  • 7. AJ Ewing, OF, 21, 5’11”/160, AA

  • 8. Jack Wenninger, RHP, 24, 6’4”/210, AA

  • 9. Jonathan Santucci, LHP, 23, 6’2”/105, AA

  • 10. Elian Peña, SS, 18, 5’10”/180, DSL

  • 11. Chris Suero, C/OF, 22, 5’11”/205, AA

  • 12. Eli Serrano, OF, 22, 6’5”/201, A+

  • 13. Mitch Voit, 2B, 21, 6’0”/201, A

  • 14. Will Watson, RHP, 23, 6’1”/180, AA

  • 15. Nick Morabito, OF, 22, 5’10”/185, AA

  • 16. Zach Thornton, LHP, 24, 6’3”/170, AA

  • 17. Antonio Jimenez, SS, 21, 6’1”/200, A

  • 18. Marco Vargas, MI, 20, 5’11”/170, A+

  • 19. Cam Tilly, RHP, 21, 6’2”/207, NCAA

  • 20. Brendan Girton, RHP, 24, 6’1”/217, AA

  • 21. R.J. Gordon, RHP, 24, 6’0”/195, AA

  • 22. Ryan Lambert, RHP, 23, 6’3”/222, AA

  • 23. Daiverson Gutierrez, C, 20, 5’11”/206, A

  • 24. Yovanny Rodriguez, C, 19, 6’0”/175, DSL

  • 25. Peter Kussow, RHP, 19, 6’5”/205, HS

  • 26. Randy Guzman, 1B/OF, 20, 6’4”/215, A

  • 27. Dylan Ross, RHP, 25, 6’5”/251, AAA

  • 28. Boston Baro, SS/3B, 21, 6’0”/170, A+

  • 29. Camden Lohman, RHP, 19, 6’4”/195, HS

  • 30. Jeremy Rodriguez, SS, 19, 6’0”/170, A

  • Spreadsheet Link to the Top 50!

Format: Name, Position, 2026 OD Age, Height/Weight, Highest Level

New York Mets Top Prospects for 2026

1. Nolan McLean, RHP, 24, 6’2”/214, MLB

After being a two-way player at Oklahoma State, McLean got a chance to hit and pitch in pro ball. While the present power was there, the contact skills always held him back. McLean did not hit in a game after June 20, 2024, and focusing solely on pitching is paying off.

McLean’s fastball sits in the mid-90s with a heavy armside run. He throws from a 5’4” release height, which helps the pitch play at the top of the zone and has a rising effect despite the IVB not being overwhelming. With 10 or more inches of horizontal movement regularly, McLean has shown bat-missing ability, with the offering having a 41 percent whiff rate.

The slider has around 10 mph of velocity separation from the fastball, sitting in the mid-80s with heavy sweeping action. It has late horizontal movement, which deceives hitters, largely due to its extremely high spin rates, which have been up to 3200 rpm. Watching the pitch, it is easily plus or better, and the metrics back it up.

McLean will mix a cutter on occasion, but the increased curveball usage has been huge. It has a 42 percent whiff rate while sitting around 80 mph with two-plane break. The changeup has been used at the right time, and overall, McLean sequences extremely well.

After posting a 2.45 ERA across 113.2 Minor League innings, McLean dominated in the Majors, ending two innings shy of exhausting prospect eligibility. In 48 innings with the Mets, McLean posted a 2.06 ERA with a 30 percent strikeout rate. He looks like a potential Rookie of the Year in 2026.

FFG: SP2

90th Percentile Peak Outcome: 170 IP/3.00 ERA/190 K

Variance: High

Buy/Sell: Buy High

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Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Mick Abel, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Stats: 3 IP/2 H/0 ER/0 BB/5 K

Notable Data: 12 Whiffs(7 on four-seam FB), 32% Chase, 63% Strike

Why The Performance Matters:

Abel took the ball and faced off against the 2024 and 2025 CY Young winner, Tarik Skubal, and honestly outpitched him. The Tigers ran out a lineup that resembled what we will likely see come Opening Day, and Abel gave up just two hits across three innings of work. He struck out five, did not issue a walk, and needed just 46 pitches to get through the three innings.

The 12 whiffs were a daily best across all pitchers in baseball, and seven of those came on the four-seam fastball. Abel mixed six pitches and generated a whiff with all of them but his sinker, which he threw just once. The 52 percent whiff rate and 39 percent CSW stand out in a huge way.

Abel took a massive step forward with command last season and saw his fastball velocity tick back up. Across 98.1 Triple-A innings, Abel posted a 2.20 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP, a substantial difference from the 6.46 ERA we saw in 2024. Abel also made his MLB debut with the Phillies before being traded to Minnesota at the 2025 deadline for Jhoan Duran. In 39 MLB innings between both teams, Abel posted an uninspiring 6.23 ERA, but the arm talent is there.

Abel’s fastball works around 96 mph and has tops at 99 mph with solid traits. The bat-missing has ticked up on the pitch, and Abel is creating more than 16 inches of IVB from a 5'6" release height. The flat VAA stands out in a big way, and Abel also creates eight inches of horizontal movement while having exceptional spin rates and active spin. The sinker plays well off it, giving him the ability to get groundball outs when needed.

The slider averages around 87 mph with a gyro shape, but is almost close to bullet spin. While it has missed plenty of bats, the sweeper might be even better. It sits around 83 mph, and yesterday showed more carry than we saw last season, and it averaged 16 inches of sweeping action.

Abel did throw his changeup more than we saw last year, and it looks much improved. It has more depth while still having ten inches of fading action. It sits around 87 mph. The arsenal was strong yesterday and Abel should see a ton of quality innings in the Majors this year. He is a solid buy in redraft and dynasty for me. -CC

Fantasy Spin:

Abel was roughed up in his MLB debut last season, but has the arm talent to be very solid starting pitcher. Expect Able to likely start in Triple-A, but he should be up quick and could be a staple in the rotation.

Today’s Article is nearly 4,000 words on everything you need to know prospect wise. Subscribe below for full access and all the other great things we offer on the site!

Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Brennen Davis, OF, Seattle Mariners

Stats: 1/1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 2 R

Notable Data: 114.1 mph HR, 21 pitches seen, 9% Chase, 70% ZSwing

Spring Line: 6 PA, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB

Why The Performance Matters:

Old friend alert! Remember Davis? Former top ten prospect on many prospect lists years ago? Unfortunately, a back injury derailed his career and set him back years in development. Now 26 years old, Davis has elected free agency two straight offseasons after not making rosters for the Cubs and then the Yankees this offseason. In December, the Mariners scooped up Davis on a Minor League deal and he is looking strong so far in 2026, albeit a small sample.

The 114 mph blast was quite impressive on Sunday, but Davis also showed strong plate discipline. He took two walks and chased just nine percent of pitches out of the zone and saw 21 pitches in his three trips to the plate. This comes on the heels of a season in which Davis hit 17 home runs in just 198 plate appearances. He ran an impressive 108 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and topped at 112 mph last year.

The biggest problems in the profile revolve around injuries and contact ability. It has taken the last three seasons for Davis to reach a full-season worth of plate appearances and last year saw him run just a 68 percent contact rate. The 34 percent chase rate was bad, so what we saw yesterday was encouraging.

Fantasy Spin:

Davis is far from a must-add in fantasy leagues. He should be on your radar, though, because there is no denying the talent in the profile. The first step for Davis to be fantasy relevant is to be healthy. If he can show that, Davis is going to put up big numbers in Triple-A.

The power is there, and Davis still has decent athleticism. Keep an eye on what Davis does this offseason, as there could be a chance he could find at-bats with the Mariners this season if he can stay healthy all season. -CC

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Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Justin Crawford, OF, Philadelphia Phillies

Stats: 2/3 2B, K

Notable Data: 104 mph 2B(390 feet), 86.2 mph line drive single

Spring Line: 2/3, 2B

Why The Performance Matters:

Crawford looks to be in a good spot to win a starting spot for the Phillies out of camp. He certainly got off to a good start to the spring, both with his bat and glove. Leading off the game, Crawford smoked a double 104 mph off the bat, which traveled 390 feet to the warning track and nearly left the yard. In the fifth inning, he had an 86 mph single on a line shot. He also made an awesome read on a ball in center field and an incredible catch.

The Phillies org has done nothing but hype Crawford and his chances to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. Today, it is suggested that, though a small sample, Crawford looks capable of doing so.

Last year, as a 21-year-old in Triple-A, Crawford slashed .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs and 46 stolen bases. The issue in his game has always been ground balls, and that was the case again last season as he ran a 59 percent ground ball rate. While we can’t say two batted balls change the perspective, it was encouraging to see his two batted balls have launch angles of 22 and 12 degrees.

Crawford posts respectable exit velocities, having a 102.7 mph 90th percentile last year with a 110 mph max. The contact skills are also impressive as he made contact on nearly 80 percent of swings overall and 83 percent in the zone. The approach is also solid as Crawford ran a 22 percent chase rate.

He is a 70-runner with a plus glove in center. The game power does not resemble the raw exit velocity data due to the launch angles, but if we see any improvements, the stock takes off. Crawford also just turned 22 years old, so there is plenty of time to make the necessary changes.

Fantasy Spin:

If Crawford wins a spot in the Phillies lineup, which seems possible, there’s a ton of value to be had, especially with steals. While he may be closer to a ten-home-run bat, the potential for 30+ steals and a good batting average is valuable. With an NFBC ADP of 340, you could do a lot worse. Im taking my chances on Crawford at the draft price. -CC

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Ah, can you smell it? The smell of fresh-cut grass and the dirt of the diamond. Baseball is back, and it is a beautiful sight. Spring Training games have kicked off, and we are here to break down everything you need to know regarding the top prospect performers from the previous day’s action.

What prospects are standing out? Who is making noise? Who could break camp with teams? Let’s discuss what you need to know!

Exit Velocity Leaders(Prospects Only)

Whiff Leaders(Prospects Only)

Spring Training Prospect Watch

🚀 Standout of The Day

Sam Antonacci, 2B, Chicago White Sox

Stats: 1/3, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Notable Data: 109.5 MPH HR, 100.3 MPH Ground Out, 94.6 MPH Force Out

Spring Line: 1/3, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Why The Performance Matters:

Antonacci got off to a blazing hot start to spring, leaving the yard off big leaguer, Jameson Taillon in the second inning of Friday’s game. It was no ordinary home run, though, as it left the bat with an exit velocity of 109.5 mph and traveled 417 feet. Sure, it was a 92.5 mph fastball that Taillon left over the heart of the plate, but the significance is the exit velocity here, as Antonnaci reached a max exit velocity of 110 mph last season.

The contact skills are legit and showed again on Friday as he swung and missed just once. In addition to the home run, Antonacci had an additional ball hit over 100 mph and another that was just shy of 95 mph.

Splitting the 2025 season between High-A and Double-A, Antonnaci slashed .291/.433/.409 with five home runs and 48 stolen bases. He did have 32 extra-base hits, so if a few more of those doubles turn into home runs, as we saw, this is a top 100 prospect.

Antonnaci ended the 2025 season with an overall contact rate of around 87 percent, and the in-zone number was just shy of 90 percent. The chase rate an impressive 16 percent.

Keep a close eye on Antonacci this spring.

Fantasy Spin:

The performance should not make you think Antonacci is immediately a top 50 prospect or anything of that nature, but it does show a few things.

• Raw Power is developing

• He can handle MLB pitching

• His offensive ceiling might be a tad higher than originally thought.

Antonacci does not have much value in most dynasty leagues. If he is available, I would pick him up and see where it goes. Again, it’s early. Keep a close eye on the exit velocities the rest of spring. -CC

🔥 Impact Hitting Performances

Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Line: 0/3, 1 K

Notable Data: 115.6 EV

Analysis:

Ryan Waldschmidt lit up Statcast when he made contact with a 95.8 MPH sinker down and in. The result of this batted ball happened to be a new personal best for Ryan Waldschmidt in the exit velocity department. Yes, before you become the no-fun police, I know the ball in play result was a groundout. A 115.6 MPH EV with a -6 degree launch angle doesn’t sound great, and everyone’s dad is going to say it doesn’t matter how hard you hit it when you hit the ball into the ground, but this established a new max EV for someone, and these are good data points to collect, even if they are slightly noisy.

Ryan Waldschmidt could very well be in the conversation to open camp with the Diamondbacks, as a pesky hamate bone injury has sidelined Corbin Carroll until either before or after Opening Day. This is the foot in the door that Waldschmidt may have needed. He was good last year, hitting 18 homers and stealing 29 bases across both High-A and Double-A. And while he has yet to see time in Triple-A, his Double-A performance may indicate that he is close to being ready. And with being named a Top 100 prospect on all three lists (Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and ESPN), he would be eligible to take part in the Prospect Promotion Incentive program IF he broke camp with the Snakes.

File this away when there is more buzz on Waldschmidt. If he can keep the ball off the ground, that is, as his other batted ball of the day was also a ground ball, there will be a case for Waldschmidt to break camp with the Diamondbacks, thus forcing the likes of Jorge Barbosa to the bench when Carroll comes back. - RW

Walker Jenkins, OF, Minnesota Twins

Line: 1/2, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB

Notable Data: 115.6 EV

Analysis:

Walker Jenkins hit a double off a college arm. I actually find these little exhibitions to be fascinating. What do you mean? A college arm has to go against the likes of Josh Bell, who has nine years of service time? Back to the matter at hand, Walker Jenkins took a 90.9 mph fastball to the pull side and hit it 102 MPH off the bat. He also drew a walk for good measure.

There is a lot to like about Walker Jenkins, but the injuries have started to pile up, and that can get scary. Is this a Walker Jenkins thing? Is this a Twins thing? Can we please get Byron Buxton onto another team? Walker Jenkins has a chance to see time with the Twins this season, health permitting, because these are the list of characters that may get time in the outfield in Minnesota this year: Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Kody Clemens, Ryan Kreidler, Austin Martin, James Outman, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and maybe Gabriel Gonzalez gets a chance before he begins the KBO/NPB portion of his career. Of all those guys, the only one you can definitely say has no reason not to be playing (health permitting) over Walker Jenkins when he is ready is Buxton.

The Twins are functioning as the closest thing we have seen to an expansion franchise since the Rays and D-Backs entered the league, so maybe there is more runway here for him to break camp with the team than one would think. He did get some time in Triple-A and can play center field, so there is some on-roster utility here, and he could move Buxton to a corner to reduce the wear and tear that comes with playing center field. If Walker Jenkins has a good spring, and the Twins want to have some goodwill with a fanbase that has every right not to want to tune in, at least allowing Walker Jenkins to earn a spot on the roster might give fans of the Twins some hope. - RW

Jefferson Rojas, SS, Chicago Cubs

Line: 1/2, 2B, K

Notable Data: 100.3 MPH EV

Analysis:

Rojas has some fans out there, and it stems from his good glove and ability to make contact. Rojas was able to pounce on Tyler Schweitzer’s 94 MPH fastball and get his first hit of the spring. Rojas struggled a little bit in his 172 plate appearances in Double-A, hitting 0 homers and batting .164/.343/.367.

It is hard to see a runway for Rojas with the Cubs, as he will almost assuredly not displace Dansby Swanson, who is one of the best shortstop defenders in the sport. Rojas may be able to get some playing time in 2026 with the Cubs if an injury arises. He is defensively versatile and may be able to do a job in center field if needed. But for him to fulfill any sort of fantasy upside and be a consistent player, we need to see Rojas get moved to a different team. - RW

Munetaka Murakami, 1B, Chicago White Sox

Line: 2/4, 2B, 2 RBI, K

Notable Data: 108.3 MPH EV

Analysis:

He has arrived, and played a bit more than you would think, especially with this being the spring training opener. Murakami brings a lot of power to the plate, and he showed that in this one, posting an exit velocity (EV) of 108.3 on the double and a 105.5 on the single he hit.

Murakami is obviously known for his power, and that is what everyone is going to hope he provides in the coming years. There is a chance here he just hits 25 homers from the jump, but the batting average, especially in his first year or so, could get ugly. He has issues with making contact and will run a high strikeout rate. But he should be able to hit just enough to tap into his monstrous power.

I do find the fact that the White Sox manager is saying he will get some time at third base this season interesting because that is not how I would want him deployed. But hey, maybe he gets enough time there to maintain eligibility, and that is all we are asking for around these parts. If it all clicks, he could be a .250 hitter who hits 40+ homers. - RW

Michael Arroyo, 2B, Seattle Mariners

Line: 2/2, HR, 2B, R, 2 RBI

Notable Data: 2 Hard Hit Batted Balls

Analysis:

Well hello Michael Arroyo, nice of you to start off your Spring Training on a high note. Arroyo had two hard-hit batted balls and had a homer that would have gone out in all but 2 of the ballparks in the major leagues. We won’t see him for much longer as he prepares to represent Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.

Michael Arroyo has always been more of a bat-first, and second, and maybe even third prospect, because his glove isn’t great. But if he is going to routinely barrel up batted balls and play a little bit of left field, then maybe, just maybe, it will work. The homer came off a changeup that Jagger Haynes threw; it was an objectively bad pitch, and Michael Arroyo was waiting and sat back on it and took it the other way. It was, by all accounts, a good piece of hitting.

The double came as Wandy Peralta tried to throw a slider on the inner third to Michael Arroyo, and he took it right-center. Arroyo is a pain in the behind to pitch to. The fantasy ceiling is pretty good; he could be a plus contact guy, who draws his fair share of walks, and also hits 20 homers in Seattle. I don’t think we see him at all in 2026, but if Cole Young continues to not provide much offensive impact, maybe, just maybe, the Mariners take the bad defense that is going to come and call up Arroyo late in the year. Also, it doesn’t change his fantasy outlook, but very few players have as nice of cleats as Arroyo does; he was wearing some really nice Jordan 11 cleats when I saw him in Single-A. - RW

🎯 Notable Pitching Standouts

Marco Raya, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Line: IP, H, 3 K

Notable Pitch Data: Threw 13 pitches, collected 6 whiffs

Analysis:

I have always been a bit of a Marco Raya fan, even as his command has evaporated and we have learned he has an objectively bad four-seamer. He isn't going to be a star by any means, but he has what it takes to be a useful pitcher for the Twins. He has a few different pitches, and he has the looks of a possible platoon-neutral reliever who can go multiple innings.

It is hard to evaluate Raya for a lot of reasons; no pitcher seems to have gotten a shorter leash than him when he was a starter, and in this game particularly, he went against college hitters. Raya threw 98.2 innings in 2025, all in Triple-A with the Twins, and in 9 of his last 10 games, Raya came into the game as a reliever. The Twins tried him as a starter, and it just didn't work well. Now, the reason I bring him up here is that he could have some viability in your deeper points leagues, especially ones where long relievers have some value because there is an innings component. Raya looks to be a future long reliever for the Twins.

His arsenal is solid; it’s a mid-90s fastball whose shape is not great and has led him to rely on his cutter as the primary offering. He also mixes in a sweeper that gets around 10 inches of horizontal break, along with a good curveball that is thrown around the mid-80s and gets around 8 inches of drop, and he will mix in a sinker and a changeup.

In this outing, against college kids, he mixed in all of his pitches and got whiffs with all of them. The curveball, sweeper, and cutter all got 2 whiffs apiece and looked to cause serious issues for the Minnesota Golden Gophers lineup.

The curveball and sweeper are his primary whiff pitches, generating a 36.3% whiff rate and a 37.3% whiff rate, respectively. And with the cutter, those three weapons are enough to get some outs at the big league level this season, and because he throws a four-seamer, a sinker, and a changeup, he can give batters something else to worry about to get them off the three good pitches. He is on the 40-man roster and spent the entire season in Triple-A; he could very well factor into the mix for the Twins. -RW

Elmer Rodriguez, RHP, New York Yankees

Line: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K

Notable Pitch Data: 42 Pitches, 71% Strikes, 36% Chase

Analysis:

Rodriguez was not flashy in his 2026 spring debut, but he was efficient and limited any damage. Facing off against the Orioles’ everyday lineup, Rodriguez held them to just three hits across three scoreless innings. He was high efficent, needing just 42 pitches and landing 71 percent of those for strikes.

Sure, the bat-missing ability was not quite there as he had just five whiffs, but the 29 percent CSW was respectable. Two whiffs each came from both the changeup and sinker, which play off each other well.

Rodriguez runs his fastball up to 98 mph but routinely sits in the 95-96 mph range. Last season, the pitch shape did not stand out for a sinker, but he averaged 17 inches of arm-side run on Friday with good depth.

Rodriguez mixes in a cutter that often blends into a slider. The cutter touched 91 several times but is very similar to his slider, which sits in the upper-80s. The changeup sat at 88 mph with good depth and 13 inches of arm-side fade.

One thing of note is that Rodriguez looked to mix both a sweeper anda curve. The pitches had around five mph of spearation and while they had similar glove-side movement(12 inches), the curveball had negative nine inches of IVB versus zero on the sweeper.

Rodriguez is going to pitch for the Yankees this season and is a high-probability starter. -CC

Connor Schultz, RHP, Chicago Cubs

Line: 1.1 IP, 2H, BB, 2 K

Notable Pitch Data: 7 Swings and Misses

Analysis:

Following Jameson Taillon, we got a former Indy Ball pitcher whom the Cubs signed in 2024. Connor Schultz, in this one, collected 7 whiffs on 26 pitches thrown.

Schultz was mostly throwing the changeup in this outing, especially to left-handed batters; of the fifteen pitches he threw to left-handed batters, 9 of them were the changeup. The changeup is a solid weapon against opposite-sided hitters; it gets around 12 miles per hour separation off the four-seamer and sinker. The changeup generates about 13 inches of horizontal break and tunnels well with his two fastballs.

Schultz has bounced between being a starter and being a reliever during his time in the Cubs organization. The upside with a changeup-first reliever whose fastball tops out around 94 mph is a low-leverage relief type. But if you get that from an Indy Ball signee, that’s a win. There isn't much fantasy upside unless you play in a league where holds are valued the same as a save, because he doesn't have the stuff to be a closer. - RW

Trey Gibson, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Line: 3 IP, 2H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Notable Pitch Data:

Analysis:

Gibson pitched the final three innings of the game for the Orioles against the Yankees, and while it was against mostly prospects and org depth type players, Gibson was strong. He pitched three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. He did not allow a run or a walk, which was also encouraging.

Needing just 35 pitches, Gibson landed 69 percent of those for strikes and had a 28 percent whiff rate and a 31 percent CSW. While the fastball sat just 92 mph, there’s little reason to worry at this point since it is still February.

Having a five-pitch mix, Gibson leads with a fastball that he throws around 40 percent of the time. It grades out at a plus offering, sitting 94 mph last season, it plays with good depth, and over 16 inches of arm-side run. The extension being north of seven feet allows it to play up.

Gibson threw three breaking balls, an 86-87 mph slider with good depth, an 83-84 mph sweeper with 12 inches of glove-side movement. The 80 mph curveball had negative 13 inches of IVB on average with seven inches of sweep.

Gibson did not feature his changeup, which was a seldom-used pitch in 2025, and not throwing a four-seamer was interesting. He did mix in the cutter in the upper-80s with high carry and four inches of cut, resembling another slider.

The arsenal and arm-talent is there for Gibson to spend plenty of time in an Orioles uniform in 2026. -CC

👀 Under-The-Radar Prospect Performer

Romeo Sanabria, 1B, San Diego Padres

Sanabria took over for Nick Castellanos, who started at first base for the Padres. He made his presence known quickly, blasting a 106.4 mph home run that traveled 416 feet off of Troy Taylor.

Drafted as a catcher in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Indian River State College. Given his large 6’3”/200 lb frame, it did not take long for him to transition to first base in the Padres organization. In 2025, Sanabria blasted 12 home runs in 499 Double-A plate appearances, slashing .257/.309/.376.

After the 2024 season and AFL, it looked like Sanabria might be a legit prospect. The 2025 season was disappointing, but there is power in the bat as we saw on Friday. -CC

🚨 Daily Overreaction

At this point, it is easy to overreact to anything. We have baseball back, people are excited, and there is a ton of stuff thrown at you on social media. Remember what matters most. Right now, the most important things to react to are not batting practice videos, pitch data from small side sessions, or even one game samples.

What you should be watching for is things, as we saw from Ryan Waldschmidt and Sam Antonacci, which were some shiny exit velocity data that matters when looking at past performances. Also, pitchers like Elmer Rodriguez and Trey Gibson tossing three innings on day one were encouraging, especially scoreless. Michael Arroyo’s bat was also fun to watch. -CC

📊 Quick Hitters

• Ryan Waldschmidt, ARI - 115.6 mph ground out (New Max EV)

• Pedro Ramirez, CHC - 111.8 mph ground out (New Max EV)

• BJ Murray, CHC - 112.3 and 110.2 mph exit velocities

• Munetaka Murakami, CHW - 105.5 mph 2B, 108.3 mph 1B

• Elmer Rodriguez, NYY - 3 scoreless IP

• Trey Gibson, BAL - 3 scoreless IP

• Marco Raya, MIN - 3 K over a scoreless IP

• Michael Arroyo, SEA - 2/2, 2B, HR