WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 03: Members of Team Venezuela look on during the singing of the national anthem prior to the game between the Team Venezuela and the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Well in the aftermath of Jurickson Profar’s suspension, the Braves are down a (presumably) productive bat, but up $18 million dollars when you include luxury tax savings. That Mike Yastrzemski signing looks even more important now and Eli White is really not a bad platoon partner for him. That said, for a team that wanted to add a quality starting pitcher but was unable to and suffered a couple brutal pitching injuries right at the beginning of Spring Training, the Profar news really is an instance of “when it rains, it pours”. The team said they had money leftover before, but they certainly have more now. It will be really tough to add impact players in March, but they’ve almost got to be at least making calls on the trade market for another bat, a starting pitcher, or both. We’ll see if the front office can pull a rabbit out of a hat and bolster a roster that still has significant talent, but has already been substantially depleted before the season has even started.
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Jasson Domínguez #24 of the New York Yankees smiles before the game against the Detroit Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MLB.com | Ian Browne: George Lombard Jr.’s strong spring continued Wednesday as he took Red Sox ace Garret Crochet deep to lead off a Grapefruit League game. The Yankees’ top prospect pulled the ball 392 feet and it exited his bat at 104.2 mph. Crochet was “just trying to push it up in the zone instead of just throwing it up in the zone,” the 2025 AL Cy Young runner-up said after the game of the pitch that led to the long ball. “But that was a good swing, because it was still a good bullet by me.”
Lombard has flashed the leather at shortstop throughout camp, though he’s not expected to be in play for an Opening Day roster spot.
SNY | John Flanigan: Cam Schlittler has gotten the go-ahead to make his spring debut Friday against the Rays, easing concerns about his back. The starting pitcher was delayed earlier in camp due to back inflammation. Given his later start, it’s expected that he might only get stretched out to 65-80 pitches to start the season. Still, with fellow starters Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt expected to begin the season on the IL, the Yankees will take all the Schlittler they can get.
MLB.com | Alfred Santasiere III: In light of Schlittler’s scheduled return, what better time for a profile on the young right-hander? The sophomore touches on adjustments to big-league competition, evolving his pitch mix, and closing out the season strong. But the lion’s share of the Q&A provides a remarkably in-depth, sometimes inning-by-inning, breakdown of his instantly legendary performance in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against his hometown Red Sox.
The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: ($) After the Dodgers’ repeat title last year, their blockbuster offseason acquisitions of Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz intensified backlash from many around the game decrying the lack of parity in today’s game. Don’t count the Yankees’ biggest stars among the detractors of LA’s approach. “They’re trying to get the best product on the field and finding a way to maximize whatever they can to get the best players,” says Aaron Judge, adding (perhaps pointedly), “I wish a lot of teams found a way to do that.”
“They’re maximizing their efficiency,” ace Gerrit Cole said in typically analytical fashion. “They are getting contracts that are making them better quality. It’s within the rules.”
Giancarlo Stanton lauded the Dodgers for creating “good buzz for baseball.”
Lastly, a couple Yankees went deep in World Baseball Classic exhibition play yesterday, with Aaron Judge launching a 453-foot moonshot for Team USA off the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland …
George Lombard Jr. took the Red Sox ace deep to lead off Wednesday’s exhibition, then drilled a single off him in his second at-bat for two of the three hits Crochet allowed.
“It’s always good getting to face the elite guys in the league,” Lombard said. “I was excited for it. Looking for something to hit, not trying to do too much with it and put a good swing on it.”
But he has also flashed his offensive potential with plenty of hard-hit balls like Wednesday, with his OPS now up to 1.196 through six games.
George Lombard Jr. celebrates with Ben Rice after hitting a homer off Garrett Crochet in the first inning of the Yankees’ 4-0 spring training win over the Red Sox on March 4, 2026. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Crochet, the big lefty who most recently shut down the Yankees in a dominant start in Game 1 of the AL wild-card series last October, threw a 97 mph fastball at the top of the zone on a 1-2 count to Lombard to lead off the game.
The top prospect had no trouble catching up to it, clobbering it over everything (including the Green Monster replica) in left field for a 392-foot homer that came off the bat at 104.2 mph.
Then in the third inning, Lombard roped a 108.5 mph bullet that got past shortstop Trevor Story for a single.
“He’s been great,” manager Aaron Boone said. “You see what he’s capable of. The thing he does pretty well already, as a young hitter, is control the strike zone and has real pop. Obviously a no-doubter there to start things off. He’s just continuing to develop as a hitter.”
Luis Gil looked the sharpest he has all spring in his third start, striking out six and walking two across three-plus scoreless innings.
More significant than the results, Gil’s fastball velocity continued to tick up, averaging 95.7 mph (up from his 2025 average of 95.3) and maxing out at 97.9 mph on a strikeout of Trevor Story to end the third inning.
“It feels great, to know that the velo is there when you need it,” Gil said through an interpreter. “It also shows how the body is progressing and getting into shape to be able to execute pitches like that. Routine is very important and I feel like I’ve been building slowly to that.”
Boone acknowledged that Gil’s “progression has been slow” this spring, but told the righty he keeps getting better.
“I want to see more, because I know what he’s capable of,” Boone said. “Keep working him back to that early ’24 form where he was dominant. I feel like he’s moving in that direction but he’s got to keep doing that.”
Cam Schlittler is scheduled to make his spring debut Friday night against the Rays at Steinbrenner Field after being delayed by mid-back/left lat inflammation.
The Yankees slowed Schlittler’s buildup earlier in camp to let the back issue settle down, but the right-hander has since faced hitters twice and then threw a bullpen session Wednesday morning that cleared him for Friday’s start.
If the rest of his spring goes well, Schlittler should be built up to around 65-80 pitches by the time the regular season begins, Boone said.
Aaron Judge blasted a 453-foot home run in Team USA’s exhibition against the Rockies on Wednesday, taking lefty Kyle Freeland deep on a tape-measure shot that came off the bat at 115.9 mph.
Oswaldo Cabrera is also “trending” toward making his spring debut on Friday, Boone said, as the Yankees ease the utility player back into action coming off a broken ankle last May.
And A.J. Minter was supposed to be a key piece of the Mets bullpen last season after signing a two-year, $22 million deal, but he made just 13 appearances before a lat injury led to season-ending surgery.
Both were back on the mound Wednesday, Scott in a 5-2 win over Team Israel at Clover Park and Minter in a minor league game on a back field.
And the results were encouraging, as Scott hit 96 mph in his 2 ²/₃ scoreless innings, walked none and struck out five in a performance the right-hander had envisioned “for a long time,” he said.
“Probably 18 months,” Scott said. “As soon as I got the surgery, I knew this was on the horizon. It was just about being consistent, keeping up day-to-day. I was thinking of this day for a long time.”
Regardless of how Scott does this spring, it seems likely he’ll open the season with Triple-A Syracuse, since the Mets don’t have any room in the rotation.
Christian Scott throws live batting practice during Spring Training at Clover Field on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Still, Carlos Mendoza called the 48-pitch outing “pretty impressive.”
“It’s been a long road for him and it hasn’t been easy,’’ the manager said. “To go through the rehab process after he had a taste of [the majors] in 2024, when he was really good for us.”
Scott’s command stood out, in particular.
“He attacked,’’ Mendoza said. “One thing from him, he’s not gonna back down.”
Neither is Minter, whom the Mets believe can be an integral part of their new-look relief corps.
“The first one is always the hardest,’’ the lefty said of his return to the mound. “It was good to get back out there and I was happy with the results.”
Mendoza said before Minter’s outing that he could be back in late April or sometime in May.
“This is a guy that’s used to pitching high-leverage,’’ the manager said. “We saw it last year before he went down. With teams nowadays playing the matchups, you want a left-handed pitcher that can get righties and lefties [out].”
As for the rest of the bullpen, Mendoza said with Minter out, it’s not essential that the team carry two lefty relievers, thanks to the presence of newcomers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams.
“We’ve got guys that are platoon-neutral,’’ Mendoza said. “We’re gonna take what we feel is our best guys north with us.”
Bo Bichette is prepared for some hostility from the city of brotherly love.
The Mets’ new third baseman, who spurned the Phillies this offseason to join their National League East rivals, knows the Philadelphia faithful won’t take kindly to his decision — and he’s fine with it.
“If I know Philly fans, probably not the best,” Bichette said Wednesday during an appearance on “Foul Territory” about the type of response he expects to receive during games at Citizens Bank Park.
Bo Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets this offseason. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“I’ve never been booed by an opposing crowd like that. … I look forward to it. In my opinion, that’s actually pretty cool to experience, so I look forward to it.”
Aside from reuniting with superstar slugger Kyle Schwarber, Bichette would have been the Phillies’ biggest splash of the offseason.
“I can’t say that we ever thought it was done,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters about the Bichette negotiations. “We thought we were very close to having a deal done. We thought it was going to happen, but it wasn’t done. There’s a difference between the two.”
Bo Bichette is anticipating plenty of boos from Phillies fans.
After missing out on superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker, the Mets pivoted to Bichette, inking the longtime Blue Jays shortstop to a three-year, $126 million pact with a higher average annual value and multiple opt-outs.
The Phillies’ front office was reportedly “livid” about the deal, with Dombrowski calling it a “gut punch” while a local radio host mocked the Mets as “losers” for swooping in and landing Bichette.
But New York ultimately made the splash, landing last season’s AL batting title runner-up with plans to shift him to third base — a position he has never played professionally.
Any intradivision backlash has taken a backseat this spring as Bichette begins adjusting to the hot corner — a transition he called a “challenge.”
Bichette admitted during his “Foul Territory” interview that he isn’t fully comfortable at his new position yet, but expects that to come with time.
Bo Bichette grounds out in the fourth inning during the Mets’ spring training loss to the Nationals at Clover Field on Feb. 28, 2026, in Port St. Lucie. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“It’s a little weird,” Bichette said of adjusting to third base. “Practice is good, and I’m trying to get to the point where I’m just letting my athleticism take over.
“At the end of the day, you’ve just got to catch the ball and throw to first, but when you play a different position, you start thinking of different ways to make it, things like that, so those are the kind of things I’m working through.”
Observations from Yankees spring training on Wednesday
Big blast
Ben Rice crushed his first home run of the spring, a 412-footer off Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten that came off the bat at 108.8 mph and cut through the wind blowing in from right field.
Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) rounds second base after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Jim Rassol-Imagn ImagesBen Rice is congratulated by third base coach Luis Rojas after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of the Yankees’ 4-0 spring training win over the Red Sox at JetBlue Park on March 4, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Bird botch
At first base, Rice made a diving stop to his right to knock down a hard ground ball from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, got to his feet to collect the ball and then flipped to Jake Bird for what should have been an out.
The first base umpire claimed Bird did not actually step on the bag, but it was a strong play by Rice nonetheless.
Caught my eye
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, shortstop Braden Shewmake made a diving catch in shallow left field, then got onto one knee to fire home and throw out the runner trying to tag up from third for the inning-ending double play.
Thursday’s schedule
Paul Blackburn will make his second start of the spring as the Yankees host the Twins on Thursday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.
Jason Benetti before a Hall of Fame Series college basketball game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2024.
The new “Sunday Night Baseball” has its voice.
NBC Sports announced Wednesday that Jason Benetti will be the play-by-play announcer for the network’s new “Sunday Night Baseball” package on NBC and Peacock, something that had been widely expected for some time now.
His first game on-air for NBC this season will be on March 26, when the Dodgers host the Diamondbacks in an Opening Day battle.
Benetti will remain as the TV voice of the Tigers’ local broadcasts, and while on the air for “Sunday Night Baseball,” he will be paired with analysts who have connections to the teams playing in that day’s game.
Jason Benetti before a Hall of Fame Series college basketball game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2024. Getty Images
“I am thrilled to be rejoining the NBC Sports family,” Benetti said in a statement. “Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and the whole team at NBC all have a deep appreciation for live sports. It’s a true honor to be part of the dawn of Sunday Night Baseball at NBC Sports. Each week is going to be a new, unique experience with analysts who all have different viewpoints on the game of baseball.”
This will be Benetti’s second go-around at NBC, having done play-by-play duty on NBC’s “MLB Sunday Leadoff” in 2022 on Peacock.
He also called baseball games during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“After Jason finished the 2022 baseball season with us, we told him that if we ever got MLB back, he’d be our first call,” NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “Jason is one of the best play-by-play announcers in the business and we’re thrilled to have him back on a full-time basis with NBC Sports, beginning with Sunday Night Baseball.”
NBC Sports has put together an all-star lineup, adding former MLB stars Joey Votto, Clayton Kershaw and Anthony Rizzo for its studio show.
Sportscaster Jason Benetti gets ready to call the Pac-12 Coast-to-Coast Challenge between the Texas Longhorns and the Stanford Cardinal at T-Mobile Arena on December 19, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
Bob Costas will also contribute in an emeritus role as he winds down his broadcasting career.
Costas told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he would be hosting the pregame show for about two-thirds of NBC’s coverage leading up to a “Sunday Night Baseball” game.
Murray, who is expected to be released by the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the new NFL year, was selected by the A’s as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
He eventually went back to Oklahoma, though, winning the Heisman Trophy and getting taken as the top overall pick in the NFL.
That all but ended his baseball-playing career.
But the A’s are keeping the door open as Murray is soon to be without an NFL team.
Kyler Murray throws a pass during the Cardinals’ win over the Titans at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025 in Glendale, Ariz. Getty Images
“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” A’s general manager David Forst told MLB.com. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”
Murray, an outfielder, signed a $4.6 million contract with the A’s after the 2018 draft, with the deal allowing him to play college football with the Sooners before coming to the baseball team the next year.
However, in February of ’19, Murray posted a statement to Twitter where he said he had changed his mind and he was going to pursue professional football.
“Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback,” Murray wrote. “Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100% of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.”
First-round draft pick Kyler Murray of the A’s takes batting practice after signing his contract at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 15, 2018. Getty Images
Murray played two seasons on Oklahoma’s baseball team, hitting .261/.381/.466 with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Murray said Tuesday after the news of his Arizona departure that he was “sorry” he “failed” the Cardinals. He finished his Arizona tenure with a 38-48-1 record, 20,460 passing yards and 3,193 rushing yards. He should still have plenty of suitors in the NFL, with the Jets potentially being one of them.
But if he wants to take a different swing path, the A’s are open and willing.
The young right fielder showed that again Wednesday, when he went deep for the first time this spring in the 5-2 win over Team Israel on Wednesday at Clover Park.
The opposite-field shot to left came off Ryan Prager, a Single-A pitcher in the Cleveland organization.
Benge, though, didn’t make much of the shot.
“I can’t focus too much on results,” Benge said. “Just focus on the work I do pregame and postgame. That’s really all that matters to me. Results, yeah, they’re nice, but I’m sticking to my work.”
“I said before the game that he can hit left-on-left,” Carlos Mendoza said. “We saw it today: A two-strike count and he stayed in there. Not only did he put the ball in play, but he was able to drive the ball with authority [the other way]. That’s what he does and it’s exciting.”
Highly touted prospect Carson Benging, ripping a single during a game in late February, belted his first homer of the spring in the Mets’ 5-2 exhibition win over Israel on March 4, 2026 in Port St. Lucie. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
“It doesn’t matter to me who’s up there,” Benge said. “Just do my best to win the battle.”
The battle for the right field job is still up for grabs and there’s plenty of time for the right field competition to play out, with Mike Tauchman and MJ Melendez also in the mix, and Tyrone Taylor also a possibility.
The Mets continue to be intrigued by Benge’s ceiling.
“I felt like I came [into camp] trying to be myself,’’ Benge said. “I feel I’ve put in the work and whatever happens is in God’s hands.”
Mendoza said Benge has been “as advertised” this spring.
“He’s a guy with a lot of tools,’’ the manager said. “He helps win ballgames not only offensively, but defensively.”
New York Mets Carson Benge (93) runs to third on a Juan Soto double in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Spring Training at Roger Dean Stadium of the Palm Beaches, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
And while Benge can play center field, Mendoza said he’d keep the prospect in right for now, since that’s the spot that’s open, with Luis Robert Jr. in center and Juan Soto in left.
Robert made his debut of sorts with the Mets in a minor league game on a back field.
He doubled and looked fine on the bases, as well as in center, where he made a catch, but wasn’t tested much in four innings.
Mendoza said Robert will play minor league games every other day for a week, but he has no restrictions when he’s on the field as the Mets look to avoid the lower-body injuries that have plagued him in recent seasons.
Francisco Lindor’s road back from hamate surgery continued Wednesday as he began a swinging program in the batting cages, according to Mendoza.
The shortstop also recently began playing catch as he tries to be ready by Opening Day.
Chris Suero, who played catcher and left field this spring, and reliever Nate Lavender were reassigned to minor league camp.
Mets Bo Bichette fields balls at third base before a game against the Washington Nationals during Spring Training Clover Field, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
Observations from Mets spring training on Wednesday
Long man
David Peterson, now the longest-tenured Met, got off to a strong start with three scoreless innings in his first outing of the spring. The lefty struck out four in the 5-2 win over Israel’s WBC team.
Bo Bichette fields balls at third base before the Mets’ spring training loss to the Nationals at Clover Field on Feb. 28, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Burd is the word
Nick Burdi allowed a run on two hits in his lone inning of work and has allowed three runs in three innings this spring.
Caught my eye
Bo Bichette made a terrific diving stop to his right on a smash down the third base line to start a 5-4-3 double play in a minor league game, saying afterward, “It’s all about getting more comfortable there. My goal coming into the game was to feel less antsy and not worry if a ball like that got by me and that allowed me to just go after the ball and make the play.”
Thursday’s schedule
The Mets travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., to face the Nationals with right-hander Justin Hagenman getting the start.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 21: Tomoyuki Sugano #11 of Team Japan reacts during Game 2 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic against Team USA on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/WBCI/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 04: Kyle Karros #12 of the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning of the MLB exhibition game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 04, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, the Colorado Rockies took a positive shellacking at the hands of Team USA, losing 14-4.
PORT ST. LUCIE — It was mostly quiet, with not many people in the makeshift stands, for Nolan McLean’s latest outing, a minor league game on a back field behind Clover Park.
And there weren’t too many familiar faces in the opposing lineup through the right-hander’s four innings Wednesday.
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But that didn’t make the start any less important for McLean, who emerged as one of the most promising Mets pitchers last season and early this spring before he was sidelined by vertigo-like symptoms that were caused by a viral infection in his inner ear.
The symptoms are now gone. After exiting the game, his focus shifted to the WBC.
He’s expected to leave to meet Team USA as soon as Thursday and is slated to pitch March 10 against Team Italy, and if the U.S. advances to the final of the tournament March 17, McLean will get the ball then, as well.
“That’s a great honor,’’ McLean said of Team USA manager Mark DeRosa naming him the potential starter for the tournament finale. “But there’s a lot of baseball to be played [and] a lot of really good teams out there. My job is to go out there, compete against Italy, do the best I can and be a good teammate for the rest of the games. Then, hope we make the finals and I get the ball.”
Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) comes off after the fourth inning against the Houston Astros during Spring Training at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Mets are no doubt relieved McLean was back on the mound Wednesday, after the 24-year-old was struck by symptoms that included dizziness and a loss of appetite for much of last week before they began to dissipate over the weekend.
During Wednesday’s outing, which lasted about 55 pitches, he showed no effects of the issues he dealt with that led to his delay in getting to the WBC.
McLean said he felt “pretty good, almost too loose, at times,’’ while on the mound.
“Which I guess is a good thing,’’ McLean added. “I felt a little erratic, but I think I was just fired up to get out there. It’s hard to explain. I like feeling a little tightness and soreness — I don’t know what you want to call it — when I’m out there.”
Carlos Mendoza noted McLean’s velocity was up, which was another positive sign.
The results were promising and now McLean appears set to take the next step in his development as a top-tier pitcher, joining a pitching staff that includes not just Mets teammate Clay Holmes, but aces like Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb.
“I’m excited to pick their brains,’’ McLean said. “We’ve got a bunch of Cy Youngs in that building. I’m excited to learn from them and see how they do everything and watch from afar.”
He’ll first have to make sure he bounces back fine Thursday and meet with the training staff, but McLean was encouraged.
“I had no symptoms out there throwing, which I think was the ultimate test,’’ McLean said.
Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws in the first inning against the Houston Astros during Spring Training at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in West Palm Beach, FL. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
If all goes according to plan, his teammates in Port St. Lucie will be paying attention to how McLean pitches on the big stage, and prospect Carson Benge has little doubt he’ll succeed.
“I feel like he just goes out there and has fun,” said Benge, who played with McLean at Oklahoma State. “He doesn’t care who’s out there or who he’s going up against. That’s all you can do.”
SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - MARCH 03: General scene of the World Baseball Classic 2026 branding at the Estadio Quisqueya prior to a Dominican Republic and Detroit Tigers exhibition game on March 03, 2026 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game No. 1: Chinese Taipei (中華臺北) at Australia (ɐı̣ןɐɹʇsnⱯ)
Venue: Tokyo Dome — Tokyo, Japan
The first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic includes one of the last tournament’s hosts. Chinese Taipei finished the group stage with a record of 2-2, as did everyone else in 2023’s Pool A. However, they failed to qualify for the knockout quarterfinals with a -5 run differential. They’ll be the away team against Australia, who went 3-1 in the group stage only to be knocked out by Cuba in the first round of the knockout stage in 2023.
Rockies fans may recognize left-handed pitcher Jack Te Haki O’Loughlin—who spent time with the organization last year—on the Australia roster. He is joined by former Rockies farmhand and catcher Robbie Perkins, young Cleveland Guardians star Travis Bazzana, and 2023 tournament standout Robbie Glendinning on the team.
For Chinese Taipei, viewers may recognize journeyman MLB outfielder Stuart Fairchild. Fairchild spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves and is currently on a minor league deal with the Cleveland Guardians. I personally suggest keeping an eye on outfielder Chen Chieh-hsien. Chen is a six-time All-Star in the CPBL with four Gold Glove Awards and has been playing for the Uni-President Lions since 2016.
First Pitch: 8:00 PM MDT
TV: FS1
Radio: MLB Audio; Sirius XM
Lineups:
RHP Jo-hsi Hsu vs LHP Alex Wells
Game No. 2: Czechia (Česká) at Korea (대한민국)
Venue: Tokyo Dome — Tokyo, Japan
The darlings of the 2023 tournament take on a former powerhouse looking to make a comeback in the second game of the day.
Czechia was eliminated in pool play back in 2023 with a 1-3 record, but captured the hearts of viewers with their story. A team of electricians, doctors, engineers, and school teachers from a country hardly considered to be baseball-focused, Czechia played David versus Goliath games against the likes of Japan and finished with a record just good enough to automatically qualify for this year’s Classic.
Although retired from baseball, 2023 team captain Petr Zýma is Czechia’s bench coach with catcher Martin Mužík taking over as the new captain. Electrician and right-handed pitcher Ondřej Satoria—who made a name for himself by striking out Shoehi Ohtani on three pitches in 2023—has also returned to the team. Rockies fans might recognize infielder Terrin Vavra, whom the Rockies selected in the third round of the 2018 draft. Vavra is the only player for Czechia with big league experience.
Korea was knocked out in pool play after finishing 2-2, and is now back with a roster absolutely packed with talent. MLB players Shay Whitcomb, Jahmai Jones, Woo-suk Go, and Dane Dunning all have roles to play, while highly decorated former MLB pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu, Giants outfielder and “Grandson of the Wind” Jung-hoo Lee and electric young Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim bring star-power to the lineup.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Ryan Waldschmidt #86 of the Arizona Diamondbacks warms up before the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While there have been other prospect rankings, from the likes of Fangraphs and 1500 Prospects, the list put out by MLB Pipeline is always seen as one of the most highly-regarded. Well, they just dropped the Diamondbacks list for the start of 2026. 30 prospects are ranked there, and here’s what they have, along with their position and age:
Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, 23
Kayson Cunningham, SS, 19
Slade Caldwell, OF, 19
Tommy Troy, 2B/OF, 24
Demetrio Crisantes, 2B/3B, 21
JD Dix, 2B, 20
Daniel Eagen, RHP, 23
David Hagaman, RHP, 22
Patrick Forbes, RHP, 21
LuJames Groover, 3B, 23
Cristian Mena, RHP, 23
Kohl Drake, LHP, 25
Jansel Luis, INF, 20
Mitch Bratt, LHP, 22
Cristofer Torin, SS/2B, 20
Druw Jones, OF, 22
Carlos Virahonda, C, 20
Ashton Izzi, RHP, 22
Dean Livingston, RHP, 19
Brandyn Garcia, LHP, 25
Yassel Soler, 3B, 20
Brian Curley, RHP, 22
Yilber Díaz, RHP, 25
Wellington Aracena, RHP, 21
Daury Vasquez, RHP, 19
Ivan Luciano, C, 19
Jose Fernandez, SS, 22
Mason Marriott, RHP, 23
Avery Owusu-Asiedu, OF, 22
Gavin Conticello, OF, 22
No great surprise at the top, where Ryan Waldschmidt (top) retains the #1 position he had last year. He was also named at the head of the Fangraphs and Prospects 1500 lists. Behind him, Kayson Cunnigham moves up one place from the final ranking of 2025, and is preferred here to the other two systems, which both ranked him lower (Fangraphs at #7, P1500 at #4). The biggest jump is by pitcher David Hagaman, who came over from Texas in the Merrill Kelly trade, and moves up from #15 to #8, entering the top ten for the first time. Catcher Carlos Virahonda also improved by seven spots, and is at #17. Though Yilber Diaz is ranked for the first time, coming in at #23.
In the other direction, Yu-Min Lin is likely the biggest bad news candidate. He was ranked 20th, but is no longer listed. Fellow pitchers Yordin Chalas (#21 last time) and Hunter Cranton (#29) have also dropped out, with Jose Fernandez and Mason Marriott joining Diaz in entering the top thirty. Fernandez, in particular, has seen his stock rise rapidly, first being added to the D-backs’ 40-man roster, and then making a strong impression in spring training. He has a .934 OPS across eight games so far.
Overall, it’s clear that there’s still work to do by Mike Hazen, in terms of improving the pitching situation on the farm. While the arrival of Hagaman, Kohl Drake (#12) and Mitch Bratt (#14) from Texas was certainly helpful (that trade, for two months of Merrill, could turn out to be a real steal for the D-backs), there isn’t much in the way of top-tier talent. It’s equally obvious what Hazen is attempting to do lately. Eight of the top thirty came to Arizona in trades, going back to Cristian Mena in 2023. Of those, only one – outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu – is a position player, and he’s only just on the list, coming in at #29.
I can certainly see several names graduating from the list this year, as they come onto the major-league roster. Waldschmidt is the obvious top candidate, but we could potentially also see Tommy Troy, Drake, Bratt, Diaz and Fernandez lose their rookie status in 2026. That’s why any team needs to work on having a constant stream – a pipeline, one might say – of prospects coming through the system. What do you reckon about the D-backs farm system? Where does it stand, and which prospects are you particularly excited about following this season? Tell us in the comments!
