JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26: Matthew Liberatore #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals continue their Spring Training schedule with an international game versus Nicaragua. According to MLB.com, Matthew Liberatore will start for St. Louis. The St. Louis Cardinals game preview shows that Dilmer Mejia will pitch for Nicaragua. If you’re a MLB.tv subscriber, you can listen to the game here. Here’s the lineup the Cardinals just announced on social media.
The team also shared pics of several Cardinals players and coaches who will be competing in the World Baseball Classic.
Fort Myers, FL - February 19: Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. The Red Sox held Day 10 of Spring Training at JetBlue Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Is it on TV?
Oh yeah, it’s even on ESPN! You know baseball’s getting close when spring training games start popping up on national networks. First pitch is at 1:05 PM.
What’s the lineup?
What should we watch for?
It’s not the most interesting spring lineup you could see, but it’s nice to get more looks at Kristian Campbell in center and Caleb Durbin in general. And, anyway, it’s against the Yankees, which is always a little more fun, even when they’re playing in the shadow of palm tress.
VENICE, FLORIDA - MARCH 16, 2025: Garrett Baumann #91 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the fourth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Detroit Tigers at CoolToday Park on March 16, 2025 in Venice, Florida. (Photo by George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Hey, in addition to y’know, the whole Jurickson Profar mess and the exhibition against Team Colombia this afternoon, we’ve got some roster cuts.
The #Braves today optioned RHP Rolddy Muñoz to Triple-A Gwinnett, and reassigned RHPs Garrett Baumann and Owen Murphy to minor league camp. Atlanta now has 59 active players in camp.
Rolddy Munoz gets cut after one official Spring Training outing where he issued three walks while getting two outs. A-yup, that’ll do it. He’s on the 40-man roster, but really needs to figure out that whole oh-so-important control/command thing before he loses that spot.
Garrett Baumann, meanwhile, acquitted himself quite well across two outings, with five strikeouts, zero walks, and a hit batter across 16 batters and four innings of work. He’ll still probably work the same number of “official” Spring Training games either way as the Braves will need arms to complete meaningless innings through the next few weeks, but this is just a formality that he’s not exactly in the running for a roster spot just yet.
Owen Murphy also had two appearances and four innings in “official” games so far, and was kind of between Baumann and Munoz: six strikeouts across 15 batters, but a walk and a homer yielded. The former first-round pick has a lot of potential, but also has a ways to go to factor into the team’s big league plans, as he was hurt for much of 2025 recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Still, if he looks good upon returning, the Braves probably won’t hesitate to rocket him up the ladder.
TUCSON, ARIZONA - MARCH 04: Colombia players pose for a photo after defeating Germany 10-0 in seven innings to qualify for the 2026 World Baseball Classic during game six of the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium on March 04, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday was an off day. That made it the “perfect” time for the Jurickson Profar news to break.
Now, we return to something slightly more normal: meaningless March exhibition contests… but with a twist.
You see, the World Baseball Classic starts in earnest tonight, and many of the national teams have today and tomorrow for exhibition-level tune-ups against MLB clubs — albeit those MLB clubs are partially depleted due to WBC participation.
This afternoon, the Braves will tangle with Team Colombia.
Colombia’s squad is a mix of major leaguers, prospects, and guys who aren’t really in affiliated ball.
They do have a number of MLB/former MLB pitchers, including old pal Julio Teheran, but also current MLB starter Jose Quintana. Their scheduled starter for today is Luis Patiño, who was a big-time prospect that couldn’t really stay healthy, and was released by the Padres in the middle of last season after persistent elbow issues and ineffectiveness.
Donovan Solano, Harold Ramirez, and old friend Gio Urshela are other names you might recognize on the Colombian side.
The Braves are starting Elieser Hernandez (for some reason) but have a lineup full of mostly regulars — except that Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies are off with their own WBC teams, and Profar, well, oof.
TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Luis Gil #81 of the New York Yankees looks on during the spring training game against the New York Mets at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good news, everyone: you’ll actually be able to watch today’s spring training game. After an offday on Monday and the first non-televised game at George M. Steinbrenner Field in some time in yesterday’s mercy-rule exhibition against Panama, the Yankees will be live on ESPN in Fort Myers to renew their rivalry with the Boston Red Sox for the first time in 2026.
Luis Gil gets the ball for his third start of the spring and is looking for more consistency. His velo is down, and while this is certainly excusable in February, you’d like to see him hitting 97 more consistently as we get closer to Opening Day, rather than the 94-95 he’s been at. He’s allowed two runs in five innings with five strikeouts and just one walk through his two starts, and we’ll see how long his leash is today after tossing 48 and 52 pitches in his first two starts.
It won’t be a fun first few innings for the ragtag group of Yankees who made the road trip from the already-depleted hitting core due to the World Baseball Classic, as Boston is deploying Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet for his second start of the spring. He won Game 1 of last year’s Wild Card Series with a dominant 7.2-inning effort, and the Yankees considerably struggled against him for much of the five starts he made against the Bombers last year. It’s unclear how long he’ll go, having only thrown 23 pitches and going two shutout innings against the Rays on February 26th.
George Lombard Jr. is leading off and playing shortstop to lead a very young Yankees lineup. Ben Rice is the lone expected starter making the trip and will bat second, followed by Jasson Domínguez, Paul DeJong, and Spencer Jones. We might only see it once, but I’m looking forward to Crochet vs. Jones. Non-roster invites Marco Luciano, Jonathan Ornelas, Payton Henry, and Duke Ellis finish out the starting nine.
Kristian Campbell, who was one of the worst defenders in baseball at second base last year, is leading off and playing center field for Boston. Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer follow him up, as do former Yankees prospects Caleb Durbin and Carlos Narváez. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will also bat seventh and DH.
Oct 25, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Myles Straw (3) takes batting practice prior to game two of the 2025 MLB World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Myles Straw is a 31-year-old, right-handed hitting, center fielder. The Jays traded for him on January 17th, 2025. We got Myles Straw and some international bonus pool money money. At the time we thought/hoped the money would go to Roki Sasaki. Unfortunately, Roki went to the Dodgers and the Jays had to pretend they wanted Straw.
I said, at the time that the fun part of the trade was trying to explain to casual fans that the Jays took Straw to get $3.75 million in international bonus money. A casual fan knows that $3.75 million isn’t much money in baseball terms. But explaining that international bonus money is a different kind on money takes many many words (and pictures, sock puppets…..). I’ll never get that time back.
Straw had played 152 games for the Guardians with a 2.7 bWAR in 2022. Then 147 games with a 0.9 bWAR in 2023 and then 7 games with a bWAR that no one would care about because he only played 7 games in 2024.
Straw made $6.4 million last year, will make $7.4 million this season and has options for the next two seasons, with buyouts for $2.25 million. I only list that because the Jays aren’t going to pick up the options. They may decide they want to keep him but they will decline the options and try to sign him for less.
Surprisingly, to me at least, Straw ended up on the Jays active roster and stayed there through the season.
And he was good. Very good really. He hit .262/.313/.367 with 4 home runs, and 12 stolen bases. But most of his value was from his defense. FanGraphs has him at a +9 outs above average. That 9 outs above average puts him 10th in the MLB among outfielders, and every one above him had many more defensive innings. Several of them more than 50% more innings.
Of course, Daulton Varsho missed a lot of playing time and Straw played more center field that I’d expect him to this year. I’m hoping Varsho doesn’t have to miss half the season with injuries. I’m expecting Straw to play far less.
Steamer thinks Straw will only play in 40 games this year and hit .231/.294/.310 with 1 home run and 5 steals for a 0.1 fWAR. That would have been a fair estimate last year, had Varsho not been injured. I have no clue how much playing time Straw will get this year. We are deep in outfielders. So deep that I have a hard time figuring how the team can keep Nathan Lukes on the roster. And I like Lukes a lot more than I like Straw.
Do you use Straw as the right-handed side of a platoon with Varsho in center? Do you use Straw as a fifth outfielder?
Right now the Jays have Daulton Varsho, Addison Barger, Jesús Sánchez, Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes and George Springer available to play outfield. Who do you drop to give playing time to Straw?
Detroit Tigers lead broadcaster Jason Benetti is expanding his already expansive portfolio, as he has been tapped by NBC as the play-by-play commentator for its new edition of "Sunday Night Baseball." The network is serving as the new home of "Sunday Night Baseball" after 36 years on ESPN from its inception in 1990.
While Benetti is known as the face of the Tigers booth alongside Andy Dirks, sports fans in general would recognize his voice. He has done college football and basketball games on Fox, along with some NFL. The former voice of the Chicago White Sox, Benetti joined the Tigers for the 2024 season after Jerry Reinsdorf and the White Sox saw him leave after eight seasons.
Known for his loose commentary style and lighthearted approach to sports, Benetti is a fan-favorite because he sounds like a fan. He will debut Thursday, March 26 when the Diamondbacks play the Dodgers.
Jason Benetti career
Benetti's television career started by hustling out of ESPN. After a smattering of radio gigs, he started to call some college basketball and football games with the network.
In 2016, Benetti joined the White Sox alongside Steve Stone, and became the full-time voice after the retirement of the legendary Hawk Harrelson in 2019. Benetti's free, bantering approach paired with Stone's dry wit and incredible analysis to make the White Sox one of the most popular booths in baseball. In 2023, however, Benetti left the White Sox due to a strained relationship with the front office, specifically Brooks Boyer.
"I had somebody say to me when I asked for more respect – and basically demanded more respect just in the way I was being treated – they said, 'Respect according to normal human beings, or respect according to Jason Benetti?'" Benetti said on the "Sports Media With Richard Deitsch" podcast after he left. "That is one of those things that I say, that’s disqualifying and will be for a long time. I’ll have a relationship, but I don’t want to do that long-term."
Benetti has since worked with the Detroit Tigers as their leading voice, while also calling college basketball, college football and NFL games on Fox. Benetti is likely to call other sports with NBC as well.
Will Jason Benetti still call Tigers games?
Benetti is still expected to call games for the Tigers this season, which will be produced under the MLB Media umbrella after the folding of the FanDuel network.
Jason Benetti statement
In a statement from NBC, Benetti talked about what to expect from the new iteration of "Sunday Night Baseball."
"I am thrilled to be rejoining the NBC Sports family," he said. "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."
Benetti is expected to work with a rotation of partners.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Isaac Paredes #15 of the Houston Astros smiles in the batting cages during spring training workouts at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s looking increasingly likely that the deal that sent Christian Vazquez to the Houston Astros for Wilyer Abreu will be remembered not only as Chaim Bloom’s best trade during his tenure at the helm of the Red Sox, but as one of the best trade’s in recent baseball memory. Abreu has already won two Gold Gloves and isn’t that far off from making the all-star team; he could do so as early as this year and it wouldn’t be all that surprising. On the other side of the deal, Vazquez has compiled a total of -0.1 bWAR for the Astros and Twins since the trade. And to make matters worse for Vazquez, now he doesn’t even have a place on a Major League roster as we enter the 2026 season. But he’ll be playing for Puerto Rico in the WBC, and he hopes he can parlay that into a job somewhere. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
Speaking of trades between the Astros and Red Sox, Isaac Paredes trade chatter is back in the news cycle. While the Sox are seemingly comfortable with their outfield surplus, the Astros infield surplus is said to be “untenable,” with the team continuing to explore a move to clear the logjam and bring in a lefty bat. The Sox and Astros haven’t been in contact for a couple of weeks now, but they had engaged in “thorough discussions” about Isaac Paredes earlier in the offseason and the Astros reportedly may try to rekindle things. (Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic)
Of course you wouldn’t think the Sox had an outfield surplus based on the spring training lineups they’ll be running out over the coming weeks. All four of the team’s primary outfielders (that’s right, we still got four starting outfielders!) will be participating in the World Baseball Classic, along with the team’s maybe-DH/maybe-outfielder Masataka Yoshida. That’s going to make it hard for Alex Cora to fill out the lineup, but it’s also going to create some spring opportunities for guys like Braiden Ward. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Team Brazil has a connection to the Red Sox as well. Angels minor leaguer Lucas Ramirez will be suiting up for the baseball version of the Canarinho, but his father once took the field for the Dominican Republic. That’s because his father is Manny Ramirez. (Martín Gallegos, MLB.com)
And finally some injury news. Carlos Narvaez was scratched from the game with back spasms yesterda, but it’s nothing serious and he plans on playing this afternoon. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
FORT MEYERS, FL - MARCH 03: Willi Castro #3 of Team Puerto Rico bats during the game between the Team Puerto Rico and the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Fort Meyers, Florida. (Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
First Pitch (CT):12:05 TV: Twins.TVand MLB.TV (FREE) Radio: Audacy App Know Yo’ Foe: Go on vacation to Puerto Rico or something
What to watch: The three backup SS options are all in the lineup as they fight for the Twins’ final roster spot. Gray at SS, Arcia at 3B, and Kreidler in RF. Also, Willi Castro and Christian Vazquez make their grand returns to Fort Myers (which many poeple call the Minneapolis of Florida).
BRADENTON, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (75) enters the field from the dugout during a game against the Baltimore Orioles on February 27, 2026, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates have landed themselves a generational kind of player in rising star Konnor Griffin. In Spring Training so far, Griffin has been very impressive and is being compared to players of the past who made their MLB debuts with roughly the same amount of inexperience and youth in their professional careers.
At just 19-years-old and only one professional season under his belt, Griffin is looking to do what very few have done and that’s make an MLB opening day roster as a teenager. The Mississippi native has already found himself in a small group of players with the kind of hype that he has generated, but he’s in line to be in an even smaller fraternity if he can crack the Major League level this season.
Over the last 40 years, there has only been four players to see time on a big league roster as a teenager and with so little experience in the Minor League ranks. Those four players are Ken Griffey Jr., Bryce Harper, Alex Rodriguez and Juan Soto. All four of those players were highly touted in their respective draft classes and have gone on to become all-time greats in the game of baseball, and now Konnor Griffin has a real shot at being mentioned in this rarified group.
The most notable of this group is without a doubt Griffey Jr. who made the Seattle Mariner’s opening day roster at 19-years-old in 1989 after being drafted first overall in 1987. “The Kid” went on to have one of the most storied careers of any player in MLB history amassing 10 Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers and was a 10 time All-Star and was the AL MVP 1997.
Bryce Harper was one of the most highly touted prospects in baseball history and ended up dropping out of high school after his sophomore year to play college baseball at Southern Nevada. Regarded as a true five-tool player Harper primarily played catcher but was drafted first overall as an outfielder by the Washington Nationals in 2010 in an effort to maximize his talents and get him to the Major League roster faster. It took little time for Harper to make an impact in Washington as he spent just one season in the Minor Leagues before being promoted to the majors in 2012. Harper is one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball and is an eight time All-Star selection, a two time NL MVP, was the NL Rookie of the Year and is a four time Silver Slugger.
Perhaps the most controversial player of this fraternity is Alex Rodriguez. After being drafted first overall in 1993, Rodriguez made his professional debut in 1994. On July 8, 1994 Rodriguez would make his MLB debut as an 18-year-old. At the time he was just the third 18-year-old shortstop in MLB since 1900 and was the youngest player to ever suit up for Seattle. He remains as the last 18-year-old to play in an MLB game. “A-Rod” became a World Series champion with the New York Yankees in 2009 and is also the recipient of the most Hank Aaron Awards with four. His history with PEDs will likely keep him out of Cooperstown but there is no doubt he is one of the most successful baseball players of all time, especially considering he made his MLB debut at just 18.
The most recent draftee of this group (so far) is Juan Soto. The Dominican superstar was signed by the Washington Nationals in July 2015 and made his professional debut in 2016. When Soto made his MLB debut in 2018 he was the youngest player in the majors at 19-years-old and was the first player born in 1998 to appear in an MLB game. Even at a young age Soto was a feared hitter. He became the youngest player since Griffey Jr. to be intentionally walked in a game and was the youngest player in Nationals history to hit a home run. Soto became a World Series champion with Washington in 2019 and is a six time Silver Slugger Award winner. Soto signed the largest contract in professional sports history during free-agency in 2025.
Griffin has one minor league season under his belt in which he was very impressive. Baseball America named him the top Minor League player of the year in 2025 and a Minor League All-Star. USA Today named Griffin the top Minor League player of the year as well. He was also named a Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove award recipient. Griffin finished the 2025 season with a slash line of .333/.415/.527 to go along with a .942 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 65 stolen bases. Now in just six Spring Training games Griffin is the first teenager to have three homers in a single Spring in at least 20 years.
On paper, this is the best looking Pirates team in at least a decade if not longer, and Griffin could certainly be a player that puts them over the top. If he doesn’t make the opening day roster, there is a strong probability that he’ll still make his MLB debut in 2026, and if he’s half as good as any of the other aforementioned players, the league is going to have to recognize that the future of baseball has a name; that name is Konnor Griffin.
The Houston Astros (1-6-3) travel to Sarasota to take on the Baltimore Orioles (5-4-1) in Grapefruit League action.
LHP Colton Gordon will make his third appearance of the Spring for the Astros, while RHP Shane Baz will take the mound for the Orioles.
TODAY’S STARTER: LHP Colton Gordon is coming off a productive rookie season, where he recorded a 5.34 ERA (51ER/86IP) in 20 games, including 14 starts for the Astros. Entered the 2025 season as the one of the Astros top pitching prospects and finished the 2025 season with the third most starts in the Astros rotation. Among AL rookies in 2025, he ranked first in walks per nine innings (1.99) and first in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.79).
TODAY’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: RHP AJ Blubaugh, RHP Alimber Santa and RHP Miguel Ullola.
CAMP BY THE NUMBERS: The Astros have 61 players in camp, including a full 40-man roster and 21 non-roster invitees. 34 pitchers, seven catchers, 11 infielders and nine outfielders.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, March 4, 12:05 p.m. CST
Today we look at one of the Cubs’ camp arms, who might, MIGHT have a shot at the MLB bullpen. It’s up to him.
Jack Preston Neely came to the Cubs, along with on again/off-again Cub Ben Cowles, for Mark Leiter Jr. He’s got a live arm but tends to walk himself into trouble. Stop me if you’ve heard this before. He’s pitched a total of six innings for the Cubs during the regular season, resulting in a 9.00 ERA, 7 strikeouts, and a 1.67 WHIP.
In his MLB career, he’s pitched to a 4.85 ERA in 10 games, with one save, one hold, 9.1 innings pitched, 15 strikeouts, and 6 bases on balls. He’s given up 11 hits and two home runs, including statistics from this spring, where he hasn’t pitched badly or at length.
The 25-year-old 6’8”, 240 pound right-hander was picked in the 11th round of the 2021 draft by NYY from Ohio State. Neely was an Organization All-Star and a Post-Season All-Star for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a High-A affiliate of the Yankees. Other than his cups of coffee with the Yankees and Cubs, that’s pretty much a career retrospective.
He’s amassed a 0.2 bWAR (0.1 fWAR). Some projection systems have him reaching The Show this year, pitching in a few games, following the line of his career statistics. He’ll get some Ks, give up bases on balls and homers, and not really affect things one way or the other.
Not that he doesn’t have talent, but it’s never been harnessed to his advantage, due to his generosity with the free pass and the meatball. Another pitch would probably help. He throws a fastball in the mid-90s and a slider that runs about 85. Good disparity that a change or curve could set up admirably. His FB doesn’t have a lot of movement, so despite its velocity, batters wait on it and avoid the fast-breaking slider, which has a 35.5 inch vertical drop but not much lateral movement.
Neely is more or less a right-handed complement to Luke Little. Both are getting into the suspect class, but in the meantime, as they try to make The Show, both should remember the words of Ken Kesey.
“You’re either on the bus, or you’re off the bus.”
Mar 14, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Dominican Republic center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) hits a two-run double during the sixth inning against Israel at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Mariners fans, do you smell that in the air? Fresh cut grass, hot dogs fresh off the grill, it’s the signs that another spring training is here and the baseball season is on the horizon. While the Seahawks kept me happy this winter, my one true love is finally coming out of hibernation; baseball season is here!
Now that spring training is finally in full swing, we can ask about what you all think so far. There’s been no shortage of exciting performances, fun at-bats, or eye-popping velocity from Mariners prospects so far this spring. Yes, it seems the Mariners have come to play with solid outings from top prospects like Cole Young, all the way to veteran players looking for a second act like Patrick Wisdom. The Mariners’ farm system seems ripe for harvest at a time when this team seems to be on the precipice of something great. I’m excited, but what I wanna hear from you is who has impressed you so far this spring? I know it’s difficult to say, obviously, you don’t watch every game, you can’t see every play, and as I’ve stated before, I can’t list every option in the survey, but let us know via the survey below who you think has been the most impressive so far this spring. If you feel compelled to shout out a player who you don’t see here, feel free to do so in the comments!
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Mariners fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Though it’s not just the regular season that’s around the corner, the return of competitive baseball will actually be the World Baseball Classic! As you may remember, a couple of weeks ago, I asked you all what Mariner you thought would do the best in the tournament. The results were unsurprising, to me at least:
I will say it’s a little tough for Muñoz to be in this poll because he is a relief pitcher, but I wanted to include players from different nations, and at least one pitcher, and it wouldn’t have felt right leaving out Cal or Julio. I can’t say I disagree with the poll’s findings either. As I said previously, I’m hopeful Julio can light it up for the DR and come out hot for the Mariners. I am surprised Cal didn’t do better. One would think, after last season, he could get a huge wave of support in terms of consistency of performance, but I guess the Dumper doesn’t have the mesmerizing effect I thought – or maybe our poll voters are bigger believers in the DR team’s chances? Let us know, was Julio your choice? Do you think Cal is gonna light up the whole tournament? Or do you have a dark horse pick you have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to talk about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: Harry Ford #1 of Team Great Britain is is given a crown and robe after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during Game 5 of Pool C between Team Colombia and Team Great Britain at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Yesterday Great Britain played in their first tune-up game for the World Baseball Classic. That meant we got to see Harry Ford in a Great Britain jersey. Ford, who has British parents, has represented the country for a while and will do so again at the WBC. In the last WBC, Ford rose to the occasion, and he will look to do so again.
If the first exhibition against the Brewers is a sign of things to come, Ford will have a big tournament. He had three hits, including a homer in the game yesterday. While there was no video of the homers, the Nats got some photos of Ford rounding the bases. It was his first homer of the spring.
The Nats acquired Ford in a trade that sent Jose A. Ferrer to the Mariners. Despite being one of the best catching prospects in baseball, Ford was blocked in Seattle due to the presence of Cal Raleigh. That made the Mariners open to trading the 71st ranked prospect for a reliever. Ford has a well rounded offensive profile that is led by his strong plate discipline. His power and contact skills are just average, but his great eye makes him a potentially above average hitter.
While Ford has been a good player in the minors over the years, he seems to rise to a new level when he puts on that Great Britain jersey. The last World Baseball Classic was Ford’s coming out party. Despite just turning 20, Ford was one of Britain’s top players in 2023. His signature moment was a clutch home run against Colombia in pool play. Ford actually hit two homers during pool play.
With another home run yesterday, it really seems like Ford brings the boom when he represents the UK. While Ford was the young kid on the team in 2023, he will be playing a leadership role for Great Britain this time around. He is the co-captain of the team, alongside Yankees star Jazz Chisholm. The fact he is able to play a leadership role at 23 years old is very impressive and speaks to his high character.
It is not like Britain is full of no-name players either. There are several big leaguers or former big leaguers on the roster. Many of those guys are older than Ford, but it was the new Nats catcher who became captain.
An interesting wrinkle in all of this is that Ford is leaving camp in the middle of a positional battle. Ford is battling with Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Ruiz has actually hit well this spring, though his defense has been shaky. Millas has also been solid, so leaving camp could cost him a job. However, a big WBC could force the Nats into considering him for the starting job.
I hope Ford wins the starting job, and if he does not, I want him to get an opportunity pretty quickly. The Nats need new blood behind the plate, and that is why they traded for Ford in the first place. Keibert Ruiz has had chance after chance, but he has not been able to establish himself as a productive starter. Ford should get that chance sooner rather than later.
Given his performances in a Great Britain jersey, Ford seems poised for a big WBC. Hitting on the biggest stage would put a positive shine on him in this catcher battle. After his big day yesterday, I joked that Ford turns into Buster Posey when he puts that Great Britain jersey on.
The Nats only have a couple representatives at this WBC, and Ford is the most notable one. That means Nats fans’ eyes will be on the young catcher. Harry Ford seems like a young man who rises to the occasion, and he will have the opportunity to show that clutch gene again in the WBC. It would be very cool if he could lead the Brits on a Cinderella run in the WBC.
MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26, 2026: Leo de Vries #83 of the Athletics bats during the seventh inning of a spring training game against the Texas Rangers at Hohokam Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Like the undulating haze on a flat desert road to nowhere during a long road trip, the Athletics’ farm system is a mirage. Also like a long road trip on a flat desert road to nowhere, you had better strap in and prepare to be bored if the A’s are your second team.
Last season, he ran a 125 wRC+ in 2025 split between High-A and Double-A as an 18-year-old, including a 144 wRC+ in his 20 games in Double-A. He hit 15 home runs, showing some future pop, and also went double digits on steals with 11. He also flashed some plus-potential with the glove and some soft hands, something he’s continued to demonstrate in Spring Training this year.
De Vries is a clear-cut gem sitting atop the A’s farm system. He has potential to be a .270+, 30 home run, 20 steal player with strong defense. Considering his age and the Athletics’ approximate window, they shouldn’t rush him, especially considering the rest of their farm system. In a perfect world, De Vries would debut in 2028, ready to lead the Las Vegas Athletics to potential playoff contention. Realistically, I could see him getting a cup of coffee with a couple of injuries this season, and he will likely have the starting job this time next year.
Get ready for this guy to be a royal pain in the ass.
The Lefties
There’s either one or two other top-100 prospects in the system, depending who you ask: left-handed starting pitchers Gage Jump and Jamie Arnold.
The big 4 prospect evaluators are split on which they are higher on.
2024 Comp B pick Jump is a strike-thrower who has three good pitches, his mid-90’s fastball, a sharp slider and a single-plane curveball. A highly-regarded prep prospect, he elected to go to college, and saw his stock rise for it. He might have a slightly higher average evaluation than Arnold, likely due to his more conventional and projectable profile. You should expect to see Jump debuting later in 2026, unless he dominates out of spring training – the A’s current rotation doesn’t necessarily preclude that possibility.
2025 1st-rounder Arnold is a little more of a peculiar profile, an ultra low-slot lefty, throwing a solid fastball with a flat approach angle and a gnarly east-west sweeper that should trouble even right-handed hitters. Fangraphs published an interesting interview with him, and noted that he fell just outside of their Top 100 list.
He portrays himself as a bit of a tinkerer – he currently uses two change-ups, an outlier-kick change and a split change, as part of his six-pitch arsenal. Consider him a high-ceiling low-floor guy.
The L-ugly
So, why is this system a mirage? It’s the depth. The farm has been ranked in the 10-14 range generally speaking, but that’s been buoyed by having three top-100, even top-50 guys. Most systems don’t have that. However, beyond Leo and the Lefties, it’s looking grim. The big-league team will likely improve and enter a window of contention starting next year, but it’s fair to say that barring huge breakout seasons from the depth of this system or a generational draft, I don’t see how this isn’t a bottom-10 or bottom-5 system by the 2027 Draft.
