Category: Baseball

Unsurprisingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers are favored to cruise to their fifth consecutive National League West title. The majority of preseason win-loss projections select them to be the lone Major League Baseball team to reach 100 wins during the 2026 campaign.

The battle for second place is shaping up to be a tight three-team race between the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks. Each club has the potential to play better than last season’s results, and with a little luck, all could challenge for a postseason berth.

The key factor for the Padres remaining in contention is keeping their core players healthy all season. 

Preller does what it takes to remain a contender

Most of the television analysts believe the Friars will take a step back after a very lackluster offseason and concerns about their starting rotation’s ability to avoid time on the injured list in 2026. 

However, the Padres have one advantage over their competitors: team President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller, who has a reputation for doing whatever it takes to improve his team at the trade deadline. 

He has the knack of quickly recognizing his roster’s weaknesses and striking a deal to fix those holes. Often, the deadline deals set the Friars on a course to the playoffs.

It is hard to say whether the Giants or D-Backs will emerge as contenders. Both teams have incomplete rosters that will force their front offices to make trades for reinforcements. A deal of this nature will include the organization’s top prospects to acquire a difference-maker.

The message is more powerful than you would expect. It shows the organization is all-in on making the postseason. 

The Padres cannot worry about the media’s opinion of the state of their roster. Instead, they must create some space between themselves and their NL West foes. Hopefully, the lead can grow as the season progresses.

Injuries and a lack of depth could derail the season

San Diego’s front office understands the team cannot take a significant step backward this season. They responded to the media criticism by reshaping their roster with a flurry of free agent signings before the start of Spring Training. The moves give hope to the Friar Faithful that the organization wants to contend in 2026. 

Still, the upcoming season brings an intriguing storyline to San Diego. In addition to integrating the newcomers into the lineup, first-year manager Craig Stammen must take a cautious approach to Joe Musgrove’s workload, as he returns from Tommy John surgery.

The big right-hander is slated to be part of the starting rotation, but his arm has been slow in the recovery process from throwing sessions. It is unlikely Musgrove will be ready to be on the Opening Day roster according to Stammen. He wants to slow everything down and let Musgrove get healthy before deciding when he pitches in meaningful games again. 

Injuries could throw a wrench into the best-laid plans. The Padres could have two new starting pitchers in the 2026 rotation. However, the lack of major league depth on the 40-man roster limits the options available. It could provide an opportunity for the Giants and D-Backs to move up in the standings if the Friars have issues with their starting pitching. 

Preseason expectations can be cruel sometimes, especially if none of the experts believe your team has a chance to compete for a division title. Granted, the odds are high, but the Padres believe they’re the only legitimate threat to spoil a Dodger’s NL West coronation at season’s end.

While clinching a postseason berth is the priority, upending the reigning champs would give the Friars the momentum they need to play October baseball.

Well, the Atlanta Braves Grapefruit League Offensive Barrage keeps on truckin’, as the Braves are now 16-5 after a blowout 11-2 win over the Rays. They basically bonked Nick Martinez for four innings, and then bonked some Rays relievers/roster hopefuls for more runs later.

The bonking started early — Mike Yastrzemski doubled to lead off the second, scored on an Ozzie Albies single, and then there was an Eli White single, a sac fly, a Mauricio Dubon single, and a Drake Baldwin “triple” on a diving catch in center gone awry. Two innings later, White pulled a two-run homer into the left-field seats. After Martinez departed, it was time to bonk Kevin Kelly, with another Yastrzemski double and a few run-scoring outs. Drake Baldwin hit a three-run homer off Yoendrys Gomez in the eighth (why was he still playing in the eighth?).

On the pitching end, Chris Sale had another pretty normal tuneup. He lasted six innings and had “just” a 3/0 K/BB ratio. Around his final inning of work, he was mostly just pumping fastballs in, but then Nick Fortes homered on one of those fastballs, and Sale went back to less lackadaisical secondaries until leaving the game. Raisel Iglesias was victimized by a bunch of bloops but got two outs via strikeout before being forced out due to, I guess, pitch count. Aaron Bummer had a 2/1 K/BB ratio in his inning of work, and Ian Hamilton finished things off with a strikeout in one of his frames.

The Rays sent over a hodgepodge get-it-over-with lineup and didn’t really ever threaten, just scattering hits to go with that Fortes homer. Braves batters had more fun, with Yastrzemski collecting three hits (two doubles) and Baldwin getting a “triple” and homer.

There will be even more Spring Training (yes, I’m sure) tomorrow, as the Braves head to Fort Myers to hang out with the Red Sox.

Dodgers take on the Brewers on Monday afternoon.

Monday game info

• Teams: Dodgers vs. Brewers
• Ballpark: Camelback Ranch
• Time: 1:05 p.m. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)
• Radio: AM 570

News out of camp this morning that the Diamondbacks have signed Luis Urias. For some reason, I thought this was a pitcher they had previously signed this spring, then let go, but turns out that was… someone else [Two minutes of low-intensity Googling turned up nothing] This one is a 28-year-old infielder, who brings eight years and 582 MLB games of experience with him, mostly with the Brewers. He played 96 games last season for the Athletics, with an OPS+ of 96 and 0.5 bWAR. It is a minor-league contract, so I doubt he’ll make the Opening Day roster, but does give the team better depth behind the likes of Tim Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas.

After Ryne Nelson, expect to see some of RHP Kevin Ginkel, RHP Ryan Thompson, RHP Taylor Clarke, RHP Drey Jameson, RHP Kade Strowd, RHP Isaiah Campbell and RHP Bryce Jarvis. It will be Nelson’s fourth start of spring. Over the previous outings, he has a 5.63 ERA but a very respectable K:BB of 10:1 across eight innings. After this game is over, we will have the second WBC semi-final, which sees the underdog match-up of Italy and Venezuela. Before the tournament started, those two had odds of 80/1 and 9/1 respectively for the title: now, one of them will be playing for the championship. That one gets under way at 5 pm Arizona time.

MIAMI, Florida — An elite match up between two baseball juggernauts didn’t deliver a lot of offense last night in Miami at the World Baseball Classic. But how could it? Both pitching staffs were dealing and even two of the best offenses ever assembled by the United States and the Dominican Republic struggled to put runs on the board. The atmosphere was electric, but tense as the final outs ticked down with the Dominican Republic down a run. And then, a gem of a baseball game was erased by multiple missed calls at home plate:

Instead of runners at the corners and two outs to give Fernando Tatis Jr. a chance to tie the game against Mason Miller we got this terrible call:

I know, I know, complaining about the strike zone is so lame. Both teams have the same umpire, yadda yadda. There were so many great plays I’d love to focus on instead, but come on now. The pitches that ended one of the Dominican Republic’s best chances to score in the ninth and Juan Soto’s at bat in the eighth aren’t close and batters shouldn’t be expanding the zone to take those pitches. If you don’t believe me, believe former Cub Robert Stock:

What’s particularly galling about this is that the technology exists to avoid this outcome. It’s been tested in the minors, will be used in MLB this season and is working just fine in Spring Training. However, instead of being deployed in an environment Aaron Judge said “is better than the World Series” we’re grumbling about the strike zone on Monday morning.

Baseball.

Before there was disappointment, there were vibes. Electric, elite vibes, like the ones that filled loanDepot park when the Dominican Republic jumped out to an early lead on this Junior Caminero rocket:

Tatis tried to push the DR’s offensive advantage in the third and learned a hard lesson about Aaron Judge’s arm:

In the top of the fourth, Mark DeRosa’s lineup tweaks started to pay off. Gunnar Henderson got a start at third base and tied it with a no-doubt blast:

A couple of batters later Roman Anthony gave the USA the lead:

Anthony was a mid-tournament addition to the roster for the United States and it paid off in a big way in Miami.

That was it for the scoring in a game that was defined by outstanding defense and pitching. An inning after Anthony’s home run, Judge tried to put one over the wall that was denied by Julio :

You know Vladito and the rest of team DR loved that display:

It was honestly an exceptional display of elite baseball. The concourse was electric, the players were as fired up as you could possibly get. It should have ended in pitching, fielding or hitting heroics. It’s a shame it ended on a blown call, instead.

Texas Rangers lineup for March 16, 2026 against the Chicago White Sox.

We are ten days out from Opening Day. The anticipation is rising. And Josh Jung and Kyle Higashioka are both back in the Rangers’ lineup this evening. MacKenzie Gore gets the start.

The lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Langford — CF

Seager — SS

Burger — 1B

Smith — 2B

Jung — 3B

Higashioka — C

Jansen — DH

Duran — LF

7:05 p.m. Central start time.

The Dodgers agreed to a deal granting Uniqlo naming rights to the field at Dodger Stadium, according to the Athletic — marking the first time in the 64-year history of the stadium that a corporate sponsorship has been attached to it.

Dodger Stadium's name remains unchanged. The organization made it a priority to keep the name of the ballpark, which has been in place since its opening in 1962.

“[The stadium’s name] will never be for sale,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten told The Times in 2017.

Read more:Yoshinobu Yamamoto named Dodgers' opening-day starter for second straight season

Though not officially announced by the Dodgers, the name likely will be Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium.

With more than 1,000 stores worldwide, the Japanese-based clothing brand will hold exclusive marketing and promotional opportunities as the Dodgers’ main sponsor. The new deal will also include a new sign in center field.

Since signing Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the team has partnered with several different Japanese companies, earning $70 million in sponsorship revenue in 2024 alone, according to Forbes.

Bob Lynch, chief executive of research firm SponsorUnited, estimated that teams hosting the Dodgers generated roughly $15 million in cumulative revenue from the brands that have attached themselves to the team.

“ … A slew of brands essentially following him around across the country that are paying dollars either directly to the team or to Van Wagner, who’s selling the backstop signage,” Lynch told Forbes in 2025.

In 2022, the Dodgers partnered with global sports marketing agency Sportfive to secure premier sponsorships. Two years later, the organization announced a self-sponsorship with its ownership group, Guggenheim Baseball Management, which placed a patch on the team’s jerseys.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The latest updates on the Houston Astros from Spring Training:

Cristian Javier continues to strengthen his arm and get ready for the regular season. His velocity, while still not as high as it was pre-injury, has improved from his last outing:

Manager Joe Espada liked what he saw from Javier:

Astros #1 prospect OF Kevin Alvarez made his first appearance of spring with the Astros in a Grapefruit League game. The 18-year old went 0-3 but did put a sting into this ball:

Espada was impressed with the young Alvarez:

Yordan Alvarez (Alvarez the Greater) was impressed with what he saw from Kevin Alvarez (Alvarez the Younger).

Yordan (Alvarez the Greater) also said he feels good about where his swing is currently:

Another of the Astros’ top prospects, Brice Matthews, has been getting some reps in CF as the team tries to find out how versatile he can be since he is blocked at his regular 2B position by Jose Altuve. He came into yesterday’s game and played LF, his first appearance at the position. It’s not out of the realm of possibility Matthews is a call up this season if he can also play OF, and that he could get a significant look.

Jeremy Pena is feeling better and hopes to be ready by Opening Day. though that decision is still undecided:

Spencer Arrighetti will throw a simulated game today before leaving the team for a few days for the birth of his twins:

Today marks the beginning of the last full week of MLB Spring Training before the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants kick off the 2026 regular season next Wednesday. As a result, with the season right around the corner, teams like the Athletics are beginning to narrow the amount of players in big-league camp, sending minor league prospects and non-roster invitees unlikely to make the team to minor league camp.

This roster-trim was expected as the majority of these players were not considered candidates to open the season with the A’s. However, them being reassigned will not prevent them from continuing to appear in the remainder of the team’s Cactus League games.

Speaking of which, the A’s have the chance to get back in the win column this afternoon following yesterday’s 12-6 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. In that game, top prospect Leo De Vries impressed again, hitting his third home run of the spring. However, A’s minor league pitching prospects Wei-En Lin and Zane Taylor each allowed six runs.

Veteran left-hander Jeffrey Springs will start on the mound for the A’s today against the Los Angeles Angels. Springs has had a rough spring so far, allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings in his last outing against the Chicago White Sox. Carrying a 13.50 Cactus League ERA into his fourth start, Springs needs to pitch better today, especially with this potentially being his penultimate preseason appearance. For the A’s to have a chance at contending this year, Springs and right-hander Luis Severino, who pitched well last night for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, need to put forth strong performances in the majority of their starts.

Here’s how the A’s lineup versus the Angels looks this afternoon:

The Athletics have historically zigged when other teams have zagged. Traditionally, teams put their high-contact, on-base hitters near the top of their lineup in front of their power threats. The A’s are taking the opposite approach, batting sluggers Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers and Brent Rooker ahead of contact hitters Jacob Wilson and Jeff McNeil.

The only odd thing in today’s A’s lineup is second baseman Zack Gelof getting his first-ever start in right field. Yesterday, he started in center field for the first time, making a nice catch on the only ball hit to him out there. With Denzel Clarke back, Gelof slides to right as the A’s continue expanding his positional versatility. Lawrence Butler, the team’s starting right fielder, will make his spring debut tomorrow as the designated hitter before playing the outfield this weekend as he aims to be ready for Opening Day.

That lineup will be facing George Klassen, who is one of the Angels’ top pitching prospects. Klassen has had an impressive spring, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three games played. He will look to further strengthen his candidacy for the Angels starting rotation with another solid outing today.

Here’s how the Angels stack up:

Superstar Mike Trout is one of several regulars in the Angels lineup this afternoon. Injuries have limited him in recent seasons, but he remains one of the most talented players of his generation. With him, Jo Adell and Logan O’Hoppe all starting, it should be a decent challenge for Springs and the Athletics. Should be a fun one in the desert. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Let’s go A’s!

As the calendar moves deeper into March, many baseball fans have found a welcome distraction in the World Baseball Classic. For Astros fans like me, it has been exactly that, a high-level brand of baseball played with passion and intensity at a time of year when we’re usually stuck parsing spring training box scores and trying not to read too much into them. The games have been competitive, the atmosphere electric, and the quality of play a reminder of just how great this sport can be.

But when the World Baseball Classic winds down, Astros fans will have to confront a reality that’s much closer to home. The regular season is less than two weeks away, and at least for me, General Manager Dana Brown and the Astros front office haven’t done much to ease the concerns that still linger about this roster.

At last check, there is still a noticeable imbalance on the roster. The Astros have a logjam of infielders while lacking the kind of left-handed bat in the outfield that could lengthen the lineup and provide better balance. That issue has been talked about all spring, yet here we are with Opening Day fast approaching and no clear resolution in sight It is also worth noting, unlike a year ago with Cam Smith, no one is really stepping up to take charge of an opportunity.

Behind the plate, I still believe the Astros could benefit from adding a veteran backup catcher. Even with the minor league signing of Christian Vázquez helping the organizational depth chart, there’s value in having experience and reliability backing up the starter over the course of a long season. Victor Caratini was huge for this team and he’s gone, can you replace him and his versatility?

Pitching is another area where additional depth wouldn’t hurt. A left-handed arm in the rotation or another arm in the bullpen would add versatility to a staff that will inevitably face the wear and tear of a 162-game season. And when you factor in that closer Josh Hader won’t be ready to start the season, the bullpen suddenly feels a little thinner than Astros fans might like.

None of this is meant to suggest that the Astros aren’t talented enough to compete. Quite the opposite. The roster as currently constructed should absolutely be capable of competing for another American League West title. The core of this team remains strong, and the expectation of meaningful baseball in Houston every year is something fans have come to appreciate.

But competing for the division and competing for another championship aren’t always the same thing.

Owner Jim Crane often says the championship window for this organization is always open. If that’s truly the case and the Astros have certainly operated that way in recent years, then there’s still work to be done to ensure this team is positioned to compete for more than just a division banner.

Dana Brown has been patient this spring, perhaps waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. But with Opening Day rapidly approaching, the clock is ticking. Standing pat may ultimately be the decision the organization makes.

If that’s the case, Astros fans will have to hope the talent already in place is enough.

Personally, I’m not quite comfortable yet and with time running out before the season starts, I can’t help but wonder if the Astros are leaving a few important moves on the table.

Let me know what you think, and until then, GO USA!

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Logan Webb showed once again in this World Baseball Classic that the Giants’ ace is built for the biggest stages. Shame he hasn’t had more of them.

Webb will finish the tournament allowing one run over 8 ⅔ innings after he held Canada in check into the fifth inning Friday night to send Team USA into the WBC semifinals.

He pumped his fist. Slapped his glove. Displayed October emotion in March.

For Giants fans, it was a pretty cool sight to see their guy on the international stage. But the fact that he wore red, white and blue instead of orange and black also served as a stinging reminder that the only organization Webb has known hasn’t granted him many similar chances.

Although his duties are done, Webb opted to remain with Team USA for the remainder of the tournament rather than return to Giants camp. Who can blame him?

The do-or-die stakes, playing for the ultimate prize, in front of an electric atmosphere: It’s something Webb has only experienced twice before in his career.

Back in the Bay Area, a telling debate took place on the Giants’ flagship radio station. Was Webb’s outing against the Canadians the most consequential of his career?

There was arguably more at stake on a Friday night in March than any other time Webb has taken the mound. Since 2021, there’s nothing arguable about it.

Webb has proven to be the ultimate competitor despite not pitching in the postseason since he ascended to ace status. With the Giants mired in mediocrity, Webb has had to go about it through other means: The man has never missed a start.

“I mean, prior to even having any conversations with Buster (Posey) or anybody else, you’re watching him and you want to be on his team because of the way he competes,” manager Tony Vitello said. “I’ve had a lot of buddies text me and talk about how big of a fan they are of him. It’s like, yeah, I know, I saw that before I even got here.”

Vitello is tasked with leading the Giants to finally holding up their end of the bargain. He became the third manager to name Webb his Opening Day starter the morning after his last WBC start. It will be the Rocklin native’s sixth time starting the season opener — all since his two increasingly lonely playoff starts.

Webb, 29, has accomplished a relatively rare feat as a starting pitcher. He’s the face of the franchise despite only taking the field every fifth day. But the distinction comes with an asterisk: This era of Giants baseball has played just five playoff games in Webb’s seven seasons.

To no fault of his own.

Webb, then 24, flashed signs of what was to come in the second half of that 107-win season, a key reason why they became the only team since 2012 to dethrone the Dodgers in the NL West.

He took it to another level the first time the Giants ever faced their archrivals in October. Like one run over 8 ⅔? How about one in 14 ⅔? Webb walked off the mound in Game 5 to roars from 42,275 with the score tied at 1 after seven. They lost, 2-1. 

Still, more than 1,600 days later, Webb’s career postseason ERA remains a pristine 0.61.

He’s proven to be arguably more valuable in the regular season: No pitcher in baseball has recorded more outs than Webb since 2021. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

So, no, the WBC quarterfinal wasn’t the biggest start of Webb’s career. Not when he was on a strict limit of 70 pitches and exited before the fifth inning was over.

But it could use some competition for third.

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A selfless gesture by Rangers outfielder Michael Helman yielded quite the reward on Sunday.

A few months after Helman agreed to give up his No. 24 to Brandon Nimmo following Texas’ blockbuster trade for the outfielder, Nimmo gifted his new teammate a Rolex that’s worth around $25,000.

View this post on Instagram

The Rangers’ big offseason acquisition, whose in the middle an 8-year, $162 million contract, handed Helman the luxury watch in the middle of the team’s locker room, and Helman couldn’t have been more thrilled to receive it.

“Dude,” he said in a video showing him receiving the green box. “I appreciate you. You didn’t have to do that.”

Nimmo found his new number. @You_Found_Nimmo x #AllForTXpic.twitter.com/Si9PYrRcDg

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) December 4, 2025

Nimmo came over from the Mets in a swap for Marcus Semien, and following his arrival, he asked for No. 24 as a way to pay homage to his childhood hero Ken Griffey Jr., as well as his older brother, who also sported the number in high school.

Helman gave it up without any fanfare, leading Nimmo to go on a weeks-long search for the perfect thank you gift.

“Thanks to @larryflowersjewelry for helping me gift this ‘Bruce Wayne’ to @mj_helman01!” Nimmo wrote on Instagram. “Helman graciously gave me his number when I was traded, and I could not be more thankful to him

“As you can see from the video, he is an absolute gem of a human being! Enjoy buddy!”

Nimmo, 32, previously wore No. 9 with the Mets as No. 24 was retired in New York for Willie Mays.

San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres, March 16, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Peoria Sports Complex – Peoria, AZ

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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GB community, this is your thread for today’s game. Enjoy!

For the second straight year, the ceiling for a Texas Longhorns baseball team off to a hot start is limited by a key injury in the outfield.

Last year, the loss of slugger Max Belyeu and the persistent injuries suffered by Jonah Williams left head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s team thin in the outfield.

This year, the news that Williams is undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, combined with the shoulder injury of catcher Presley Courville sustained going through outfield drills, has left the Longhorns without ideal depth after the staff’s plans to bolster the outfield through the transfer portal suffered significant blows when commits Jack Moroknek and Kaleb Freeman signed professional contracts after the 2025 MLB Draft.

So where will Schlossnagle turn with Williams out for the season?

The long-term loss of Williams and the shorter-term loss of Courville impact more than just the outfield — those injuries also take away two options at designated hitter, where the Longhorns are in the unusual position of using that player at the bottom of the lineup, a commentary on the team’s depth situation.

In the outfield, the good news for Texas is the incredible start to season from freshman Anthony Pack Jr., who has gained almost 30 pounds of muscle since arriving on the Forty Acres, allowing his natural confidence to match up with his ability to execute in the batter’s box.

Benefiting from a swing refined by assistant coach Troy Tulowitzki, Pack has shown off unexpected power in hitting four home runs in 19 games, including a walk-off grand slam against USC Upstate. He’s also been able to use a mature whole-field approach to handle fastballs and off-speed pitches, ranking second on the team in batting average at .354 and leading the team in on-base percentage at .489.

A left-handed hitter, Pack’s bat-to-ball skills have helped him keep his strikeout rate under 17 percent and his ability to command the strike zone have allowed the California product to produce more walks than strikeouts. And he’s dangerous enough covering the plate that he’s been hit by a team-leading four pitches as opposing hurlers have struggled to find ways to get him out.

Without the remarkable start from the kid called Pack-Man, the Longhorns would be in the much worse position of needing to address two outfield spots in addition to designated hitter. Instead, calling Pack a potential future star at Texas would negate his credible argument that he’s already a star with his current level of play.

Pack switches between left and right field depending on the other outfield spot, which has developed into a platoon between senior Jayden Duplantier, who has the arm and speed to play right field, and junior Ashton Larson, who is limited to left field.

Duplantier is the right-handed batter with historic positional versatility for the Longhorns who was thrust into extended action for the first time last season and struggled, batting .166 in 30 games, including 10 starts. The Houston product did manage to post a .345 on-base percentage by drawing some speeds and impacting defense’s with his speed, but he also had a strikeout rate of almost 35 percent, looking especially overmatched against SEC pitchers in batting .125 in conference play.

This year, however, Duplantier has improved at the plate in 18 games, including four starts, as Schlossnagle and his staff have limited his at bats against right-handed pitchers, helping him hit .333 with a .441 on-base percentage. There still isn’t much power in Duplantier’s bat with only one double among his nine hits, but the start for Duplantier is far from the worst-case scenario established in 2025.

A 6’2, 210-pounder from Overland Park (Kan.) St. Thomas Aquinas, Larson was the No. 78 overall prospect and No. 13 outfielder in the 2023 recruiting class, according to Perfect Game. Selected in the 20th round of that year’s MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, Larson opted to honor his commitment to the Tigers.

In conference play, Larson was particularly good, batting a team-best .337 (28-for-83) in SEC regular-season games with eight doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and 16 runs. But injuries derailed Larson as a sophomore as he battled for playing time in a crowded outfield, receiving only five starts and hitting .256 in 39 at bats with a strikeout rate of 35.9 percent.

The torn quadriceps suffered by Larson has limited his athleticism, and he’s not exactly a slugging corner outfielder, but he is slashing .344/.463/.531 with three doubles and a home run. Like Duplantier, the left-handed hitting Larson benefits from favorable matchups against right-handed pitchers.

When Courville is able to return from his shoulder injury, he’ll factor in at designated hitter and could play in the outfield as well with fellow freshman Maddox Monsour currently serving as the fourth outfielder, typically in pinch-hitting or pinch-running opportunities. In a limited sample size, Monsour has been good at the plate, batting .429 with a triple and four RBI — high-level bat speed and a short swing should help the 5’11, 205-pounder become an effective college hitter over a larger number of at bats, but Monsour is unlikely to receive that many opportunities this year without further injuries.

As Texas tries to navigate the crucible of SEC play, the outfield looms as the team’s biggest potential weakness, one that Schlossnagle and his staff will have to manage for another season in hopes of achieving a higher ceiling and floor with the team’s 2027 outfield.

The Good Phight will be previewing the 2026 season by going over each position on the field. We’ll talk about the players that will occupy them, the players behind them, their strengths and weaknesses and give a few takes about how we think the season will shake out.

Rafael Marchan – can he hit enough to take actual playing time away from J.T. Realmuto?

One of the issues that has caused a lot of conversation with this team over the past few years is the amount of playing time J.T. Realmuto receives. Usually, his goal is the catch in 130+ games in a season. Outside of his injury marred 2024 season, he has done so each year since his arrival (if we exclude the shortened 2020 season). Being an ironman behind the plate is an attribute that Realmuto wears with honor, but is it always the best for the team?

There are three ways of looking at it: Realmuto’s offense, defense and those who are behind him. Judging by his offense, his 2025 season looked like the year where everything caught up to him. All of the stuff that we look at for hitting was down, even if just a bit. His 94 wRC+ was his lowest since his rookie season, the under the hood stuff was all bluer than the 1936 electoral college map and it all just seemed to go backwards for him.

Yet check the lineup card most nights and you’d find Realmuto’s name on it more often than not. The manager just kept playing him and playing him and playing him. The pitchers love throwing to him, probably the biggest reason why he plays so much. We talked in the other preview about the still rudimentary ways of quantifying that outside of “feel”, but that’s usually why we always saw Realmuto starting games.

However, over the years, the two catchers that the team has employed as the backups – Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan – are also playing a part. They simply are not a threat at the plate enough to demand that more playing time be given to them. While the offense did score runs last year (eighth most in the league), this year, they project to take a step back from that number, meaning they’ll have to find runs somewhere. If Realmuto is continuing that downward march, it would be nice if his bat were taken out of the lineup a little more often.

That means Marchan, the likely choice to be his main backup, is going to have to hit.

Now, based on his past numbers in the minors, that is probably not in the cards too much. He has never been known as a bat first prospect, relying on sparkline defense to carry him to the major league and that was pretty much the case. He’s an excellent defender behind the plate, but anemic when hitting. His Statcast data is, frankly, scary to behold.

Granted, we’re talking about only 119 plate appearances to gather this data from, so the sample size is still small, but it tracks with scouting reports he had attached to him growing up.

Can he actually hit enough to warrant Realmuto getting more games off his feet?

That’s something to watch as the season unfolds. Maybe Realmuto does experience a bit of a rebound this year, making a lot of the talk surrounding his decline moot. However, it would be helpful if Marchan at least presses him a bit more with some offensive improvement of his own. His glove is certainly good enough to play more often.

They just need more out of the bat.