Category: Baseball

It’s a real rush following a team that’s active in free agency. The Orioles flushed a disappointing 2025 by making several moves that should significantly improve the team this season. The Pete Alonso deal rivaled the Corbin Burnes trade as the most exciting offseason acquisition in recent memory. The Birds brought in an established closer, acquired multiple starting pitchers, and added players that can make an impact on both sides of the ball.

The Chris Bassitt signing likely marked the last major transaction until the trade deadline in July, but I’m not ready for the Orioles to stop adding production. Now, with spring training underway, I’m looking for players that can exceed their projected value and emerge as an X factor this year.

I’ve already made the case for Blaze Alexander and Albert Suárez. Alexander looks like an everyday player with Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg sidelined. Holliday remains optimistic for a quick recovery, but things have taken a darker turn with Westburg’s partial UCL tear. Alexander can play second, shortstop or third base while adding additional versatility in the outfield.

Suárez started yesterday and allowed one run in a pair of innings. The veteran could carve out a valuable role as a multi-inning reliever while still maintaining the ability to make a spot start or two if needed.

Tyler O’Neill provided -0.3 WAR last season while struggling to stay on the field. The Orioles inked O’Neill to a $49.5 million dollar deal with an opt out after last season. To no surprise, O’Neill did not opt out after making only 54 appearances last season.

The Orioles gave this guy $50 million because they believed in his bat. O’Neill slugged 31 homers while posting a 217 wRC+ against lefties in 2024. There’s no guarantee that O’Neill will return to form—and there’s even less reason to believe he’ll stay healthy—but he’s a prime example of a guy that can provide more value than he did last season.

O’Neill will face more competition for playing time this season. Baltimore added slugger Taylor Ward from the Angels, and Dylan Beavers looked like an everyday player at the end of last season. That being said, O’Neill would make for a prime platoon candidate with the left-handed Beavers. If he hits, and he’s healthy, the Orioles will make room for O’Neill.

On the other hand, there’s not much competition for Colton Cowser in center field. Leody Taveras will make the team if Baltimore feels it needs a true center fielder on the bench, but he’s not a threat to steal at bats. Cowser possesses the level of job security that’s up there with Alonso and Gunnar Henderson. That may bring some comfort, but it also adds pressure.

Cowser hit below the Mendoza Line over 92 games last season. Imagine the type of value spike he can provide if he matches his 120 OPS+ and 3.1 bWAR from his rookie campaign in 2024.

Staying in the outfield, 2025 marked another lost season for Heston Kjerstad. The former first-round pick faces an uphill battle for playing time this season, but there’s an early buzz about the 27-year-old’s power in Sarasota.

Adley Rutschman sits firmly at the top of the bounceback candidate list, but there’s real optimism there. If we’re looking for guys further under the radar, the bullpen is the place to search.

This could be Yennier Cano’s last chance to recapture the magic of his rookie season. Cano posted a disappointing 5.12 ERA and 79 ERA+ last season. He may never replicate the 194 ERA+ from 2023, but even his 123 ERA+ (3.15 ERA) from 2024 would add stability to an unestablished bunch of relievers.

The Orioles appear content to start the season with Keegan Akin as their top lefty. Akin’s 3.41 ERA and 118 ERA+ from last year is really all anyone should expect from the 30-year-old at this point. If a southpaw is going to emerge as an X-factor in the bullpen, it would likely have to be Grant Wolfram, Dietrich Enns or non-roster invite Eric Torres. Wolfram has struck out five batters in two innings of work this spring.

All of these guys are on the list because they could exceed expectations this season. The number of players that outperform projections will have a direct impact on how the team performs overall. The stars need to deliver, but these type of players can make the difference over a 162-game season.

Today’s Yankee birthday boy is a doozie, a member of the late ‘90s dynasty teams, a fierce and iconic competitor, and a downright good baseball player. Paul O’Neill, born on this day in 1963, may not have spent his entire career in New York, but he will be remembered for his time in pinstripes, and with good reason.

Between four All-Star selections, four World Series rings, a batting title, a Top 100 Yankee nod, a few decommissioned water coolers, and ultimately a retired number and a plaque in Monument Park, The Warrior’s tenure in the Bronx was a highly memorable and successful one.

Paul O’Neill
Born: Februrary 26, 1963 (Columbus, OH)
Yankees Tenure: 1993-2001

O’Neill was drafted by the Reds, and got his first call-up to the majors with his hometown team in September of 1985. He would appear in just five games that season, and only in three the next year, but things would get rolling in ‘87. Across 160 plate appearances, O’Neill had a 111 wRC+ and cemented himself in the starting lineup for the Reds going forward.

Paulie continued to be productive player through the late-’80s, and was a crucial part of the 1990 Reds team that won the World Series in an upset over the dynastic A’s. He fully broke out in 1991, hitting a career-high 28 homers with a 128 OPS+, and earning his first All-Star selection. 1992 would be his final year with the Reds, as in November of that year, O’Neill was traded to the Yankees on the heels of a fine but underwhelming season at the plate. Pressed by Cincy manager Lou Piniella to further bolster his power, he instead regressed and savvy Yankees GM Gene “Stick” Michael eyed him as someone in need of a fresh start. New York ultimately received a star for the better part of a decade.

O’Neill’s impact was apparent upon arrival, as he enjoyed perhaps his best big league season at the plate during his first year in the Bronx. He went 4-for-4 in his Bronx debut, got back over 20 homers once again, slugged over .500 for the first time, and reached a then-career-high 134 wRC+. His second season in the Bronx would be one for the ages, but one ultimately shadowed by what-ifs. The 1994 season was cut short by the player strike, but in his 103 games, O’Neill played the best baseball of his life. By the end of April, his average sat at .448, and didn’t drop below .400 until mid-June. The Yankees sat atop the league when play stopped, thanks in large part to O’Neill’s MVP-level play — 21 homers in just 103 games and a league-leading .359 batting average.

He continued to play terrific ball in 1995 and ‘96, earning a second straight All-Star selection in the former, and helping the Yankees win the first of their dynasty championships in the latter. The good times kept rolling in the following year for O’Neill — 21 homers, .324/.399/.514 slash line, 139 wRC+, and another All-Star nod; Paulie was as consistent as they come. The Yankees would lose in the ALDS, but it had nothing to do with him, as he was terrific in October. He homered twice and reached base in half of his plate appearances.

1998 was a year in which just about everything went right for the Yankees, and O’Neill was no exception. He once again put up his near-patented stat line, 24 homers and a 129 wRC+ in 152 games, in what was his most valuable season according to fWAR, with a figure of 5.4. He earned his fifth All-Star selection, and the Yankees won a then-record 114 games in the regular season. They swept the Rangers in the DS, and ultimately defeated Cleveland for the American League pennant. They would take on the Padres in that year’s Fall Classic, and sweep their way to their rightful spot atop the mountain. O’Neill was solid in the championship run, holding up an .806 OPS across 60 plate appearances with a homer in each of the first two series.

In 1999, O’Neill’s age-36 campaign, the outfielder showed his first signs of slowing down. An early-season slump, paired with an injury late in the year and the loss of his father during the World Series finale made for a difficult end of the century for O’Neill. Nonetheless, despite a step back in terms of performance, he was still a positive contributor, and did his part in the Yankees’ second consecutive World Series win.

Retirement was in question for the veteran following the tough year, but he ultimately elected to stick around. He was by no means bad, but his 92 wRC+ marked the first and only below average offensive season of his career. He was no hole in the lineup either, as he still slugged 18 homers and 100 RBI in the down year, and the Yankees went on to their third consecutive World Series. O’Neill hit .310 in the postseason, with a gutty 10-pitch battle against Mets closer Armando Benítez keying a ninth-inning rally in World Series Game 1. Even on those old legs, he tripled twice in the series while earning a fifth ring in his decorated career, and the Yanks took down the Amazins in the Fall Classic.

His status was up in the air again for 2001, but O’Neill ultimately returned for one more season in the Bronx. His regular season ended with injury trouble, but it was still a productive one. O’Neill oddly set a career high with 22 stole bases at 37-years-old, and became the oldest player to record a 20-homer/20-steal season.

Although that 2001 World Series run was a famously devastating one, O’Neill’s contributions were huge in their near-miss. He homered twice and managed a 123 wRC+ in the postseason, with his health likely less than 100 percent. The fans serenaded him in the ninth inning of his final appearance in the Bronx, the unforgettable World Series Game 5.

The heartbreaking Game 7 in Arizona would prove to be his last big-league game, putting a cap on what was a terrific 17-year Major League career.

There is a good argument to be made that he was at the center of the Yankees’ historic run from 1996-2000, which saw them win four championships. not only for his spirit on the field, but because he was an significant and consistent producer with the bat. This was certainly the case when October came around, and as a result, it is hard to picture that dominant run without Paul O’Neill in the middle of it.

A YES Network announcer for over two decades now, O’Neill’s tremendous impact on the Yankees would not go unrecognized, as he would have his No. 21 retired in Monument Park during the 2022 season, forever cementing his place in Yankee history.

Here’s to a happy 63rd to the ever-entertaining Paul O’Neill!

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

Missouri baseball’s trip through Boca Raton and Fort Myers mostly followed the status quo, in the sense that the best team came out on top. Across its last four games before the Tigers’ return to Columbia, the continuous high performance of the starting pitching continued, with what has been a real offensive punch to begin. On the mound, showing that just maybe, a pitching staff that isn’t facing an injury bug every other week is beginning to take shape. Who’s continued to settle in, who’s heating up, and what this group has shown right before the calendar turns to March and the Tigers’ opening games at Taylor Stadium.

The promising debut of Dohrmann 

The lone loss of the four‑game stretch came in a 4–2 loss at Florida Atlantic, but even that night offered more positives than the scoreboard suggested. Freshman JD Dohrmann showed flashes of his command in the team scrimmage and handled his collegiate debut with high poise, working five innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out five. 

Through four games, Missouri’s rotation had already established a pattern: Javyn Pimental, Josh McDevitt, Brady Kehlenbrink, and now Dohrmann had each gone at least five innings in their respective pitching outings. Together, they’d allowed only five earned runs in 20 innings, giving the Tigers a real backbone, one that wasn’t often there last season.

Missouri, similar to its loss to Mount Saint Mary’s had its chances against Florida Atlantic. Jase Woita tied the game in the sixth with his second home run in as many days, continuing a scorching start that pushed his average near .400 with double‑digit RBI. Tyler Macon added a hit and a run from his strong position in the leadoff spot, and Pierre Seals made one of the defensive plays of the night with a diving grab in right. The bullpen couldn’t hold on to keep the Tigers ahead, Kadden Drew in his appearance chipped in 0.2 scoreless innings in the 4-2 defeat. 

Macon’s hot start continues in his personal playground

Is it Terry Park, or is it an established leadoff hitter for Missouri? I’d go with the latter based on the in-game evidence. In the first game against New Haven, Macon continued his absurd run of reaching base in Fort Myers, going 3‑for‑4 with four runs, two RBI, a double, and two stolen bases. Did I mention he now has reached base 21-out of his last-27 at bats according to MU Athletics?

Behind him, Pimentel delivered his part of the young season: five innings, one run, three hits, and a career‑high 10 strikeouts. Missouri didn’t need a massive offensive outburst — though they got contributions from Seals, Maisonet, and Frost — because their starter set the pace and the bullpen, including freshman Luke Sullivan, handled the rest. Sullivan’s 1.2 scoreless innings, complete with three strikeouts and a bases‑loaded escape, were one of the weekend’s quieter but still interesting pitching developments.

A 17‑run reminder

The second game against New Haven was the kind of afternoon where Missouri’s lineup looked like it had been waiting to tee off like a golfer on Pebble Beach. The Tigers scored 17 runs on 15 hits, spreading the damage across nearly everyone in the order.

Serna doubled home a run, Humbert added two more, Frost reached base four times, and Maisonet kept his steady start to the season rolling with two hits and an RBI. Macon of course drove in four more, and McDevitt gave Missouri another five‑inning start with seven strikeouts. It was the type of game that makes a lineup feel deeper than it did the week before.

Closing with authority

Missouri wrapped the weekend with a 16–2 run‑rule win, and the first inning alone told the story: eight runs and once again a lineup that didn’t let up.

Macon’s red-hot bat led to his triple, driving in three. Seals collected three hits, Maisonet homered, and Sam Parker added three RBI of his own. Kehlenbrink punched out seven in five innings, continuing the rotation’s early‑season consistency, and the bullpen finished the job, this time not playing down to competition and finishing the game without drama. 

Missouri’s last four games were another pad the win column; and showcasing the pitching rotation which has been stacking five‑inning starts like clockwork thus gar and giving the batters in the lineup a claustrophobic’s favorite thing. Room to breathe.

The offense in this portion of the non-conference schedule is capable of blowing a game wide open, depending on the day, and, importantly for the Tigers, players like Tyler Macon and Jase Woita are continuing to shape their places in the batting order.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, it’ it’s the early stretch of the season. The four-game stint showed the early signs of a team that’s beginning to mold itself together— to make its display on the theatre field that is the baseball diamond more fun to watch.

Who is he and where did he come from?

He’s Anthony Seigler. Have you not had enough infield depth pieces to read this winter? You’re in luck, because we’ve got more.

This particular infield depth piece started 25 games at third base for the playoff-bound Brewers in 2025 after making his MLB debut in July. The 26-year-old lefty from Cartersville, Georgia was a first round draft pick for the Yankees (three picks in front of Triston Casas!) and spent the first five years of his professional career in that organization. The Yankees-Red Sox crossover comps don’t stop there, because he is just the second Navajo player of all-time to make a Major League roster, joining none other than Jacoby Ellsbury.

Is he any good?

Stop me if you’ve heard thus one before: he’s exactly okay. Which is fine! Seigler has not quite found it yet at the plate in his short Major League career, batting just .194 with one extra base hit (a double) in his 62 at-bats. He fared a lot better at Triple-A, slashing .285/.414/.478. This is bolstered by his ability to draw walks, as his percentage as a pro approaches 20 percent. He’s patient, quick, and can pull a ball when he does hit it. Check out his Prospect Savant page for this hot chart (minimum 700 pitches seen.)

Clearly, Seigler has more work to do about getting that ball out of the park, but it’s interesting looking at the small sample size that is his Major League spray chart below (blue represents fly balls) and noticing that the ballpark he played last year in Nashville (a city that, in my opinion, is bound to have a Major League team in the next few decades) has a center field wall that measures about 20 feet further than where he’ll be hitting in 2026 (we’re talking about Worcester, here, not count Fenway’s triangle…)

One more thing about Seigler: he’s played all over the diamond, splitting most of his minor league innings between catcher and second base. And if that’s not enough versatility for you, he was drafted as a two-way player who also pitches, something that is great in, uhhh, emergency situation. But, I wouldn’t put too much stock in it, as he was only called upon to take the mound once in 2025. Plus, if you ask Alex Verdugo, he can throw 98 miles per hour and should pitch, too.

Tl;dr, just give me his 2025 stats.

MLB: 34 G, .194/.292/.210, 0 HR, 5 RBI, -0.2 WAR, 16 K, 8 BB

AAA: 72 G, .285/.414/.478, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 59 K, 52 BB

Show me a cool highlight.

Here’s his first Major League hit. He has a really interesting swing here, as he appears to choke down a little. Which, if you’re hitting well, great! With Seigler, though, you almost wonder if an adjustment is needed.

But believe it or not, Seigler has even cooler highlights than his first Major League hit. That’s because, not only is he a two-way player, he’s a two-way player who throws with both hands:

What’s he doing in his picture up there?

Grinning as if the Red Sox equipment team finally got him the right bag.

What’s his role on the 2026 Red Sox?

It’s really tough to tell, and depends how good (and healthy) Durbin, Mayer, or whoever actually ends up playing third base is. It’s curious that the Red Sox dealt two pitchers, albeit some blocked from the rotation, in acquiring Durbin AND two guys that could potentially replace Durbin, who’s also going into just his second season in the show. If you see too much of Seigler outside of some Worcester highlights in 2026, it probably signals something going pretty badly. But you never know: if you see enough of Seigler at Fenway, it could also signify something went very right very quickly in developing him.

The Orioles made a lot of noise this offseason, and Pete Alonso arriving on a big contract was the loudest noise of all. The Polar Bear gives Baltimore a genuine middle-of-the-order presence that the offense sorely lacked in 2025. But his arrival also created a puzzle at first base that the front office has yet to fully solve.

Ryan Mountcastle is still on the roster, having agreed to a surprise $6.787M deal in January with a $7.5M club option for 2027. So is the 24-year-old Coby Mayo. And when you add in Samuel Basallo and Adley Rutschman — two bats this team very much wants in the lineup — you’re suddenly staring at five players who reasonably profile as either a first baseman or a designated hitter. Five is a lot. Especially when one is Alonso, whom the O’s signed specifically to play first and hit, and the others—Rutschman and Basallo—are considered franchise cornerstones, or future ones.

That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for Mountcastle and Mayo to coexist comfortably.

A least a few observers find it curious that the Orioles haven’t moved either yet for the pitching help that still eludes this roster. It’s possible that Mounty is still around because the Orioles intended to package him and others for a top-flight starter like Framber Valdez, failed in this endeavor, and settled for Chris Bassitt instead.

Speaking for the front office, GM Mike Elias’s explanations have been cagey, to say the least. He told reporters this winter: “[I]t is never a problem if you have too many good bats. We saw last year how much depth a baseball team needs, and it’s more than ever, and we really like all these guys. … And we have designated hitter at-bats to go around for these players, too.”

But this doesn’t seem right, even with injuries keeping infield mainstays Jackson Holliday (hamate bone) and Jordan Westburg (oblique, UCL) off the Opening Day roster.

Imagine a hypothetical Opening Day roster with these 13 position players: catchers Rutschman and Basallo, infielders Mountcastle, Mayo, Alonso, Jeremiah Jackson and Gunnar Henderson, plus newly signed utility infielder Blaze Alexander to fill in for Holliday and Westburg, and finally outfielders Taylor Ward, Tyler O’Neill, Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers and Leody Taveras. That’s still a lot of 1B/DH types, isn’t it.

Mayo is getting an opportunity at third base while Westburg is out. But keeping Mountcastle through arbitration felt like a holding pattern, not a plan, and still does.

Maybe one of them gets traded at some point before Opening Day. Maybe one of them breaks out this spring and forces a rethink. Maybe the answer is that someone gets hurt and the problem resolves itself in the most unwelcome way possible. For now, it’s one of the more interesting open questions in Birdland.

How do you see it playing out, Camden Chat?

Meet the Mets

The Mets tied the Astros 6-6 in a spring training game yesterday. Jack Wenninger started the game and threw two scoreless innings, but it was a game to forget for the Mets’ pitching staff with 13 walks given up in total. Mike Tauchman began his Mets tenure with a bang, launching a three-run home run in his first at-bat. Ronny Mauricio followed that with a solo home run of his own two batters later, and the Mets were up 4-0 before the first inning had concluded. Marcus Semien doubled and scored on a Bo Bichette sacrifice fly, and A.J. Ewing drove in the final Met run of the game on a sacrifice fly of his own in the sixth inning.

After Juan Soto declared that he wants to try and beat Shohei Ohtani and win his first MVP, Thomas Harrigan broke down how he could accomplish such a Herculean feat.

In search of a breaking ball he can trust against lefties, Clay Holmes might dust off his curve.

After speaking about how Pete Alonso might come to feel after leaving the Mets, Darryl Strawberry has now walked those comments back.

MLB Pipeline gave a sneak preview of some prospects making their teams upcoming top 30 lists, and a Mets pitching prospect is on the list.

Around the National League East

Chris Sale has signed another extension with the Braves, a one-year. $27 million contract for 2027 with a $30 million club option for 2028.

In other Braves news, the Braves have announced a new television network: Braves Vision.

Around Major League Baseball

MLB Pipeline has listed five prospects already impressing in spring training.

After Tarik Skubal announced he would only be pitching in one World Baseball Classic game, Paul Skenes upped the ante and announced he would pitch in two.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. made his declaration about a bold goal in his sights, and there are more stars that can attempt for big accomplishments this year.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Linda Surovich took a look at fast-rising Mets’ prospect Jacob Reimer, who is in the major league camp to start spring training.

Chris on Chris: (Chris) McShane delved into the fun catching prospect (Chris) Suero, who flies around the basepaths.

Brian Salvatore attempted to answer whether repeated Mets acquisition Kevin Herget can stick around in the Mets bullpen.

This Date in Mets History

Partial 1986 Met Ed Lynch is celebrating his 70th birthday today.

It had been 543 days since Gavin Stone last faced big league hitting, but on Tuesday he made his long-awaited return against the Cleveland Guardians.

Stone was only dealt one inning of work as he was handed the start, tossing 15 pitches while striking out a pair of hitters in a perfect first inning. Stone later spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA about his return to the mound, as he will be one of a plethora of young options for the back end of the starting rotation.

“That was awesome,” said Stone during the second inning of Tuesday’s contest. “Considering the whole rehab process, how long it took, the surgery that I had, it was amazing to finally get back out there and do what I love doing.”

Dave Roberts spoke with Watson post-game, noting that the 27-year-old right-hander “hasn’t missed a beat.”

“I saw poise, I saw command of the fastball, I saw a really good changeup, and he just competes,” said Roberts. “Good to see Gavin back there.”

Links

Dalton Rushing understands his role as the main back-up to Will Smith. Although he still needs to adjust from playing everyday in the minor leagues to getting infrequent opportunities at the highest level, he is set on trying to contribute in whatever way helps this season, writes Sonja Chen of MLB.com.

“The word this year is ‘produce,'” Rushing said. “I just want to produce for this team, whatever way that is, whether it means putting down a bunt in the eighth to get a runner over, or it means to hit a go-ahead double. Come up big in big situations, whatever way it is. I just want to help this team win.”

It was quite the whirlwind of an offseason for outfielder Michael Siani. After finishing the 2025 season within the St. Louis Cardinals system, he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves at the start of the offseason, only to end up in a bidding war between the Dodgers and New York Yankees.

When the dust settled, Siani found himself at Camelback Ranch, and he is now looking to crack the Dodgers opening day roster. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register writes about Siani’s offseason, with the outfielder staying even keel after the flurry of moves involving his name.

“All 30 teams had a chance to grab me. Luckily, the Dodgers held on to me to this point. It gives you more motivation and makes you want to be successful… Listen – I signed up for it. This is what I want to do. It comes with it,” he said.

Chicago Cubs star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong had some choice words to say about Dodgers fans and their supposed lack of devotion during games. Jerry Hairston Jr. was quick to retort, noting how home games are usually packed on a nightly basis.

“Yes, the Cubs fans are great fans. But do you know who’s better? The Dodgers fans. Dodgers sell out every single night— packed, loud— and it’s going to be loud. In late April the Cubbies are going to be coming to Chavez Ravine, and I’m sure Dodgers fans will ‘welcome’ PCA.”

Jaylon Thompson talks to Kyle Isbel about how to handle the new dimension at the K defensively.

Isbel won’t feel much difference in straightaway center field. However, there will be some adjustments made in the gaps. He will have new angles and routes to track down the baseball. It’s something he is prepared to learn. Still, it won’t change his mentality to aggressively track the baseball in the air.

“It’s still a big field,” Isbel said. “They didn’t really touch center field for the most part. So it’s really the same. I think it’s gonna maybe have less triples — more than anything — with the lines being a little more brought in.”

Speaking of the new dimensions, Pete Grathoff takes a look at progress on the new fences at the K.

Who needs closer fences? Jac Caglianone blasted a home run 460 feet in the game yesterday.

“He had a really good slider working for him, and I knew that he got Carter [Jensen] on three in a row,” Caglianone said. “So when I got 0-2, I was like, ‘Wouldn’t be surprised if he went to that again,’ but I also still stayed on the heater. Thankfully, I got one just up enough to put a good swing on it.”

Bobby Witt Jr. was awarded the 2025 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for character.

Craig Brown writes about whether Bailey Falter can add velocity to his repertoire.

Touching 96 mph is a nice goal and everything, but I feel like it’s important to note that Falter has topped 95 mph with his fastballs just twice in his major league career. He did it one time last season, on a sinker, right before he was traded to Kansas City. Of course, all these guys are looking to add velocity these days…and visiting different pitching labs and training facilities with their own coaches to find that edge that will get them a tick more. Especially guys who know they are fighting for a spot on the club and the rotation. This will be an interesting development to monitor going forward.

David Lesky writes about Seth Lugo’s first spring start.

Nothing was in the middle. Last year, after the break, it felt like he was either missing big out of the zone or leaving a pitch right in the middle of the plate to get crushed. I think if my math is right, he’ll make one more start in Royals camp before leaving for the WBC, though I may be off on that, depending on how the Royals set that up. But I’ll be curious to watch the command and that slider in his next outing. It’s easy to lament giving him $20 million per year for the next two, and it would hurt if he pitches like he did in August again, but if he can give the Royals even just league average for 175 innings per year, that’s a reasonable cost to pay for that.

Buster Olney at ESPN ranks Bobby Witt Jr. as the top shortstop in the game.

And Witt’s drive to improve is relentless. J.J. Picollo, the head of baseball operations for the Royals, wrote in a text, “[Witt] is so easy to deal with because he takes such good care of himself that we have little-to-no concern. More of what we discuss with him is how we can keep him fresh and strong throughout the season.

“Some of the finer points of base stealing are things that are always being discussed, but he is clearly a very good baserunner.”

He is clearly very good at everything.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep wonders if the curve is the key to Lugo’s success.

Steve Kraske at KCUR talks Royals with Anne Rogers.

The Braves sign Chris Sale to an extension through 2027 with an option for 2028.

The Yankees are still open to adding a platoon bat.

The Padres shut down pitcher Matt Waldron after a hemorrhoid procedure.

Who is the most interesting non-roster invitee for each team?

Top Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin is turning heads in camp.

Angels owner Arte Moreno says fans don’t really care about winning that much.

What are teams paying per-win in free agency these days?

Tarik Skubal will only pitch once for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Would you let Jacob Misiorowski throw a fastball to hit an apple on your head?

The state of Florida grants land for a possible Rays stadium.

How Salt Lake City is becoming a frontrunner for MLB expansion. [$]

The Braves announce a TV home with BravesVision and may be looking to build a regional sports network with the Hawks, Grizzlies, and Predators.

ESPN will air 25 Savannah Banana games on TV.

The NFL is not expected to get a proposal to ban the “tush push.”

Bodø/Glimt pulls off one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history, knocking out Inter Milan.

An FCC study shows TV station consolidation has led to lower quality for viewers.

Warner Bros. Discover says Paramount has raised its bid to $31 per share.

Do we really need this much protein?

Your song of the day is Sebadoah with On Fire.

After playing in 148 games and slashing .258/.317/.416 with 16 home runs for the Colorado Rockies last season, Jordan Beck’s main takeaway concerned his health and physique.

“Just how to take care of your body,” he said. “I mean, you have an idea, I guess. We’d still play the minor leagues 140 games, but 160 is almost an extra month. So just staying locked in and realizing that you guys stay still on top of it that last month or so too. I think that’s a pretty big deal.”

The rigors of the regular season took their toll on a young, inexperienced Rockies team. Playing his first full season at the big league level, Beck was not immune to wear and tear and ended up slashing just .213/.247/.326 in the last month of the season with 31 strikeouts.

But the effort to make sure he stays healthy and productive throughout the year didn’t necessarily demand an entirely new offseason training program. Rather, Beck sees it as a change in mentality and approach.

“I wouldn’t say I necessarily changed a whole lot,” he said. “I think it’s just more like, when you come in and you get to the point where, ‘hey, the body’s hurt’ and you’re banged up a little bit, just knowing how to attack it. Still get in the weight room and do what you have to do, but not overdoing it.”

Not overdoing it seems to be a theme for the 2026 Rockies under manager Warren Schaeffer. The club has delayed start times during spring training to ensure players are rested and ready to attack the carefully laid-out schedule before them. There is an emphasis on making sure players have what they need individually to better themselves, while making sure they are healthy and ready for the regular season.

Beck, the 38th overall pick of the 2022 draft, rose quickly through the Rockies’ system, making a rushed debut in 2024. Despite a sizzling bat in Triple-A Albuquerque, Beck struggled in his short time with the Rockies before a broken wrist derailed his season and sapped his power potential.

He got a full run in 2025 and cemented himself as an everyday player for Schaeffer in the outfield. Beck had to learn and develop on the job, both at the plate and in the spacious ground a left fielder is required to cover at Coors Field.

There are hints of what Beck can do for the Rockies’ lineup. He led the team with 19 stolen bases and 43 walks. He also finished second on the team in doubles (27) and runs scored (62), while tying for second in triples (5). Beck ended third in homers (16) and fourth in RBI (53).

While it ended up being a fairly solid season for him, there is still a major theme Beck and the Rockies are hoping to improve for 2026: consistency.

Consistency in the positive sense eluded the Rockies last season. A prime example for Beck was in the power department. After slugging three home runs in a doubleheader on April 24th and two more in a game at home on April 25th, it looked like Beck had found his power stroke. Unfortunately, the long ball made rare appearances the rest of the season as he averaged two home runs a month from May through September.

While the power may have lacked, Beck dabbled with impressive marks in other categories. He managed a .291 AVG against left-handed pitching and was a menace at Coors Field, where he hit .303/.348/.466 with 18 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 36 RBIs in 76 games. He also turned in a spectacular month of July by batting .314/.359/.442 with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, eight RBIs and two stolen bases.

However, Beck hit just .248/.309/.393 against righties and struggled to a .204/.280/.355 slashline on the road. Additionally, while his 29.6% strikeout rate was an improvement on his 2024 numbers, it’s still high; and he had a 31.2% whiff rate.

It’s these types of issues that have prompted the Rockies to overhaul the front office and coaching staff to work on getting the most out of their players. Rather than a cookie-cutter approach, the new staff is meeting players where they are and looking to improve from there, something Beck is appreciative of.

“I mean, there’s a lot, but at the same time, just go out there and be me,” he said. “I think that there’s being comfortable and letting the staff let you know, ‘hey, we like what you do. You go be you out there, and we’ll figure it out and hone skills from there.’”

But Beck and other players are eager to have the discussions about improvement and how to get better as players.

“Well, it’s been great. [It] feels like they’ve got full reins to coach and be able to get us to get better,” he said. “To be honest, I felt like this is new for us, but it’s also good because I think a lot of us want to get better, and [we’re] finding different ways to get better, and I think there’s a lot of different approaches now to try and get better.”

Beck is already getting a taste of the team’s desire for adaptability and change. In his three Cactus League starts, he has started in right field. After playing the majority of his games in left field last season, Schaeffer feels it’s most ideal to move Beck to right with the addition of speedy outfielder Jake McCarthy to play the spacious expanse. While Beck is more than capable of covering all three outfield positions, the move should not only preserve him physically but also better utilize his abilities on both sides of the ball.

As a goal-oriented individual, Beck’s motives boil down to a simple foundation in 2026.

“I think everybody’s got the same goal: just stay healthy and then get into the season, get ready to play and win some games.”

As for the expectations for himself?

“Kinda do everything you can do to get the most out of yourself.”

If Beck can find his consistency and achieve his goals, the Rockies are in for a treat.

Affected by Altitude Episode 200: Welcome to Camp Schaeffer | Rocky Mountain Rooftop

This week, Evan Lang and I reflect on 200 episodes of Affected by Altitude before doing into the changes at spring training under Warren Schaeffer.

Spring Training Should Have Rockies Considering Jalen Beeks Reunion | Rockies on SI

I found this article interesting, not so much that I believe the club should bring Beeks back, but it does bring to mind that the Rockies could still make moves in spring training to improve the roster. Though the bullpen still seems set, unless something notable comes together or someone gets injured.

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

Welcome to Wacky Wednesday with Washington. Was that just an excuse for dumb alliteration? Well, we’ll weather such worries whenever Will Warren weighs in.

OK fine, now I’m done, but only to a certain extent. For today’s prompt, we want to be a little less serious and just consider what the funniest possible outcome for the Yankees’ 2026 season might be. This could be either “positive” funny, like Trent Grisham randomly popping off for 34 homers last year after nearly being non-tendered, or “negative” funny, like Jasson Domínguez finally getting a starting outfield shot and then doing … whatever the hell he was doing on defense in 2025. Feel free to get creative! I would personally love it if Jake Bird because a vital bullpen piece after being almost completely written off after his rapid post-Trade Deadline implosion in 2025. Or in a more outlandish world, if Luis Gil and Austin Wells decided to write a Todd-esque rock opera.

Today on the site, Andrés will delve into why he’s excited to watch 2024 first-rounder Ben Hess develop this year. We’ll also have Sam celebrating Paul O’Neill’s 63rd birthday (yowza), Jeremy previewing Ryan McMahon’s first full season in pinstripes since coming over from the Rockies at the 2025 Trade Deadline, and Peter previewing the ever-rebuilding Nationals. Lastly, prospect specialist Nolan Rabine bids a fond farewell to Pinstripe Alley with a final look at the prospects he’s most looking forward to watching from the metaphorical PSA sidelines in 2026.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Washington Nationals

Time: 6:35 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Nats.tv (MLB.tv)

Venue: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL

And you think you had a tough day at the office. 

One umpire had five calls consecutively overturned by the automated ball-strike challenge system during Tuesday’s Pirates-Red Sox Grapefruit League spring training game in Fort Myers, Fla. 

Home plate umpire Mitch Trzeciak must have been red in the face when a number of his calls were challenged and overturned. But he later earned himself a sarcastic cheer when one call was upheld by ABS. 

You think YOU'VE had a bad day??

Here's 5 Consecutive Calls overturned by ABS challenges.

The cheer at the end. pic.twitter.com/5EG0WLgm21

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 24, 2026

It started in the first inning when Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez challenged a ball call on a pitch from Carmen Mlodzinski, and the ABS review very clearly showed the ball was a strike and went essentially right down the middle. 

NESN play-by-play man Tom Caron couldn’t help but point out the obvious error by saying, “And that one, kind of right down the middle.”

Caron continued to point out the rough day that Trzeciak was having during the broadcast. 

“You’ve missed two, and one was right down the middle, and one was two inches outside, and you’re like, ‘Alright, I’m having a bad day, and everybody knows it,'” Caron said later on in the broadcast. 

In the end, Trzeciak, a Triple-A umpire getting a chance to call a big league game, had five calls that were overturned by the challenge system before the end of the third. 

But the calls weren’t the only bizarre thing to take place during Tuesday’s game. 

Wilyer Abreu just broke his bat on a check swing.
pic.twitter.com/pn61U9uV2p

— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) February 24, 2026

Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu was left a bit stunned when he broke his bat on a check swing in the bottom of the fourth inning. 

Abreu did not make contact with the ball, yet a large section of his bat went flying off, leaving him holding a small piece of it. 

The Pirates defeated the Red Sox in the exhibition game 16-7.

MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: Spring training games have begun, and for the most part, all of the big offseason moves and acquisitions have been made. However, teams still usually have openings at the back end of their roster at this time of year, and the Yankees apparently are no different. In particular, the Yankees are reportedly still keeping an eye on a potential platoon bat, and will monitor who becomes available as spring training continues — even as it winds down before Opening Day on March 25th.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: Ben Rice was arguably the Yankees’ best surprise in 2025, putting in a breakout campaign after he debuted in up-and-down fashion in 2024. Despite the re-signing of Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice figures to be a big part of the Yankees’ plans this season. While the Yankees may also decide to use him as a backup catcher too, Rice really hopes to improve on his defense in 2026, as well as maintain a regular spot in the lineup.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Speaking of Goldschmidt, in addition to returning to the Yankees, he is also set to return to the USA team for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Here, Goldschmidt discusses his love for the tournament—this will be his third after winning it in 2017 and finishing runner-up in 2023—and how he’s preparing for a likely reduced role in the Bronx behind Rice in 2026.

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Aaron Boone said near the start of camp that he wanted his club to be aggressive in using the automated ball-strike challenge system.

How does a 6-for-8 day sound in that regard?

The Yankees were both aggressive and mostly accurate with their challenges Tuesday during an 8-7 win over the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. That included Austin Wells and José Caballero both going 2-for-2 in getting calls overturned. Caballero used both in a single at-bat to draw a walk, Jazz Chisholm Jr. nailed his only challenge and Trent Grisham went 1-for-2, though Boone did have a slight issue with Grisham’s miss.

“We want to be really good at it,” Boone said. “We want to be the best at it. I feel like our guys, we’ve been preaching around here long enough about controlling the strike zone. 

“I thought Grish’s second one where he was wrong was probably a little emotional for him. He kind of wanted to challenge the first one and then the last one, when he probably wasn’t convicted. But overall, I thought guys did a good job with it.”

With teams getting two challenges per game — and retaining them as long as they are correct — one thought might be to save them for big spots late. But Boone does not agree with that idea.

“This isn’t ‘save them for the seventh, eighth and ninth,’ ” Boone said. “I want us to be right. … But I just want us to also inherently understand leverage. You’re down to one and it’s the fifth inning, nobody on, two outs, 1-0 count, that’s one I feel like we got to nail that one if we’re challenging that one. But it doesn’t change [in a] big spot, two strikes, fourth inning, two men on, that’s the biggest spot at that moment.”

Spring training stats mean next to nothing, especially for a veteran like Paul Goldschmidt. But they don’t hurt, either, and the first baseman continued his solid start Tuesday by crushing a two-run homer off tough righty Tyler Rogers and later adding a two-run double against righty Jesse Hahn.

“It’s definitely not a time where you just want to go through the motions,” said Goldschmidt, who will leave camp this weekend to play for Team USA in the WBC. “You want to have good at-bats and really more than anything, just keep building toward the regular season.”

Two relievers vying to break camp in the Yankees bullpen had solid outings Tuesday, with Jake Bird delivering 1 ¹/₃ scoreless innings and lefty Brent Headrick making his spring debut with a scoreless frame.

Kervin Castro, another bullpen candidate after he was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, tossed two shutout innings.

The Americans are only getting one World Baseball Classic start from one Cy Young Award winner, but could get multiple from another.

Paul Skenes told MLB insider Ken Rosenthal that he expects to make one start for Team USA in pool play and possibly another if the team advances in the international tournament.

“We win, we go as far as we should, I’ll pitch again in the tournament,” Skenes said.

The 2025 National League Cy Young winner’s decision stands in contrast to left-handed Tarik Skubal, who said Monday he will make one outing against Great Britain on March 7 before returning to spring training with the Tigers.

“I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA but I understand the need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season,” Skubal said. “I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity.”

Skubal, the two-time reigning Cy Young winner in the American League, said he would like to return to the team to watch — if the Americans reach the final round.

Giants ace Logan Webb said Tuesday that he plans to stick it out throughout the WBC, and while he will be there for the entirety of the tournament, said he understands why Skubal, an impending free agent, is deciding to pitch just once.

“I’m not in his shoes,” Webb said, according to MLB.com. “I’ve got three years left on my contract. He doesn’t. He has one year and then he’s a free agent. I get the thought of it.”

In Skenes, Team USA will have arguably the best right-hander in baseball, who led MLB in ERA (1.97) and FIP (2.36) with an NL-best 0.948 WHIP last season.

The Americans also will have, on a star-studded roster, retired Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw, who announced he’ll make an appearance in what will likely be his final chapter as a pitcher.

There will also be a New York contingent on the staff, with Mets starters Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean and Yankees reliever David Bednar all on the roster.

Team USA has exhibitions against the Giants and Rockies next week before kicking off pool play against Brazil on March 6 at Daikin Park in Houston.

Okay, Purple Row Night Owls, here’s a question for you.

The Rockies have been working for the last few years to build their pitching depth, and we are beginning to see the results.

So in 2026, which Colorado Rockies pitching prospect will make a name for himself?

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!