MLB Spring Training Standouts

By Steve Tsilimos | Posted 1 month ago
MLB Spring Training Standouts

The best part about spring training is that we get a look at some of our favorite players and whether they added tools to their belts during the offseason. Another bonus to spring training is seeing your favorite team's prospects go out and compete. It’s also a chance to get a first look at any new players your favorite team acquired in the offseason. 

The coaches and managers do not give Spring Training numbers too much weight due to the small sample size with many variables in competition. But when someone has added a few MPH to their fastball or crushes a home run 470 feet, then it's hard for management not to notice. Springball does not change the opening-day roster much, but looking around the league and seeing which players excel is fun.

So, which players are standing out this spring, and how are they doing it? Let’s review the hype around spring training and the players who have made some noise this spring.

Elly De La Cruz – Reds

Elly De La Cruz broke onto the scene last summer and helped turn around the Reds' season with his electric play. The 22-year-old phenom is what the MLB’s next generation of superstars are – fast, powerful, and can hit the ball all over the park. He reminded everyone this spring of how special he is by hitting a 470-foot home run this past Saturday. With that one swing of the bat, he hit a ball further than any of his 13 home runs last season. The super athletic De La Cruz already had a breakout month the previous year, but his towering home run has reminded people that 2024 could be a breakout season for the shortstop/third baseman.

Jung Ho Lee – Giants

The Giants' newest marquee addition this offseason showcases the skills that made him the 2022 Korean Baseball Organization MVP. Jung Ho Lee is another Japanese player with ridiculous bat control and a swing built to rip doubles into the gap. In a game last Thursday, Ho Lee hit a double in his first at-bat, followed by a home run his next time up. The Giants are getting precisely what they hoped when they signed the outfielder on December 14.

Spencer Jones – Yankees

Scouts described Spencer Jones as a left-handed  Aaron Judge. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound 22-year-old was MLB’s 84th-ranked prospect entering the 2024 season, and he has shown out so far. He’s batting .467 in his 15 at-bats with one home run. It was not just any home run; it traveled 470 feet or more. If Jones develops into an everyday player, the Yankees will have three guys in the middle of the lineup who can crush the ball over 470 feet: Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Jones. 

Chris Sale – Braves

One of the Braves' biggest offseason signings was seven-time All-Star Chris Sale. What stands out about Sale already this year is that he looks like he’s got his incredible movement back on his slider. Last season, Sale’s slider averaged 11 inches of break, compared to the 15 inches he averaged during his best years. This spring Sale has already fanned a batter with a slider that broke 20 inches. If his slider moves that much, the two-time AL strikeout leader will indeed fan many batters this season. 

Tarik Skubal – Tigers

Tarik Skubal ended the 2023 campaign on a tear after being activated from the 60-day IR on July 4. Skubal added some velocity to his fastball between 2022 and 2023 and is already topping his numbers of 96 and 99 this spring training. Skubal has been a sneaky dark horse to win the AL Cy Young award because many people believe he showed enough command of his pitches last year to be a real force for Detroit this year.

Evan Carter – Rangers

The 2023 World Series Champs break-out postseason star is picking up right where he left off. The No. 5 overall prospect entering the season showcased his five-tool talent last October and is doing so again in the spring. Carter showcased his speed on an infield single where he was clocked at 29.9 sprint speed, which is elite top-end speed. The 21-year-old has put together some great at-bats and was the only Rangers player to record a hit off Dodgers phenom pitcher  Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Hurston Waldrep – Braves 

MLB’s No. 90 prospect, Hurston Waldrep, had people talking about his splitter after he made short work of the Blue Jays lineup with it. The 22-year-old’s splitter is like nothing else in the league right now because its spin rate is about half that of other splitters being thrown. The low spin rate gives the ball a” toppling” effect, forcing batters to swing over the top of it. Waldrep will be very tough to hit if he consistently finds the strike zone with his fastball and splitter.

Eury Pérez – Marlins

Perez was fantastic when he debuted for the Marlins last year as a 20-year-old. He is already overpowering big league hitters with his fastball that sits right around triple digits. He showcased his fastball in his spring debut, where he fanned three batters in 1⅔ innings. One of those batters was Mets slugger Pete Alonzo who couldn’t handle the youngster’s 99.6 MPH fastball. Perez could be among the few starters who consistently hits 100 MPH this year and still has the legal age to drink a beer. 

James Wood – Nationals 

James Wood has already hit three home runs this spring. The No. 14 overall prospect is known to have power, but seeing it on display is exciting. The 6-foot-6 left-hander has belted two home runs with an exit velocity of over 109 MPH. Wood has yet to play in a big-league game, but he is making a solid case in the Nationals' opening-day lineup. If he can find consistency, Wood will quickly become one of the league’s best left-handed power hitters. 


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