Angels 2B Christian Moore - ICON SPORTSWIRE/Via Getty Images
With opening day just around the corner on March 27, there is still time for players to shine in MLB Spring Training.
These athletes have been working hard to secure jobs before the season. Let’s look at these five eager players who established themselves as contenders to be noticed during MLB Spring Training.
5 Ready To Go Players During MLB Spring Training
1. Zebby Matthews: RHP- Minnesota Twins
Matthews might be one of the best arms in baseball who handles the strike zone like a vet. The righty has only walked 22 hitters in 205 1/3 minor league innings.
Additionally, Matthews has other dangerous pitches in his skillset. Nevertheless, his flamethrowing velocity has been on display in spring training.
He has hurled five innings of shutout ball, along with seven strikeouts, and zero walks.
With his 97 mph fastballs, look for Matthews to start in Triple-A, hoping for a callup at some point during the season.
2. George Lombard Jr.: SS- New York Yankees
Lombard Jr. has come into training camp with the mindset of wanting to be a future big leaguer.
The youngest player in camp decided to turn pro right out of high school. He currently ranks as the Yankees’ number two prospect and plays in High A Hudson Valley.
The one unwavering feature that sticks out with Lombard is his outstanding ability at defense. His speed and focus helps him with his range at shortstop.
In his last nine games at bat, the 19-year-old has gone 5-17 with an OPS of 1.015.
If he plays his cards right, he could earn a September call-up or make the big leagues by next season.
3. Felix Bautista: RHP- Baltimore Orioles
Bautista dominated the American League in both 2022 and 2023. The 6’8″, 285 lb. closer made 48 saves and fanned 14.1 batters per nine innings.
But just like in the real world, adversity struck the young success story in August 2023. He injured his ulnar in his throwing arm, which shut him down for the rest of the year.
He didn’t give up as he went to have Tommy John surgery, but he wanted to make sure his electric heat would come back to proper form.
In his first spring training contest last Monday, his fastball velocity soared back to 97 mph, and he struck out two batters in a smooth inning.
As Sylvester Stallone told his greedy TV son in Rocky Balboa, “In life, it ain’t about how hard you get hit; it’s how you can get back up.” Bautista has gotten back up beautifully from August 2023.
4. Kevin Alcántara: OF- Chicago Cubs
Nicknamed “The Jaguar,” Alcántara’s speed and power have been fully displayed this spring training. At 6’6 “, 188 lbs., he is freaky strong in his elbows and knees.
With five hits in his first eight appearances at the plate, he has carried over his success from his three MLB games at the end of last year.
The dilemma is that the 22-year-old lacks experience in both AAA and the MLB. In 35 games at AAA last year, he impressed with a .848 OPS and a career-high .354 batting average.
Should he really be a backup outfielder with the Cubs right now, or continue to be the top banana in AAA?
Nevertheless, the potential for a player this age is sky-high, and you don’t want to put him in a non-thriving situation.
5. Christian Moore: 2B- Los Angeles Angels
Drafted 8th in 2024 by the Angels Organization, the brass felt they were getting an MLB-ready player just coming out of college. Last season, Moore grabbed an SEC Triple Crown and a National Championship with the Tennesse Volunteers.
Additionally, he almost earned a big league September call-up, but it never happened. This year, we have the star of training camp in Moore, who acquired six hits in 19 at-bats with a .409 OBP while also playing second and third base.
With these attributes, it could matter when or not Moore becomes the first major league call-up drafted from the 2024 class. His ability to get on base and play two positions on the field is what today’s young guns do now.
With multiple eyes watching these five players, it will be interesting to see who makes an early contribution to the MLB.
