It’s that time again. Excitement is rising for yet another season of Major League Baseball (MLB), as spring training is in full swing. Fans desperate for baseball watch their favorite teams play somewhat meaningless games, but in the process get to see their teams’ regular season rosters take shape.
The center of attention for every spring training is the prospects. Players from the minor leagues are given a shot to make some noise and earn a roster spot. This year, there’s so many prospects knocking on the door for the major leagues, and position battles are getting heated. The defending champion Texas Rangers are one of the centers of attention for these battles and 2023 first round pick Wyatt Langford is already making a case for his name on the major league roster.
The fourth overall pick out of the University of Florida was considered one of the most major league ready bats going into the draft and he’s proven scouts right. After dominating the minor leagues, Langford showed up for spring and has shown out. The outfielder has clubbed four home runs in 11 games as of March 11. They’ve been mammoth home runs too. Langford also holds a .379 batting average and .472 on-base percentage, showing a good eye at the plate with five walks to 10 strikeouts. With the Rangers looking to repeat, the 22-year-old could be up quickly.
Jackson Holliday is another media darling that’s getting a ton of attention and rightfully so. The 2022 first overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles has proved it at every level in the minors and might be ready for the show. After a slow start to his spring, he found his rhythm. At just 20 years old, the middle infielder is already wreaking havoc on opposing pitchers. In 31 at-bats, he’s totaled 19 hits, including two doubles, two triples and a home run. He’s also driven in five and is a lead catalyst for 14-3 Orioles this spring. Holliday has been a tick behind on his timing though, drawing just one walk to 12 strikeouts. For a prospect known for his patience and ability to draw walks, the decision of whether he makes the major league roster is still up in the air.
James Wood has been another spring training standout and is giving the Washington Nationals hope for the future. Acquired in the Juan Soto trade and just 21 years old, Wood is already flashing his potential. In 14 games, Wood has launched three moonshots and even rounded the bases for a triple. The outfielder could be one of the most feared hitters in baseball looking towards the future and the well-rounded ability he’s showing at the plate is already frustrating opposing teams. The Nationals are not a strong roster, so they aren’t in win now mode, but for a team looking for a face of the franchise, Wood can and should be that guy. Look for the Nationals to call this guy up early to speed up the rebuild.
There is no telling which prospects will break spring with the team. While many teams’ top prospects are playing like major league ready players, general managers sometimes tend to be patient with their young future stars. They don’t want to stunt their development. However, with the level some of these players are playing at, it’ll be hard to keep them off the Opening Day roster. As Opening Day closes in, the last games of spring training will get more exciting as we get closer and closer to teams setting their roster in stone.
