Way Too Early Spring Training Standouts
The 2024 MLB season is still in diapers, but here are some overreactions about what's happened thus far.
Am I aware that Spring Training JUST started? Absolutely. Will that stop me from talking about players who’ve caught my eye? Not a chance.
The start of Spring is always great. Warm weather creeps in, flowers blossom, days last longer, and all 30 MLB clubs share a common feeling: hope. Well, maybe 29 clubs… the A’s are in a dark, dark place.
Here’s a jumble of Big League regulars, top prospects, and nobodies who have been able to separate themselves from the rest early on. Baseball is back!
Orelvis Martinez (TOR)
The #89 prospect in all of baseball, and #2 in the Blue Jays farm (via MLB.com), Orelvis Martinez has been turning many heads, myself included.
Known for his raw power despite standing at just 5’11”, Martinez tore the cover off baseballs in Double-A last year, posting a 122 wRC+, and clubbing 17 homers.
Martinez got me excited on Tuesday when he hit two balls over 108mph in the same game. One was listed at 111.2 mph (also the hardest-tracked ball of the day), and the other was at 108.8 mph. Keep an eye on him.
Casey Mize (DET)
Throwing just 10 innings in 2022, and not seeing the mound this previous year, 2024 is a big season for Casey Mize to finally regain traction.
His premature MLB career may be riddled with injuries, but no one’s ever really questioned the stuff.
On Tuesday, Mize saw almost two ticks up velocity-wise on every single one of his pitches. The Tigers former 1st overall pick in 2018 was dotting a 97 mph heater, paired with his splitter at 87. A devastating combination, and a sign of good health for the first time in a while.
If Mize can stay healthy in 2024, don’t be shocked if he gives Skubal a run for the head of that rotation - Yes, I’m that high on him.
Chris Sale (ATL)
Another injury-prone arm paired with a small sample size? I’m sure this is going to age well.
The bottom line is, if Chris Sale doesn’t have anything left in the tank, he sure isn’t doing a good job of showing it. The 7-time Cy Young finalist may be 34 years old, but was touching 97 consistently on Tuesday, gathering 7 whiffs over 11 strikes. Over two scoreless frames, the newly minted Brave fanned 4 over 2 perfect frames.
If he can somehow find a way to throw 100 innings this season, Sale may help the Braves win 110+ games in an already loaded rotation.
Eddys Leonard (DET)
He may not be a household name or a top draft pick, but Eddys Leonard has played fairly well this spring so far. Traded for cash from the Dodgers last fall, Leonard sneaks his way into the Tigers top 30 prospects tabbed at the #30 mark.
Through forty contests at the Triple-A level, Leonard posted a 123 wRC+ with the Toledo Mud Hens, hammering 8 dingers.
Leonard is 4-for-10 with a 1.055 OPS to start Spring Training, the 23-year-old isn’t fighting for a roster spot but is showing he can hang with the big boys.