Spring Training Preview: What to Watch For this Spring

This upcoming Sunday, February 28th, Spring Training games officially begin. The main goal is to see how players perform and develop, as well as see where prospects should be assigned when the season begins. With this in mind, here are a few things to watch for during Spring Training.

How will First Year Players Perform this Spring?

Not all 2020 top draft picks will be at camp during Spring Training, but players such as Spencer Torkelson, Max Meyer, and Asa Lacy were invited to their respective camps. It will be interesting to see how these three particular players adjust to professional hitters and/or pitchers. Asa Lacy will most likely start the season in High-A, while Spencer Torkelson, the 1st pick off the board in 2020, could be assigned to the upper levels of the minors. Max Meyer is expected to begin in Low-A. Other top picks invited to Spring camp were Brewers top pick Garrett Mitchell and Blue Jays' Austin Martin.

Will the Free Agent Quartet Impress With Their New Teams?

During the offseason, big name players were either traded or signed with new teams. Francisco Lindor, George Springer, Nolan Arenado, and Trevor Bauer are the four players to watch. Will all four have the same impact as they did with their former teams, or will a few regress? We will see a glimpse of them during Spring Training. I believe all four are in a great spot to excel in their new home.

Yankees Starting Rotation Battle:

The Yankees starting pitching situation is one of the most obvious rotation battles to watch this spring, as Domingo German, Michael King, and Deivi Garcia battle for the fifth and final rotation spot. Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Corey Kluber, and Jordan Montgomery are expected to be the other four in the rotation. Domingo German is coming off of an 81-game domestic violence suspension and it will be interesting to see if he returns to form. Michael King is still very young, but could prove to be good enough to make the final spot. Deivi Garcia has a small size for a pitcher and I see him as a bullpen piece long term. Luis Severino is currently rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery and is expected back in June or July. It will be interesting to see how Severino's return later this summer impacts the Yankees rotation as a whole.

Prospects To Watch This Spring:

The following are prospects to watch in Spring Training, who will most likely debut this season:

Wander Franco: Rays-SS The best prospect in baseball who can do it all. Has both hit and power tools. He has the potential to hit .300 plus and close to 30 home runs annually with some speed mixed in.

Jarred Kelenic: Mariners-OF Could begin the season in Seattle, but will probably begin the season in Double or Triple A. Has more of a hit than power tool, but it is very close. He has the potential to hit .280 with 25 or more homers.

Julio Rodriguez: Mariners-OF Similar to the potential of Kelenic, Rodriguez has a bit more power in his bat. Rodriguez broke his wrist last season and will begin the year in Double or Triple A.

Andrew Vaughn: White Sox-1B/DH He has the best chance of the aforementioned players to debut at the beginning of the season. He is eyeing the DH role in Chicago and it seems he will be there within quick order. He has shown a lot of power and I project him to put up big home run and RBI numbers.

Spencer Torkelson: Tigers-1B/3B The 2020 1st round draft pick could begin the season in the upper levels of the minors. Who knows, he could debut at the end of the season.

Matt Manning: Tigers-SP One of the best pitching prospects in the minors, he is likely to debut in the middle of the season.

Logan Gilbert: Mariners-SP He has big size and ace-like potential. Expect him to debut this season and be at the top of the Seattle rotation for years to come.

Other Notable Prospects Most Likely to Debut this Season:

Drew Waters: Braves-OF One of the best contact hitters in the minors with some power.

Vidal Brujan: Rays 2B One of the top speedsters in the minors, has potential to steal 30 to 40 bases annually.

Jeter Downs: Red Sox-SS Can hit for both contact and power at a solid rate.

Daniel Lynch: Royals-SP Can throw up to 97 MPH with his fastball and has an above average slider.

Simeon Woods Richardson: Blue Jays-SP Has big size for a pitcher, figures to be at the top of the Jays rotation someday.

George Kirby: Mariners-SP One of the best control pitchers in the minors. Figures to be a mid-rotation starter.

Nick Lodolo: Reds-SP Has good size for a lefty. Top of the rotation starter is in the cards.

Josiah Gray: Dodgers-SP Has improved his curveball and can throw his fastball anywhere from 92-97 MPH. Gray shows good athleticism for a pitcher.

Final Thoughts: Baseball is finally here and I could not be more excited! It will be interesting to see players on new teams adjust. I also look forward to watching top prospects perform in Spring Training. This is going to be a spectacular season!!!

See you at the ballpark!!!

Adam