Baseball will officially be back next week, with the start of the spring training schedule in the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues. And while most top free agents find themselves in Florida for camp this year, the spring parks around Arizona will feature plenty of star talent to follow over the next two months.
As spring training gets underway, here are 10 players in the Cactus League to watch:
–– Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers): Someone to watch no matter the setting, Ohtani will report to camp with an added dimension this spring: preparing for a full season of two-way duties for his first time as a Dodger. The team has said it will be cautious with his pitching workload this year. So how well he ramps up this spring could help determine his regular-season usage plan.
–– Kyle Tucker (Dodgers): The top player in this year’s free-agent class will be closely watched in his first spring camp with the Dodgers. While Tucker is already a four-time All-Star, and has the potential to vie for an MVP, he struggled over the second half of last year with the Cubs. His spring performance should provide an indication if he’s back on track.
–– Zach Neto (Angels): The former first-round pick has become the most productive player on a struggling Angels team and among the top-fielding shortstops in MLB. If he can take another step this year, it could make the team’s slim playoff hopes feel like more of a possibility.
–– Mike Trout (Angels): Something else that would help the Angels? Getting an injury-free, bounce-back campaign from the three-time MVP winner. In his prime, Trout’s power, speed and defense made him a spectacle to watch even in Cactus League play. Now, many eyes will be upon him, as he tries to shake off his struggles from the last two years.
–– Alex Bregman (Cubs): Hope is in abundance at Cubs camp, thanks to the offseason arrival of Bregman, a three-time All-Star and Gold Glove third baseman. Bregman’s $175 million signing this offseason is supposed to help push the Cubs over the hump. This spring will offer the first indication of whether he can.
–– Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs): The other key to the Cubs’ success this season will be their young toolsy outfielder, who last year played like an MVP during the first half of the year before dropping off down the stretch. If PCA cements himself as a star, it could make the Cubs real contenders. But even if he doesn’t, his speed and athleticism still make him a fun spring watch.
–– Rafael Devers (Giants): The Giants made Devers the linchpin of their rebuild when they traded for him (and his $313 million contract) last year. Now, entering his first full season with the club, his performance could dictate whether the Giants are serious playoff contenders.
–– Cal Raleigh (Mariners): Coming off his historic 60-homer season, the question now is whether Raleigh was a one-hit wonder (at least as a legitimate MVP candidate) or can cement himself as one of the game’s biggest stars. If he accomplishes the latter, the Mariners will dream of their first trip to the World Series.
–– Munetaka Murakami (White Sox): The offseason Japanese signing arrives in the majors with big power but also big questions. He could hit 40 home runs. He could also strike out 200 times. One thing is for sure: He’ll be fascinating to watch, especially in a hitter-friendly Cactus League environment that could lead to some towering blasts.
–– Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals): If you haven’t seen the 25-year-old shortstop in person, you’re missing out. Witt has quietly become one of the best players in the sport over the last few seasons, earning a Platinum Glove award and a batting title with his dynamic all-around skill set.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
