PORT ST. LUCIE – Spring Training is doing exactly what it always does: lying spectacularly and offering us stat lines perfect for overreaction drafts and fantasy Twitter/X hot takes. And I get sucked in EVERY SINGLE YEAR. But let’s come back down to Earth with a Dragnet–ese, “Just the facts, ma’am,” look under the hood. To that end, here’s today’s: Spring Training: Big Checks Are Bouncing, Bargain Bats Are Bashing
METS
Take the New York Mets and their offseason spending spree. Closer Devin Williams, who signed a two-year, $51M deal, served up a home run on his very first Grapefruit League pitch for St. Louis’ JJ Wetherholt – not exactly the doughnut delivery Mets fans paid for.
Meanwhile, MJ Melendez (the next Mike Easler) – who may actually be PAYING to be in camp – launched two homers and drove in four in the Mets’ 14–3 rout of the Cards. Pete Alonso who?! That sort of Spring slugging immediately has fantasy ADP risers buzzing, and a riser in my shorts! Sample sizes matter, right?
STANKS
The big bats showed up early: Spencer Jones blasted his third spring homer and the Yankees swatted five homers in a 17–5 win over the Twins – who can’t even beat the Yanks when it doesn’t count. It’s the sort of power surge that pushes a once-sleeper to top-100 draft consideration in shallow formats.
Pitching tells a more complicated story. Luis Gil, one of New York’s higher-priced arms, is still working on command — a classic Spring Training invisible stat that seems glaring until April 1. Meanwhile, prospect Carlos Lagrange fanned hitters with a 100.1 mph fastball and a 43% whiff rate over three innings. Fantastic. Another great Red LaGrange.
OTHERS
Down in Atlanta, the Braves elder statesmen had different returns re their respective paychecks: Ronald Acuña Jr. belted a grand slam (expected) while Mike Yastrzemski went 3-for-3 with two longballs and 3 RBIs in a 15–8 rout of his Grandpa’s Red Sox. OPS spike aside, this is NOT to be expected and we know Yaz II ain’t Yaz I.
Meanwhile, those very BoSox pitching depth is still sorting itself out, and other Stankees rival – Toronto – is leaning on minor-league invitees battling for roles — so cheap contract surprises may matter more here in your fantasy world.
In the Cactus League, the f***ing Dodgers have 32 non-roster invitees jockeying for jobs, from experienced swingmen to multi-tool prospects. And you know at least two of them will find [Baseball] Jesus and be great.
So forget batting averages and ERAs that swing wildly in March. Watch who’s pounding the zone [ahem], creating hard contact [ahem] , and getting consistent playing time [Yeah, baby!] That’s where late-round gems and sneaky starters hide — especially when the expensive guys are still figuring out which glove to wear. We’re looking a you, Little White Glove Bichette!
Leave your thoughts below and come back tomorrow for Joltin’ Jacob Sternberg.
*uck
