Alexander Hits His Way Onto Roster
“He did it,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “He earned it. We didn’t just hand him this opportunity.”
The 24-year-old Alexander steadily climbed through the minor leagues after being drafted in the 11th round out of IMG Academy in 2018.
He first eased concerns about his ability to stick at shortstop, then in the past two years went about showing he had a chance to contribute at the plate.
He put it all together during spring training. Not only did he mash—Alexander went 22-for-50 (.400) with four doubles, two triples, two homers and five steals—he also showed he could handle second base and third base in addition to shortstop.
“I think I’ve shown I can play some lockdown defense wherever they’re going to put me and that I can control at-bats and can contribute,” Alexander said. “That I can hit the ball hard, run hard and play the game hard.”
Alexander is known for his tools—he has a huge arm and above-average raw power—but scouts in the past have often seen an unrefined approach. He started to clean that up the past two years, reining in his strikeout rate and boosting his walk rate.
Where Alexander takes this opportunity remains to be seen. He figures to get the bulk of starts at DH against lefthanders with some starts across the infield sprinkled in.
Moreover, top shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar will miss at least two months with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Now, Alexander will get additional runway to show what he can do.
“He’s certainly a dynamic player from a raw skills standpoint,” D-backs GM Mike Hazen said.
“I think the at-bat quality has been better than it’s been in the past. I think with maturation, you hope to see that.”
—NICK PIECORO
Smith-Shawver Makes Progress
No prospect in Braves camp stood out more than their top one.
On the surface, that might seem counterintuitive. Righthander AJ Smith Shawver had an 8.22 ERA in 7.2 springinnings before being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Yet the Braves raved about the 21-yearold’s growth from a year ago, when he made his MLB debut. He’s ready to take another step forward in 2024.
“He’s got a great makeup, the realization of what he needs to work on—everything,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s really, really impressive how he came into camp.”
The Braves drafted Smith-Shawver out of high school in Texas in the seventh round in 2021. Last season he pitched to a 4.26 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 11 walks in 25.1 big league innings over six appearances.
He spent most of 2023 with Gwinnett. He made 10 starts, logging a 4.17 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 26 walks in 41 innings.
Smith-Shawver has the most upside among the Braves’ stable of pitching prospects and will factor into the team’s plans as the season progresses. By next season, he should be a mainstay in the rotation.
“His commitment to getting better and being the best version of himself is really strong,” Braves ace Spencer Strider said.
“That’s fun for me. He likes to talk. He likes to learn and get better. We have a lot of good conversations bouncing stuff off each other.
“I thought, regardless of the stats, that he’s been throwing the ball really well this spring. I’m excited to see him up in the big leagues soon.”
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1716204865/articles/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/5475707540.jpg]
—GABE BURNS
Rivera Improves His Hitting Posture
A standout senior year at Florida did little to help ease shortstop Josh Rivera into a pro routine after four college seasons.
The Cubs drafted Rivera in the third round last year and pushed him to High-A South Bend. A late surge at the plate pushed his batting line to .250/.320/.402 with two home runs.
Part of the 23-year-old Rivera’s adjustment at the plate has centered on developing a more consistent posture.
“Most of the swing adjustments I’ve made are to create better angles, try to create more space for myself to get to pitches,” Rivera said.
“I’ve always been someone who puts the ball in play hard on the ground, and I’m trying to elevate it a little more, get the ball in the air.”
A key for Rivera has been trusting his hands and working through the middle of the field, rather than adjusting his posture to contend with inside fastballs.
Rivera popped 19 home runs as a Florida senior and will need to continue to develop his power as he advances to Double-A Tennessee to complement his steady up-the-middle profile.
Rivera is known for his contact ability and spraying the ball to all parts of the field, but he knows it comes down to trusting in his ability to hit the ball over the fence.
“The higher levels we get to, (pitchers) have better stuff,” Rivera said. “They’re supplying all the power for us, so we can lose sight of that and try to do too much.
“That’s when you start rolling over and swinging and missing.”
Rivera was chosen a few times to be a backup in Cactus League games and batted three times. He observed how major leaguers prepare and then execute.
“It’s kind of amazing when you watch these games because you just see how in tune everybody is and everything flows together,” Rivera said.
—MEGHAN MONTEMURRO
Collier Comes To Camp In Great Shape
Third baseman Cam Collier had an average season for Low-A Daytona in 2023.
But he was well above-average in another regard: youth.
Collier was the lone 18-year-old regular in the Florida State League and one of just nine at Low-A.
The Reds drafted Collier 18th overall in 2022 out of Chipola (Fla.) JC. He finished high school a year early to enroll in junior college and make himself eligible for the draft as a 17-year-old.
“He finished the season really strong in Daytona Beach last year,” Reds senior director of player development Jeremy Farrell said. “He went into the offseason, put in the work, addressed some areas and has come into spring training and had a really good spring.
“It’s translated to the box, the ability to repeat his swing, repeat his approach and what he’s trying to do as a hitter.”
Collier earned the start at third base in the Reds’ Spring Breakout game against the Rangers. He hit an opposite-field, two-run homer in his first at-bat.
The lefthanded-hitting Collier had only one opposite-field home run last season. Getting the ball in the air more could allow his raw power to show up more frequently.
Collier began the year at High-A Dayton. “He came into camp in great shape. Just
matured overall as a kid,” Farrell said. “You could notice that right away, just talking with him. All that has played out in the way he’s playing third base, moving around and making plays we just didn’t see him make last year. “
While scouts generally see Collier as a bat-first player, his improved athleticism could allow him to stay at the hot corner rather than move to first base.
—DOUG GRAY
Beck Stands Out As Future Big Leaguer
Outfielder Jordan Beck “just continues to make enormous strides,” according to Rockies assistant farm director Jesse Stender.
After a strong finish last season at Double-A Hartford and a strong showing in big league camp this spring, the 23-year-old opened at Triple-A Albuquerque.
The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Beck is athletic enough to play center field, albeit not for an extended stretch in spacious Coors Field.
He is a decent runner for someone his size and has shown a feel for playing the outfield with his jumps, reads and first steps. He has a solid-average arm.
The Rockies drafted Beck 38th overall out of Tennessee in 2022. He has a power-overhit profile, but that power plays to all fields and his hitting ability is improving.
“What he’s shown in big league camp and against advanced pitching,” Stender said, “is that he’ll take what the pitcher gives him.”
Beck drove balls to the gaps and turned on pitches when appropriate. Stender said Beck “took a huge leap this spring and really put himself on the map because of what he was doing in the batter’s box. He had a very impactful camp offensively.”
In Cactus League games, Beck went 10-for-26 (.385) with two doubles and a triple. He showed plenty of power in batting practice and games on the backfields.
Beck hit .292/.378/.566 last season with 20 home runs and 72 RBIs in 76 games at High-A Spokane. His OPS fell off to .749 in 50 games at Hartford, but he finished strong and produced 25 home runs and 20 stolen bases overall in his full-season debut.
Beck looks the part of a big leaguer, a part he could be playing sooner than later.
“The body is big league,” Stender said. “The presence in the batter’s box is big league. The swagger is big league. It’s pretty impressive.
“You see him in a clubhouse of major league and minor league players together, and he stands out as a big leaguer.”
—JACK ETKIN
Pages Puts Shoulder Surgery Behind Him
Andy Pages has already been through a lot as a professional.
The Cuban outfielder signed with the Dodgers for $300,000 in March 2018 and established himself as an intriguing power prospect the following season with 19 home runs for Rookie-level Ogden.
Heading into 2020 spring training, Pages was nearly traded to the Angels in a deal connected to the Dodgers’ maneuvering that would land them Mookie Betts. But that deal fell through.
Coming out of the lost pandemic season, Pages hit 31 homers for High-A Great Lakes in 2021 and 26 more for Double-A Tulsa in 2022. He started 2023 with a .925 OPS at Double-A to earn a promotion to Triple-A.
But in his first game for Oklahoma City, Pages injured his left shoulder on a swing. He had season-ending labrum surgery.
“My frustration lasted 20 minutes,” Pages said through an interpreter. “Simply, I understood that that was what had to happen. So I focused on taking this time to myself to think about what was going to come this year and prepare for this moment.”
The 23-year-old Pages certainly looked prepared in big league camp. He had eight hits in 17 Cactus League at-bats with a double, triple and two home runs—positive signs that his power was unaffected.
“No, that’ll always be there,” he said confidently in Spanish.
Pages’ recovery impressed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts who called him “the biggest standout” of the early weeks of spring training. Los Angeles’ loaded roster forced Pages to Triple-A to begin the season.
“That’s a tough surgery. The lead shoulder (for a righthanded hitter),” Roberts said. “But he’s in great shape.
“I’ll tell you: talking to our player development guys, he’s one of the most in-tune guys who we have and most prepared.”
—BILL PLUNKETT
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1716204865/articles/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/7765521275.jpg]
White Poised To Dominate At Low-A
There’s high praise, and then there’s what Cubs Double-A manager Kevin Graber had to say about 19-year-old lefthander Thomas White.
“Thomas is a generational talent,” said Graber, who coached White in high school at Phillips Academy outside Boston.
White ranked as the top southpaw prospect for the 2023 draft. The Marlins drafted him 35th overall and signed him for $4.1 million, a higher bonus than 16 first-rounders received.
White has long been a phenom. He cracked 90 mph for the first time as a 13-year-old.
White is 6-foot-5 and is listed at 210 pounds, but he said he is up to 229 after offseason work.
A straight-A student in high school, White’s intangibles are impressive.
For example, he was one of five Marlins prospects who arrived in Florida on Jan. 14, one month before pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.
“Maybe it’s a little overkill,” White said. “But I think it was perfect. That’s why I feel so comfortable this year.”
White proved it in the Marlins’ Spring Breakout game against the Cardinals when he struck out the side in one scoreless inning.
“It was a confidence-booster because I hadn’t gone up against Double-A guys prior to that,” White said. “It was good to see my stuff play the way it did.”
White’s stuff includes a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 98 mph. His four-seamer and curveball grade as plus pitches. White said his mid-80s changeup is just as good.
White is on track for a potentially big season with Low-A Jupiter.
“My goal this season is to dominate,” White said. “I want to attack hitters, keep my walks down and stay healthy.”
—WALTER VILLA
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1716204865/articles/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/1166172662.jpg]
Clarke’s Power Intrigues Brewers
Wes Clarke knew his stay in his first big league camp would be a short one.
So the 24-year-old first baseman/catcher made sure to take full advantage.
The righthanded-hitting Clarke slugged a team-leading four home runs in his first nine Cactus League games when he was reassigned to minor league camp.
“I love the bat. Everybody loves the bat,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “The organization thinks highly of him.”
The Brewers drafted Clarke in the 10th round in 2021 out of South Carolina. He flashed power in 2022, going deep 14 times in 99 games split between High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi.
He took the next step at Biloxi in 2023 with 26 homers in 118 games. Not only did he play in a pitcher-friendly home park, but Southern League pitchers were advantaged with a pre-tacked baseball in the first half.
“Once we went back to the normal baseballs, I felt way more confident,” Clarke said. “I felt like I was seeing the ball better, recognizing pitches better—everything.
Clarke returned to Biloxi to open the season, where he will spend some time at catcher.
But it’s tough to see him breaking in at the position in Milwaukee, where William Contreras is a budding all-star and Jeferson Quero is one of the top catching prospects in the game.
“We’re thinking (it would be ideal) if he can get behind the plate and be serviceable, even if he’s a third catcher,” Murphy said.
“We think the bat plays. And he plays some first, too, and he’s gotten better there.”
—TODD ROSIAK
Sproat’s Best Fastball Could Be Tweak Away
Righthander Brandon Sproat was among the Mets prospects who most captivated scouts during the Spring Breakout game.
He needed just three pitches to retire all three Nationals hitters he faced.
Showcasing a 99 mph fastball, the 23-year-old Sproat was pitching in his first competitive game since the Mets drafted him in the second round last year out of Florida.
“There were nerves,” Sproat said. “Being able to pitch in this spring training stadium for the first time, it was good just to take it all in. It’s everything that I’ve worked for.”
The Mets initially drafted the 6-foot-3 Sproat in the third round in 2022, but he didn’t sign. Last summer he agreed to terms for a slot bonus of $1,474,500.
Sproat began the season with High-A Brooklyn, where he was working to refine his delivery.
“The assumption with Brandon was that if we could refine his delivery a little bit, it would allow him to have a more consistent pitch profile with his fastball,” Mets farm director Andrew Christie said.
“He’s shown kind of an in-between fastball, not quite a sinker, not quite a true four-seamer. We thought we could get it to more of a truer four-seam fastball profile if we could get some delivery adjustments.”
Much of that adjustment pertains to the manner in which Sproat loads his back hip and transfers his energy efficiently.
“He has shown flashes of real good fastball profiles, but also flashes of really bad ones,” Christie said, noting that despite velocity that often touched triple digits in college, Sproat’s fastball was inconsistent as a swing-and-miss pitch.
Sproat’s “elite” changeup also intrigues the Mets.
“He’s maintained that,” Christie said. “He’s also comfortable with a short, hard slider. That is a huge ‘comfort pitch’ weapon for him.”
—MIKE PUMA
Cabrera Focuses On Pitch Execution
Righthander Jean Cabrera’s outing in the Phillies’ Spring Breakout game showed both his growth and the areas he needs to improve upon.
The 22-year-old entered with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and showed a 95-97 mph fastball and mid-80s slider.
It wasn’t an effective plan against the first two Tigers hitters he faced, who combined for a two-run double and a walk.
The Phillies like Cabrera’s four-pitch arsenal—and the fact that his velocity has risen of late—but he still needs to work on execution. That will be his main focus in 2024.
“It’s understanding his attack plans versus righthanded and lefth...
“He did it,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “He earned it. We didn’t just hand him this opportunity.”
The 24-year-old Alexander steadily climbed through the minor leagues after being drafted in the 11th round out of IMG Academy in 2018.
He first eased concerns about his ability to stick at shortstop, then in the past two years went about showing he had a chance to contribute at the plate.
He put it all together during spring training. Not only did he mash—Alexander went 22-for-50 (.400) with four doubles, two triples, two homers and five steals—he also showed he could handle second base and third base in addition to shortstop.
“I think I’ve shown I can play some lockdown defense wherever they’re going to put me and that I can control at-bats and can contribute,” Alexander said. “That I can hit the ball hard, run hard and play the game hard.”
Alexander is known for his tools—he has a huge arm and above-average raw power—but scouts in the past have often seen an unrefined approach. He started to clean that up the past two years, reining in his strikeout rate and boosting his walk rate.
Where Alexander takes this opportunity remains to be seen. He figures to get the bulk of starts at DH against lefthanders with some starts across the infield sprinkled in.
Moreover, top shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar will miss at least two months with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Now, Alexander will get additional runway to show what he can do.
“He’s certainly a dynamic player from a raw skills standpoint,” D-backs GM Mike Hazen said.
“I think the at-bat quality has been better than it’s been in the past. I think with maturation, you hope to see that.”
—NICK PIECORO
Smith-Shawver Makes Progress
No prospect in Braves camp stood out more than their top one.
On the surface, that might seem counterintuitive. Righthander AJ Smith Shawver had an 8.22 ERA in 7.2 springinnings before being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Yet the Braves raved about the 21-yearold’s growth from a year ago, when he made his MLB debut. He’s ready to take another step forward in 2024.
“He’s got a great makeup, the realization of what he needs to work on—everything,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s really, really impressive how he came into camp.”
The Braves drafted Smith-Shawver out of high school in Texas in the seventh round in 2021. Last season he pitched to a 4.26 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 11 walks in 25.1 big league innings over six appearances.
He spent most of 2023 with Gwinnett. He made 10 starts, logging a 4.17 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 26 walks in 41 innings.
Smith-Shawver has the most upside among the Braves’ stable of pitching prospects and will factor into the team’s plans as the season progresses. By next season, he should be a mainstay in the rotation.
“His commitment to getting better and being the best version of himself is really strong,” Braves ace Spencer Strider said.
“That’s fun for me. He likes to talk. He likes to learn and get better. We have a lot of good conversations bouncing stuff off each other.
“I thought, regardless of the stats, that he’s been throwing the ball really well this spring. I’m excited to see him up in the big leagues soon.”
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1716204865/articles/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/5475707540.jpg]
—GABE BURNS
Rivera Improves His Hitting Posture
A standout senior year at Florida did little to help ease shortstop Josh Rivera into a pro routine after four college seasons.
The Cubs drafted Rivera in the third round last year and pushed him to High-A South Bend. A late surge at the plate pushed his batting line to .250/.320/.402 with two home runs.
Part of the 23-year-old Rivera’s adjustment at the plate has centered on developing a more consistent posture.
“Most of the swing adjustments I’ve made are to create better angles, try to create more space for myself to get to pitches,” Rivera said.
“I’ve always been someone who puts the ball in play hard on the ground, and I’m trying to elevate it a little more, get the ball in the air.”
A key for Rivera has been trusting his hands and working through the middle of the field, rather than adjusting his posture to contend with inside fastballs.
Rivera popped 19 home runs as a Florida senior and will need to continue to develop his power as he advances to Double-A Tennessee to complement his steady up-the-middle profile.
Rivera is known for his contact ability and spraying the ball to all parts of the field, but he knows it comes down to trusting in his ability to hit the ball over the fence.
“The higher levels we get to, (pitchers) have better stuff,” Rivera said. “They’re supplying all the power for us, so we can lose sight of that and try to do too much.
“That’s when you start rolling over and swinging and missing.”
Rivera was chosen a few times to be a backup in Cactus League games and batted three times. He observed how major leaguers prepare and then execute.
“It’s kind of amazing when you watch these games because you just see how in tune everybody is and everything flows together,” Rivera said.
—MEGHAN MONTEMURRO
Collier Comes To Camp In Great Shape
Third baseman Cam Collier had an average season for Low-A Daytona in 2023.
But he was well above-average in another regard: youth.
Collier was the lone 18-year-old regular in the Florida State League and one of just nine at Low-A.
The Reds drafted Collier 18th overall in 2022 out of Chipola (Fla.) JC. He finished high school a year early to enroll in junior college and make himself eligible for the draft as a 17-year-old.
“He finished the season really strong in Daytona Beach last year,” Reds senior director of player development Jeremy Farrell said. “He went into the offseason, put in the work, addressed some areas and has come into spring training and had a really good spring.
“It’s translated to the box, the ability to repeat his swing, repeat his approach and what he’s trying to do as a hitter.”
Collier earned the start at third base in the Reds’ Spring Breakout game against the Rangers. He hit an opposite-field, two-run homer in his first at-bat.
The lefthanded-hitting Collier had only one opposite-field home run last season. Getting the ball in the air more could allow his raw power to show up more frequently.
Collier began the year at High-A Dayton. “He came into camp in great shape. Just
matured overall as a kid,” Farrell said. “You could notice that right away, just talking with him. All that has played out in the way he’s playing third base, moving around and making plays we just didn’t see him make last year. “
While scouts generally see Collier as a bat-first player, his improved athleticism could allow him to stay at the hot corner rather than move to first base.
—DOUG GRAY
Beck Stands Out As Future Big Leaguer
Outfielder Jordan Beck “just continues to make enormous strides,” according to Rockies assistant farm director Jesse Stender.
After a strong finish last season at Double-A Hartford and a strong showing in big league camp this spring, the 23-year-old opened at Triple-A Albuquerque.
The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Beck is athletic enough to play center field, albeit not for an extended stretch in spacious Coors Field.
He is a decent runner for someone his size and has shown a feel for playing the outfield with his jumps, reads and first steps. He has a solid-average arm.
The Rockies drafted Beck 38th overall out of Tennessee in 2022. He has a power-overhit profile, but that power plays to all fields and his hitting ability is improving.
“What he’s shown in big league camp and against advanced pitching,” Stender said, “is that he’ll take what the pitcher gives him.”
Beck drove balls to the gaps and turned on pitches when appropriate. Stender said Beck “took a huge leap this spring and really put himself on the map because of what he was doing in the batter’s box. He had a very impactful camp offensively.”
In Cactus League games, Beck went 10-for-26 (.385) with two doubles and a triple. He showed plenty of power in batting practice and games on the backfields.
Beck hit .292/.378/.566 last season with 20 home runs and 72 RBIs in 76 games at High-A Spokane. His OPS fell off to .749 in 50 games at Hartford, but he finished strong and produced 25 home runs and 20 stolen bases overall in his full-season debut.
Beck looks the part of a big leaguer, a part he could be playing sooner than later.
“The body is big league,” Stender said. “The presence in the batter’s box is big league. The swagger is big league. It’s pretty impressive.
“You see him in a clubhouse of major league and minor league players together, and he stands out as a big leaguer.”
—JACK ETKIN
Pages Puts Shoulder Surgery Behind Him
Andy Pages has already been through a lot as a professional.
The Cuban outfielder signed with the Dodgers for $300,000 in March 2018 and established himself as an intriguing power prospect the following season with 19 home runs for Rookie-level Ogden.
Heading into 2020 spring training, Pages was nearly traded to the Angels in a deal connected to the Dodgers’ maneuvering that would land them Mookie Betts. But that deal fell through.
Coming out of the lost pandemic season, Pages hit 31 homers for High-A Great Lakes in 2021 and 26 more for Double-A Tulsa in 2022. He started 2023 with a .925 OPS at Double-A to earn a promotion to Triple-A.
But in his first game for Oklahoma City, Pages injured his left shoulder on a swing. He had season-ending labrum surgery.
“My frustration lasted 20 minutes,” Pages said through an interpreter. “Simply, I understood that that was what had to happen. So I focused on taking this time to myself to think about what was going to come this year and prepare for this moment.”
The 23-year-old Pages certainly looked prepared in big league camp. He had eight hits in 17 Cactus League at-bats with a double, triple and two home runs—positive signs that his power was unaffected.
“No, that’ll always be there,” he said confidently in Spanish.
Pages’ recovery impressed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts who called him “the biggest standout” of the early weeks of spring training. Los Angeles’ loaded roster forced Pages to Triple-A to begin the season.
“That’s a tough surgery. The lead shoulder (for a righthanded hitter),” Roberts said. “But he’s in great shape.
“I’ll tell you: talking to our player development guys, he’s one of the most in-tune guys who we have and most prepared.”
—BILL PLUNKETT
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1716204865/articles/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/7765521275.jpg]
White Poised To Dominate At Low-A
There’s high praise, and then there’s what Cubs Double-A manager Kevin Graber had to say about 19-year-old lefthander Thomas White.
“Thomas is a generational talent,” said Graber, who coached White in high school at Phillips Academy outside Boston.
White ranked as the top southpaw prospect for the 2023 draft. The Marlins drafted him 35th overall and signed him for $4.1 million, a higher bonus than 16 first-rounders received.
White has long been a phenom. He cracked 90 mph for the first time as a 13-year-old.
White is 6-foot-5 and is listed at 210 pounds, but he said he is up to 229 after offseason work.
A straight-A student in high school, White’s intangibles are impressive.
For example, he was one of five Marlins prospects who arrived in Florida on Jan. 14, one month before pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.
“Maybe it’s a little overkill,” White said. “But I think it was perfect. That’s why I feel so comfortable this year.”
White proved it in the Marlins’ Spring Breakout game against the Cardinals when he struck out the side in one scoreless inning.
“It was a confidence-booster because I hadn’t gone up against Double-A guys prior to that,” White said. “It was good to see my stuff play the way it did.”
White’s stuff includes a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 98 mph. His four-seamer and curveball grade as plus pitches. White said his mid-80s changeup is just as good.
White is on track for a potentially big season with Low-A Jupiter.
“My goal this season is to dominate,” White said. “I want to attack hitters, keep my walks down and stay healthy.”
—WALTER VILLA
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1716204865/articles/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/1166172662.jpg]
Clarke’s Power Intrigues Brewers
Wes Clarke knew his stay in his first big league camp would be a short one.
So the 24-year-old first baseman/catcher made sure to take full advantage.
The righthanded-hitting Clarke slugged a team-leading four home runs in his first nine Cactus League games when he was reassigned to minor league camp.
“I love the bat. Everybody loves the bat,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “The organization thinks highly of him.”
The Brewers drafted Clarke in the 10th round in 2021 out of South Carolina. He flashed power in 2022, going deep 14 times in 99 games split between High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi.
He took the next step at Biloxi in 2023 with 26 homers in 118 games. Not only did he play in a pitcher-friendly home park, but Southern League pitchers were advantaged with a pre-tacked baseball in the first half.
“Once we went back to the normal baseballs, I felt way more confident,” Clarke said. “I felt like I was seeing the ball better, recognizing pitches better—everything.
Clarke returned to Biloxi to open the season, where he will spend some time at catcher.
But it’s tough to see him breaking in at the position in Milwaukee, where William Contreras is a budding all-star and Jeferson Quero is one of the top catching prospects in the game.
“We’re thinking (it would be ideal) if he can get behind the plate and be serviceable, even if he’s a third catcher,” Murphy said.
“We think the bat plays. And he plays some first, too, and he’s gotten better there.”
—TODD ROSIAK
Sproat’s Best Fastball Could Be Tweak Away
Righthander Brandon Sproat was among the Mets prospects who most captivated scouts during the Spring Breakout game.
He needed just three pitches to retire all three Nationals hitters he faced.
Showcasing a 99 mph fastball, the 23-year-old Sproat was pitching in his first competitive game since the Mets drafted him in the second round last year out of Florida.
“There were nerves,” Sproat said. “Being able to pitch in this spring training stadium for the first time, it was good just to take it all in. It’s everything that I’ve worked for.”
The Mets initially drafted the 6-foot-3 Sproat in the third round in 2022, but he didn’t sign. Last summer he agreed to terms for a slot bonus of $1,474,500.
Sproat began the season with High-A Brooklyn, where he was working to refine his delivery.
“The assumption with Brandon was that if we could refine his delivery a little bit, it would allow him to have a more consistent pitch profile with his fastball,” Mets farm director Andrew Christie said.
“He’s shown kind of an in-between fastball, not quite a sinker, not quite a true four-seamer. We thought we could get it to more of a truer four-seam fastball profile if we could get some delivery adjustments.”
Much of that adjustment pertains to the manner in which Sproat loads his back hip and transfers his energy efficiently.
“He has shown flashes of real good fastball profiles, but also flashes of really bad ones,” Christie said, noting that despite velocity that often touched triple digits in college, Sproat’s fastball was inconsistent as a swing-and-miss pitch.
Sproat’s “elite” changeup also intrigues the Mets.
“He’s maintained that,” Christie said. “He’s also comfortable with a short, hard slider. That is a huge ‘comfort pitch’ weapon for him.”
—MIKE PUMA
Cabrera Focuses On Pitch Execution
Righthander Jean Cabrera’s outing in the Phillies’ Spring Breakout game showed both his growth and the areas he needs to improve upon.
The 22-year-old entered with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and showed a 95-97 mph fastball and mid-80s slider.
It wasn’t an effective plan against the first two Tigers hitters he faced, who combined for a two-run double and a walk.
The Phillies like Cabrera’s four-pitch arsenal—and the fact that his velocity has risen of late—but he still needs to work on execution. That will be his main focus in 2024.
“It’s understanding his attack plans versus righthanded and lefth...
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Baseball America (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 2024