MLB Player News
-
Nolan Schanuel 1B | LAA
Angels' Nolan Schanuel: Worked to improve bat speed
Schanuel spent time this offseason on activities aimed at improving his bat speed, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Schanuel participated in drills that included swinging bats of different weights in an effort to develop more velocity in his swing. The first baseman ranked in the second percentile last season for bat speed, in the fourth percentile for hard-hit rate and in the seventh percentile for average exit velocity, all of which contributed to him hitting a modest 13 home runs with a .112 ISO over 606 plate appearances. Schanuel did exhibit some impressive metrics as a batter -- he ranked in the 96th percentile for whiff rate and in the 93rd percentile for squared-up rate -- so if he's successful in unleashing more power, his fantasy stock could get a significant bump.
-
Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Hits first spring home run
Torkelson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
It was the first spring home run for Torkelson, who has gone 3-for-10 in the early going with a robust .900 OPS. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick has struggled with consistency in the majors and has seemingly lost his grip on an everyday role with the Tigers, though he could still make the team as a bench player. Given Torkelson's raw power, he is a potentially intriguing fantasy option if he ever sees regular playing time in 2025.
-
Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Yankees' Dominic Smith: Belts second spring homer
Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League win over St. Louis.
Smith homered for a second consecutive contest, though those are his only two hits through eight exhibition at-bats. The veteran first baseman doesn't have a history of hitting for power -- his career high is 12 long balls in 586 plate appearances with Washington in 2023 -- so his spring power stroke shouldn't be read into too much. Smith signed with the Yankees on a minor-league deal in mid-January and isn't expected to break camp with the big club.
-
Xavier Isaac 1B | TB
Rays' Xavier Isaac: MRI comes back negative
Isaac is expected to resume hitting in a few days after he said Wednesday that an MRI on his left elbow came back negative, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The first base prospect has seen more outfield reps early on in camp, which contributed to some soreness in his elbow. While Isaac will need more time before he resumes throwing, the good news is that he should soon be able to get in his usual reps at the plate. He's likely to begin the season at Double-A Montgomery.
-
Xavier Isaac 1B | TB
Rays' Xavier Isaac: Precautionary MRI on elbow
Isaac will undergo a precautionary MRI on his left elbow, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Traditionally a first baseman, Isaac is being worked out in the outfield some this spring and the Rays believe that added stress on his throwing arm is what has caused some soreness. The club is optimistic, however, that Isaac won't miss "too much time," per manager Kevin Cash. Isaac is likely to open the 2025 season at Double-A Montgomery.
-
Kyle Manzardo 1B | CLE
Guardians' Kyle Manzardo: Swats first spring homer
Manzardo started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Monday's spring game against the Diamondbacks.
Manzardo connected on a changeup for his first home run of the Cactus League. The 24-year-old got his feet wet in the majors last season and is viewed as a potential replacement for the power lost when the Guardians sent Josh Naylor to Arizona during the offseason. The left-handed batter fared well against all pitching in the minors but was held to a .566 OPS and just 19 at-bats against southpaws in the majors.
-
Jac Caglianone 1B | KC
Royals' Jac Caglianone: Shows off power
Caglianone hit a 435-foot home run with a 115.4 mph exit velocity in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Caglianone has at least 70-grade raw power and is in his first big-league camp. The Royals coaches were very complimentary of Caglianone, who is working on not swinging as hard as he can every time, and letting his natural raw power do the work while chasing less. If he can develop even just a 50-grade hit tool, Caglianone could annually be among the league leaders in home runs. He is likely to open the year at Double-A, but from there, he'll climb as quickly and as far as his talent takes him.
-
Luis Castro 1B | HOU
Astros' Luis Castro: Lands with Houston
Castro signed a minor-league contract with the Astros in November that includes an invitation to spring training.
Castro hasn't seen action in affiliated baseball since 2021 and spent the past few seasons playing in independent ball and the Venezuelan Winter League. The 29-year-old had a 1.095 OPS and 24 homers in 95 games with the Staten Island Ferry Hawks in the Atlantic League last year and is likely to begin 2025 at Triple-A Sugar Land.
-
Nick Loftin 1B | KC
Royals' Nick Loftin: In mix for utility role
Lofton will compete with Cavan Biggio and Harold Castro for a utility role this spring, the Kansas City Star reports. He's 3-for-4 in his first two spring games.
Loftin had a .803 OPS in his first taste of the majors in 19 games in 2023, but he struggled last season with a .518 OPS in 57 games. He still hit .302 with a .857 OPS at Triple-A last season. He can play several positions in the infield and outfield -- he played second base Saturday -- but the Royals may prefer a left-handed hitter in the role (both Castro and Biggio hit lefty). At just age 26 this season, Loftin may have the most upside among the group.
-
Donovan Solano 1B | TEX
Mariners' Donovan Solano: Joining team in camp
Solano is expected to be present at Seattle's camp Saturday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Solano missed the early part of camp due to visa issues, but the matter appears to have been resolved. Given that there is over a month left until the Mariners' first regular-season game, the infielder's initial absence shouldn't affect his readiness for the start of the campaign. Solano joined Seattle on a one-year contract in January and will likely be used at the corner infield spots during the upcoming season, though he's not slated for an everyday role.