Early Spring Training Standouts: MLB Hitters Turning Heads

MLB spring training is a bit different this year as the World Baseball Classic is about to kick off. That gives some MLB hopefuls more playing time and chances to shine.

In this article, I wanted to take a look at some hitters who have turned heads with strong play so far in spring training. We will discuss fantasy baseball outlooks for some players, while noting a player's real-life outlook in some cases.

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Most Hits

Texas' Tyler Wade and Aaron Zavala and Chicago White Sox Edgar Quero all have nine hits, which is the top mark as of now. 

Wade has two doubles and a homer among his hits, while also having six runs scored, two RBIs and walks and three strikeouts. The 31-year-old can play at a few spots, and could be vying for a role at the start of the season if he keeps things up - his fantasy outlook is very low if he isn't starting during the regular season though.

Zavala is a 25-year-old outfielder who could be pushing for a reserve role as well. He has two homers and one triple among his nine hits, plus six RBIs, four runs scored, a walk, two stolen bases and seven strikeouts. He'd likely need an injury to a starting outfielder to ever be more than an MLB outfield reserve in Texas.

Quero is the projected designated hitter for Chicago, and he could also play catcher. He has a homer and two doubles among his hits, plus nine RBIs, a run scored and walk and just two strikeouts. Quero had some solid numbers in his rookie campaign and could be on his way to a better second year, especially if he can keep things rolling after a strong start to spring training.

Milwaukee's Tyler Black, New York Mets' Cristian Pache, Texas' Cameron Cauley and Arizona's Tommy Troy are all at eight hits.

Black has two doubles, a triple and a homer among his hits, plus eight RBIs, four runs scored, a walk, three stolen bases and two strikeouts. He's vying for a reserve role and could earn one if he keeps hitting, or has an injury or two ahead of him on the depth chart.

Pache had two doubles and a homer among his hits, while also having three runs scored, two RBIs, a walk and three strikeouts. Pache seems pretty buried on the outfield depth chart in New York, but his strong hitting this spring could get him a look with another club.

Cauley is just 23 years old and hasn't played above Double-A, but he's making a push for the big league roster this spring. He has four doubles and a home run among his hits, plus six runs scored, three RBIs and strikeouts, a walk and a stolen base. Keep an eye on him, and be happy if you own Cauley in a dynasty/keeper league.

Troy has four doubles among his hits, along with three runs scored, two RBIs and four strikeouts. The 24-year-old is one of the team's top prospects, so he too is pushing for a big league spot this spring. With a few injuries in Arizona already, Troy might end up making the big league team right out of spring training - he's already played at Triple-A in the minors.

Most Home Runs

Colorado's Charlie Condon, Boston's Jarren Duran, Atlanta's Ben Gamel, Pittsburgh's Konnor Griffin, Baltimore's Vance Honeycutt, New York Yankees' Spencer Jones, Colorado's T.J. Rumfield and Atlanta's Mike Yastrzemski all have popped three home runs this spring.

Condon has seven hits in total, with the other four being singles. He has five RBIs and runs scored, two walks and three strikeouts as well. Condon is a top-end prospect for Colorado and is pushing for a big league spot, but having only made it to Double-A, we'll see how quickly the Rockies want to push him. 

Duran had seven hits as well, including two doubles. He has six runs scored, five RBIs, three walks, a stolen base and two strikeouts. Duran is obviously a high-end MLB player, so to see him excelling early in spring training is a good sign, and it could up his average draft position a bit.

Gamel has a double for his other spring training hit across just four games. He has five RBIs and runs scored, a walk and two strikeouts. The 33-year-old is fighting for a reserve MLB role, but his fantasy outlook is very, very low in Atlanta.

Griffin is the top prospect in baseball, so it's great to see him flashing his upside this spring. He's pushing to make the big leagues at just 19 years old, and the team might have a hard time holding him back if he keeps slugging in spring training - keep an eye on Griffin.

Honeycutt has his homers in just three games, and those are his only hits. He also has five runs scored and RBIs, plus a walk and no strikeouts. Honeycutt is only 22 years old and hasn't played above High-A, but he could be on a fast track to the big leagues if he keeps popping homers at this rate.

Jones has only homers for his hits across five games. He also has five runs scored, six RBIs, two walks, a stolen base and four strikeouts. Jones looks to be on the outside looking in, as New York's outfield is stacked, but an injury could get him in the big leagues right away.

Rumfield has five total hits across seven games this spring, along with four runs scored and RBIs, two walks and a strikeout. He's looking to reach the big leagues for the first time as a 25-year-old, and Colorado might give him a MLB roster spot if he keeps delivering this spring.

Yastrzemski looks destined for a platoon role in Atlanta, so he'll be a deep-league fantasy asset at least. If he keeps mashing during the regular season, he'll be a standard league threat for stretches. Yas has six total hits over five games this spring, along with having six runs scored, five RBIs, three walks and two strikeouts.

Top OBPs

The qualified batters in on-base percentage are Houston's Riley Unroe, Kansas City's Jac Caglianone, Los Angeles Dodgers' Josue De Paula, San Diego's Jose Miranda, Milwaukee's Joey Ortiz and Colorado's Ryan Ritter.

Unroe has four hits and six walks over six games so far. He has two runs scored, three RBIs, a stolen base and six strikeouts. Unroe is 30 years old and on the outside looking in for a roster spot, but if he keeps getting on base, maybe he earns a reserve spot, either in Houston or with someone else.

Caglianone has six hits (including two doubles and a homer) and five walks over six games. He has six runs scored, four RBIs and three strikeouts. Caglianone struggled in his first taste of the big leagues in 2025, but maybe has taken a positive step and will deliver better results in 2026, so keep him in mind.

De Paula has seven hits and three walks over eight contests. He has three RBIs, two runs scored and five strikeouts. De Paula is the top prospect for LA, but isn't expected to make the big leagues until 2027 - we'll see if he can force his way into the big leagues.

Miranda has seven hits (including three doubles and a homer) and two walks over eight contests. He has four runs scored, six RBIs and three strikeouts. Miranda is fighting for a reserve role, and might earn a chance with an MLB team if he keeps delivering in spring training.

Ortiz has seven hits and two walks over six games this spring. He has five runs scored, two RBIs and stolen bases and four strikeouts. Ortiz really struggled in 2025, so maybe he's in for a bounceback 2026 - he'll open as a deep-league asset, and we'll see if he can become more than that.

Ritter is fighting for a reserve role in Colorado and is projected to get one right now. He has seven hits (including two doubles and a homer) and two walks this spring, along with six runs scored, five RBIs, a stolen base and seven strikeouts. The 25-year-old got some big league experience in 2025, and could improve in 2026.