Spring training is the time for players to ramp up to the start of the MLB season, and it’s a time for those of us watching to take stock of the MLB landscape. To that end, some players make for more interesting spring training characters than others, whether because they’re new on the scene, they’re returning from injury or they’re projected to break out in 2025.
With that in mind, here are six players I’m particularly excited to see this spring.
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James Wood, OF, Washington Nationals
The Nationals have been all about development since they traded away Juan Soto in July 2022. And after rebuilding for the better part of three seasons, the organization might be turning the corner heading into 2025, and a big part of that is the rise of outfielder James Wood.
Wood, 21, was one of the centerpieces of the Soto deal, and after several seasons as the team’s top prospect and one of the best in baseball, he finally got his opportunity to show the city of D.C. what he can do after debuting with the Nats on July 1, 2024. The D.C.-area native performed well in 79 games with the Nationals, recording a .264/.354/.427 slash line with 13 doubles, four triples, nine homers and 14 stolen bases.
On the baseball field, there is simply nothing that Wood can’t do, and he showed last season that the moment isn’t too big for him, either. If things continue to trend in the right direction for him, you’re looking at one of MLB’s breakout stars in 2025.
Matt Shaw, 3B, Chicago Cubs
No Alex Bregman, no problem. At least, that’s what the Chicago Cubs are hoping to say with the organization’s No. 1 prospect, Matt Shaw, getting the inside track to be the team’s third baseman come Opening Day. The team has stated that Shaw, the 13th pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, will get the first opportunity to be the team’s every-day third baseman, and if he succeeds, that could mean big things for Chicago’s lineup.
Since entering the Cubs’ system two summers ago, Shaw has hit well in the minor leagues, carrying a .284/.379/.488 slash line with 21 homers across two levels. Besides the addition of Kyle Tucker, he is the biggest story in Cubs’ camp this spring.
Matt McLain, INF, Cincinnati Reds
No player on the 2023 Reds was better than Matt McLain. He did it all: He can hit, he can…