Major League Baseball teams have completed spring training for the upcoming season. Some players are returning or moving teams while prospects are proving themselves a worthy spot on the roster.
Atlanta Braves player, Drake Baldwin, has played as the team’s catcher since 2022. He is their number one prospect and is the number 62 prospect in baseball overall. Although he played in triple-A for the Gwinnett Strippers in 2024, there is a chance that he will return to the Braves and play as their primary catcher this season. Their starting catcher, Sean Murphy, suffered a fractured rib onMarch 3, and Baldwin looks to take over the position until Murphy returns. Chris Sale, the Braves’ pitcher, complimented Baldwin’s actions on the field, seeing him as a valuable player to have while Murphy recovers.
“Having Sean Murphy out is really a hit for the Braves,” junior Brady Walton said. “But, I think Baldwin would be a great replacement for him during his time out.”
Up north, Phillies player Bryce Harper will return to the outfield. Harper first played as an outfielder when he joined the league in 2012, transitioning to first base after recovering from his Tommy John surgery in 2023. This adjustment would be a game-changer for the Phillies since he was ranked the second-best team player for the 2024 season. He has accepted the position change as another part of playing the game, discussing his future for the 2025 season on March 9 with SiriusXM.
“You’re going to go through bumps and bruises and ups and downs,” Harper said in the interview. “That’s kinda the way the game works, obviously. So you just gotta go about it the right way, play each day, not really worry about what’s in front of you.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani in a set place on the team with a 10-year, 700 million dollar contract, which makes him the second highest paid player for the 2025 season. He will earn a two-million-dollar salary with 100 million dollars in endorsements. Regarding the upcoming season and returning during Spring Training, Ohtani is believed to be stepping up to the pitching mound after his right elbow injury in 2024.
“I feel good about Ohtani coming back to the pitching position,” senior Ian Taylor said. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player. He pitches and hits, and nobody else can do it like him on the team.”
There is plenty to look forward to this upcoming year, with position changes and rookies joining teams. Fans celebrate Opening Day by eating special foods, spending time with their family, or wearing jerseys of their favorite players. The thrill of a well-awaited return of the season is always something fans look forward to, especially when spring training provides experiences to anticipate.
“On Opening Day, I celebrate by watching all of the games, especially my favorite team, the Pittsburgh Pirates,” sports and marketing teacher Jimmy Stickley said. “Ever since I got the MLB app, I watch as many games as I can.”
