Baseball in February and March usually consists of veterans finding their rhythm and battles for the last roster spots, but that will be different in 2026. While the game’s biggest stars are away at the World Baseball Classic, many prospects and international talents will get a chance to shine with their MLB clubs. Whether they’re representing their country in the tournament or playing in half-empty spring training parks, these are some players baseball fans should be paying attention to before the season begins.
Top Prospects Making Their Mark
As MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect, Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin has already attracted the attention of many this spring. The 19-year-old shined at the plate on Tuesday with two home runs against the Red Sox, including one off former all-star Ranger Suarez. Scouts say Griffin could make his major league debut this season, and if he continues to perform this spring, that could be sooner rather than later.
Behind Griffin, Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle is another highly touted prospect looking to crack the majors. The No. 2 overall prospect has quickly risen through Detroit’s rankings, dominating across the minor leagues and winning the 2025 Arizona Fall League MVP. He has been evaluated as one of the best pure hitting prospects this decade, with exceptional bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. This spring training will be his first chance to experience MLB-level pitching and may be many fans’ first impression of the exciting youngster’s skills.
Rounding out the list of key prospects to watch is Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries. As the centerpiece of the trade that sent Mason Miller to San Diego, the 19-year-old switch hitter has so far proven to be worth the deal. Despite his young age, De Vries has already dominated through Double-A, putting up immediate production at the plate. With a rare combination of power and plate discipline, it’s entirely possible that if he continues at his current pace, he may reach the MLB level sometime this year.
Japanese Stars Adjusting to the Majors
This offseason saw a trio of Japanese stars making the move to MLB, and this spring will be the first chance to see how they adjust. With names like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto establishing themselves as some of the best talents in the league, these are key names to follow going into the season.
Munetaka Murakami was once considered one of the most anticipated players to come from Japan of all time, with some calling him the “Japanese Babe Ruth.” At just 22 years old, he became the youngest player in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) history to win the triple crown in a record-breaking 56 home run season. He won back-to-back MVPs in 2021 and 2022, but his production noticeably dipped in the last few years.
After posting a .318 batting average in 2022, that mark fell to just .244 in 2024 with a concerning 180 strikeouts. His 2025 season was hampered by an oblique injury, but he still showed his remarkable power in that span. The struggling Chicago White Sox still chose to give him a chance this offseason because of his immense upside. Murakami is certainly one of the biggest names to watch in the next month during spring training and the World Baseball Classic.
Another Team Japan representative in the WBC is Blue Jays’ infielder Kazuma Okamoto. Filling in the void left by Bo Bichette’s departure, Okamoto comes to Toronto after being one of the most consistent power hitters in the NPB, posting over 30 home runs in nearly all of the past seven seasons. He has already shown off that power after blasting a home run off Clay Holmes on Monday. Whether he can quickly adjust to the major league level will be crucial for the Blue Jays’ outlook and could be a key factor in this year’s AL East race.
After a disappointing 2025, the Houston Astros bolstered their rotation by signing right-hander Tatsuya Imai this offseason. He will be skipping the WBC this year to prioritize his major league club before the regular season begins. Imai features a mid-90s fastball and a unique arm-side slider that made NPB hitters look foolish last season. Unlike a typical slider that moves towards the glove-side, much like a screwball it breaks the opposite direction, but with sharper, sweeping movement. While he doesn’t have triple-digit velocities like Yamamoto or Roki Sasaki, Imai is still an intriguing watch this spring.
All-Stars in New Threads
Like any offseason, this year has seen many big names find new teams in free agency. Now is the first time to see them with their new squads and how they fit into their organizations.
Possibly the biggest acquisition over the winter was Kyle Tucker going to the Los Angeles Dodgers, adding another all-star to an already stacked lineup. Only fueling the criticisms of two-time World Series champion building a “super-team”, Tucker’s presence in that lineup could put it among one of the most talented of all time. Many will also point to this deal as an example of why MLB needs a salary cap with collective bargaining discussions looming next year.
Another major signing was Bo Bichette’s surprising move to the New York Mets, where he will be forced to play third base for the first time in his career. Some have been skeptical of his ability to play third, given he was a below-average defender at shortstop throughout his time with the Blue Jays. However, he still brings an all-star caliber bat to a Mets team desperate to move past its past disappointments. New York is hoping to see him quickly adjust to his new role as they look to compete in the NL East after a lackluster 2025.
Between the arrivals of elite international talent and arrivals of exciting young prospects, this next month will showcase the future of the league. While the games themselves may not matter, many of these players will get a taste of MLB-level talent, which is more important than any other type of practice. In both the WBC and spring training, there is plenty to look out for this spring.
