January 30, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
JR Ritchie is an emerging arm in the Atlanta system and is expected to make his MLB debut in 2026. Ritchie began the campaign with High-A Rome but was able to reach Triple-A Gwinnett in the second half. At High-A, the right-hander was impressive, logging 41 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.30 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. At Double-A, Ritchie took a slight step back, carrying a 3.49 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 38 2/3 innings of work. However, during his first look at Triple-A, the 22-year-old rounded back into form, posting a strong 3.02 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP. During these 59 2/3 innings, Ritchie struck out 61 hitters while allowing 27 walks. Managers should keep a close eye on his status during camp as he could contend for an early 2026 debut.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
The Chicago White Sox have invited top outfield prospect
Braden Montgomery to big-league spring training. Montgomery joined the White Sox with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Texas A&M. He made his professional debut in 2025 with Low-A, but quickly progressed through the lower levels, ending the regular season at Double-A Birmingham. Through 87 total games shared between Low-A and High-A, Montgomery posted a .269/.360/.455 line with 11 long balls and 11 stolen bases. During his first 34 contests at Double-A, the 22-year-old continued to play well, posting a .272/.364/.416 line. However, he would only hit one long ball during this stint. While Montgomery may not reach the majors until later in the second half, a strong showing in spring training could earn him a ticket to Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: Chicago White Sox
January 30, 2026
Texas Rangers top prospect
Sebastian Walcott has received an invite to big-league spring training. The young infielder is currently considered the team's top prospect and the No. 6 overall-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com. The 19-year-old spent the entire 2025 campaign with Double-A Frisco and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Across this stint, Walcott posted a strong .255/.355/.386 line with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, and an impressive 32 stolen bases. He held a 108:70 K:BB. In 2024, Walcott spent the majority of the campaign with High-A, where he posted a .261/.342/.443 line across 116 games. While Walcott is unlikely to compete for an early MLB debut, he could begin the season at Triple-A, which would keep him in play for a second-half promotion to Texas.
--Andy SmithSource: Shawn McFarland
January 30, 2026
According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, Baltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo has lost 15 pounds in the offseason. Basallo is poised to spend the entire 2026 season in the major leagues and appears to have entered camp in great physical shape. Basallo began the 2025 season with the Norfolk Tides and posted a strong .270/.377/.589 slash line with 17 doubles and 23 home runs across a 76-game stint. He was then promoted to Baltimore in the second half and held a modest .169/.229/.330 line over his first 31 games. During this brief taste, the game's top catching prospect hit four home runs, added six doubles, but carried a 30:6 K:BB. Basallo is expected to split time behind the dish and at DH with
Adley Rutschman. With the potential to see an everyday role in the lineup, Basallo is a top breakout pick at the catcher position, given his elite raw power.
--Andy SmithSource: Jake Rill
January 30, 2026
Miami Marlins top pitching prospect
Thomas White has earned an invite to MLB spring training. This is an excellent sign for the budding southpaw, who now appears to be in serious consideration for a spot on the Opening Day roster. According to MLB.com, White is viewed as the No. 22-ranked prospect in the entire sport. Last summer, the 21-year-old opened the season with High-A but was able to reach Triple-A Jacksonville in the second half. Across 80 1/3 innings with High-A and Double-A, White posted a strong 2.13 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP. He tallied an eye-catching 128 punchouts with 41 walks during this stretch. In his brief 9 1/3-inning stint at Triple-A, White struck out 17 batters and allowed five runs. With the Marlins trading two starters this winter in
Ryan Weathers and
Edward Cabrera, White is a name to closely monitor in camp as he could begin the season in the big leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Miami Marlins
January 30, 2026
The Miami Marlins have invited left-handed pitching prospect
Robby Snelling to big league spring training. Snelling was on the verge of making his MLB debut last summer and is now in serious contention to break camp with the MLB roster. He began the 2025 season with Double-A Pensacola, where he logged 72 1/3 innings with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. During this stint, the southpaw struck out 85 hitters and allowed only 22 walks. However, once he moved up to Triple-A, he took a massive step forward. During his first 63 2/3 innings at Triple-A, Snelling posted an impressive 1.27 ERA with a stellar 0.99 WHIP. He struck out 81 hitters while allowing only 17 free passes. With
Ryan Weathers and
Edward Cabrera shipped to new clubs this winter, Snelling appears to be in a great position to break camp with the MLB roster. He is a prime late-round target with high strikeout upside.
--Andy SmithSource: Miami Marlins
January 30, 2026
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Houston Astros could look to target Boston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu before spring training. The Astros have expressed interest in adding a left-handed bat and would have the assets to acquire Abreu from Boston. Their infield is currently quite crowded, and third baseman
Isaac Paredes has also been linked to Boston throughout the winter, as they have a need at the hot corner. Abreu turned in a solid 2025 campaign, posting a .241/.317/.469 line with 22 home runs and six stolen bases. He generated an above-average .355 xwOBA with a strong .475 xSLG. He is also an elite defender, placing in the 94th percentile in range and 77th percentile in arm value. If Abreu were to join Houston, he would likely take on a full-time role in right field, which would limit the playing time of both
Jesus Sanchez and
Cam Smith.
--Andy SmithSource: Chandler Rome
January 30, 2026
Free agent starting pitcher
Zac Gallen remains linked to the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Baltimore Orioles. Gallen is one of the top remaining starting pitchers on the open market. Last season, the 30-year-old logged 192 innings to the tune of a modest 4.83 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. He struck out just 175 hitters. However, he held a slightly improved 4.26 xERA under the hood, suggesting he could face some positive regression in 2026. The previous summer, Gallen posted a much stronger 3.65 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP across 148 frames. In 2023, he showed similar success, logging 210 innings with a strong 3.47 ERA. Managers should expect Gallen to hold mid-end SP4/SP5 upside in 2026, given his inconsistencies last season.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 30, 2026
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman/outfielder
Tommy Edman (ankle) will have a delayed start to spring training and is in danger of missing Opening Day. Edman is currently recovering from a right ankle operation. According to Woo, there is a "growing likelihood" that Edman will not be ready for Opening Day. The 30-year-old appeared in 97 regular-season games for the Dodgers and held a .225/.274/.382 line. He hit 13 home runs and swiped three bags. He logged 66 starts at the keystone, one as a DH, and spent his other 25 appearances in center field. With Edman likely missing the start of the season, it appears
Andy Pages will face minimal competition for the starting job in center field, while
Teoscar Hernandez and newly-acquired
Kyle Tucker cover the corners.
--Andy SmithSource: Katie Woo
January 30, 2026
Athletics shortstop
Jacob Wilson prioritized increasing his strength during the offseason. Wilson noted that it was the "main focus" and spent the entire offseason in the Athletics facility, adding strength. The 23-year-old shortstop enjoyed an impressive rookie season in the majors, posting a .311/.355/.444 line with 13 home runs and five stolen bases. He generated an elite 90th percentile xBA with a 100th percentile strikeout rate. However, he rarely made hard contact, as evidenced in his low 2.2% barrel rate and a 24.7% hard-hit rate, both of which placed him in the second percentile among qualified hitters. However, with Wilson prioritizing improving this aspect of his game, he could take a step forward in the power department in 2026. Managers should continue to view Wilson as an elite batting-average contributor with the upside to push for double-digit home runs in the upcoming season.
--Andy SmithSource: Martin Gallegos
January 30, 2026
Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder
Tyler Freeman is being viewed primarily as an "outfielder" ahead of spring training. In 2025, Freeman saw time at several positions, logging 17 stats at second base, 66 in the outfield, 28 as a DH, and even one as a third baseman. Through 110 games, Freeman showed strong contact skills, posting a .281 AVG with an elite 11.9% K%. However, he hit only two home runs and posted a modest .715 OPS. He did show upside on the basepaths, stealing a career-high 18 bags while placing in the 80th percentile in sprint speed. Freeman was typically deployed as the team's leadoff hitter and scored 50 runs, despite batting in one of the worst lineups in the sport. However, with Freeman ticketed for a primary outfield role in 2026, he could be in danger of losing at-bats as the Rockies brought in
Jake McCarthy this offseason. Managers in deep five-outfielder leagues should monitor his usage in camp. If Freeman can earn a prominent role, he would be a solid late-round target when looking to improve your steals total and batting average.
--Andy SmithSource: Thomas Harding
January 30, 2026
According to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers have signed right-handed pitcher
Cal Quantrill to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. The 30-year-old spent the 2025 season with the Marlins and Braves and finished the campaign in Triple-A Round Rock, in the Texas organization. Through his 117 2/3 innings in the majors last summer, Quantrill posted a 6.04 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP. He struck out only 85 hitters and generated a high 5.81 xERA. With Triple-A Round Rock, the veteran showed some improvement, posting a 1.64 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP across 11 innings. Managers should expect Quantrill to serve as a depth option in Texas and could win a role as a bulk reliever out of camp. However, given his low strikeout upside and struggles last season, Quantrill is not expected to carry much fantasy value in standard formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Evan Grant
January 29, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander
Blake Snell admitted that his arm was "tired" and "exhausted" after five playoff starts and a relief appearance in Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays last fall, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. The Dodgers have stressed the importance of managing their starting rotation's workload in 2026, which will include Snell. The 33-year-old southpaw has slow-played his winter throwing program. The plan is to be ready for Opening Day in late March, but Harris writes that it is "not seen as a certainty within the organization." Snell still has plenty of strikeout upside and pitches for the back-to-back World Series-champion Dodgers, but he missed four months in 2025 with shoulder inflammation. The two-time Cy Young winner has only reached the 30-start mark twice in his 10-year career. Snell is a risk/reward No. 2 fantasy starter going into his second year in L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: The California Post - Jack Harris
January 29, 2026
The Kansas City Royals are signing free-agent reliever
Eli Morgan to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Morgan is looking for a bounce-back season after missing most of the year due to elbow issues. He posted an ugly stat line in 12 appearances with the Chicago Cubs. In 2024, Morgan registered a 1.93 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 34/11 K/BB ratio in 32 appearances with the Cleveland Guardians. The 29-year-old has posted multiple successful seasons during his time in Cleveland. This is a low-risk move by the Royals, who could end up getting a steal if Morgan can get back to form.
--Andy WebbSource: Kansas City Royals
January 29, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
J.P. France has been designated for assignment by the organization on Thursday. The team is acquiring pitcher
Kai-Wei Teng from the San Francisco Giants and must free up a 40-man roster spot. France is the odd man out after failing to make much of an impact over the last two seasons. Since 2024, France has only made five appearances in Houston with an ugly 6.75 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 27/14 K/BB ratio. France has been unable to follow up on his successful rookie campaign, where he registered a 3.83 ERA in 24 games with Houston. The 30-year-old should draw some interest as a possible back-end of the rotation or depth option.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
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