3 most shocking surprises of MLB spring training so far

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Spring training is supposed to be background noise—timed fastballs, pitch counts, and quiet tinkering far from the glare of October. However, every year, a few performances stand out and compel front offices to reconsider depth charts, timelines, and even ceilings. This spring, the early weeks in Florida and Arizona haven’t just produced fun box scores, they’ve surfaced real shifts in player development and organizational outlook.

These three surprises that actually matter include a former breakthrough infielder rediscovering his impactful form, a teenage phenom challenging the Pirates to accelerate their plans, and a power right-hander disrupting the Yankees’ pitching conversation. Matt McLain’s Resurgence Changes the Reds’ Math Matt McLain didn’t arrive in Goodyear this spring as a locked-in building block. He arrived as a question.

A frustrating 2025 raised concerns about how he fit into a crowded Reds infield and whether his standout rookie season was more spike than foundation. A few weeks later, he looks a lot more like an answer. Across his first run of spring games, McLain has been the most dangerous bat in Reds camp, pairing extra-base damage with a more disciplined approach at the plate.