MLB News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Three hitters who have shined during spring training

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz. Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Three hitters that have shined during spring training

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 3/18/24

We are about a week away from Opening Day and that means rosters are starting to take shape and players are being told what level they will start the new season. While spring training isn't the only factor in making these decisions, having a standout performance can help bolster your chances of making the team out of camp.

Here are three hitters that have made the most out of their spring.

Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates, shortstop

2024 spring training stats:.355/.444/1.032, seven home runs and 14 RBI in 31 at-bats

After an injury-shortened 2023 season that saw him play in only nine games, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz has been on a tear in spring training and looks primed for a breakout 2024 season.

During his rookie season in 2022, the 25-year-old slashed .233/.294/.450 with 17 home runs, 54 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 87 games.

Standing 6-foot-7 he is one of the most unique athletes to ever play the shortstop position, with a blend of power and speed.

This spring he is slashing .355/.444/1.032 with seven home runs and 14 RBI in 31 at-bats while showing a much improved eye at the plate with five walks.

Oneil Cruz swats his 7th‼️ #SpringTraining home run pic.twitter.com/btgH7KHYyZ
— MLB (@MLB) March 18, 2024

Cruz is looking to become the first Pirates hitter to make an All-Star team since 2021.

Wyatt Langford, Texas Rangers, outfielder

2024 spring training stats: .378/.442/.756, five home runs and 17 RBI in 45 at-bats

Drafted fourth overall in last season's MLB Draft, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford is in the mix to break camp with the major league club after his hot spring.

Making his professional debut in 2023, the 22-year-old showed enormous potential right away slashing .360/.480/.677 with 29 extra-base hits, 30 RBI and 12 stolen bases in only 44 games.

In his first spring training, he hasn't shown signs of slowing down slashing .378/.442/.756 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 45 at-bats.

Wyatt Langford's 5th #SpringTraining homer is grand! pic.twitter.com/Qrr4iVovIT
— MLB (@MLB) March 15, 2024

With Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe expected to miss the start of the season with an oblique injury, the designated hitter slot has opened up and could see Langford make his MLB debut on Opening Day.

Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres, outfielder

2024 spring training stats: .351/.400/.595, two home runs, six RBI and two stolen bases in 37 at-bats

Drafted as a shortstop with the 27th-overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill successfully transitioned to the outfield after not playing there before this offseason.

With outfielders Juan Soto and Trent Grisham being dealt this offseason, Merrill knew that he would have a chance if he could learn how to play a new position and he hasn't missed a beat.

The 20-year-old is slashing .351/.400/.595 with five extra-base hits and six RBI during the spring and has earned himself a starting spot on the Padres' Opening Day roster.

Jackson Merrill, @MLBPipeline's No. 12 prospect, homers for a second straight day pic.twitter.com/fwx3qEiufz
— MLB (@MLB) March 12, 2024

With Merrill winning the starting job in centerfield he will join Ken Griffey Jr. and Andruw Jones as the only center fielders to start Opening Day before turning 21.

Merrill is one to watch in 2024.

More must-reads: