Konnor Griffin Invited to Big-League Spring Training: Pittsburgh Pirates infielder/outfielder Konnor Griffin is among the Pirates' invites to big-league spring training this year, according to the team. Per MLB Pipeline, Griffin is considered the top prospect in baseball in 2026. The 19-year-old turned heads in his first year in the minors for the Bucs in 2025, hitting .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs, and 65 stolen bases in 122 combined games with Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Double-A Altoona. Depending on how he looks in spring training, Griffin has a real chance to be the first teenager to debut in the big leagues since Juan Soto in 2018. Griffin is expected to compete for the starting shortstop job this spring. Griffin is a premium all-around athlete with plus-plus speed, and he certainly has the looks of a future fantasy superstar, potentially as early as 2026. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:19:38
Giants Sign International Shortstop Luis Hernandez: The San Francisco Giants signed Venezuelan shortstop Luis Hernandez, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 international class, for $5 million on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Jesse Borek. It's the second straight year that the Giants have signed the top international free agent. The 17-year-old has projectable tools that could eventually make him a 30/30 candidate because of his hit, power, and run tools. Hernandez is seen as an above-average runner who is extremely aggressive on the basepaths. He has a quick first step at shortstop, although his arm is merely average right now. At just 15 years old in the Venezuelan league, Hernandez hit .346 in 104 at-bats against much older competition. He should be able to stick at the 6 long-term, although he could be battling Josuar Gonzalez, last year's international signing, as the Giants' shortstop of the future. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:43:34
Colt Keith Could Serve as Tigers' Primary Third Baseman?: Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith could be primed to "lock down a large share of playing time at third base," per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The 24-year-old has spent time at every infield position other than shortstop so far in his big league career, but saw more appearances as a designated hitter than anywhere else in 2025. Stavenhagen notes that Detroit has a multitude of options at the hot corner, namely, veterans Javier Baez, Zach McKinstry, and Matt Vierling, as well as prospects Kevin McGonigle and Max Anderson. As such, Keith is not guaranteed to hold the job throughout the season, but he may enter Spring Training as the favorite to start at third base on Opening Day. Across 468 plate appearances for Detroit in 2025, Keith posted a .256/.333/.413 slash line with 13 home runs, 45 RBI, 65 runs scored, and one stolen base. He's been significantly better against right-handed pitching (.731 OPS) than left-handed pitching (.610 OPS) so far in his career. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:00:30
Michael Conforto Drawing Interest From White Sox: Free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto is drawing interest from the Chicago White Sox, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Conforto, who is entering his age-33 season, is coming off a brutal 2025. Across 466 plate appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he posted a .199/.305/.333 slash line with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 54 runs scored, and one stolen base. The rebuilding White Sox would presumably be able to offer Conforto significant playing time in their corner outfield spots, which would allow the veteran an opportunity to get his career back on track and re-establish his market. Conforto posted a .759 OPS across 488 plate appearances with the San Francisco Giants in 2024, so he's not too far removed from providing above-average production at the plate. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:26:35
Bo Bichette Agrees to Three-Year Contract With Mets: Free-agent infielder Bo Bichette has agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. While the Mets were not one of the teams most frequently linked to Bichette throughout the offseason, Passan notes that New York pivoted to Bichette after losing out on outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Across 628 plate appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, Bichette posted a .311/.357/.483 slash line with 18 home runs, 94 RBI, 78 runs scored, and four stolen bases. He turns just 28 in March, so the shorter-term, high-AAV contract structure will allow Bichette another shot at free agency as he enters his age-31 season. While Bichette has almost exclusively played shortstop in his big-league career to this point, he seems likely to move to third base in New York with Francisco Lindor locked in at short. Mets infielders Mark Vientos and Brett Baty could both see a significant playing time reduction as a result of the team's acquisition of Bichette. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:13:36
Payton Tolle Not Guaranteed Spot in Starting Rotation?: Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Payton Tolle made his MLB debut during the 2025 season and had mixed results. The southpaw logged 19 1/3 innings to the tune of a 6.09 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. Tolle was deployed out of the rotation in each of his first three outings but was then shifted to the bullpen over his last four. Through six innings of relief, Tolle looked much more stable, allowing only two runs while striking out seven hitters. Earlier in 2025, Tolle made his professional debut with High-A and was able to quickly progress through the Boston system, which earned him the late-season promotion. Through 91 2/3 innings split between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, the No. 28-ranked prospect in baseball posted a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a dominant 133:23 K:BB. However, managers should keep an eye on him during spring training, as he may not be guaranteed a spot in the team's starting rotation given his inconsistent debut. Additionally, the Red Sox recently signed left-hander Ranger Suarez, which will add yet another pitcher to a largely crowded rotation. For now, Tolle is best left for deeper redraft leagues given his unknown role. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:21:35
Andrew Painter Nearing MLB Promotion?: Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter was in the mix to make his MLB debut last season, but was unable to earn the call from Triple-A. After battling numerous injuries throughout his young career, including Tommy John surgery, Painter was able to log a career-high 118 innings in the minor leagues last season, most of which were spent with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Through his first 106 2/3 innings with the top team in the Phillies' system, Painter struggled, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. During this stretch, Painter struck out 111 hitters but allowed a rather high 46 walks. Over the last 38 2/3 innings of the season, the former 13th overall pick struggled even further, posting a high 6.05 ERA. However, with Zack Wheeler (shoulder) working his way back from injury and Ranger Suarez now in Boston, Painter could make a case to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training, given the state of their rotation. He is worth monitoring as he could be an intriguing late-round option if Wheeler's recovery is delayed. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:10:36
Walker Jenkins Poised for Early-Season MLB Debut?: Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins made his Triple-A debut late in the second half of the 2025 season and could be in the mix for his MLB debut sooner than expected. He began the 2025 season with Double-A, where he continued to perform at an elite level, carrying a .309/.426/.487 line with 11 doubles, seven home runs, and 11 stolen bases. He then earned the call to Triple-A St. Paul, where Jenkins took a bit of a step back, carrying an overall .242/.324/.396 line through 23 contests. However, the former fifth-overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft showed significant progress over his last 16 games as he posted a much-improved .273/.333/.439 line, suggesting he had already begun to take strides forward. While managers should expect Jenkins to open the season at Triple-A, he may only need a brief stint before proving he is ready to join the MLB roster. Given his ability to get on base at an elite rate while showing nearly 20-SB upside in each season, he is a prime early-season stash option in deeper redraft leagues. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:01:49
Sal Stewart Primed to Build Off Strong Debut: Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Sal Stewart is primed to build off his strong MLB debut. The team's top prospect earned a call to the majors late in the second half and held an impressive .255/.293/.545 line over his first 18 gamd as the MLB level. However, over his last 10 games, Stewart took an even larger step forward, posting a .323/.382/.645 with three long balls. Early in the campaign, Stewart spent most of his time with Double-A and had a brief taste of Triple-A shortly before his MLB debut. Through 118 games in the Reds' system, Stewart posted a .309/.383/.524 line with a .907 OPS, 20 home runs, and 17 stolen bases. This upcoming season, managers should expect Stewart to operate as a super utility option in the infield, earning starts at first base, second base, and third base. His five-category skill sets set him up for a prime breakout season. - as of Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:54:31