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- 20 Prospects We're Excited To See On Backfields
20 Prospects We're Excited To See On Backfields
Plus: Dynasty 500 update, latest draft buzz, college data standouts & more
20 Prospects We Excited To See On Backfields In Florida & Arizona
It’s nearly time for the Grapefruit and Cactus League seasons to begin, which means minor league spring training games aren’t far behind. The smaller spotlight doesn’t mean less talent, however.
In fact, the backfields are the best place to catch future stars on the rise. Last year, Konnor Griffin did most of his spring training work on the Florida backfields while Jesús Made wowed evaluators behind Arizona’s chain-link fences. Likewise for future MLBers like Nick Kurtz, Jac Caglianone and Trey Yesavage.
So, who will shine in 2026? Here are 20 players in Florida and Arizona we’re looking forward to seeing on backfields this spring.
RETURN OF DAILY PROSPECT UPDATES
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With the start of spring training games this Friday, Baseball America’s daily prospect report newsletter is also set for a 2026 return beginning next week.
Subscribe below to get the latest Prospect Wire news, analysis and stats delivered straight to your inbox every weekday morning.
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2026 FANTASY RANKS
Updated Dynasty Top 500 Rankings
With spring training underway, Baseball America’s February update to our Top 500 dynasty rankings for 2026 is also ready to roll.
Our latest update takes into account the onslaught of injuries, trades and signings that have taken place over the last few months. The list also features new prospect rankings for managers looking long term.
Want even more fantasy baseball content? Bookmark our 2026 fantasy home page for all of BA’s updated rankings, fantasy prospect analysis and more.
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MLB DRAFT
Latest Draft Buzz On Grady Emerson, Sawyer Strosnider & 19 More Prospects
Fresh off his annual trip to the Texas for the Shriners Children’s College Showdown and high school baseball action, BA draft expert Carlos Collazo has checked in with an in-depth breakdown of scouting notes and new draft intel. Highlights include:
BA’s top-ranked HS prospect looking as advertised
Ryder Helfrick’s stock continuing to rise
A Vanderbilt C who homered three times in five at-bats
COLLEGE DATA DARLINGS
LJ Mercurius, Blaine Brown & More College Data Standouts From Week 1
Each week during the college baseball season, Geoff Pontes will be digging into college performances from an analytical angle, looking at advanced data to identify pitchers, hitters and underclassmen making a splash.
For hitters, he’ll highlight exit velocity, barrels and contact metrics. On the pitching side, he’ll discuss velocity, movement and arsenal depth. Here’s who stood out in Week 1.
BASEBALL CARDS
6 First-Rounders Collectors Should Fade
Like with the MLB Draft, prospect collecting for baseball card enthusiasts is driven by speculation. But when it comes to first-round picks, not every player selected near the top of the board comes with the kind of long-term value collectors are looking for.
To that end, Matt Pajak has a compiled a list of first-round picks from last year’s draft whose Bowman Draft autos collectors might consider passing on—for now at least.
TRENDING NOW AT BASEBALL AMERICA
👀 ICYMI: Here’s every top prospect headed to big league camps this spring.
⚾️ Jacob Rudner wrote a column explaining this week’s Top 25 poll.
🏅 Here’s every player who made our College Team of the Week.
🎙️ Here’s a rundown of the latest BA podcasts:
College Podcast: New Top 25 & Opening Weekend Standouts
Hot Sheet Show: Scouting Top Draft Prospects For 2026
Prospect Deep Dives: System breakdowns for the Yankees & A’s.
🃏 Panini Prospect Edition 2025 is being released today.
📖 Don’t forget to order your 2026 Prospect Handbook.
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