1 important thing learned about each team 2025 Spring Training

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If you're reading this, congratulations -- you've just about made it through another offseason. In a matter of days, the 2025 season will exist outside of predictions and projections, and every team will be playing baseball that matters again.

But before Opening Day festivities kick off on Thursday, we still have some time to wonder what this new season has in store. Here's a look at the most important thing we learned about each team during Spring Training.

AL EAST

Blue Jays: Bo Bichette is back

All of the attention has been on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but no player on this roster has more potential to change the Blue Jays’ trajectory than Bichette. The 2024 season was one he’d like to forget, battling recurring calf injuries with career-worst numbers across the board, but Bichette has looked incredible since the moment camp opened. He’s also, like his longtime running mate and best friend Vladdy, in a contract year. This feels like the perfect collision of talent and motivation. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: Adley Rutschman appears poised for a big year

Although Rutschman has been an All-Star each of the past two seasons, his 2024 campaign took a disappointing turn in the second half, as he hit .207 with only three homers and a .585 OPS in 58 games after the All-Star break. The 27-year-old catcher used that as fuel for his offseason work, which then carried into Spring Training, where he has been one of the most impressive standouts at O’s camp. It feels like Rutschman is set up well to have a huge 2025 season, and the Orioles need him to do so to have their lineup operating at its best. -- Jake Rill

Rays: Their pitching depth will come in handy

Before Shane McClanahan went down with a nerve issue that will keep him from making his scheduled Opening Day start, it had been a dream spring for the Rays' rotation. McClanahan looked like himself. Drew Rasmussen dispelled any doubts about his return to the rotation. Ryan Pepiot, Shane Baz, Taj Bradley and Zack Littell were built up to pitch six or seven innings the first time through the regular-season rotation. (Even their Triple-A arms, highlighted by trade acquisition Joe Boyle, looked impressive.) The only question was how they'd fit six starters into five spots. But even a brief absence by McClanahan reinforces the importance of that depth for a Tampa Bay club whose hopes for this season depend largely upon a healthy, effective rotation. The same idea is playing out in the bullpen already, where the Rays could replace the injured Alex Faedo and McClanahan's spot on the roster with spring standout Mason Englert and hard-throwing Hunter Bigge. – Adam Berry

Red Sox: Starting pitching could lead the way

The Red Sox haven’t opened a season with two ace-caliber pitchers leading their staff since Chris Sale and David Price six years ago. That is about to change. Not only was Garrett Crochet acquired in the offseason via trade, but two-time World Series champion Walker Buehler was added via free agency. That left-right combo could get Boston back to the playoffs for the first time since ‘21. Crochet is a candidate to win the Cy Young Award. Buehler, on a one-year deal, is not only healthy to start the season for the first time in years, but also motivated that he didn’t draw more interest in the offseason. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: Injuries must be overcome

The projected Opening Day roster looks drastically different than what would have been anticipated just a few weeks ago. Ace right-hander Gerrit Cole is lost to the season to Tommy John surgery, reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil will miss at least three months with a right lat strain, and it's anyone's guess when Giancarlo Stanton will be able to pick up a bat without pain. Yet hope is not lost. The Yankees still have AL MVP Aaron Judge, and must lean hard on their winter acquisitions: left-hander Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, outfielder Cody Bellinger and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. -- Bryan Hoch

AL CENTRAL

Guardians: Gavin Williams appears primed for a bounce-back season

Williams recorded a 4.86 ERA in 16 starts in 2024, after being sidelined until July due to right elbow inflammation. His fastball was a key focus of his work over the winter, after it lost some of its vertical movement last season. His spring has been extremely promising; Williams’ heater is back to playing as intended, and as of Sunday, he has recorded 21 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings over four Cactus League starts. Williams has the stuff to be an imposing No. 2 behind Opening Day starter Tanner Bibee, and his spring could be a prelude to a bounce-back campaign. -- Tim Stebbins

Royals: Jonathan India looks like the real deal

The Royals acquired India to be their leadoff hitter because of his track record at the top of the lineup for the Reds and his on-base ability. He’s done nothing but continue that in Royal blue. The 28-year-old has had a fantastic spring, slashing .386/.481/.614 with four doubles, two homers, six walks and only five strikeouts through Saturday's action. India feels like he might be pitched differently hitting in front of Bobby Witt Jr., with pitchers wanting to do everything they can to avoid having a runner on base when Witt steps to the plate. That might mean India gets more strikes and pitches to hit -- which he’ll take. He’s hit in front of Witt in every Cactus League game they’ve played together, giving a good look at that one-two punch the Royals will have on Opening Day. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: The rotation is deep

Just because the Tigers rode pitching chaos to the playoffs last year doesn’t mean they’ll have to turn in that direction this year. While the top of the rotation is clearly a strength with AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and re-acquired Jack Flaherty, the contest for the final two spots showed vast improvement. Not only did top prospect Jackson Jobe look ready for a starting role, Casey Mize has showed signs of the bounce many pitchers experience in their second year back from Tommy John surgery, and Kenta Maeda – who will open the season in the bullpen -- showed increased velocity and sharper stuff from more offseason throwing. Keider Montero showed the high-spin stuff to be more than a capable starter. -- Jason Beck

Twins: The starting pitching depth is real

It’s always dangerous to talk about depth, because dipping into it necessarily means you have less of it. But not only do the Twins have a very strong top three and an effective starting five, they feel good about their sixth, seventh, and eighth starters as well. David Festa’s numbers weren’t good but his stuff was very sharp. Zebby Matthews might have been the best pitcher in camp. And Andrew Morris looked great. -- Matthew Leach

White Sox: Will Venable is the right man for the job

The 42-year-old became the organization’s 44th different manager on Oct. 31 and has seemed to be a perfect fit from the first day taking over. It’s not just about Venable being put into big league leadership of this latest White Sox rebuild, but he’s the co-pilot general manager Chris Getz was looking for in the process for now and in the future when the team moves into its contention phase. Venable is a great communicator, knows the game and has an even-keeled but intensely focused nature shown throughout Spring Training. -- Scott Merkin

AL WEST

Angels: There's more starting pitching depth than recent years

The Angels added veterans Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks via free agency this offseason to join a group that includes José Soriano and Tyler Anderson. Reid Detmers and Jack Kochanowicz have both been impressive this spring, leaving the Angels with a tough decision for the final spot in the rotation. Beyond that group, they have several other starters waiting in the wings such as Chase Silseth and top prospects Caden Dana (No. 2), George Klassen (No. 3), Sam Aldegheri (No. 5) and Ryan Johnson (No. 7). -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: The offense could be better than expected

The Astros led the American League in hits and batting average last year but lost two key members of that lineup in Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman. The club added Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker, who’s been hurt most of the spring, but the superb springs of prospects Cam Smith (No. 1) and Zach Dezenzo (No. 5) could give Houston two solid bats in the lineup it wasn’t expecting entering camp. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: Lawrence Butler is a franchise cornerstone

If there were any questions about how the A’s viewed Butler coming off his breakout 2024 campaign, those were answered this spring when the A’s rewarded the 24-year-old with a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension. The A’s have a nucleus in place – with players such as Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, Mason Miller, JJ Bleday, Jacob Wilson and Zack Gelof -- that they believe can help them get back to playoff contention in 2025. Butler, who has been locked in at the plate all spring, will lead that charge with expectations for a monster year. -- Martín Gallegos

Mariners: The hitter-heavy farm system is as advertised

This doesn’t apply to the big league roster, but the most promising element over the past six weeks has been the steps taken by the hitter-heavy farm system. Infielder Colt Emerson (No. 1 prospect) exhibited a presence and confidence that were far beyond his 19 years of age, outfielder Lazaro Montes (No. 2) hit a few huge homers, shortstop Felnin Celesten (No. 5) showed why the club is dreaming on what he can blossom into with a full healthy season and catcher Harry Ford (No. 4) is still in camp. The Mariners climbed from No. 9 to No. 5 in MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings, and this spring showed why. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: The offense will rake once again

The Rangers had the best offense in baseball in 2023. But the bats fell off in ‘24 thanks to a number of reasons. They could be back this year. Whether it’s about guys -- Corey Seager, Josh Jung -- being healthy, new additions -- Joc Pederson, Jake Burger -- contributing or even somebody like Wyatt Langford taking the next step, the Texas offense has been electric all spring. Texas' streak of 27 consecutive games recording two-or-more extra-base hits came to an end during Thursday’s split squad in Peoria, though the club still ranks third in the Cactus League in home runs (37). -- Kennedi Landry

NL EAST

Braves: Drake Baldwin is ready

Baldwin, who ranks as baseball’s No. 62 prospect and the Braves’ No. 1 prospect, will make his MLB debut when he catches Chris Sale during Thursday’s Opening Day game in San Diego. The 23-year-old catcher’s timeline was accelerated when Sean Murphy cracked a rib and learned he’ll miss the first week or two of the regular season. Early concerns evaporated as Baldwin showed he has made great strides defensively. We know he’ll be with Atlanta to begin the season. We may soon see him become a mainstay in the Atlanta lineup for many years to come. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: Sandy Alcantara looks like his old self

If there was any concern about how Alcantara might look coming back from Tommy John surgery, there was no need. When the 29-year-old right-hander maxed out at 100.4 mph with his four-seamer on Feb. 28, it marked the fastest pitch by a Major League starter at that point of spring. Alcantara did not give up an earned run over 12 1/3 innings across five Grapefruit League starts. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: This Clay Holmes experiment might just work

From the jump, Holmes has been the most impressive Mets pitcher in Florida, throwing three scoreless innings in his spring debut and never looking back. Holmes, of course, is transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation after signing a three-year, $38 million contract over the offseason. He performed well enough in Spring Training to earn the Mets’ Opening Day start for a team that’s missing a pair of injured pitchers in Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: Nats are poised to take the next step

The Nationals have been building their young core for years. CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, James Wood -- they have arrived in the Majors. In order to foster their growth, the Nats have surrounded these players with a group of veteran support, too. This Spring Training, the offseason acquisitions of Josh Bell, Paul DeJong, Nathaniel Lowe and Amed Rosario provided key leadership in the clubhouse and on the field so these young players can take the next steps with vets next to them. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: The rotation might live up to the hype

The Phillies already had one of the best rotations in baseball with current and former All-Stars like Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez. But then the Phillies acquired left-hander Jesús Luzardo in the offseason. Other than Suárez’s balky back toward the end of camp, everything has gone well. Everybody is throwing strikes. Everybody is looking ready to take on the best in the NL. And don’t forget: top prospect Andrew Painter could be joining the team midsummer. -- Todd Zolecki

NL CENTRAL

Brewers: There’s no such thing as too much pitching depth

The Brewers reported to camp feeling pretty good about their choices for the rotation, with Freddy Peralta locked in for Opening Day; Tobias Myers primed to take another step forward in what would be his first full Major League season; veterans Nestor Cortes and Aaron Civale providing steady innings; Aaron Ashby and DL Hall competing for a spot; prospects like Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson and Chad Patrick pushing toward the Majors and Brandon Woodruff and Robert Gasser waiting in the wings once they complete comebacks from arm surgery. But even with the March signing of left-hander Jose Quintana, the Brewers are heading into the regular season stretched thin, thanks to injuries sustained by Myers, Ashby and Hall that will land them on the injured list. It will take some spot starts or callups to get through the first few weeks before Quintana is fully built-up and Myers or Ashby become options to help stabilize things. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: The bullpen is still the strong suit of the team

For a second straight season, the Cardinals bullpen figures to be the strength of the team and that’s even after losing National League holds leader Andrew Kittredge to the Orioles in free agency. Ryan Helsley is coming off the best season for a closer in Cards history (a club-record 49 saves) and he looks to be even more potent in 2025 with a new cutter he is debuting. St. Louis shored up the loss of Kittredge by signing Phil Maton, a curveball specialist who has loads of big-game experience with the Astros and Mets. The Cards are contemplating using Matthew Liberatore as part of a six-man starting staff, but history suggests the dynamic left-hander can be much more effective in the bullpen. Former Rule 5 pick Ryan Fernandez has taken another big step and could close some games. Meanwhile, JoJo Romero, John King and Chris Roycroft are coming off solid spring performances. -- John Denton

Cubs: Matt Shaw will get his MLB chance

Last season, the Cubs extended plenty of runway to Pete Crow-Armstrong to learn and develop at the Major League level. After a tough start, the center fielder found his footing and was an impact player in multiple facets down the stretch. This year, it’s Shaw’s turn. The Cubs’ top prospect (No. 19 on Pipeline’s Top 100) made the Opening Day roster for the Tokyo Series and looks poised to be given similar rope to develop and impact the Cubs this season. He has a history of hitting at every level and is another player who brings a speed element to the equation. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: Paul Skenes looks poised for year two

Skenes went from a general unknown in 2022 to first overall pick in 2023 to Rookie of the Year in 2024. Could Cy Young be in the cards for 2025? He’s armed with two new pitches this camp (a sinker and cutter) and looks as dominant as ever while starting to take a bigger leadership role in the Pirates’ clubhouse. That’s a recipe for a pitcher ready to make the most of his first full season in the Majors. -- Alex Stumpf

Reds: Rotation depth is more robust

The Reds thought they had enough starting pitching depth last year until injuries and attrition told them otherwise. They have had even more arms in their 2025 camp and the depth is already coming in handy. Once Andrew Abbott (left shoulder) was not deemed ready to begin the season, Cincinnati turned to Carson Spiers, who went out and earned the fifth spot behind Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer and Nick Lodolo. If there's another need down the road, the club should have Abbott back in April while offseason signing Wade Miley (Tommy John surgery) should be ready in May. Also waiting in the wings are prospect arms like Rhett Lowder, Chase Petty and Chase Burns. Graham Ashcraft, who was in the rotation battle, is being converted to a reliever. -- Mark Sheldon

NL WEST

D-backs: Corbin Carroll looks locked in

After winning the NL Rookie of the Year in 2023, Carroll retooled his swing to try and hit the high fastball, it got a little flat and it put him in a funk for the first couple months of the season. Carroll eventually found something that worked for him and he had a red hot finish to the season. Carroll has changed his setup at the plate a bit this spring and the results so far have been outstanding. -- Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: Mookie Betts looks much improved at shortstop

Betts' season debut was delayed due to an illness that forced him to miss the two-game Tokyo Series. But during Spring Training, it certainly looked like his offseason work in preparation for a planned permanent move to shortstop paid off. Betts looked much more comfortable at the position than he did last year, especially with making throws. Now comes the real test in regular-season games. -- Sonja Chen

Giants: The next wave of pitching depth looks promising

Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp are currently vying for the fifth spot in the Giants’ rotation, but all three youngsters are expected to have a chance to make an impact in the big leagues this year. The Giants also have several talented arms waiting in the wings at Triple-A Sacramento, including Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn and pitching prospects Carson Whisenhunt, Carson Seymour and Carson Ragsdale, giving the organization an enviable level of pitching depth heading into the regular season. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: Three key hitters are healthy

Fernando Tatis Jr. spent most of last season playing through a stress reaction in his right leg. Luis Arraez had a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery during the offseason. Manny Machado’s ‘24 season got off to an awkward start as he returned from extensor tendon surgery on his right elbow. They’re three of the most important Padres hitters -- and all three are fully healthy entering the 2024 season. San Diego has question marks toward the bottom of its lineup. But if the top half is healthy and mashing, it would mask those deficiencies in a big way. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: The talent pool is deeper

The Rockies aren’t expected to contend, but shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and center fielder Brenton Doyle look like key pieces for the future, and first baseman Michael Toglia can become a centerpiece if the second half of last season holds. But the Rockies are most excited about the deepening pitching pool, with 2023 No. 1 pick Chase Dollander getting experience in Spring Training and 2022 top pick Gabriel Hughes healthy after missing last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Quietly, the Rockies have added to the bullpen depth -- an essential for a team that plays wild games at Coors Field. -- Thomas Harding

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1 important thing we learned about each team this spring