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Jacob Wilson, SS, Athletics: Wilson added two more home runs to his ledger Monday against the Mariners, going deep twice to left field off RHP Casey Lawrence. He now has a team-high four home runs this spring. Wilson, who turns 23 at the end of the month, is not known for his power, hitting just seven home runs last season in the minors and none through 28 big league games, where he posted an 85.4 mph exit velocity. Growing into a bit more pullside power would certainly be an encouraging development, although Wilson is still regarded as more of a contact specialist with exceptional hand-eye coordination. Balancing that ability and an aggressive approach will be key for Wilson as he settles into the A's shortstop job this season, and it's worth noting he has yet to walk through 44 spring training plate appearances.

Noah Murdock, RHP, Athletics: The Athletics know a thing or two about mining the Rule 5 draft for major league value. This year's example is 6-foot-8 righthander Noah Murdock, whom the club drafted from the Royals last December. On Monday, the 26-year-old Murdock learned that he had made the big league team. This spring he appeared in seven Cactus League games, striking out seven but walking five in 7.2 innings. Murdock follows last year's Rule 5 keeper Mitch Spence, a righthander who has a bead on an A's rotation spot this season. In 2023 the A's used their Rule 5 pick on Ryan Noda, a first baseman who hit well as a rookie but spent most of last season at Triple-A.

Kyren Paris, UT, Angels: Paris made his third spring appearance in center field Monday as the Angels search for ways to work the 23-year-old middle infielder into the mix. He stayed hot with the stick as well, going 3-for-5 with two doubles—including one struck in excess of 110 mph—and four RBIs. The Angels drafted Paris in the second round in 2019, and he made his MLB debut in 2023. Injuries have truncated his past two seasons, but he tweaked his swing and load in the offseason and has come out firing this spring. Paris is hitting .364/.432/.697 with two homers and five doubles in 17 games this spring.

Matthew Lugo, OF, Angels: Lugo and three others at the 2024 trade deadline when they dealt reliever Luis Garcia to the Red Sox. The 23-year-old has swung a hot bat in his first spring training with his new organization. On Monday, Lugo hit two balls in excess of 100 mph, and just missed a third at 99.8. His two "century" events resulted in a double and triple, with the two-bagger registering at 113 mph for one of the top exit velocities of the day. With 27 total bases this spring, Lugo ranks eighth among all spring training batters. He is hitting .333/.358/.529 with four doubles and three triples.

Drake Baldwin, C, Braves: Atlanta's Opening Day catcher situation got a lot clearer Monday. Atlanta’s No. 1 prospect now appears to be a virtual lock to make the roster following the release of Curt Casali and reassignment of Sandy Leon, although the club did also sign James McCann to a minor league deal Monday. Baldwin and Chadwick Tromp look like the favorites to share backstop responsibilities while starter Sean Murphy is on the injured list for six to eight weeks with a cracked rib. Baldwin has hit .333/.444/.400 with just two strikeouts in 30 spring at-bats.

Alan Roden, OF, Blue Jays: Roden continued to make his Opening Day case to the Blue Jays, drawing the start in left field on Monday and going 1-for-3. The 25-year-old singled in the game to push his Grapefruit League batting line to .409/.563/.773. Roden has contributed two home runs and two doubles this spring as he tries to crack a veteran outfield mix that includes George Springer, Daulton Varsho and free agent import Anthony Santander. Varsho is recovering from shoulder surgery, which might open the door for Roden, who has struck out just three times in 15 spring games thanks to an elite contact rate.

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Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

Each day, we’ll pick a prospect that has our attention.

Didier Fuentes, RHP, Braves: The Braves brought on Fuentes in the seventh against the Tigers Sunday, and he simply dominated for three innings. Fuentes struck out seven, allowing a single and hitting a batter. His fastball sat 97-98 mph, as he mixed in a slider and a splitter. He generated 10 swinging strikes and struck out Hao-Yu Lee twice. It was an all-around dominant outing aside from the hit batter. Fuentes' fastball is unique, as it generates one of the flattest planes in baseball. In short spurts like this, Fuentes has shown elite power across his mix. He was one of 20 Spring Breakout standouts who got our attention.

Quick Hits

News and notes from around spring training…

• Blue Jays INF Orelvis Martinez is dealing with a bruised hip

• The White Sox reassigned both Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero to Triple-A camp

• Cubs 3B Matt Shaw made his big league debut Tuesday morning, starting at third and batting fifth against the Dodgers

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