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Kumar Rocker, RHP, Rangers: Rocker entered the season ranked No. 1 in the Rangers system with a chance to earn a spot in their starting rotation. The opportunity became even more clear following injuries to Jon Gray and Cody Bradford. But prior to Thursday, Rocker had scuffled this spring, allowing 11 earned runs through his first 4.1 innings while spending time in early March on the backfields attempting to smooth out his mechanics. Thursday's start was a much-needed step in the right direction. Rocker fanned eight Rockies hitters over 4.2 innings. He walked two and also allowed a two-run homer to Sam Hilliard while throwing nearly 62% of his pitches for strikes. Both Rocker and Jack Leiter are, for now, penciled into Texas' rotation, although the club did recently sign Patrick Corbin for rotation depth.

Zac Veen, OF, Rockies: Veen's Thursday didn't get off to the greatest start. The Rockies outfielder struck out in three consecutive at-bats against Kumar Rocker breaking balls. But he bounced back in his final two at-bats, first using his speed to beat out an infield hit against Dane Dunning, which set up a two-run Hunter Goodman homer the very next at-bat. Then Veen smoked a single to right field with a 102.7 mph exit velocity in the ninth inning off Caleb Boushley. Veen has made a compelling case for an Opening Day spot in Colorado's outfield. The 2020 first-rounder is hitting .353 with a .917 OPS this spring. After struggling with injuries, Veen is proving he has the tools to make an impact when healthy.

Zach Dezenzo, OF, Astros: Dezenzo is taking advantage of his opportunities this spring. The 24-year-old went 3-for-4 and drove in a run against the Marlins. He smoked the first pitch of his second at-bat against Janson Junk with a 106.7 mph exit velocity for an opposite-field double to bring in Cooper Hummel. Dezenzo added a double and a single to his day. He's slashing .415/.455/.683 with five extra-base hits this spring. Also of note: Dezenzo manned right field for the Astros after primarily playing first base last season.

Josh Simpson, LHP, Marlins: Teams often offers fans a glimpse into the future by showcase their top prospects in spring training. But the circuit is also an opportunity for players to make fresh impressions on their organization. That's Simpson, a 27-year-old lefthander who the Marlins drafted in the 32nd round in 2019. Simpson has logged 192.1 innings across five seasons in the minors and spent parts of three seasons with Triple-A. The Marlins have given him several multi-inning relief opportunities this spring and on Thursday he turned in his best outing yet, striking out five Astros hitters over 2.1 innings, including a swinging strikeout of Yordan Alvarez. Simpson leaned heavily on his low-80s curveball, throwing it 58% of the time, while sporadically mixing in a firm upper-80s changeup, a 93 mph fastball and a mid-80s slider. He isn't on Miami's 40-man roster, but he could pitch his way into low-leverage MLB opportunities at some point this season.

Blake Dunn, OF, Reds: After making his 2024 big league debut, Reds prospect Blake Dunn seems intent on proving this spring he can stick in Cincinnati. The 26-year-old showed off his speed on Thursday by tripling and driving in Austin Callahan. He later added his second Cactus League homer, a full-count changeup that he hit to left field. Dunn is slashing .313/.389/.625 over 32 at-bats this spring.

Editor’s Picks

MLB’s Trendiest New Pitch: The kick-change is in right now. Here are five pitchers deploying it this spring to keep an eye on. Read more…

20 Fantasy Targets: Here are hitters with expected 2025 ETAs who could return value in your redraft leagues. Read more…

$1.11 Million: Paul Skenes’ debut patch card sold for over $1 million last night. Here are the details. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Alan Roden, OF, Blue Jays: At the beginning of spring training, GM Ross Atkins mentioned Roden by name as someone they were expecting to produce in camp. In over 30 plate appearances, he’s lived up to the billing with a .409/.563/.773 line and two home runs through Monday’s games. With it looking more and more likely that he will make the Opening Day roster, the question is how much playing time he will get. We think it’s quality over quantity, which makes Roden a difficult player to plug into lineups when you’re committed for the week or half-week. Still, in daily leagues, he should be an above-average bat in the fantasy mold of Spencer Horwitz.

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