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Marcelo Mayer, SS, Red Sox: Mayer went 3-for-3 with a home run, triple and three RBIs against the Tigers on Thursday. The fourth overall pick in 2021 made his presence felt immediately, ripping the second pitch he saw from Jack Flaherty for a triple with a 103.6 mph exit velocity. Mayer later homered off Kenta Maeda in the fifth inning, scoring Roman Anthony. A year ago, Mayer used offseason strength training to add more bat speed, then posted a career-low 20% strikeout rate in Double-A. Health will be key for Mayer’s pursuit of the majors in 2025, as he has played less than 80 games each of the last two seasons due to injuries.

Gabriel Hughes, RHP, Rockies: After missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery, Hughes is showing encouraging results in a small sample size early this spring. Colorado’s 2022 first-round pick out of Gonzaga held the Dodgers scoreless over 2.1 innings on Thursday, getting Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Kiké Hernandez out. He also struck out Austin Barnes and James Outman in back-to-back fashion. Hughes has yet to allow a run over 4.1 innings this spring. He returned last year to pitch 17.1 innings in the Arizona Fall League, striking out 14 batters and walking 10. His fastball sat 92-94 mph with 15-18 inches of induced vertical break. Hughes reached Double-A in 2023 before his injury, and it might not be too long before he finds himself in the Rockies rotation if he maintains both his production and health.

Charles McAdoo, 3B, Blue Jays: In his first spring training with the Blue Jays, McAdoo made a strong first impression by working a full-count and cranking a homer off Orioles RHP Dylan Heid. McAdoo was acquired by Toronto from the Pirates at the trade deadline in exchange for Isiah Kiner-Falefa. The 22-year-old is the Blue Jays’ No. 16 prospect and hit 17 homers in 2024, standing out with a power-over-hit offensive profile.

Samuel Basallo, C, Orioles: Chances are that if a pitcher leaves the ball down the middle for Basallo, he’s going to take advantage with his 70-grade power. Blue Jays pitcher Nick Fraze learned this the hard way on Thursday, as Basallo smashed a homer over the scoreboard of Ed Smith Stadium. Basallo reached Triple-A in his age-20 season a year ago after hitting 16 home runs in Double-A. Baseball America’s No. 14 prospect has a strong lower half and generates impressive bat speed mixed in with excellent pitch recognition that has fueled his impressive minor league career.

Editor’s Picks

Max Clark’s New Swing: A self-described “psychopath” when it comes to competitiveness, Tigers prospect Max Clark never stops looking for ways to improve. Read more…

Top 20 Rookies: Our preseason rookie ranking is here! Read more…

Freak Sheet: Here are five college baseball pitchers and hitters with standout data from week two. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Ryan Clifford, 1B, Mets: Clifford frequently taps into his plus raw power, evident by his 19 homers across two levels last season, and did so again Thursday. He smoked a changeup left high above the zone by Astros RHP Miguel Ullola to right field for a two-run homer in New York’s 5-0 win. The home run left the bat with a blazing 110.7 mph exit velocity. Clifford is an extremely patient hitter with 30-homer potential. He and Drew Gilbert were acquired by the Mets when they traded Justin Verlander to the Astros at the 2023 trade deadline.

Quick Hits

News and notes from around spring training…

• Colson Montgomery is day-to-day with back spasms

• Caden Dana threw three scoreless innings against the Cubs

• Sebastian Walcott’s homer yesterday left the bat at 107.2 mph

• Cam Collier worked on his diet and conditioning over the offseason

• Spencer Jones spoke with MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch on his offseason swing changes

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