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Blade Tidwell, RHP, Mets: Tidwell hit 99 mph on his sinker in his spring training debut, a start in which he worked two innings and allowed three runs to the Cardinals. He drew swings and misses on his sinker and cutter in the outing. The 2022 second-rounder made quick work of Double-A competition last season but struggled with control when promoted to Triple-A Syracuse. He threw a first-pitch strike less than half the time and walked nearly 14% of batters in his 85 International League innings. By the end of the 2024 season, Tidwell had narrowed his plan of attack to focus on three fastball shapes—two-seam, four-seam, cutter—and a slider after toying with a changeup and curveball earlier in the season. That pared-down plan has continued in 2025, when the 23-year-old could make his MLB debut if he throws well at Triple-A.

Go Deeper: Top 30 Prospects for every MLB organization

Lazaro Montes, OF, Mariners: Montes homered to deep center field in a Cactus League game against the Brewers on Feb. 24. The ball hit high off the batter’s eye in dead center field at the Brewers’ facility and ricocheted back into play. The 20-year-old right fielder has some of the best power in the minor leagues and showed it off in this game. Montes entered as a pinch-hitter and went 1-for-1 with two walks, three runs and three RBIs.

Sal Stewart, 2B/3B, Reds: Stewart hit a home run to right field against Dodgers reliever Jack Dreyer that traveled 415 feet. It was a convincing blast to the off field for the righthanded-hitting Stewart, the Reds’ first-round pick in 2022 out of Miami’s Westminster Christian School. Stewart appeared as a pinch-hitter for the DH in this Cactus League game. Last season for High-A Dayton he played a near equal amount at second base and third base—but his primary position is hitter. Stewart batted .279/.391/.454 in 80 games before being felled by a wrist injury.

Michel Otañez, RHP, Athletics: Few big league relievers threw as hard as Otañez in 2024. The A’s rookie averaged 98 mph on his fastball last season to rank inside the top 15 for relievers with at least 30 innings. Otañez was already in midseason form while making his Cactus League debut, striking out three of the six batters he faced—and walking the other three. He hit 100 mph twice and topped 99 five other times on nine total four-seam fastballs. The A’s had one of MLB’s hardest-throwing bullpens in 2024, and with the 27-year-old Otañez and Tyler Ferguson setting up Mason Miller, look for more of the same from this upstart club.

Joey Cantillo, LHP, Guardians: Cantillo threw 18 strikes in 21 pitches over two efficient innings in his spring debut. The 25-year-old struck out three of the seven batters he faced, allowing one hit and no runs. Cantillo made his MLB debut last summer, recording a 4.89 ERA in 38.2 innings, and appeared in two postseason rounds for Cleveland. Control was not his strong suit last summer—he walked nearly 15% of batters at Triple-A Columbus—but he had a handle on his four-seam fastball, changeup, curveball and slider in his first Cactus League start. Cantillo topped out near 94 mph and is competing for a Guardians rotation spot.

Editor’s Picks

The Kids Are Alright: While college programs may be taking less freshmen than ever, the ones making it to campus are performing at a prolific rate. Read more…

JJ Wetherholt Eyes Speedy Arrival: The first-rounder has clear goals for 2025 that he thinks health and increased speed will help him attain. Read more…

Power Gains: Franklin Arias showed off improved bat speed and power along with defensive dexterity in an MVP season in the FCL. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Axiel Plaz, C, Pirates: Smashing 15 home runs in fewer than 300 plate appearances in Low-A as an 18-year-old, RoboScout projects Plaz to be a 30-homer bat. The 106 mph 90th percentile exit velocity is higher than Ralphy Velazquez and Alfredo Duno (Reds), and he had a better contact rate than Eric Bitonti (Brewers). This is the second year in a row that RoboScout has been intrigued. Here are 11 others who just missed RoboScout’s Top 100 who should be on your radar.

Quick Hits

News and notes from around spring training…

• Brewers 3B/1B Tyler Black is dealing with minor back stiffness

• Rockies top prospect Chase Dollander faced off against Justin Verlander yesterday

• A’s RHP Gunnar Hoglund showed a velo spike in a brief inning of work, touching 97 mph

• Cubs RHP Cade Horton threw a live bullpen on Sunday

• Phillies RHP Moises Chace is behind schedule because he had limited opportunities to throw this winter, according to The Athletic.

• The Mets acquired Alexander Canario, who ranked No. 26 in Chicago’s system before he was DFA’d earlier this spring

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