Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians: World Baseball Classic pool play began Wednesday night with Australia outlasting Taiwan in a tight 3-0 game. Australia's star, 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana, delivered with a 2-for-4 night that included a solo homer that gave Australia its three-run lead.

Bazzana's homer left the bat at 104 mph and traveled an estimated 383 feet after he turned around a 94 mph fastball from Taiwan RHP Yi Chang. Bazzana also roped a 102.8 mph single earlier in the game, and even turned in an impressive defensive play at second base.

As the Aussies' leadoff hitter, Bazzana is the team's anchor as he teams up with White Sox infielder Curtis Mead. Bazzana will likely be Australia's biggest baseball star when his career is said and done, and Wednesday night's showing was quite an introduction to the World Baseball Classic stage in his debut.

George Lombard Jr., SS, Yankees: There’s no quicker way to endear yourself to Yankees fans than to produce against the Red Sox. On Wednesday, George Lombard Jr. did just that when he led off a spring training matchup against Garrett Crochet with a home run.

The blast was not Lombard's only damage off Crochet, either. He also hit a 108.5 mph single off Crochet in the third inning, the second-hardest hit ball of the game behind only a 108.8 mph Ben Rice homer.

It's an encouraging sign for Lombard as he looks to rebound from an up-and-down 2025 season. The Yankees' No. 1 prospect could push his way to the major leagues by the end of 2026 with a good performance in the upper minors this season. Lombard is a talented defender with the tools to develop into an above-average hitter. He just needs to find more consistency.

Ethan Holliday, SS, Rockies: In a day filled with exhibitions between MLB and World Baseball Classic teams, Holliday suited up for Team USA. Holliday’s father, Matt, is on the Team USA staff, while Ethan previously represented the program as an amateur. It was a bit of a precarious position as Holliday faced off against his own organization in Team USA's 14-4 win over the Rockies. Holliday saw two plate appearances, walking and coming around to score, and striking out looking in his second at bat. Holliday saw work at shortstop and made a few plays in the field.

Carson Benge, OF, Mets: Mets top prospect Carson Benge stood out in the team's exhibition against Team Israel on Wednesday. Benge homered in the bottom of the third inning, a wall-scraping shot to left that left the bat at 93.8 mph and traveled 350 feet. Benge is an exciting all around prospect with a plus hit tool, above-average power and supporting skills. He could make his debut with the Mets at some point in 2026.

Editor’s Picks

Giants’ Top Signing Headed Stateside: Luis Hernández signed with the Giants for $5 million at the start of the 2026 international free agency period as the crown jewel of the class. Sources tell Baseball America the team now plans to skip him over the DSL. Read more…

Top Japanese WBC Talent: With the World Baseball Classic upon us, one of the most exciting things for true seamheads is the opportunity to see many of Japan’s top Nippon Professional Baseball stars in action.

Over the last few WBC tournaments, American fans have gotten their first look at several future MLB stars with Team Japan. This year’s squad once again showcases the country’s top players who could one day take their talents to the United States. Read more…

Baseball America Helium Pick Of The Day

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

Christian Zazueta, RHP, Dodgers: Zazueta is emerging as one of the more intriguing arms in the Dodgers’ system after a strong 2025 season in which he posted a 2.41 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 67.1 innings and earned a late promotion to High-A. The 21-year-old righthander has added strength, seen his fastball climb to the upper 90s and developed a swing-and-miss changeup that’s helped push him toward the system’s top tier of pitching prospects. We spoke with Zazueta about his development and why he could be a breakout name to watch in 2026. Read more…

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Sal Stewart continues to rake. The Reds’ top prospect went 2-for-3 three a homer, double and three RBIs on Thursday.

• Can anyone slow down Vance Honeycutt? A non-roster invite to Orioles big league camp, Honeycutt has homered in all four of his at-bats.

• Red Sox LHP Payton Tolle was superb against the Yankees, striking out seven batters over three scoreless innings. Fellow Boston lefty Shane Drohan also had a strong day with four strikeouts over three scoreless innings.

• D-backs infielder Tommy Troy went 3-for-4 against the A’s, the most hits by any Top 30 prospect in a spring training game yesterday.

• Rhett Lowder looked quite sharp over three innings against Cuba. The Reds RHP generated 10 whiffs. His slider and changeup elicited four swings and misses apiece.

• Angels OF prospect Lucas Ramirez, the son of big leaguer Manny Ramirez, homered off Jacob deGrom in Brazil’s exhibition against the Rangers.

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