Eight Players to Watch This Spring Training Season
By Ilene Denton March 1, 2020 Published in the March 2020 issue of Sarasota Magazine
Austin Hays, Outfielder
One of the standouts from last year’s spring training was delayed by injuries for most of 2019 but shined in a September audition in Baltimore and looks poised to seize the starting center field job out of the gates.
Dean Kremer, Pitcher; Keegan Akin, Pitcher; Bruce Zimmerman, Pitcher
This trio of future rotation pieces who reached Norfolk in 2019 will be looking to make an impression on the front office and coaching staff in camp, with an eye towards making the club sometime in the 2020 season.
Josh Bell, First Baseman
Switch-hitting first baseman who was named to the National League All-Star team in 2019. He led the Pirates in home runs (37) and RBI (116) last season, fueled by his record-setting month of May in which he led all Major League players in total bases (94), extra-base hits (24) and RBI (31).
Joe Musgrove, Pitcher
Starting pitcher for the Pirates who set career highs in games (32), innings pitched (170.1) and strikeouts (157) in 2019. The 27-year-old righthander led the Pirates pitching staff with 31 starts last season and is set to have a breakout season in 2020.
Bryan Reynolds, Outfielder
One of the top rookies in the National League in 2019, he led all Major League rookies in doubles (37) while finishing seventh among all players with a .314 batting average. The switch-hitter can play all three outfield positions while producing power and a smooth swing from both sides of the plate.
Ian Anderson, Pitcher
“He really excelled in the minors; he’s at the point of making a case of making the Major League team. It depends how his spring performance turns out,” says Mike Dunn, VP, FLA Operations.
Bryse Wilson, Pitcher
“Bryse has had a very nice minor league career; he’s pushing the door of making the Major League team,” says Dunn.
Austin Riley, Third Baseman and Outfielder
“He was called up and went down, called up and went down. He has a really nice bat, nice glove; he will be able to contribute and help the team depending where we have the need,” Dunn says.
Keep your eyes on these eight players—we predict you'll see their names again and again.