There’s a balance act fantasy managers have to do every winter to pay attention but not overreact to spring training stats. While early hot streaks don’t guarantee a breakout, it can provide a meaningful data point for player valuations in fantasy drafts. The key is to look for players demonstrating new skills or facing new levels of competition with success. That’s why we’ve featured a mix of emerging prospects and proven veterans who are early standouts this spring in this Cactus League update.
Cactus League Update for Week 3: New Positions
1. Matt Chapman Keeps His 2024-Season Momentum Going
After his strong first season with the Giants, Matt Chapman has entered spring training seemingly already in mid-season form. In fact, he’s arguably been the best hitter in all of the Cactus League so far with a .556 batting average. Along with the hot hitting start he’s launched four home runs along with 10 RBI and runs. While spring training stats should be taken with caution, this is a very encouraging sign for the aging veteran. Chapman will continue to creep up in the mid-rounds of fantasy drafts in all formats.
Matt Chapman joined spring training late last year after signing with the San Francisco Giants and struggled early. This spring, he’s blasted 4 homers and says Opening Day can’t come soon enough. “I wouldn’t be pissed if tomorrow was Opening Day,” he said. https://t.co/c7lqCK8KC3
— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) March 10, 2025
2. Hayden Wesneski Starts Strong for the Astros
After a few shaky seasons with the Cubs, Hayden Wesneski now finds himself competing for a rotation job on the Astros. The 27-year-old has slowly shown signs of progression in the majors so far and made good strides last season. Over the course of the year, he raised his strikeout rate and lowered his walk rate from the prior year. So far this spring, though, we’re seeing a bigger leap forward as Wesneski has only allowed one earned run in 6.1 innings with 11 strikeouts. Wesneski is penciled in as the fifth starter for the Astros and should be on the radar for fantasy managers as a late-round sleeper.
Hayden Wesneski today:
2.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 K
Overall during Spring Training:
1.42 ERA, 6.1 IP, 11 K#Astros pic.twitter.com/LlPHKDuSnJ
— Astros Future (@AstrosFuture) March 9, 2025
3. Jac Caglianone Puts His Power on Display
So far no top prospect has made as much of an impression in spring training as Jac Caglianone. While he’s just had 12 at-bats, he has six hits so far. Three of those hits were massive home runs with eye-popping exit velocities. While it’s likely that he’ll start the season in the high minors, the path to regular playing time in the majors isn’t a long one. Caglianone is atop the list of players to stash for those in leagues with ample bench spots.
Jac Caglianone, oh my 🤯
The @Royals top prospect (MLB No. 22) destroys his 3rd homer of the spring!
444 ft | 114.6 EV pic.twitter.com/JlljYwPgBf
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 9, 2025
4. Gavin Williams Looks Unhittable Early On
Not too long ago Gavin Williams was atop nearly every top pitching prospects list. After producing a 1.96 ERA over 115 innings in the minors in 2022, the belief was that he’d easily carry his dominance into the majors. Though, as we all too often see, the leap from AAA to the majors is a mighty one. A major factor of his struggles were a result of nagging injuries to his knee and then elbow. Williams has now entered camp both healthy and ready to realize his potential. So far he’s done exactly that with just one earned run in his first eight innings pitched and a dazzling 15 strikeouts! Plan to grab Williams at least a round or two earlier than his ADP as the hype train is now at full speed.
Gavin Williams was unreal today:
2.1 IP 3 H 1 R 1 BB 6 K
15 whiffs 🔥🔥I’m expecting a breakout year from him in 2025!
pic.twitter.com/6NS66ambAF— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) March 4, 2025
A closing note for this week’s Cactus League update on early standouts is the emphasis on the word ‘early’. With a couple of weeks still left in spring training it will be important to monitor the progression of these featured players the whole way through. Also, keep an eye out for more standouts to likely come in the final weeks. I’ll help share those as they arise along looking at players in key position battles next week. Let me know who else you see standing out so far this spring by reaching me on BlueSky or X at @TheToddMpls.
Check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit for more of the great fantasy baseball analysis from FantraxHQ! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
