Autumn Dreamin

Hays ground rule double to extend his hit streak to 11. Can't have asked for a much better spring from him, only one game where he failed to reach base. Meidroth knocks him in with a double, 4-2 Sox. Second time they brought in a fresh arm to face him and he welcomed them with a hit.

Mune and Quero walked to load the bases after Colson reached. Meidroth knocks in two with a 102mph liner to put the Sox up 3-2 vs. AZ

Mead and Wade B2B to tie it back up at 6-6 vs. Padres In the other game, Beni barely misses a HR and settles for a 400ft double Colson knocks him in thanks to a rare Amaya error, 2-1 Sox

2-2 so far

Sheets revenge HR ties the game 3-3

Will is managing the Padres game, presumably to help inform some decisions.

Road game is free on MLBtv, home game on local radio

Mune banners have arrived

Haven't seen this discussed much, but MiLB will be testing out a range of rule changes this season. The most notable: Rookie ball: Starting pitchers removed for pitch count (25+ in an inning) will be allowed to reenter the game in the following inning (like in ST, but limited to once). AAA: Check swing challenged are being trialed in the PCL and FCL, using the same 2 challenge pool as ABS challenges. They won't be in the International League where Charlotte plays yet. Umps are being instructed to make swing/no swing called based on a 45 degree angle threshold (which is much more generous to batters than what most people consider a "swing"). AAA: PitchCom issues cost a mound visit now, and a clock violation when teams are out of visits. AAA: In the International League, second base is being moved about 9 inches in both directions towards first/third. AA: Pitchers only get one disengagement instead of two per PA. Between this and moving second in at Charlotte, Rikuu might steal 60+ High A: Batters can only ask for time with runners on outside of extenuating circumstances (injury, equipment issue, getting brushed back off the plate by a pitch) Low A: Batters can't request time at all outside of extenuating circumstances All levels: Pitch clock no longer resets for catchers leaving their crouch to give defensive signals, and it's a violation if they aren't back in position with 9+ seconds on the clock. The first one is a positive for development I think, but I don't love most of the rest. Curious to see how many of them stick. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/exclusive-mlb-to-implement-experimental-minor-league-rule-changes-for-2026/

Imagine going back to high school games after facing MLB stars lol

Is the bolded not dependent on whether or not it bears fruit? The season is a week away and he has 11 ABs and 23 innings in the field. I assume he's getting reps in the backfields or cages somewhere, but how much caution keeps him from being ramped up and ready for an everyday starting role next week, given that his last game will have been a full 6 months prior? And if that caution is an all season thing, how big is the benefit of getting 100-110 games of him "on purpose" instead of by accident/circumstance? But I agree that he played through injuries regularly here, in part due to carrying the mantle of being a "cornerstone" in a way he won't have to in NY. The staff needs to protect guys from themselves when necessary, but I do think he took after Abreu a bit (who famously wouldn't sit for anything...except a send off from the fans apparently) which is why I've never liked implications that he was lazy or didn't care.

Roster for the spring prospect showcase game on Saturday. A lot of expected guys, but the pitching staff is interesting. A couple of the bigger names, a couple late round picks from last year, recent UDFA Jackson Nove, MiLB Rule 5 pick Jackson Kelly, and...27yo Tyler Davis?

Liam topping out under 94mph is so foreign to me...still rooting for him though.

Very cool moment for Venezuela! So much consternation about the MLB aces pitching/not pitching for Team USA, and it ends up being the bats that underwhelm.

Apparently felt like 105 out there today, no one wanted to sit in the sun

Paez did okay in his first Vasil impression. Came in to relieve Kay mid inning and gave up a walk and double for a run, but retired the next 6 in order. 2.1 innings, 1 ER, 1 H/BB, 3K.

Mune just crushed his first. 108mph 419 ft Sox up 6-2

Kay done after 4.2IP 1 ER on a solo shot, 4H, 0 BB, 5K. Still holding his velo well, sinker topped out at 97 and was 95-96 in his last AB.