2026 Spring Training Thread

[Look at Ray Ray Run]

3 hours ago, fathom said:

Acuna is 100 pct starting.  Might be leading off as well.

Yeah, he shouldn't be hitting anywhere but 8th or 9th, but saw the Sox say he'd be at the top of the order. 

[WestEddy]

New rule for MLB teams this spring. Due to WBC teams taking players away,clubs do not have to send a certain percentage of starting players to away games in the Cactus or Grapefruit league.Teams fined for those infractions in the past.

— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) March 1, 2026

[Chick Mercedes]

8 hours ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Yeah, he shouldn't be hitting anywhere but 8th or 9th, but saw the Sox say he'd be at the top of the order. 

There’s a Rock Raines in him somewhere. 

[SoCalChiSox]

17 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

mlb.com projected lineup

Lineup
1. Chase Meidroth, 2B
2. Kyle Teel, C
3. Colson Montgomery, SS
4. Munetaka Murakami, 1B
5. Miguel Vargas, 3B
6. Austin Hays, RF
7. Andrew Benintendi, LF
8. Edgar Quero, DH
9. Brooks Baldwin, CF

Murakami will have his first big league camp interrupted by competition for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, but he arrived with pitchers and catchers to get an early start. Luisangel Acuña could be the center fielder on Opening Day, while manager Will Venable will rotate players through the designated hitter spot.

Rotation
1. Shane Smith, RHP
2. Davis Martin, RHP
3. Anthony Kay, LHP
4. Erick Fedde, RHP
5. Sean Burke, RHP

Three lefties in a row in the heart of the order will be problematic if other teams use a righty opener but then switch to a lefty starter for most of the game.