While February 20 was technically the first day of 2025 MLB Spring Training, the 21st was the first day that featured action on both sides of the coast. The action on February 21 included a pair of stars hitting their first home runs of 2025, plus impressive pitching performances from several young starters.
Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle had himself a loud Cactus League debut, going 1-3 with a grand slam in the fourth inning against the Diamondbacks on February 21. It came off D-Backs pitching prospect Gerardo Gutierrez.
The Rockies won 12-8, thanks to a bases-clearing double in the ninth inning from former first-round pick Benny Montgomery that scored Aaron Schunk, Kyle Karros, and Yanquiel Fernandez. Montgomery, a non-roster invitee, missed most of 2024.
As for the D-Backs, Eugenio Suarez notched a pair of hits for Arizona in his spring bow. Arizona also debuted Corbin Burnes, signed to a six-year deal this past winter, as he started for the Diamondbacks. Burnes struck out the side in his lone inning.
In other Cactus League news, Manny Machado launched his first home run of the spring. Meanwhile, in Mesa, Jordan Wicks dodged trouble to throw two scoreless frames against the Dodgers. Ian Happ and Miguel Amaya each had two hits for the Cubs in a 7-3 victory over the World Series champions.
On the other coast, only two games took place, with one true Grapefruit League game.
The Red Sox beat CAA school Northeastern 5-2 in Boston’s spring opener. However, the story of the day was Roman Anthony, a scratch thanks to a sore elbow. The injury is not expected to be significant.
The Yankees, meanwhile, beat the Rays 4-0 at Steinbrenner Field, which will be Tampa’s temporary home for 2025. Marcus Stroman threw a scoreless frame for the Yanks, and Will Warren followed it up with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts.
The 25-year-old Warren heavily leaned on the changeup in the game, using it 33% of the time during his outing. It’s a stark contrast from how he used his stuff last season in New York, as he was primarily a fastball/sinker/sweeper pitcher.
Warren will likely take on heightened importance for the Yankees in 2025. One of New York’s other top pitching prospects, Chase Hampton, underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss all of 2025. Hampton was previously shut down thanks to elbow discomfort.
The 23-year-old Hampton was a breakout star for the Yankees in 2023. However, Hampton was hurt for most of 2024 and limited to seven starts. Hampton, who pitched as high as Double-A, was a non-roster invitee this spring.
All that happened amidst the news the Yankees are relaxing their well-known grooming policy.