After some MLB teams played their first games of the preseason on February 20, the rest of the bunch started preseason play on the 21st. It was a big day for the Dodgers, as many players from their lineup and reserves had big days. The same can be said about the Yankees.
Dodgers soundly beat Angels
The defending champion Dodgers had a resounding 15-2 victory in Arizona against the Angels.
It was a big overall day for the offense. Teoscar Hernandez went 3-3, Shohei Ohtani went 1-3, and prospects James Tibbs, Zach Ehrhard, and Josue De Paula all picked up hits in the victory.
As for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the right-hander struck out three over 1.2 IP. Yamamoto was sitting at 94 MPH, as he’s in good form before he heads off to the World Baseball Classic.
Jose Soriano had a tough go of it, as he conceded four runs and couldn’t get through the first in his first 2026 start.
Judge & the Yanks deliver
In the Yankees’ second spring game of 2026, New York (AL) won 20-3 against the Detroit Tigers.
Aaron Judge looked in fine form, as he hit a home run to center in the third, and then pulled one to left near the foul pole one inning later.
The prospects did pretty well, as well. Spencer Jones, who’s been known to put on shows over the past few years in camp, hit a home run off Keider Montero in the second. George Lombard Jr. went 1-1 with two walks. And even Roderick Arias, who’s seen his prospect stock fall over the past two years, notched two hits and drove in four.
It was also a first good look at Carlos Lagrange for many Yankees fans. Lagrange, who we ranked as the best pitcher in the Yankees’ farm system heading into 2026, struck out two over 2.2 IP. He was in prime form, as Lagrange hit 101 MPH in his first start.
As for the Tigers, prospects Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark both picked up their first hits of the year.
A new year, and hopefully better health
Royce Lewis, who’s been besieged by injuries over the past few years, picked up two hits and belted his home run of the spring off lefty Payton Tolle. It was good news for the Twins team & fanbase, which has not received great injury news this spring.
Mariners outfielder Victor Robles went 1-2 with a run scored. He missed much of 2025 thanks to a shoulder dislocation.
Another player who’ll hope for better health in 2026 is Dylan Crews. Crews went 0-3 in his spring debut.
Prospects & other debuts
Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford went 2-3 against the Blue Jays on February 21. In that same game, Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto went 0-2 against Philadelphia in Dunedin.
Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge went 1-2 with a run scored.
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