While we’re a SABER based site that tries to keep a cool head, every baseball fan has their favorites. Whether due to personality, background, or skill set, some players just naturally appeal to you. In other cases, team needs push additional hope onto a player of still questionable ability. All these factors can play a role in rooting interest.
So who, perhaps even despite your better judgement, are you really pulling for in spring camp? Maybe there’s a reliever that caught your eye, or a minor leaguer you’ve believed in is finally getting a chance to show their stuff in major league camp. Perhaps you’re just particularly worried about a position like shortstop or center field, and hoping someone can really show out and lend some confidence at that spot headed into the season.
Personally, I can’t help riding with Colt Keith this season. It feels like most of the fanbase has already moved on from the former top prospect. Still only 24 years old, Keith has handled himself pretty well and been a productive hitter overall through two seasons. However, he hasn’t gotten to the power production we saw in the minor leagues, and has had stretches of looking a bit overwhelmed. It doesn’t help that the Tigers have had him preparing for a different position every offseason, without any kind of consistency to help him settle into the roster. That’s just a function of need, but I can’t help feeling like Colt is going to break through as a more impactful hitter through his mid-20’s, so he’ll be someone I’m paying extra attention to this spring.
I can’t help having a soft spot for Keider Montero as well. On at least 10 teams around the league, the right-hander would be a lock for a starting rotation job with the chance to grow in that role. Instead, he’s handled a lot of mixed use pretty well, and really came through for the Tigers in the ALDS last October too. He’s still flawed, but he does have the stuff to succeed and I’m hoping he’ll put it together more in 2026.