Mercer’s recent success in placing players into affiliated baseball reflects a program that consistently develops polished, professional‑ready ballplayers. These are not one‑tool prospects surviving on projection alone. Instead, Mercer alumni arrive with defined roles, strong college track records, and enough adaptability to keep organizations invested. Heading into 2026, Mercer has representation across nearly every level of professional baseball, from big leaguers to Single-A newcomers.
Latest Update (March 24, 2026): Collin Price, Sugarland Space Cowboys (Houston Astros). Started at catcher and batted eighth in the lineup. Went 1-3 with a single and an RBI in Triple-A Sugarland’s 6-5 spring training exhibition loss to their parent club, the Houston Astros, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 23, 2026): Collin Price, Sugarland Space Cowboys (Houston Astros). Started at first base and batted sixth in the lineup. Went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Triple-A Sugarland’s 9-1 spring training exhibition loss to their parent club, the Houston Astros, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 21, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted fifth in the lineup. Went 1-4 with a double, a stolen base (third base), and a run scored in the Athletics’ 5-5 spring training tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Thomas is now batting .239 with an OPS of .685
Latest Update (March 20, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as the right fielder and went 0-1, with an RBI, a sacrifice fly, and a stolen base in the Athletics’ 6-2 spring training win over the Chicago Cubs at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 19, 2026): Jackson Kelly, Chicago White Sox. Entered in relief in the sixth inning and threw 1.0 inning, allowing 1 hit, 0 runs, and a walk in the White Sox’s 13-6 spring training loss to the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium. Kelly finished on 14 pitches, 6 for strikes. He has thrown a total of 2-1/3 innings this spring training with 2 strikeouts, a 0.00 ERA, and a .86 WHIP.
Latest Update (March 19, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as the left fielder and went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 6-4 spring training loss to the Seattle Mariners at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 17, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted sixth in the lineup. Went 1-3 with a single and a strikeout in the Athletics’ 6-4 spring training loss against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Thomas is now batting .250 with an OPS of .718
Latest Update (March 17, 2026): Colton Cosper, New York Mets. Took the mound in relief in the eighth inning and pitched 1.0 inning, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 0 walks, and 2 strikeouts in the Mets’ 5–5 spring training tie with the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Cosper threw 18 pitches; 12 recorded as strikes. Cosper gave up a home run to Jacob Jenkins-Cowart in the eighth with 2 on and 1 out.
Latest Update (March 17, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Started at first base and batted eighth in the lineup. Went 0-4 with 1 run scored and 3 strikeouts in the Astros 10-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park.
Latest Update (March 16, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came on as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 3-0 spring training win against the Los Angeles Angels at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 15, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in as a defensive replacement at first base and did not get an at-bat in the Astros 1-0 win over the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 15, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in right field and batted second in the lineup. Went 2-4 with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, a single, and a home run in the first inning off Tanner Bieber with none on and 1 out, in the Athletics’ 12-6 spring training loss against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark. Thomas is now batting .250 with an OPS of .742.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, went 1-1 with a single in the Astros 8-2 win against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Colton Cosper, New York Mets. Took the mound in relief in the bottom of the eighth inning and pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing 2 hits, 1 run (unearned), and one walk in the Mets’ 8–2 spring training loss to the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Cosper threw 20 pitches; 12 recorded as strikes.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came on as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning and remained in the game as the DH. Went 1-1 with a run scored and a single in the Athletics’ 12-1 spring training win against the Kansas City Royals at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 13, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-1 in the Astros 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 13, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted third in the lineup. Went 2-3 with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, a single, and a home run in the fifth inning off Trevor Megill with none on and 1 out, in the Athletics’ 13-4 spring training win against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
Latest Update (March 12, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Pinch hit in the eighth inning and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 12, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted fifth in the lineup. Went 0-3 with an RBI in the Athletics’ 7-6 spring training loss to the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came to the plate in the seventy inning as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 with a strikeout in the Athletics’ 13-3 spring training win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and went 0-1 in the Astros 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 10, 2026): Bill Knight, Seattle Mariners. Started in left field and batted ninth in the lineup. Went 2-3 with a single, a double, and 2 RBIs in the Mariners’ 4-3 spring training win over the Kansas City Royals at Peoria Stadium.
Latest Update (March 10, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came to the plate in the sixth inning as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 in the Athletics’ 11-7 spring training win over the Chicago White Sox at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 10, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-0 with a walk and a run scored in the Astros 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 1-1 with a single and a run scored in the Astros 10-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 8, 2026): Jackson Kelly, Chicago White Sox. Entered in relief with two out in the second inning and struck out the only batter he faced in the White Sox’s 5-4 spring training win over the Kansas City Royals at Camelback Ranch. Kelly finished on 7 pitches, 4 for strikes.
Latest Update (March 8, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started at DH and batted third in the lineup. Went 2-5 with 1 run scored, 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 strikeouts, 1 single, and a double in the Athletics’ 11-7 spring training win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 7, 2026): Ely Brown, Chicago White Sox. Subbed in as the right fielder and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the White Sox’s 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium.
Latest Update (March 7, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 with a strikeout in the Athletics’ 4-3 spring training loss to the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park.
Latest Update (March 7, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 1-2 with a single, an RBI, and a strikeout in the Astros 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 6, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and walked and scored a run in his only at-bat in the Astros 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 6, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 2-4 with a double, single, and 3 RBIs in the Athletics’ 11-6 spring training loss to the Colorado Rockies at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 5, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-3 with a run scored and a strikeout in the Athletics’ 16-11 spring training win over the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Latest Update (March 4, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 3-1 spring training loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 4, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 4-2 spring training win over the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
Latest Update (March 3, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 14-4 win over WBC Team Brazil in a shortened 7-inning exhibition game at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and went 0-2 with a strikeout in the Astros 3-3 tie with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Athletics 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium.
Latest Update (March 1, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 with a walk and a strikeout in the Athletics 12-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 28, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 in the Athletics 8-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 28, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base but did not get an at-bat in the Astros 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 6-1/2 inning shortened spring training game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 27, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 4-4 tie with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Price is now batting .143 with an OPS of .286 this spring.
Latest Update (Feb. 26, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Started at first base and batted fifth in the lineup. Price went 0-3 with an RBI and a strikeout in the Astros 9-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Price is now batting .167 with an OPS of .334 this spring.
Latest Update (Feb. 25, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Price is now batting .333 with an OPS of .666 this spring.
Latest Update (Feb. 24, 2026): Colton Cosper, New York Mets. Took the mound in relief in the top of the ninth inning and pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing 1 hit, 0 earned runs, one walk, and was charged with a blown save in the Mets’ 6–6 spring training tie with the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Cosper threw 14 pitches; 9 recorded as strikes.
Latest Update (Feb. 22, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Started at first base, batted eighth in the lineup, and went 1-2 with a single in the Astros 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 21, 2026): Batting second in the lineup and starting in left field, Colby Thomas went 0-for-2 in the Athletics’ 11–2 spring training loss to the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch.
Latest Update (Feb. 20, 2026): Mercer’s Jackson Kelly closed out the Chicago White Sox’s 8–1 spring training win over the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park, tossing a scoreless ninth inning. Kelly allowed no hits or runs, struck out one, walked none, and finished on 13 pitches (8 strikes).
Sawyer Gipson-Long:
Sawyer Gipson-Long remains the most established Mercer product in the majors, even if his recent seasons have been shaped more by rehab schedules than box scores. After some impressive outings with Detroit in 2023, Gipson-Long lost all of 2024 to Tommy John surgery and a left hip labral repair. His return in 2025 was uneven: 31.1 innings, three starts, and a 7.18 ERA.
Gipson-Long is not an overpowering arm, averaging 93.6 mph with his four-seam fastball, but his arsenal plays up. His changeup generated a 50 percent whiff rate during his 2023 stint, and he complements it with a solid slider and a sinker that produces ground balls in bulk. The Tigers’ 2026 rotation picture is crowded, with Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Reese Olson, and Troy Melton all ahead of him on paper. That reality likely pushes Gipson-Long into a swingman or depth role, at least initially. Health remains the key variable, but his competitive edge and willingness to attack hitters keep him firmly in the conversation.
Colby Thomas:
Latest Update (March 21, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted fifth in the lineup. Went 1-4 with a double, a stolen base (third base), and a run scored in the Athletics’ 5-5 spring training tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Thomas is now batting .239 with an OPS of .685
Latest Update (March 20, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as the right fielder and went 0-1, with an RBI, a sacrifice fly, and a stolen base in the Athletics’ 6-2 spring training win over the Chicago Cubs at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 19, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as the left fielder and went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 6-4 spring training loss to the Seattle Mariners at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 17, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted sixth in the lineup. Went 1-3 with a single and a strikeout in the Athletics’ 6-4 spring training loss against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Thomas is now batting .250 with an OPS of .718
Latest Update (March 16, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came on as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 3-0 spring training win against the Los Angeles Angels at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 15, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in right field and batted second in the lineup. Went 2-4 with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, a single, and a home run in the first inning off Tanner Bieber with none on and 1 out, in the Athletics’ 12-6 spring training loss against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark. Thomas is now batting .250 with an OPS of .742.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came on as a pinch hitter in the 8th inning and remained in the game as the DH. Went 1-1 with a run scored and a single in the Athletics’ 12-1 spring training win against the Kansas City Royals at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 13, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted third in the lineup. Went 2-3 with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, a single, and a home run in the fifth inning off Trevor Megill with none on and 1 out, in the Athletics’ 13-4 spring training win against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
Latest Update (March 12, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started in left field and batted fifth in the lineup. Went 0-3 with an RBI in the Athletics’ 7-6 spring training loss to the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came to the plate in the seventy inning as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 with a strikeout in the Athletics’ 13-3 spring training win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Latest Update (March 10, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Came to the plate in the sixth inning as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 in the Athletics’ 11-7 spring training win over the Chicago White Sox at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 8, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Started at DH and batted third in the lineup. Went 2-5 with 1 run scored, 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 strikeouts, 1 single, and a double in the Athletics’ 11-7 spring training win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 7, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 with a strikeout in the Athletics’ 4-3 spring training loss to the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park.
Latest Update (March 6, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 2-4 with a double, single, and 3 RBIs in the Athletics’ 11-6 spring training loss to the Colorado Rockies at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 5, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-3 with a run scored and a strikeout in the Athletics’ 16-11 spring training win over the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Latest Update (March 4, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 3-1 spring training loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 3, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 in the Athletics’ 14-4 win over WBC Team Brazil in a shortened 7-inning exhibition game at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Athletics 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium.
Latest Update (March 1, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-1 with a walk and a strikeout in the Athletics 12-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 28, 2026): Colby Thomas, Athletics. Subbed in as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game as the DH. Went 0-2 in the Athletics 8-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Hohokam Stadium.
Latest Update (Feb. 21, 2026): Batting second in the lineup and starting in left field, Colby Thomas went 0-for-2 in the Athletics’ 11–2 spring training loss to the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch.
Colby Thomas crossed a major milestone in 2025, making his MLB debut with the Athletics and finishing his rookie campaign with six home runs in 49 games. The slash line (.225/.267/.417) was modest, though hardly alarming for a first exposure to big-league pitching. The power showed up late, and that matters.
Looking ahead to 2026, Thomas faces a familiar challenge for right-handed outfielders: finding consistent at-bats. The Athletic’s outfield depth suggests he may open the year in AAA, though his right-handed bat gives him a chance to steal playing time against left-handed pitching. At Mercer, Thomas was a force, hitting .291 for his career with 72 extra-base hits and earning All-SoCon honors. This season feels pivotal, as his development path veers toward either becoming a regular MLB contributor or that dreaded AAAA player designation.
The Next Wave:
Latest Update (March 7, 2026): Ely Brown, Chicago White Sox. Subbed in as the right fielder and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the White Sox’s 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Stadium.
Ely Brown wasted no time announcing himself as a pro. Drafted by the White Sox in 2025, Brown hit .317 in Single-A Kannapolis while going a perfect 15-for-15 on stolen base attempts. Power is not his game, but his elite on-base skills, center-field defense, and speed translate cleanly. After mastering Single-A quickly, Brown is a strong candidate to start 2026 in High-A Winston-Salem.
Colton Cosper, Mets
Latest Update (March 17, 2026): Colton Cosper, New York Mets. Took the mound in relief in the eighth inning and pitched 1.0 inning, allowing 3 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 0 walks, and 2 strikeouts in the Mets’ 5–5 spring training tie with the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Cosper threw 18 pitches; 12 recorded as strikes. Cosper gave up a home run to Jacob Jenkins-Cowart in the eighth with 2 on and 1 out.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Colton Cosper, New York Mets. Took the mound in relief in the bottom of the eighth inning and pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing 2 hits, 1 run (unearned), and one walk in the Mets’ 8–2 spring training loss to the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Cosper threw 20 pitches; 12 recorded as strikes.
Latest Update (Feb. 24, 2026): Colton Cosper, New York Mets. Took the mound in relief in the top of the ninth inning and pitched 2/3 of an inning, allowing 1 hit, 0 earned runs, one walk, and was charged with a blown save in the Mets’ 6–6 spring training tie with the Houston Astros at Clover Park. Cosper threw 14 pitches; 9 recorded as strikes.
Colton Cosper, now in the Mets system, represents a different archetype. A left-handed “touch-feel” pitcher with a deceptive lower arm slot, Cosper rocketed from Single-A to AAA within weeks of his pro debut. His changeup and sweeping slider generate weak contact rather than radar-gun headlines, and his control has long been his calling card. Expect him to open 2026 back in St. Lucie or High-A, though lefties who throw strikes tend to move quickly.
Bradley Frye, signed by the Padres, is a glove-first shortstop with legitimate upside. His brief pro debut (.159 average, 34 percent strikeout rate) was rough, but the sample was small. At Mercer, Frye was a breakout star in 2025, hitting .337 with 12 home runs and winning SoCon Defensive Player of the Year. A return to Single-A in 2026 makes sense as the bat catches up to the glove.
Josh Harlow (Guardians) and Bryant Olson (Nationals) both show swing-and-miss ability, though control remains their shared obstacle. Harlow’s strikeout totals are encouraging, but back-to-back seasons with elevated walk rates have slowed his climb. Olson’s profile is similar: big strikeout numbers, big walk totals, and a 2026 likely spent refining command in Single-A.
Jackson Kelly, Chicago White Sox
Latest Update (March 19, 2026): Jackson Kelly, Chicago White Sox. Entered in relief in the sixth inning and threw 1.0 inning, allowing 1 hit, 0 runs, and a walk in the White Sox’s 13-6 spring training loss to the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium. Kelly finished on 14 pitches, 6 for strikes. He has thrown a total of 2-1/3 innings this spring training with 2 strikeouts, a 0.00 ERA, and a .86 WHIP.
Latest Update (March 8, 2026): Jackson Kelly, Chicago White Sox. Entered in relief with two out in the second inning and struck out the only batter he faced in the White Sox’s 5-4 spring training win over the Kansas City Royals at Camelback Ranch. Kelly finished on 7 pitches, 4 for strikes.
Latest Update (Feb. 20, 2026): Mercer’s Jackson Kelly closed out the Chicago White Sox’s 8–1 spring training win over the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park, tossing a scoreless ninth inning. Kelly allowed no hits or runs, struck out one, walked none, and finished on 13 pitches (8 strikes).
Jackson Kelley stands apart. The sidewinding reliever was selected by the White Sox in the AAA phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Kelley’s track record includes a 2.10 ERA in AA in 2025 and a long history of missing bats with a submarine delivery. He could open 2026 in AA or AAA, but a bullpen cameo in Chicago is firmly within reach.
Latest Update (March 10, 2026): Bill Knight, Seattle Mariners. Started in left field and batted ninth in the lineup. Went 2-3 with a single, a double, and 2 RBIs in the Mariners’ 4-3 spring training win over the Kansas City Royals at Peoria Stadium.
Bill Knight (Mariners) profiles as a classic fourth outfielder with speed, versatility, and steady production. After stealing 44 bases in AA in 2025, Knight could push for AAA or even an MLB look within the next year.
Collin Price (Astros)
Latest Update (March 24, 2026): Collin Price, Sugarland Space Cowboys (Houston Astros). Started at catcher and batted eighth in the lineup. Went 1-3 with a single and an RBI in Triple-A Sugarland’s 6-5 spring training exhibition loss to their parent club, the Houston Astros, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 23, 2026): Collin Price, Sugarland Space Cowboys (Houston Astros). Started at first base and batted sixth in the lineup. Went 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Triple-A Sugarland’s 9-1 spring training exhibition loss to their parent club, the Houston Astros, at Daikin Park.
Latest Update (March 17, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Started at first base and batted eighth in the lineup. Went 0-4 with 1 run scored and 3 strikeouts in the Astros 10-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park.
Latest Update (March 15, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in as a defensive replacement at first base and did not get an at-bat in the Astros 1-0 win over the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 14, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, went 1-1 with a single in the Astros 8-2 win against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 13, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-1 in the Astros 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 12, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Pinch hit in the eighth inning and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 11, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and went 0-1 in the Astros 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Latest Update (March 10, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-0 with a walk and a run scored in the Astros 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 9, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 1-1 with a single and a run scored in the Astros 10-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 7, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 1-2 with a single, an RBI, and a strikeout in the Astros 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 6, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and walked and scored a run in his only at-bat in the Astros 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (March 4, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 4-2 spring training win over the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
Latest Update (March 2, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and went 0-2 with a strikeout in the Astros 3-3 tie with the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 28, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base but did not get an at-bat in the Astros 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 6-1/2 inning shortened spring training game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Latest Update (Feb. 27, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at first base and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 4-4 tie with Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Price is now batting .143 with an OPS of .286 this spring.
Latest Update (Feb. 26, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Started at first base and batted fifth in the lineup. Price went 0-3 with a RBI and a strikeout in the Astros 9-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Price is now batting .167 with an OPS of .334 this spring.
Latest Update (Feb. 25, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Subbed in at catcher and went 0-1 with a strikeout in the Astros 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Price is now batting .333 with an OPS of .666 this spring.
Latest Update (Feb. 22, 2026): Collin Price, Houston Astros. Started at first base, batted eighth in the lineup, and went 1-2 with a single in the Astros 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Collin Price (Astros) may be the most intriguing name on the list. The 6’6” catcher hit 18 home runs in AAA in 2025 and is one injury away from real MLB consideration. With Yainer Diaz entrenched as Houston’s starter, Price sits just outside the spotlight, but his patience, power, and durability make him a legitimate depth option entering 2026.
