SPECULATOR: Spring training takeaways, 2023

Oh, spring training. We wait for it all winter, we're stoked when it's finally here, and then we scream "DON'T OVERREACT" once we see the returns.

But under the "20% play" disclaimer we slap at the end of the Speculator each week, overreact we will. We'll check in on some rule change impacts and look at hitters vying for playing time, as well as pitchers flashing significant strikeout, walk, or velocity changes so far.

Stolen bases are coming

The question around what the distribution of the increase might look like—do the top speedsters get more of a boost, is it universal, etc.—remains unanswered, but given what we've seen this spring, we can quite confidently say that stolen bases will be WAY up in 2023. A recent tweet from friend of...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Speculator

Could Jakob Marsee lead the majors in plate appearances? We'll take our component playing time metrics for a spin to see who could bubble up.
Feb 4 2026 8:30am
To the mound this week. We list out all "UP"side pitchers from the Baseball Forecaster with comments on outlooks that may have changed.
Jan 28 2026 3:09am
Reviewing the entire list of "UP:" batters with thoughts on those whose outlooks may have changed.
Jan 21 2026 3:02am
A look back at some early/mid-season Speculator calls to see how things shook out.
Sep 17 2025 3:08am
Our annual exercise of giving out second chances to those who, frankly, stunk up the joint in 2025.
Sep 10 2025 3:11am

Tools