The 2026 MLB season officially kicked off this past weekend, and while the headlines are dominated by Team USA on the ice in Milan, if you’ve bought a spring training ticket you can already feel the itch for the boys of summer to take the field.
On that note, I came across a treasure trove of spring training intel that I had to share. While I hate sending anyone away from Sandman Sports, I’ll always tip my cap to good reporting. The Athletic has been a great resource for me this year, and Keith Law’s “2026 Top 100 MLB Prospects” piece from Jan. 26 pushed me over the edge to subscribe. Spoiler alert: top prospect honors went to 19 year old SS/CF Konner Griffin in the Pirates system. Worth the read after this.
Have you booked your flight yet?
Yes, fares to Phoenix are not cheap, but you can grab a red eye or fly into Tucson, which is only about a two hour drive to the Cactus League fields. Staying in Scottsdale or Tempe are personal favorites and, as mentioned in Part 1, there is plenty of fun to be had in Old Town.
From steakhouses, sushi, BBQ, and Tex-Mex to art fairs, shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square, or even a day trip to Cave Creek, there is something for everyone if you make the Scottsdale area your home base for a spring training getaway.
The rest of the desert map: A’s, Angels, Padres, Giants, Mariners, Rangers, and Royals
The best thing about the Cactus League is that it all but asks you to build an itinerary and experience all ten stadiums in one trip. Just leave room for travel time, because spring training traffic is really the only downside.
Here are the remaining Cactus League highlights.
Scottsdale Stadium: Giant Vibes and Up and Comers to Build a Day Around
Tucked into Old Town, this stadium gives off a Wrigleyville style desert vibe. When they’re not at Sloan Park, Cubs fans will feel right at home catching an “away” game against the Giants.
Grab lawn seats, lay in the sun, and keep one eye on the plate, especially if newly acquired contact king Luis Arraez is in the lineup. Arraez hit .311 in 2025 with six homers, 45 RBIs, and a .747 OPS. The Giants brought him in on a one year, $12 million deal after his time in San Diego.
Also keep an eye out for 22 year old Gavin Kilen, the Giants’ 2025 No. 14 overall pick out of Tennessee, who could make an appearance at second base this spring.
Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium: The A’s Home Away From Home
The Athletics now play in what was once the Cubs’ spring home. It still feels like baseball’s neighborhood cookout and remains oddly intimate for a big league operation.
The A’s rotation headline is Aaron Civale, who signed a one year deal after bouncing between three teams last season. He arrives with a 2025 line of 4-9 with a 4.85 ERA in 23 games and 88 strikeouts.
The bullpen battle is crowded, with roughly 10 arms competing for one roster spot. Veteran Mark Leiter Jr., who was non-tendered by the Yankees, is in the mix along with Jack Perkins, Luis Medina, Nick Anderson, Wander Suero, JT Ginn, and Ben Bowden among others.
Third base is also up for grabs. Andy Ibanez is pushing Max Muncy for the job, and his versatility across the infield and outfield could earn him a roster spot regardless of who wins the starting role.
Tempe Diablo Stadium: Angels Old School, Betting on Pitching, and Two Bats to Watch
Tempe Diablo is a throwback in the best way, originally built in 1968 into a butte and renovated in 2005. It’s close enough to ASU’s campus to bring in a student crowd and offers great views for anyone chasing that perfect spring training photo.
The Angels’ biggest move is also their biggest gamble, acquiring right hander Grayson Rodriguez from Baltimore in exchange for Taylor Ward. Ward was coming off a 36 homer, 103 RBI season, which tells you how badly the Angels needed pitching.
Rodriguez did not pitch in MLB games in 2025 after elbow surgery, so spring training is about his health and whether he looks like the frontline arm the Angels believe he can be.
Offensively, Mike Trout remains the headliner after hitting .232 with 26 homers, 64 RBIs, and a .798 OPS in 2025. Shortstop Zach Neto is another must see, coming off a .257, 26 homer, 62 RBI season with a .793 OPS and trending upward as a core piece.
Peoria Sports Complex: The Dual Campus Dream
Peoria is a great dual campus setup with both the Padres and Mariners sharing the complex, plus plenty of dinner options nearby. If you want sushi, Squid Ink is worth the short drive. Otherwise, expect a suburban, family friendly vibe with plenty of easy dining options.
For San Diego, the big new bat is Nick Castellanos, who signed a one year deal after being released by Philadelphia. He was even taking reps at first base this weekend, something he has never done at the MLB level.
He joins a lineup that still features Fernando Tatis Jr. (.268, 25 HR, 71 RBI, .814 OPS in 2025), Manny Machado (.275, 27 HR, 95 RBI, .795 OPS), and rising star Jackson Merrill, who posted a .264 average with 16 homers and 67 RBIs in his sophomore season.
Seattle’s side tells a different story, blending prospects and proven production. Shortstop Colt Emerson, a 2023 first round pick who finished 2025 in Triple A, could push for a major league role. Left hander Kade Anderson, their 2025 first round pick and College World Series MOP at LSU, is another name to circle.
The Mariners also bring back veteran production, including Josh Naylor, who hit .295 with 20 homers and 92 RBIs in 2025, and center fielder Julio Rodríguez, who continues to anchor the lineup after a 32 homer, 95 RBI season.
Surprise Stadium: Rangers and Royals
Surprise offers easy parking, a family friendly feel, and great access for autographs.
For Texas, the biggest early storyline is the loss of top prospect Sebastian Walcott, who suffered a UCL tear and will miss significant time after surgery.
The Rangers also added left hander MacKenzie Gore from Washington. Despite a 5-15 record in 2025, Gore still struck out 185 batters and now gets a chance with a more competitive roster around him.
Kansas City’s standout spring name is catcher Carter Jensen, who hit .300 with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs in limited MLB action last season. In the bullpen, veteran lefty Matt Strahm arrives after posting a 2.74 ERA, 70 strikeouts, a 1.07 WHIP, and six saves with Philadelphia.
Still not sure how to plan the spring escape?
If you want to maximize the number of parks, split your stay between south and north Phoenix. Start in Scottsdale or Tempe to hit Cubs, Angels, A’s, Giants, Diamondbacks, and Rockies, then move north to Peoria and Surprise for Brewers, Padres, Mariners, Royals, Dodgers, White Sox, Guardians, and Reds.
If you only have a weekend, go with the postcard version and center your trip around Salt River Fields and Scottsdale Stadium for great views, easy dining, and short drives between parks.
If you want bigger crowds and more spectacle, Camelback Ranch delivers that World Series level energy, especially on weekends.
World Series futures for fun
Odds will move all spring, but as of Feb. 21, 2026, the board looks familiar, it dares you to bet against the Dodgers.
FanDuel lists the Dodgers at +210, the Yankees at +1100, and the Mariners at +1200, with the Mets (+1300), Phillies (+1500), and Red Sox (+1600) close behind.
DraftKings has the Dodgers at +230, the Yankees at +1000, the Mariners at +1300, and then a +1400 tier that includes the Blue Jays, Mets, and Phillies.
Sandman recommendation: enjoy the sun, watch the games like a scout, and come back ready to place your futures bets with first-hand, scouting evidence.
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