Oneil Cruz rebounded from a tough defensive performance with a powerful display, hitting a home run and contributing to a two-hit game against the Miami Marlins. The Pittsburgh Pirates secured their first victory of the season with a nail-biting 4-3 win, highlighted by solid pitching from Mitch Keller, who delivered a strong outing. The Pirates broke the deadlock in the fourth inning, thanks to Andrew McCutchen's timely double, allowing Cruz to score. An errant play by the Marlins further helped the Pirates extend their lead.

Chris Bassitt delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a narrow 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bassitt allowed just two hits and one earned run while striking out four batters and walking three. The game's opening score came in the third inning when Nathan Lukes hit an RBI single, followed by Ernie Clement scoring on a wild pitch from Pirates starter Bailey Falter.

Pittsburgh managed to get on the board in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly by Joey Bart, bringing Isiah Kiner-Falefa home. However, the Blue Jays held on for the win, with Bassitt improving to 2-0 for the spring. Falter took the loss, giving up four hits and two earned runs over five innings.

The ongoing Spring Training job battles in the National League Central are heating up, with rookies and veterans vying for key positions. The Chicago Cubs have intriguing options at third base, with Matt Shaw emerging as a favorite due to his impressive minor league stats, despite a slow start in spring training. Justin Turner, though a seasoned hitter, may only serve as a temporary solution due to his age and limited past appearances at third base. For the fifth starter role, Ben Brown presents significant strikeout potential, although he has limited MLB experience.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds are sorting through a crowded infield, with Gavin Lux likely to secure a starting role while Spencer Steer deals with shoulder issues. The closer position may be up for grabs as Alexis Diaz recovers from injury, potentially opening the door for veteran Taylor Rogers. The Milwaukee Brewers have Caleb Durbin in the mix at third base, but he must perform well this spring to secure the job. Finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates are addressing their catching situation with Joey Bart expected to start, amid competition from Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez.

The 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft is underway, with a focus on later-round catcher draft values and sleeper picks that can enhance your roster in deeper leagues. In a landscape where elite catchers are sparse, several players stand out as potential hidden gems worth targeting.

Ivan Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals is poised for a breakout after a solid 2024 season, batting .301 with five home runs and providing decent speed. With Willson Contreras moving to first base, Herrera is expected to see more playing time. Alejandro Kirk from the Toronto Blue Jays also shows promise, especially after the team's offseason trades that have potentially opened up more at-bats for him. Meanwhile, Joey Bart of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Austin Wells of the New York Yankees have demonstrated power potential that could pay off well if they secure starting roles. Finally, Baltimore's Samuel Basallo, while a prospect, could emerge as a strong offensive contributor if given the opportunity.

Joey Bart has seen a notable shift in his performance since joining the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing flashes of potential that may make him a valuable pick in upcoming drafts. After being released by the San Francisco Giants, Bart's stats improved, especially against left-handed pitching, though he still has a significant strikeout rate of 25.9%. Despite a promising start with three home runs in his first seven games, injuries have clouded his consistency.

Moving forward, Bart's projected stats over 450 at-bats are favorable, predicting 23 home runs and 85 RBIs. However, he faces potential competition from teammates Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez, both of whom are talented young catchers capable of taking over his role. Given this backdrop, Bart presents a risk-reward scenario for fantasy managers—he offers power but his job security is uncertain.