The Daily Briefing — Friday, March 13
By Morgan Davis · Fri Mar 13 2026
Ward's Historic Day Sets the Tone Sometimes spring training delivers moments that transcend the exhibition schedule, and yesterday was one of those days. Braiden Ward of the Red Sox minor league system did something no player has done in at least two decades, thieving his 17th base of spring training in the Red Sox's game against the Twins. It wasn't just the number that mattered; it was what came next. Ward reached down, pulled the base from the ground, and held it aloft in tribute to Rickey Henderson , the Man of Steal himself. It was half-hearted compared to Rickey's iconic display in 1991, but the gesture was pure baseball theater, the kind of moment that reminds you why spring matters even when the games don't. Ward's record-breaking theft came with his team fully behind him. Manager Alex Cora had encouraged the play after the 27-year-old mentioned it to his squad. Ward went 17-for-18 in his stolen base attempts, a testament to his elite instincts on the basepaths. The Californian, acquired from Colorado in the offseason, has done more than run this Spring. His .526 on-base percentage is among the league's elite, trailing only Matt McLain 's .667 and tied with Max Muncy . Over his five minor league seasons, Ward has stolen 211 bases with the help of his strong on-base skills. The symbolism matters too. In an era where stolen bases feel like a lost art at the upper levels, watching a prospect embrace that aggressive, speed-first mentality is refreshing. Ward's approach channels the old school in the best way possible, and if he can maintain the discipline at the plate to back up those 80-grade legs, he could be more than just a stolen-base factory. He could be find a path to the Majors as a platoon/4th outfielder or better. Quick Hits Lombard Gets the Reality Check : Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. was reassigned to minor league camp Thursday afternoon following the team's 4-3 Grapefruit League win over Detroit. The 20-year-old shortstop dazzled defensively throughout spring, showcasing his ability to play multiple infield positions at an elite level. General manager Brian Cashman has repeatedly stated that Lombard can play defense in the majors right now. The problem, predictably, was the bat. In 11 spring games, Lombard hit just .185 with one double, one triple, and one home run. His final six games were particularly brutal: 1-for-15 with nine strikeouts. Professional pitchers found holes in his swing that he couldn't solve in compressed spring time. Expect him to open the season at Double-A Somerset, where he managed a .215/.337/.358 slash line last year before being aggressively promoted. The tools are there. The timing isn't yet. Bazzana Back in the Fold : Travis Bazzana rejoined the Guardians' big league camp in Arizona on Thursday following his World Baseball Classic stint with Australia. The Guardians' top prospect delivered in his international debut, crushing a solo home run in the seventh inning against Chinese Taipei that sparked Australia's 3-0 victory. Bazzana's overall WBC performance was modest—he went 3-for-16 with one walk and three strikeouts—but his clutch moments carried weight. In a crucial later game against Korea, he drove in a run with a crucial single in the eighth inning before Australia fell just short. Manager Stephen Vogt emphasized that the experience of playing in front of massive crowds with national pride on the line could prove invaluable as Bazzana prepares for his own professional ascent. The 23-year-old is expected to open the 2026 season in Triple-A Columbus but has already shown he can perform under the brightest lights. Fowler Lands His Shot : Independent league standout Cole Fowler has had his contract purchased by the New York Mets organization, marking his transition from the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League to affiliated professional baseball. The 23-year-old infielder from New Jersey put together a meteoric rise through the college ranks at Lynn University, where he became a three-time All-American last season. In a brief 25-game stint with the Wild Things last summer, Fowler slashed .341/.409/.537 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 94 plate appearances. His professional debut was sensational; he delivered a go-ahead two-run single on his very first pitch as a pro. The Mets see upside here, and Fowler becomes another example of how college baseball can produce late bloomers capable of developing rapidly once they enter a structured organization. Stat of the Day Braiden Ward's 17 stolen bases in spring training represents 10 more than anyone else in camp. That gap is enormous. The next closest competitor, Jared Oliva of the Giants, has just 7. Ward's 17-for-18 success rate on steal attempts (94.4 percent) is genuinely elite-level execution. On the Radar José Berríos reported mild elbow soreness this week, prompting the Toronto Blue Jays to take a cautious approach as they finalize their early-season rotation plans. Team officials indicated the discomfort is not believed to be serious, but the club may adjust Berríos’ workload or push back a scheduled start to allow additional recovery. With several rotation spots still being sorted out in camp, the Blue Jays are evaluating depth options to ensure they have coverage if Berríos needs extra time before returning to a regular turn in the rotation. Looking Ahead Spring training enters its final week of exhibition games before rosters firm up for Opening Day. Watch for clarity on organizational decisions: how aggressive will teams be with their top young talent? Will Bazzana force his way into the Guardians conversation? Will Jones's power stroke in Triple-A catch the Yankees' attention in midsummer? The answers are coming fast.