Justin Martinez throws immaculate inning

Walcott has experience at third, having started 21 games there in 2024 and 17 games there in 2025, but this is his first time at the hot corner in 15 months. He’s been alternating with Guardians prospect Welbyn Francisca at shortstop for the Surprise Saguaros, but with both in the lineup in the All-Star Game, Walcott has slid over to third. Oddly enough, the Saguaros’ usual third baseman is also starting. That’s Phillies top prospect Aiden Miller, who is playing third for the NL in tonight’s game, which divides players up by the AL and NL even though they’re all mixed on AFL rosters.

The 27-year-old hurler elected free agency after the 2026 season but has quickly decided to re-up with the Jays. Estrada made eight appearances out of the team’s bullpen in 2026, posting a 5.54 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 9/10 K/BB ratio across 13 innings while notching one win and one save. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Jays.

Stoudt, who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2023, spent the 2026 season in the Phillies’ organization where he fired a remarkable 22 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball with a 0.79 WHIP and a 23/9 K/BB ratio. He’ll have an opportunity to earn a spot in the Rays’ bullpen with a strong showing in Grapefruit League play.

The 27-year-old righty was a sixth-round selection by the Cubs from the 2018 draft class and spent his first seven minor league seasons in their organization. In 2026, he compiled a 3.22 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 36/20 K/BB ratio over 44 2/3 innings in 12 appearances (11 starts), mostly at Triple-A Iowa. He’s an intriguing arm and makes for a nice depth signing for the D’Backs.

The 42-year-old right-hander expects there to be a lockout this off-season and he plans on pitching in “lockout games” to see how his body responds and to gauge whether or not he’ll pitch in 2027. The insane competitor is just three strikeouts behind former teammate Justin Verlander for ninth place on the all-time strikeout list, which could add extra motivation to return. Injuries limited Scherzer to just 84 2/3 mostly ineffective innings during the 2026 campaign, though he did pitch well down the stretch. Even if he does return, his days of fantasy relevancy are in the rearview mirror.

The 32-year-old had a strong season for the Padres in 2026, slashing .295/.363/.502 with 21 homers and 72 RBI in 500 plate appearances. He should be able to parlay that success into a multi-year deal this offseason, with Sammon noting that “the first baseman could find a deal quickly.”

Tseng pitched two scoreless innings for Taiwan in the WBC this year before posting a 1.58 ERA as Fubon’s closer. It’s unlikely that major league teams will look at him as a closer, but he throws in the mid-90s and would seem to have enough on his slider to be useful.

Marte is hitting .349/.368/.540 through 15 games, giving him the DWL’s sixth-highest OPS. He’s also a perfect 7-for-7 stealing bases. He probably needs a fresh start somewhere other than Cincinnati at this point, but there’s still ample talent here. He only just turned 25 last month.

Both Astros relievers are native of the Dominican Republic, but they hadn’t received the opportunity to take part in the Winter League before. Ullola is getting the chance this year probably in part because his move from the rotation to the bullpen curtailed his workload. He had a 2.16 ERA over 16 2/3 innings during his stints with the Astros, and he should be in decent position to win a spot in the Houston pen next spring.

Escarra spent the second half of last season in Triple-A after the Yankees figured out it really didn’t make sense to pair Austin Wells with a fellow left-handed hitter behind the plate. That should get sorted out this winter, with the Yankees bringing in a better backup than Ali Sánchez and hopefully sending Escarra to a team with which he’d be a more useful No. 2 catcher.