MLB Spring Training 2024: Highlighting Most Impressive Pitchers and Hitters

The regular season in Major League Baseball is upon us but Spring Training brought with it some explosive offensive performances from young players looking to establish themselves on the diamond.

It also delivered continued excellence from one of the best pitchers in the Majors.

Who stepped up and showed out in baseball's preseason?

Find out with this recap.

O'Neil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates

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BRADENTON, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 27: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at bat in the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves during a Grapefruit League Spring Training game at LECOM Park on February 27, 2024 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz used Spring Training to announce to the world that he is fully recovered from the fractured fibula that cost him most of his 2023 season.

In 37 at-bats, he tallied 12 hits, blasted seven home runs, and drove in 14 runs. He added stolen bag to put an exclamation point on the extraordinary preseason performance.

His slash line to end Spring Training?

An impressive .324/.405/1.234.

Teammate Rowdy Telez said of Cruz's potent run, "I don't have the vocabulary to describe him. It's impressive. ... He's gonna be a generational player."

It is too early to slap that particular label on him at this point but the Pirates should be very encouraged by what Cruz was able to accomplish in his first live play in nearly a year. Coupled with Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds, Cruz has the potential to help lead the Pirates to a contending season for the first time since 2015.

The Young Orioles

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BRADENTON, - MARCH 14: Jackson Holliday #87 of the Baltimore Orioles poses with teammates prior to the 2024 Spring Breakout game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park on Thursday, March 14, 2024 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Josh Tijong/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Baltimore Orioles are a young organization brimming with top prospects and future stars, many of whom showed up and out in Spring Training.

No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday accumulated 14 hits, two home runs, six RBI, and stole two bases in 45 at-bats.

Center fielder Colton Cowser blasted five homers in 40 at-bats, with 11 RBI and a stolen base.

Left fielder Kyle Stowers added seven home runs and 14 RBI.

Despite the explosive offense of the young Orioles this spring, neither Holliday nor Stowers made the final roster, a testament to the talent that exists on the defending AL East champions' roster.

Cowser appears poised to make the 40-man roster following the team's decision to send Stowers and Heston down to the minors. His .325/.449/.725 slash line undoubtedly helped make the decision to give him one of the final roster spots that much easier.

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves

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PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 24: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the second inning during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on February 24, 2024 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)

After another stellar season for the Braves in 2023, Strider picked up where he left off, asserting his dominance on the mound this spring.

The righty started five games and went 3-0, with 29 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.96.

His ERA was an unblemished 0.00.

After a postseason that saw him rocked by the Phillies in the divisional round of the playoffs to the tune of three runs in 5.2 innings, he appears poised to return to form as Atlanta seeks a World Series victory many were sure they would attain a season ago.

Shoring up a defense that allowed no less than three runs per game after September 13 will be key and Strider dominating late will certainly help.