MLB Spring Training: Reasons to Visit Each Grapefruit and Cactus League Park

As players continue to report to their respective camps and the first spring training games are right around the corner, baseball fans from all over the country are flocking to Arizona and Florida to get a first look at their team this season.

Aside from the obvious appeal of being in a warm place in February, each spring training facility offers something special for fans outside of what their normal big league park has to offer.

Along with that warm climate and those unique spring complexes, the biggest draw for fans is often getting a chance to see some of the top young talent that they may not get to see in action during the regular season.

So here is a look at what makes each spring training venue unique, as well as which Baseball America Top 100 prospects will be on display in big league camp.

Bright House Field: Philadelphia Phillies

Location: Clearwater, Fla.

Opened: 2004

What Makes the Site Unique?

Bright House Field was the first stadium in the Grapefruit League to build a concourse that wrapped all the way around the field, allowing fans to still see the game while going to get food and such.

While that was a significant addition when it opened, without a doubt the most notable feature now is the 50-foot long tiki bar in left field that can seat up to 175 and has a full bar.

Sticking with the alcohol theme, there is also a Beers of the World stand on the third-base side of the stadium that has a selection of 70 different bottles available.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

None

Camelback Ranch: Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers

Location: Glendale, Ariz.

Opened: 2009

What Makes the Site Unique?

Shared by two teams, the Camelback Ranch is split down the middle with a large, fish-filled lake separating the Dodgers side and White Sox side. 

Not only is the site itself large, but the stadium also has the largest capacity of any spring stadium with 13,000-plus able to take in a game.

The site also features a replica home field of each of the teams, and perhaps the most interesting feature is that the main playing field is sunk 12 feet down in order to give everyone a better view of the field.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 66: RP Addison Reed, White Sox
No. 95: SP Allen Webster, Dodgers
No. 96: SP Nate Eovaldi, Dodgers 

Champion Stadium: Atlanta Braves

Location: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Opened: 1997

What Makes the Site Unique?

Part of the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex, Champion Stadium is the only two-leveled park among spring training stadiums.

The field is the centerpiece of what is a 220-acre sports complex, and inside and out it is like no other venue in spring baseball.

The lawn seating area stretches from third base to left-center and is the largest in the Grapefruit League, giving a great view of the entire stadium, which is painted yellow and green.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 5: SP Julio Teheran
No. 40: SP Arodys Vizcaino
No. 46: SP Randall Delgado
No. 92: SS Andrelton Simmons

Charlotte Sports Park: Tampa Bay Rays

Location: Port Charlotte, Fla.

Opened: 1987

What Makes the Site Unique? 

Home to the Rangers from 1987 to 2002, the Rays moved into Charlotte Sports Park in 2009 and have called it home since.

With lawn seating along both baselines, the outfield is left open for a 19,000-square-foot wooden boardwalk that wraps all the way around the outfield and features a tiki bar among other things.

Since moving into the completely stripped-down site of the Rangers' old spring camp, the Rays have overhauled the stadium and turned it into one of the nicer venues in the Grapefruit League.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 2: SP Matt Moore
No. 44: SS Hak-Ju Lee
No. 89: SP Chris Archer 

Digital Domain Park: New York Mets

Location: Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Opened: 1988

What Makes the Site Unique?

The Mets' spring training field took the name Digital Domain Park last season after previously being called Tradition Field, and before that Thomas J. White Stadium.

When it was originally built, the stadium was very similar to Shea Stadium, right down to the uninviting concrete that was seemingly everywhere. However, the team has since upgraded it significantly and modernized it.

The most notable part of the site is the eight-foot-tall sculpture located on the outside concourse that is a memorial to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and has a piece of steel from the Trade Center embedded in it.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 54: SP Matt Harvey

Ed Smith Stadium: Baltimore Orioles

Location: Sarasota, Fla.

Opened: 1989

What Makes the Site Unique?

Ed Smith Stadium has seen its fair share of tenants, as it was home to the White Sox (1989-1997), Orioles (1991) and Reds (1998-2009) before the Orioles once again called it home in 2010.

After moving back in and reaching a 30-year agreement, the Orioles began renovations, starting with a fabric shade system that extends out and doubles the number of seats with cover.

As a whole, the renovations weren't overly drastic, but they were a significant improvement over what was there and helped bring the stadium up to date.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 10: SP Dylan Bundy 

Florida Auto Exchange Stadium: Toronto Blue Jays

Location: Dunedin, Fla.

Opened: 1990

What Makes the Site Unique?

Formerly Dunedin Stadium, the Blue Jays reached a seven-year, $181,000 agreement with local car dealership Florida Auto Exchange to rename the stadium in November of 2010.

With a capacity of 5,510 it is the smallest spring training park on the circuit, and it is as bare bones and basic as any baseball stadium around.

The surrounding site does have two other fields, one with natural grass and one with artificial turf, allowing the players a chance to practice on both surfaces in the spring.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 17: C Travis d'Arnaud
No. 39: OF Anthony Gose 

George M. Steinbrenner Field: New York Yankees

Location: Tampa, Fla.

Opened: 1996

What Makes the Site Unique?

Located across the street from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the field was known as Legends Field until it was renamed to honor the Yankees' owner in 2008.

The dimensions of the field match that of the old Yankee Stadium, and the facade pays homage to the famous stadium as well.

Also like Yankee Stadium, the stadium has its own monument park honoring past Yankee greats, and in true team fashion, it was the first spring training stadium to have luxury boxes.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 29: SP Manny Banuelos
No. 63: SP Dellin Betances
No. 81: C Gary Sanchez 

Goodyear Ballpark: Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians

Location: Goodyear, Ariz.

Opened: 2009

What Makes the Site Unique?

Opened just three years ago, the city of Goodyear, Ariz., managed to convince both Ohio teams to call the city home for spring training, with the Indians moving in after it opened in 2009 and the Reds joining them the following season.

The Goodyear Ballpark and Recreational Complex cost the city a whopping $108 million, more than anyone had ever spent on a spring training facility by far, as the complex spans 100 acres.

The complex contains a dozen full-sized fields, six for each team, and the entrance to the main stadium is adorned with a 60'6" statue titled "The Ziz," as the entire complex is a marvel.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 16: C Devin Mesoraco, Reds
No. 75: SS Zack Cozart, Reds 

Hammond Stadium: Minnesota Twins

Location: Fort Myers, Fla.

Opened: 1991

What Makes the Site Unique?

Located in the Lee County Sports Complex, the stadium is named after Lee County Deputy Administrator William Hammond Jr., who led the push to bring the Twins' spring camp to the county.

With an outside facade made to resemble Churchill Downs and parking rows adorned with street signs paying homage to former Twins greats, the stadium is impressive before you even enter it.

Once you enter the park, it is nothing special and is actually one of the smaller, less visually appealing fields in the league.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 99: OF Joe Benson

Hohokam Stadium: Chicago Cubs

Location: Mesa, Ariz.

Opened: 1997

What Makes the Site Unique?

No fans make the spring training trek as well as Cubs fans, as they flock to the city of Mesa year in and year out to get an early glimpse at the team.

Following the sale of the team to the Ricketts family, there was some consideration of moving the team out of Mesa, but in the end the city approved a new $99 million spring training complex, expected to be ready by 2014.

For now, Cubs fans will continue to enjoy taking in games at the team's current stadium, which holds 12,623 and is among the largest stadiums in the Cactus League.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 32: OF Brett Jackson
No. 47: 1B Anthony Rizzo
No. 64: OF Matt Szczur 

JetBlue Park: Boston Red Sox

Location: Fort Myers, Fla.

Opened: 2012

What Makes the Site Unique?

The Red Sox moved into their new spring training home this year after calling City of Palms Park home since 1993, and while the notable palm trees are gone, the new stadium has a number of cool features.

With the same dimensions as Fenway Park, the Red Sox will have a home-field advantage like few others in the Grapefruit League, as even the Green Monster is present in left field at JetBlue Park.

Overall, the site is a perfect mix of Fenway Park and what you would expect from a spring training park, as the team has a little bit of Boston with it in Florida.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 51: 3B Will Middlebrooks 

Joker Marchant Stadium: Detroit Tigers

Location: Lakeland, Fla.

Opened: 1966

What Makes the Site Unique?

One of the older spring training sites, the Tigers put the stadium through a full renovation in 2002 to help bring it up to date.

In fact, the Tigers have called the city of Lakeland their spring training home since 1934, making for history and tradition unlike most spring training city venues.

The seating is set up very oddly, with a large grandstand down the left-field line, a smaller one in right field and lawn seating along the baselines and in left field. Overall, the park is unique to say the least and is certainly not your average boring spring training stadium.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 22: SP Jacob Turner
No. 45: 3B Nick Castellanos

Maryvale Baseball Park: Milwaukee Brewers

Location: Phoenix, Ariz.

Opened: 1998

What Makes the Site Unique?

Inside-out, the Brewers spring training site has a unique look, starting with the large, white-painted wrought iron sign with the stadium's name on it.

That same look is used all around the stadium, as a white trellis-style roof surrounds all of the seating and does more aesthetically than it does serve as an actual roof.

All in all, Maryvale Park has an original and very clean look, and while it is far different from the look of Miller Park, the team did manage to incorporate one thing from home into the stadium, as the famous sausage races still take place in Arizona.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 56: SP Wily Peralta
No. 70: SP Taylor Jungmann
No. 71: SP Jed Bradley 

McKechnie Field: Pittsburgh Pirates

Location: Bradenton, Fla.

Opened: 1923

What Makes the Site Unique?

The oldest spring training stadium by over 30 years, the Cardinals (1923-24), Phillies (1925-27), Red Sox (1928-29), Braves (1928-40, 1948-61) and A's (1963-68) all called the field home before the Pirates moved in in 1969.

It is in fact older than any baseball stadium currently in use, aside from Fenway Park, and it was renovated in 1993 to help bring it up to date.

The team is planning to make another round of "fan-friendly" renovations following this year's spring training and recently had a $7.5 million plan approved, as the site will not only be a historic one but an amenity-filled one as well.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 12: SP Gerrit Cole
No. 73: OF Starling Marte

Osceola County Stadium: Houston Astros

Location: Kissimmee, Fla.

Opened: 1984

What Makes the Site Unique?

Located in the 120-acre Osceola Heritage Park, the field is joined by four more full-sized practice fields, a livestock pavilion, Silver Spurs Arena and a 47,850-square-foot exhibition hall.

The stadium underwent an $18.3 million renovation in 2003 that added more seating and upgraded the press boxes and clubhouses among other things.

Interestingly enough, the stadium is also where the professional umpire training courses have been held since 1994.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 34: 1B Jonathan Singleton
No. 59: OF George Springer 

Peoria Sports Complex: San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners

Location: Peoria, Ariz.

Opened: 1994

What Makes the Site Unique?

Opened in 1994 as the first site specifically designed to be shared by two teams, the complex was also built in Peoria with the purpose of promoting growth in the city—a model that has been followed more and more since.

Perhaps more significantly, the stadium was the first to incorporate a grass berm area in the outfield specifically for fans—something that is now a staple at all spring training sites.

While it does lack some modernization, such as concession areas with a view of the field, the complex was a pioneer of sorts in a number of different ways and has become a model for Arizona cities attempting to poach teams from their Florida sites.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 6: C/DH Jesus Montero, Mariners
No. 20: SP Taijuan Walker, Mariners
No. 21: SP Danny Hultzen, Mariners 
No. 33: 1B Yonder Alonso, Padres
No. 49: OF Rymer Liriano, Padres
No. 52: SP James Paxton, Mariners
No. 53: C Yasmani Grandal, Padres
No. 76: SP Casey Kelly, Padres
No. 77: SS Nick Franklin, Mariners 
No. 98: 3B Jedd Gyorko, Padres

Phoenix Municipal Stadium: Oakland Athletics

Location: Phoenix, Ariz.

Opened: 1964

What Makes the Site Unique?

Among the oldest spring training sites, it was home to the Giants from the time it opened until 1984, when the A's moved in.

Because it is older, it has a no-nonsense appearance, but what it lacks in architectural frills it makes up for with the perfect desert backdrop, as there is no mistaking the fact that you are in Arizona while at this ballpark.

The team's lease is up after this season, so it could decide to move on to another location sometime soon, but for now it has a bare-bones stadium in the perfect desert locale.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 14: OF Yoenis Cespedes
No. 26: SP Jarrod Parker
No. 36: SP Brad Peacock
No. 65: SP Sonny Gray
No. 80: OF Michael Choice 

Roger Dean Stadium: Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals

Location: Jupiter, Fla.

Opened: 1998

What Makes the Site Unique?

The only Grapefruit League (Florida) location that two different MLB teams call home in the spring, the site was opened in 1998 with the Cardinals and Expos sharing it at the time.

The Marlins moved in prior to the 2003 season, following the sale of the team, and like other Cactus League sites, the teams share only the field itself, as each has markedly different training and practice areas within the site.

The stadium was actually damaged by hurricanes in 2004, with all eight of the light towers falling down and causing damage to the roof. Total repair costs totaled $3.2 million, but the site was ready to go by the following spring.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 8: SP Shelby Miller, Cardinals
No. 41: OF Christian Yelich, Marlins
No. 88: 3B Zack Cox, Cardinals
No. 93: 2B Kolten Wong, Cardinals
No. 94: SP Tyrell Jenkins, Cardinals 

Salt River Fields: Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies

Location: Scottsdale, Ariz.

Opened: 2011

What Makes the Site Unique?

Opened just last season, Salt River Fields is home to both the Rockies and the Diamondbacks and seats a whopping 11,000 fans, among the biggest stadiums in all of spring training.

The park is laid out in a very interesting way, as everything from the first-base side of the field over in the complex belongs to the Rockies, and everything from the third-base side over belongs to the Diamondbacks.

With that, there are markedly different layouts for the remainder of the complex that features over a dozen more fields, batting cages, multiple clubhouses and massive weight rooms.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 9: SP Trevor Bauer, Diamondbacks
No. 13: SP Tyler Skaggs, Diamondbacks
No. 30: SP Drew Pomeranz, Rockies
No. 86: SP Chad Bettis, Rockies
No. 87: C Wilin Rosario, Rockies
No. 97: 3B Matt Davidson, Diamondbacks

Scottsdale Stadium: San Francisco Giants

Location: Scottsdale, Ariz.

Opened: 1992

What Makes the Site Unique?

Completely rebuilt in 1992 and renovated to the tune of $23.1 million in 2006, the Giants' spring training home is among the best venues in the Cactus League.

With a view of the mountains in the background and a huge lawn area spanning from left field to right center, the stadium is the ideal spring training site.

It has not been used solely by the Giants for professional baseball though, as three games of the inaugural World Baseball Classic were also held there back in 2006.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 38: OF Gary Brown

Space Coast Stadium: Washington Nationals

Location: Viera, Fla.

Opened: 1994

What Makes the Site Unique?

Named for its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center, Space Coast Stadium was originally home to the Florida Marlins before they moved to Roger Dean Stadium following the sale of the team.

The stadium is part of the Carl Barger Baseball Complex, named for the first president of the Florida Marlins, and is the centerpiece of the 80-acre complex.

The most unique feature of the ballpark itself are the foul poles which honor the two space shuttle disasters, with Columbia in left and Challenger in right.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 1: OF Bryce Harper
No. 19: 3B Anthony Rendon 

Surprise Stadium: Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers

Location: Surprise, Ariz.

Opened: 2003

What Makes the Site Unique?

Built on the 124-acre Surprise Recreation Campus, the stadium is actually located on the site of a World War II pilot training field.

The grass berm spans the entire length of the outfield, and the concourse encircles the entire stadium, giving the entire complex a very circular feel.

The stadium has everything you could ask for from a modern ballpark, including an array of food options that few sporting venues can boast down the left-field line, as the park caters to fans like few others.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 4: SP Yu Darvish, Rangers
No. 23: SP Mike Montgomery, Royals
No. 28: OF Wil Myers, Royals
No. 31: SP Martin Perez, Rangers
No. 43: 3B Mike Olt, Rangers
No. 68: SP Jake Odorizzi, Royals 
No. 79: OF Leonys Martin, Rangers

Tempe Diablo Stadium: Los Angeles Angels

Location: Tempe, Ariz.

Opened: 1968

What Make the Site Unique?

The third-oldest park in the spring training circuit, it doesn't get much better than the view at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Two separate renovations have taken place, with the most recent finishing up in 2006, so it has the appearance of a simple park but offers some of the amenities of newer parks as well.

The stadium was ranked as the top spring training stadium by Newsweek when it compiled its list back in 2003, and that was prior to the $20 million renovation that took place in 2006.

Baseball America Top 100 Prospects in Big League Camp

No. 3: OF Mike Trout
No. 55: SS Jean Segura
No. 83: SP Garrett Richards