Early-spring performances can be the biggest mirage in baseball, a function of games that feature mismatches between major leaguers and minor leaguers. Still, with spring training now in full swing, pitchers beginning to stretch out and hitters finding their swings, there can be signal amid the noise.

While plenty can change before Opening Day, here's a look at six players who have opened eyes and calmed hearts with their early spring showings.

The Phillies opened Spring Training last month saying top pitching prospect Andrew Painter could be a difference-maker in the big league rotation by “July-ish,” which is how president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski phrased Painter’s tentative timeline.

Top prospects Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, and Eduardo Tait are set to play in the Phillies' 2025 Spring Breakout game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pitcher Bubba Chandler headlines the roster of Pittsburgh Pirates prospects to play against Philadelphia Phillies prospects in the Spring Breakout on March 14 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla. The 22-year-old Chandler is ranked the Pirates’ No.