Advertisement

Five plays you need to see from the first day of spring training games

Actual baseball is back, with major-league teams playing against major-league teams. Tuesday was the first day of games in the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues, and while the outcomes ultimately mean very little, it's still nice to see the homers and great defensive plays again.

So come with us, fair reader, as we show you the five plays you need to see from the first day of spring training games.

1. YOENIS CESPEDES GOES GRAND SALAMI
New Detroit Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes showed that swing that's won the last two Home Run Derbys, connecting for a grand slam in the Tigers' 15-2 win over the Orioles. Ubaldo Jimenez was in midseason form, allowing six runs in 1.1 innings.

2. KANG SHOWS OFF HIS POWER
Jung-ho Kang signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in January, coming over from Korea, where he was the MVP last season hitting 40 homers. There was debate about whether that power would translate to MLB. In his first game, at least, the answer was yes. Check out his opposite-field homer as the Pirates beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7. Note the leg kick.

3. RUSSELL MARTIN SHOWS OFF HIS DEFENSE
Russell Martin delivered the first "must-see" defensive play of the young baseball season in the Blue Jays' loss to the Tigers. Watch him track down this bouncer and make an off-balance throw for the out at first. Nice first impression, Russell.

4. AARON JUDGE'S THREE-RUN HOMER GIVES THE YANKEES A TIE
Well, it's not quite a walk-off homer, but Aaron Judge's three-run, ninth inning homer made sure the New York Yankees didn't lose. He tied their game against Philadelphia Phillies 5-5 with a two-out homer in the ninth. And since this is spring, the game just ended in a tie. It was a game-not-losing homer. (Can that be a thing?) Judge, by the way, is the No. 1 Yankees prospect, per Baseball Prospectus.

5. DESTIN HOOD CRASHES INTO THE WALL, MAKES THE CATCH
Destin Hood, who the Cleveland Indians signed to a minor-league contract, made a nice first impression with this great catch in an otherwise forgettable 10-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

- - - - - - -

Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!