PaddleHeads Prepare For Regular Season With Spring Training

Off we go on another journey that is the Pioneer League season in 2026 as the Missoula PaddleHeads prepare for the 96 game grind that is looming. Before a date with the defending league champion Oakland Ballers, returning manager Michael Schlact will get the troops ready with Spring Training workouts. They will do so in the same way they have in recent years with simulated intersquad exhibition games throughout the week through Sunday. 

This allows the team to prepare for the season to come while also giving Schlact and his coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the players in camp. That will be an important task with roster decisions that will need to be made. 

The PaddleHeads welcomed 37 players to Spring Training camp over the weekend. With the roster size capped at a maximum of 25 that means some players will come into camp with something to prove. This roster also will have a different feel compared to what we've seen in years past with only 10 returnees from the 2025 roster. This has opened the door for some impressive young prospects to make their mark in the early going. 

"This is the first time since I've been here that we've had a group of 1st year guys this big.  I haven't seen a group of rookies this large show this type of energy, and grit right away," Schlact said. "They're playing and acting like they have been around pro ball for 5 years. It's been impressive to watch." 

A standout 1st year player in recent workouts to this point has been first baseman Tyler Stone. Stone entered camp with a strong resume from the college ranks at the University of Nebraska. The Arizona native was named as an All-Conference pick in the Big 10 in his time with the Huskers' with strong power numbers. But it's been more than just his power at the plate that has impressed. 

"The scouting report we got on him was that the power was there but he was seen more as a pure hitter," Schlact said. "Obviously we saw the power on the first day of camp when he launched a 450 foot homer. But his ability to see the ball and the strike zone awareness he has is very impressive. He's been using the entire field in his at-bats. Even his outs have been hit hard. He's a poised hitter, he looks like he knows what he's doing up there."

19 of the 37 players brought into camp have taken the mound for the PaddleHeads looking to make the roster. Only 5 pitchers from this group return from the 2025 roster which means there have been a lot of new names to learn. So far this group of newly found talent have impressed on the mound.

"We have some new guys on the mound that have been competing hard and have been showing impressive stuff," Schlact said. "The ability to Attack a professional hitter is a skillset you either have or you don't and a lot of these guys have shown they belong. I'm excited to see how this group improves and helps the club." 

There also are players new to the PaddleHeads roster who are looking to make a home in Missoula after appearing elsewhere in the Pioneer League in 2025. Of this group a pair that the PaddleHeads are excited about are pitcher Ronaldo Gutierrez, and infielder Xavier Caserilla. Gutierrez spent the 2025 season in the Ogden Raptors starting rotation while Caserilla was a regular starter for the Glacier Range Riders at both corner infield positions appearing in 86 games overall. Booth seems primed to excel with the PaddleHeads this season. 

"I am excited about them because we saw them play against us and we know what they can do," Schlact said. " It is nice in Indy Ball when you can acquire a player in Free Agency that you have seen in person previously so you can build a team around those tools. Xavier brings a veteran presence to our locker room and a strong defensive skillset at 1st and 3rd base. He also has been a very strong performer in the 'Knockout Round' which is a huge X-Factor. Gutierrez is a funky lefty that just knows how to pitch. He is young but has been around a while in professional baseball as a former Atlanta Braves farmhand. He also performed extremely well against us so we're excited to have him on our side."

Spring Training hasn't just been about the new kids on the block however as returnees from the PaddleHeads 2025 roster have also performed well this spring. 5 players from this group were Pioneer League All-Stars last summer. Nich Klemp is one of the highlights of this group after a sensational season in his 1st season in Missoula. The 3rd year pro looks ready to establish himself as one of the league's best players with how he has performed so far. 

"Klemp has not been complacent or shown any sign of comfortability despite being a returnee," Schlact said. "He's really been putting some great at-bats together. I've also been very impressed with rookie catcher Joskar Feliciano. He's done a great job of working with the staff and taking on a leadership role." 

On the mound starting pitcher Ryan Wentz is back for 2026 after a rock solid season in 2025. Wentz was one of 2 pitchers to tally 100 strikeouts or more last season doing so in 15 starts. Wentz and fellow returnee Brendan Beard were also the only pitchers to have complete games last season. With how Wentz came out of the gates, it is clear that he aims to be an ace in 2026. 

"Wentz really had a strong outing on Tuesday taking the ball for the 1st time in camp," Schlact said." Sometimes it can be hard for a returnee in Indy Ball when complacency sneaks in. You do not want to fall into that trap. There is a group of young players that are here playing extremely hard. Wentz and Klemp have done a great job of coming out strong and staying away from that." 

The 2026 season is right around the corner. On Tuesday, Missoula's first test will present itself in the form of the Oakland Ballers. This also kicks off a 12 game road trip for the PaddleHeads with 3 different stops on the schedule. This will be a firm test with the 2025 PBL champs waiting in the wings on Opening Day. Schlact feels this trip will not only be a good way to test this group's talent but also will be a good way for this group to come together as a team on a long road trip. 

"Its a great way to start the year for a number of reasons," Schlact said. "Firstly it's great for team building. There is going to be a lot of time spent together as a group on the road in hotels. That's when a lot of team building happens which is great to have early on. Opening the season with Oakland, Yuba, and Ogden is also a great challenge. 2 of those teams made the playoffs last year and Yuba was fighting for a spot right to the end. I wouldn't want it any other way. A manager in Indy Ball wants to know what he has in his group as quickly as possible seeing them in live action. This will be a wonderful test to figure that out."

Stay tuned for more updates from PaddleHeads Spring Training this week ahead of Opening Day on May 19. Missoula opens its season with a 3-game series opposite the Oakland Ballers. This will be the PaddleHeads first ever appearance in the Bay Area in Oakland's 3rd season as a franchise. First pitch from Raimondi Park is scheduled for 6:35 Pacific.