Spring Training Job Battles: Countdown to Opening Day

Spring Training Job Battles

Arizona Diamondbacks

Left Field - What began as somewhat of an afterthought among MLB positional battles has turned into one of the more compelling competitions of the spring. Many (myself included) assumed Yasmany Tomas would get the first crack as the Diamondbacks look to squeeze some value out of his contract, and if he faltered, the team could then move on and give Socrates Brito or Peter O'Brien an opportunity. However, a knee injury set Tomas back early this spring and Brito closed the gap, hitting safely in 10 of his first 11 Cactus League games. Tomas has hit the ground running since his return to action last Friday (10 hits in 17 at-bats), but Brito and the powerhouse O'Brien are in the hunt and may take this one to the wire. Brito and O'Brien both have fantasy-carrying tools that make them worthwhile fliers in deep mixed and NL-only formats, but that's about all they are until this picture becomes clearer. Don't forget about Rickie Weeks, who's making a case to stick with the club, likely as a bench/platoon bat.

Middle Infield - Chris Owings (.966 OPS) and Nick Ahmed (1.075 OPS) have been raking throughout spring training, but both have lagged behind Jean Segura, who has been the hottest hitter in Diamondbacks camp. This one is too close to call with less than two weeks remaining until Opening Day. There were reports that the Cardinals were interested in making a play for Ahmed, but that was before they brought in Ruben Tejada, and manager Dave Stewart later squashed rumors that one of the three could be dealt. It's fair to wonder if they could rotate the three players between the two spots, though Stewart said of that idea, per FOX Sports, "I don't know how productive that would be for any of them, I really don't."

Third Base - While Jake Lamb has struck out 14 times in 38 Cactus League at-bats, he's also walked nine times and accounted for five extra-base hits (two homers). Meanwhile, Brandon Drury has enjoyed a fine spring overall, but he's slowed down of late, going 1-for-his-last-11 and 2-for-his-last-19. Expect Lamb to have the starting job out of camp, with Drury heading down for regular at-bats until there's a more pressing need for his services at the major league level.

Rotation - The Diamondbacks optioned Archie Bradley and Tyler Wagner to Reno on Monday, effectively cementing Robbie Ray into the No. 5 starter role to begin 2016. Zack Godley remains in big league camp despite giving up seven runs in his last outing and four homers in 8.1 spring innings, but he's no threat to Ray. Godley is likely being considered more for a long-relief role.

Atlanta Braves

Closer - With a couple successful appearances over the past week, Jason Grilli appears on track for Opening Day after undergoing surgery last year to repair a torn Achilles' tendon. However, the Braves' late-inning picture remains hazy. Manager Fredi Gonzalez recently suggested he's considering open-ended roles at the back end of the bullpen, at least to begin the season, until either Grilli, Arodys Vizcaino or Jim Johnson separates from the pack. Vizcaino seems like the most worthwhile investment in fantasy, as he has the best skills of the bunch, and it's hard to imagine why the Braves would keep Grilli or Johnson past the trade deadline.

Third Base - Gordon Beckham was intent on proving himself the best man for the starting third base job, and following a recent surge, Beckham now has Adonis Garcia beat in terms in spring OBP, .424 to .256. However, Garcia is out-slugging Beckham by more than 150 points, with five doubles and a homer against just one extra-base hit (a double) for Beckham. The Braves appear set to open 2016 with Garcia as the primary third baseman, with Kelly Johnson playing occasionally against tough right-handers. Garcia is even being considered for the cleanup spot in the batting order, between Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis. That presumably leaves Beckham to occupy the short side of a second base platoon alongside Jace Peterson.

Rotation - Non-roster invitee Jhoulys Chacin has taken advantage of his opportunity with Atlanta this spring, allowing four runs in 11.1 innings with an 11:4 K:BB. Gonzalez has not yet named Chacin to the rotation, but has strongly hinted that the right-hander will be in a starting role with the club, meaning Williams Perez, Manny Banuelos, and Mike Foltynewicz are left to compete for the final spot. Foltynewicz was essentially left for dead in the competition after a very late start to the spring, but he impressed in his second Grapefruit League outing, and will have time to build up his pitch count with the Braves not needing a fifth starter until Apr. 12. Perez finished well last year and has allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings this spring, but does not have the upside of Foltynewicz or Banuelos.

Baltimore Orioles

Right Field - After the Dexter Fowler signing fell through, the Orioles were left to scramble for a solution in right field. The Pedro Alvarez signing solves the problem in some ways, but also creates some uncertainty. Mark Trumbo will now move to the outfield with Alvarez at DH, but there are questions as to whether Trumbo can hold up to playing the field every day. Trumbo can come in to DH when the O's face a lefty, affording Nolan Reimold sporadic opportunities.

Boston Red Sox

Fifth Starter - Joe Kelly had the inside track at a rotation spot coming into camp, and Eduardo Rodriguez's knee injury cemented him into a starting role. The Red Sox figure to lean on Steven Wright until Rodriguez is cleared to return, but Roenis Elias is still in the mix, and it's important to keep in mind that the Red Sox can skip the No. 5 spot the first couple times through the rotation thanks to some off days over the initial weeks of the season.

Left Field - It seems Rusney Castillo is penciled in to serve as the primary option in left to begin 2016, but the Red Sox are still in the process of determining whether Castillo can be a major league regular, and they have contingency plans in place in case he falters. According to the Boston Globe, Castillo was just one of two major leaguers who did not have an extra-base hit in 50 at-bats that concluded against pitches of 93 mph or faster last season, and his final line against 93-plus mph pitches was .203/.230/.203. If Castillo can't adjust and catch up to major league velocity, the team can turn to Travis Shaw, Chris Young, and/or super-utility All-Star Brock Holt.

Chicago Cubs

Fifth Starter - Adam Warren's addition in the offseason kept the seat would be warm for Kyle Hendricks, but Hendricks has been brilliant this spring, allowing four runs on 14 hits with a 19:2 K:BB in 19 Cactus League innings. Warren hasn't been particularly sharp, and he threw just one frame in his last spring appearance, suggesting the Cubs have effectively ruled Warren out and are now preparing him for a bullpen role to begin the year.

Chicago White Sox

Shortstop - With another home run Wednesday, his second in as many games and fourth of the spring, Jimmy Rollins now has a .982 OPS in Cactus League play (37 at-bats). Tyler Saladino went 0-for-4 Wednesday, but he has been swinging the bat well throughout most of camp, and it looks like both players are in line to make the Opening Day roster. The starter at shortstop is still to be determined, but Rollins' experience may give him a slight edge as of now. Rollins has been batting second in the lineup in recent days.

Cincinnati Reds

Left Field - It seems Scott Schebler and Adam Duvall will share time in left field to begin the campaign. As the left-handed batter, Schebler would appear in line for the lion's share of the work, but he is in a bit of a funk right now with one hit in his last five spring games (12 at-bats). While Duvall hasn't done much to close the gap since Schebler hit his skid, he is hitting right-handed pitching really well (12-for-31, 5 XBH), so he may avoid a strict platoon and eventually overtake Schebler as the primary option.

Closer Role - The job belongs to J.J. Hoover out of camp, and Jumbo Diaz has lost a shred of appeal as a speculative NL-only target with some recent struggles. Diaz has a 9:2 K:BB in seven Cactus League innings, but he has had a pair of three-run blowups in his last three appearances. Tony Cingrani is still working to solidify a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Rotation - Homer Bailey (elbow) and John Lamb (back) are expected to return within the first couple months of the season, and top prospects Cody Reed and Robert Stephenson are knocking at the door, but the Reds plan to turn to Alfredo Simon and Jon Moscot in the meantime. Moscot's not a lock to be ready for the start of the season, however, after suffering an intercostal strain while warming up for a start last week. If Moscot is unavailable, Cincinnati will insert non-roster invitee Tim Melville into the No. 5 spot.

Cleveland Indians

Outfield - 10-year veteran Rajai Davis seemed like a good bet to start in center field for Cleveland at the start of camp, but Tyler Naquin has overtaken Davis with a blistering run over the first few weeks. The 24-year-old Naquin launched two home runs and a double Tuesday, giving him eight extra-base hits for the spring, while Davis has six hits in total (one XBH). Of course, spring results alone don't dictate roster spots, but Naquin's defense has been drawing rave reviews as well. There's a chance both Naquin and Davis could be in the lineup on Opening Day, depending on the status of Michael Brantley's shoulder.

Fifth Starter - T.J. House was optioned down earlier in the week, narrowing this competition down to Josh Tomlin versus Cody Anderson. Both players have endured their fair share of struggles this spring. Both players have minor league options remaining. That said, Tomlin is expected to make the roster (whether as a starter or reliever) after inking a two-year extension in January, and manager Terry Francona recently said "our preference is for [Tomlin] to start."

Colorado Rockies

Backup Catcher - Deep-league darling Tom Murphy was reassigned to minor league camp last week, as the team looks to keep him zeroed in with regular at-bats for the time being. That leaves Dustin Garneau and Tony Wolters as the options on the 40-man behind Nick Hundley, though Garneau is the presumptive favorite for the backup job out of camp. Garneau's bat has been quiet throughout most of the spring -- he recorded just two hits in his first 11 spring games (18 at-bats) -- but he has a little pop, and his defense behind the plate is major-league ready.

Shortstop - By all accounts, this job should belong to Trevor Story, at least until Jose Reyes returns from suspension if not beyond. Story has four home runs and four multi-hit games this spring with six walks against nine strikeouts. There's an outside chance the Rockies could opt to keep Story in the minors for the first couple weeks in order to gain an extra year of control, as James Anderson mentioned in his latest Farm Futures piece. That would probably afford Cristhian Adames the Opening Day nod, but even if the Rockies go that route, Story should be up and filling the everyday role in relatively short order.

Detroit Tigers

Center Field - Mere hours after the first Job Battles article went up, Cameron Maybin was diagnosed with a non-displaced hairline fracture in his left wrist and handed a 4-to-6 week estimated recovery timetable. That seemed to take Maybin out of the equation for Opening Day, and manager Brad Ausmus recently acknowledged that Maybin is unlikely for the start of the season. Thus, Anthony Gose in line for the job to begin the season, but Wynton Bernard has entered the discussion as a possible platoon mate in the short term.

Fifth Starter - The timing of Daniel Norris' injury, which is being referred to officially as "non-displaced fractures in his spinous process," takes him out of the running for the No. 5 starter role out of camp. Ausmus was coy when discussing the remaining options, saying Tuesday that the team will choose "who we think will perform the best," not necessarily who performed the best this spring. Chances are, it's Shane Greene over Matt Boyd. Greene completely imploded last year after a great start, but it later came to light that he had an arterial issue in his shoulder that was causing a pseudoaneurysm in his hand.

Houston Astros

First Base - Everyone was ready to anoint A.J. Reed the first baseman of the present and future, but hold the phone. While Reed has impressed this spring -- check out his 13-pitch at-bat against Max Scherzer from March 8 -- Tyler White has emerged as the surprise frontrunner with just weeks remaining until Opening Day. A 33rd-round pick in 2013, White has shot through the system over the past two years on the strength of outstanding plate and contact skills (.422 OBP in minors), but the power is modest especially for a corner infielder/designated hitter. He has just one extra-base hit in his last 11 exhibition games. Jonathan Singleton, meanwhile, has looked completely lost at the dish this spring, going 6-for-45 with 16 strikeouts. At this point, it would almost be surprising if Singleton made the roster.

Kansas City Royals

Second Base - Omar Infante has taken steps toward putting his health concerns behind him, and Christian Colon got off to a miserable start to spring action, but manager Ned Yost is not closing the book on this competition just yet. The skipper, it would would seem, still needs some convincing that Infante is healthy and capable of providing sustained production. Neither Infante nor Colon is worthy of consideration as more than an AL-only dart.

Fourth and Fifth Starter - Kris Medlen and Chris Young are fully expected to round out the rotation for the defending World Series champions, especially after another poor outing from Danny Duffy on Thursday. Duffy fell behind the competition early, giving up three runs in his spring debut, and only lost ground in subsequent appearances. He's allowed at least one run in five of his six Cactus League appearances (10 runs in 10 innings).

Los Angeles Angels

Fifth Starter - C.J. Wilson (shoulder) and Tyler Skaggs (elbow) are DL-bound to begin 2016, and Jered Weaver has been set back in camp by a neck injury. Weaver insists he will be ready, however, and he can go a long way toward easing concerns with a successful outing against the A's on Friday. Barring any complications with Weaver, the Angels will need only one of either Matt Shoemaker or Nick Tropeano. The home runs issues with Shoemaker are growing worse and are impossible to overlook at this point. He's given up seven homers in just 20 innings this spring.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Fifth Starter - No team has been hit harder by injuries this spring than the Dodgers. Michael Bolsinger was the latest to go down, and the team is now left scrambling to find a fifth starter. Carlos Frias and Zach Lee are the remaining options, but neither should inspire much confidence in real life or fantasy. Top prospects Julio Urias and Jose De Leon could help the major league team sooner than expected given the team's injury woes, but they figure to remain down at least until the organization gains another full year of control.

Miami Marlins

Fourth and Fifth Starter - Adam Conley and Jarred Cosart have both put together strong springs, and it would be a surprise if either player was left out of the rotation to start the year. The lefty Conley turned in strong results in 67 innings with the big club last season, using a fastball-slider-changeup combo to strike batters out at a 21 percent clip. His fastball averaged under 92 mph last season, but his velocity was up in his last spring outing -- reports had him working in the mid-90s and touching 96 mph. Perhaps he knew the rain would abbreviate his start and was giving it a little something extra, but the performance was impossible to ignore, with Conley striking out all six Tigers he faced before the game was called off. Cosart has not allowed a run in 9.2 spring innings, though he has issued five free passes.

Milwaukee Brewers

Third Base - Aaron Hill will be the Brewers' Opening Day third baseman, and perhaps their everyday third baseman over the first couple months. Garin Cecchini was optioned down last week, and while Will Middlebrooks remains in camp, he has been struggling mightily and there's no reason to think he will be added to the 40-man. Jonathan Villar could move over to split time at the hot corner once shortstop Orlando Arcia is deemed ready.

Center Field - Out of minor league options, Rymer Liriano appeared slated for a prominent role in center field with Milwaukee after coming over from San Diego a post-DFA trade. Unfortunately, after being hit by a pitch and suffering multiple facial fractures Sunday, Liriano is now facing an extended absence. Keon Broxton and Kirk Nieuwenhuis remain as the top options for the Opening Day assignment, and while Nieuwenhuis is the lefty, Broxton is the better speculative target given his speed and little bit of pop. Just beware that Broxton strikes out a lot and could be a heavy batting average drain.

Closer Role - A hamstring injury delayed Jeremy Jeffress, but with a pair of easy innings over the past week, he seems to have turned the page. He is still in line to be part of a closer duo to start the season; manager Craig Counsell said Jeffress and lefty Will Smith will split closer and setup duties. Smith, given his strikeout ability and handedness, makes for an obvious trade candidate at some point for the rebuilding Brewers.

Minnesota Twins

Center Field - The Twins weren't guaranteeing anything with Byron Buxton at the start of spring training. He hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire in spring action, but Buxton has now hit safely in five of his last six games while picking up a couple stolen bases in the process. It's looking more and more like Buxton will indeed have the job on Opening Day, though his spot in the order is still to be determined. He's been leading off in recent days, but Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com suggested the team may be doing that just to get Buxton more at-bats.

New York Yankees

Backup Catcher - Gary Sanchez was unable to carry the momentum from a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League to spring training, as he went 1-for-21 with a single in 13 games with the big club. He was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday, leaving Austin Romine to back up Brian McCann on Opening Day.

Oakland Athletics

Rotation - The A's staff has remained healthy this spring outside of the devastating injury to Jarrod Parker, but the results have been mostly poor on the whole. Sonny Gray won't be affected, but it looks like spots 2-5 in the rotation may be fluid throughout most of the year. Jesse Hahn was blasted for seven runs in 1.2 innings Wednesday, and is of course a big injury risk. Rich Hill has been issuing walks at an alarming rate (12 in 7.2 innings), but he recently suggested he spotted a correctable flaw in his release point while watching tape. And with Kendall Graveman being Kendall Graveman, prospect Sean Manaea should be gaining steam as a speculative deep-league target.

Philadelphia Phillies

Catcher - Cameron Rupp has a two-homer game this spring and a 4:5 BB:K. The rebuilding Phillies have all the reason in the world to give him the majority of the playing time over 37-year-old Carlos Ruiz, whose skills both at the plate and behind it have eroded quickly.

Closer - Surprise, surprise. Andrew Bailey, a non-roster invitee to Phillies camp after missing nearly all of the last couple season with shoulder troubles, is the frontrunner for the closer role. Manager Pete Mackanin said this even after Bailey's poor outing Tuesday, but the skipper did mention that he wants to see Bailey's velocity tick up after he hovered around 90 mph. The presumptive favorite at the start of camp, David Hernandez, has battled back from a triceps injury and says he's feeling good. Dalier Hinojosa was mentioned by Mackanin as an option to close games for the team at some point this year.

Fifth Starter - The three-player race is down to two, as Brett Oberholtzer is now focused on preparing for a relief role. Vincent Velasquez and Adam Morgan are neck and neck, and Mackanin indicated command and control will determine the winner. Velasquez has a 16:4 K:BB in 14 innings this spring, and while Morgan officially has just a 2:2 K:BB in nine frames, he threw five scoreless in a minor league game last week and then three more in an unofficial major league game Thursday (rainout).

San Diego Padres

Left Field - Rule 5 pick Jabari Blash is striking out a lot this spring, he's also taking his walks and hitting for power, as is his MO. Manager Andy Green is not ruling Blash out as the possible starter in left field, and it only seems logical to project him there given the other options on the depth chart. Travis Jankowski is nursing an ankle injury and is far better suited for a fourth outfielder role. Jon Jay and Melvin Upton Jr. figure to platoon in center field.

Seattle Mariners

Backup/Platoon First Baseman - While 33-year-old Dae-Ho Lee has done little of note in 36 spring at-bats, he's not striking out all that much. The same cannot be said for Jesus Montero, who has fanned in more than 30 percent of his spring at-bats with just one walk and zero home runs. If Lee is not chosen to fill the short side of a first base platoon with Adam Lind, he can opt out of his deal and become a free agent.

San Francisco Giants

Fifth Starter - Matt Cain's recovery from February surgery to remove a cyst from his arm has pushed deep into spring training, and the right-hander's status for the start of the year is up in the air. The team expects Cain to pitch in a minor league game Monday, and his performance will dictate whether he opens 2016 in the Giants' rotation or on the DL. Chris Heston is the next man up.

St. Louis Cardinals

First Base - Brandon Moss has not done much this spring. Neither has Matt Adams, though Adams (4:6 BB:K) is covering the plate a bit better than Moss (2:11 BB:K) at the moment. It's probably not enough of a difference for him to have overtaken Moss, but there is still time. Both players need to look over their shoulders for Matt Holliday, who has been seeing time at first base in camp and may be an option there in-season. If that were to happen, Stephen Piscotty would likely move to left field and Randal Grichuk to right, making room for Tommy Pham in center.

Texas Rangers

Fifth Starter - Until Yu Darvish (elbow) returns, the Rangers will have to make do with what they have in the final rotation spot. Chi Chi Gonzalez, A.J. Griffin, Jeremy Guthrie, and Nick Martinez are all being considered as rotation candidates to begin 2016. Gonzalez has just two strikeouts against seven walks in 13.1 spring innings. This is a situation to avoid outside the deepest of leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays

Closer - Roberto Osuna is putting together a strong spring, but it may not really matter in the end. After making a play to bring in Drew Storen, the Blue Jays seem intent on giving the more experienced pitcher the ninth-inning job, but they are holding off on naming a closer for the time being.

Left Field - The team sent Dalton Pompey packing for the minors last week, leaving Michael Saunders in line to handle near-everyday duties in left. Perhaps Chris Colabello will eat into his time some if Justin Smoak is raking when Edwin Encarnacion's healthy, but that not be the worst thing, as regular off days would theoretically help keep Saunders on the field for the long haul.

Fifth Starter - Jesse Chavez was named to the bullpen, and all indications are that Drew Hutchison will start off in the Triple-A rotation, so Aaron Sanchez is the likely fifth starter for Toronto. The 23-year-old will make all those who tried to write him off as a starter eat their words if he can carry his spring success (3 ER, 19:3 K:BB in 20 innings) into the regular season.

Washington Nationals

Shortstop - Danny Espinosa has been struggling throughout the spring, which he attributes to difficulty picking up pitches against the batter's eye at Space Coast Stadium. The Nats will cut him a break and limit Espinosa to only road games over the remainder of camp. While Trea Turner has turned in lackluster results with the bat as well, he's swiped seven bags, and it's only a matter of time before he supplants Espinosa at short.

Fifth Starter - Bronson Arroyo is not completely done quite yet, but he is out for several months with a shoulder issue. Tanner Roark and Joe Ross are thus in line to round out the Nats' rotation, with the former the more likely candidate to get bumped once uber prospect Lucas Giolito is deemed ready for the major leagues.