Spring Position Battles: Who is Breaking Camp?

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Figuring out who makes MLB rosters out of spring training is huge and can give you an edge in fantasy baseball. Getting the young high-end prospect on your team before the news that they will break camp can enable you to return huge dividends.

But, what are the important position battles to take note of, and who makes teams? I broke down 18 major position battles as Spring Training pushes past the halfway point, which is what we can expect with who wins jobs.

Spring Training Position Battles

Baltimore Orioles: Who makes the Team?

Jackson Holliday appears to be a shoo-in at this point for the Orioles’ second base job, as he has put together a very strong spring. Colton Cowser looks like he should make the team as well as either the team’s designated hitter, or they shift Hays there and Mountcastle to first. The rotation seems set, but Albert Suarez could get starts instead of Cole Irvin, but that one is still up in the air. I think Coby Mayo also makes the roster, but that one is more 50/50.

Verdict: Jackson Holliday at 2B, Colton Cowser in LF, Austin Hays to DH, Ryan Mountcastle to 1B, Albert Suarez fifth SP.

Boston Red Sox: Outfield and SP

This one may work itself out with Vaughn Grissom and Lucas Giolito injured, but it appears that Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock both get a rotation spot, and I believe they role with an outfield of Ceddane Rafaela, Jarren Duran, and Tyler O’Neill with Wilyer Abreu being the odd man out.

Verdict: Wilyer Abreu is without a spot, and Whitlock and Houck are both in the rotation.

Chicago White Sox: Closer

John Brebbia was the assumed favorite, but he has yet to throw a game outing so far and Jordan Leasure has tossed five scoreless outings with a near 40 percent strikeout rate.

Verdict: Leasure gets the first crack at saves and keeps the job.

Cleveland Guardians: Shortstop

Brayan Rocchio and Gabriel Arias are battling for the Guardians' shortstop position, but neither seems eager to win. Rocchio is hitting a smooth .100 to this point in 21 plate appearances, while Arias is not much better at .188. Angel Martinez seems like the sleeper here, as he has been off to an excellent start. I think Cleveland gives Arias or Rocchio every chance to win the job, but Martinez may just win it as he is slashing .478/.500/.913 to this point.

Verdict: Angel Martinez

New York Yankees: Fifth SP

The Yankees did have five starting pitchers lined up, but with Gerrit Cole seeking a second opinion on his MRI, there seems to be some doubt as to his status. If he were to miss significant time, the Yankees could opt to trade for Dylan Cease, as we have seen rumored, or sign one of Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, who remain free agents. If they opt for internal options, Will Warren, Clayton Beeter, and Luis Gil all seem reasonable. I would lean Warren, but would not be shocked if it were Beeter.

Verdict: Will Warren or Clayton Beeter

Oakland Athletics: SS, 3B, Fifth SP

The Athletics have quite a few interesting battles going on for spots right now. Injuries have left Joe Boyle as the guy in the fifth starter role, especially after the demotion of Joey Estes. Darrel Hernaiz continues to get regular runs at third base, and his high hit-tool floor could lead him to win the spot. At shortstop, the team could mix and match, but I think Nick Allen is the front-runner at the moment.

 Verdict: Nick Allen at SS, Darrell Hernaiz at 3B, Joe Boyle 5th SP

Tampa Bay Rays: How many platoons?

The Rays are notorious for platooning, and it will likely be the case here in 2024. The several players locked into everyday roles seems like it will be Yandy Diaz, Randy Arozarena, Issac Paredes, and Jose Siri. Curtis Mead will likely split time with Brandon Lowe and Jonathan Aranda at second base and designated hitter. Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero could split time and Harold Ramirez will find time at various positions.

 Verdict: Lots of Platoons

Texas Rangers: Who fills the injured infield spots?

Nathaniel Lowe and Corey Seager both are on the shelf with a strained oblique and a sports hernia injury. Both are unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, opening a door for Justin Foscue to step in play first base, while Ezequiel Duran fills the shortstop spot. The outfield remains full, but Wyatt Langford is going to be on this Opening Day roster splitting time between outfield and designated hitter.

 Verdict: Justin Foscue and Ezequiel Duran. Plus Wyatt Langford makes the team.

Toronto Blue Jays: Who is the Fifth Starter?

Alek Manoah is on the shelf with shoulder soreness, and his performance was not great when he was on the mound this spring. Bowden Francis is a name that has generated a ton of buzz, and if healthy, Ricky Tiedemann could factor in. Francis has tossed eight innings this spring with a 3.38 ERA, ten strikeouts, and two walks. Tiedemann has elite stuff but has battled arm issues throughout his career and has dealt with a hamstring issue this spring. If he is built up, which seems doubtful at this point, he could be the guy, but I am leaning toward Francis for now.

Verdict: Bowden Francis

Arizona Diamondbacks: Fifth SP

I have written about Ryne Nelson a lot this offseason, and in a battle between himself and Tommy Henry, I give Nelson the edge. So far this spring, he has just a 3.09 ERA across 11.2 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts and two walks.

Verdict: Ryne Nelson

Atlanta Braves: Fifth SP

With Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver being optioned to Minor League camp, it is down to just Bryce Elder and Reynaldo Lopez for the fifth spot in Atlanta’s rotation. Lopez appears to have the edge after making another solid start on Tuesday, giving him a 1.54 ERA through 11.2 innings, while Elder is rocking a 7.04 ERA. My concern with Lopez is his diminished velocity after working out of a bullpen role in 2023, but that is to be expected. He is starting most games out slow and building up, so that is something to watch.

Verdict: Reynaldo Lopez

Los Angeles Dodger: Back-End Rotation

The Dodgers’ injured arms could form a better rotation than some MLB teams as it features Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Emmet Sheehan. In that case, how does the back end of the rotation shake out? We know Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Bobby Miller are locked in. James Paxton is almost all but guaranteed a spot, but what about the back end?

While several arms have pitched well, this seems like Gavin Stone’s spot to lose. He has tossed 9.2 innings and has allowed just one total earned run, striking out nine and issuing just one walk.

Verdict: Gavin Stone

Miami Marlins: Back-End Rotation

This situation might have sorted itself out with Edward Cabrera dealing with shoulder tightness and Braxton Garrett slated to not be ready for Opening Day, also dealing with shoulder issues.

A.J. Puk and Ryan Weathers both seemed to have earned their spots, and Trevor Rogers also looks good. This would give the Marlins four left-handed starters, but it does seem like all three of these have made the rotation with Jesus Luzardo and Eury Perez.

Verdict: A.J. Puk, Ryan Weathers, and Trevor Rogers

Milwaukee Brewers: General Rotation

After having one of the best top three starters in recent years with Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta, just Peralta remains after Burnes was traded, and Woodruff is slated to miss the season due to injury.

Wade Miley likely grabs a spot, but after that, things are wide open. Colin Rea has pitched well, and Aaron Ashby and DL Hall offer nice upside. I have a hard time seeing Jakob Junis stick in this rotation, and Joe Ross is probably not in the picture. My lean is Rea plus the two young lefties.

Verdict: Freddy Peralta, Wade Miley, Colin Rea, DL Hall, Aaron Ashby

Pittsburgh Pirates: Back-End Rotation

If the Pirates wanted to, they could have Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and other pitching prospects in the rotation to start the year and be in good shape, but it appears that maybe just one of the prospects makes the rotation, and that is Jones who has looked excellent all spring.

He currently has thrown seven scoreless innings with improved stuff from last season. The fastball has consistently sat at 98 mph with improved life up in the zone, and his slider has looked sharp. The slider looks good, and he is also featuring his change and curve. Jones has a good shot to grab a spot and keep it all year in this Pirates rotation.

Verdict: Jared Jones makes the rotation

San Diego Padres: CF, 3B, SP5

Jackson Merrill has answered one of our questions and is going to be the team's centerfielder on Opening Day, which is very exciting. He has had a tremendous spring and hit a big home run off Zac Gallen on Tuesday, all but ensuring his spot in the lineup, which was later announced.

Graham Pauley may have the lead for the third base job while Manny Machado is limited to designated hitter. After an excellent 2023 season, which only got better as he moved up levels, Pauley continues to rake this spring, slashing .333/.421/.515.

Drew Thorpe might be pitching his way onto the Opening Day roster as he had another strong outing on Tuesday, bringing his scoreless streak to seven innings this spring. Tuesday was by far his best start, as he tossed four scoreless innings with just one hit and two walks allowed. He did only strike out one batter, but the stuff was legit, and Thorpe’s changeup played well as it usually does.

Verdict: Jackson Merrill, Graham Pauley, and Drew Thorpe all break camp with San Diego

San Francisco Giants: Fifth SP

With a large portion of their starters hurt in Robbie Ray, Alex Cobb, and even Tristan Beck, who was vying for a rotation spot, the fifth spot is up for grabs. Right now, it seems like Mason Black is the guy, even though his performance in seven spring innings has been so-so. It is important to look at the larger picture, and his 2023 performance was really solid between Double-A and Triple-A. Pitching a career-high 123.2 innings in 2023, Black posted a 3.71 ERA and 155 strikeouts.

Verdict: Mason Black gets the Fifth starter job

St. Louis Cardinals: Centerfield

Tommy Edman was slated to be the team’s centerfielder but has been behind with his recovery from a wrist injury. Lars Nootbaar is also on the shelf with rib fractures. Some current options already on the MLB roster include Alec Burleson, Dylan Carlson, and Michael Siani.

Victor Scott might just play his way onto the Cardinals Opening Day roster with how well he has been performing, and the team has shown confidence in him, batting him leadoff.

He added three more hits on Tuesday and swiped his fourth base of the spring, pushing his average to .370. Between 155 games last year in the Minors and the Arizona Fall League, Scott stole 112 bases while hitting 12 home runs.

Verdict: Victor Scott runs wild in St. Louis