Spring position battles aren't as straightforward as they once were. Lineups are more fungible, players more versatile, roles less defined. If there's a winner, it's not always so obvious who it is at the start of the season, and it's possible the contenders were looking at a timeshare all along.
Nonetheless, we can hope for some kind of resolution for these 30 scenarios.
I didn't bother with some of the closer roles still up in the air. Given the way the Giants, Mariners, Tigers and Orioles have managed their bullpens in recent years, it's unlikely we'll be able to make more than an educated guess by the time the season starts. Meanwhile, prospect Bobby Witt is looking more and more likely to man third base for the Royals on opening day, so I didn't bother to include him.
Who else should you be keeping tabs on this spring?
Likely choice: Newman
Preferred choice: Cruz
Project Oneil Cruz's minor-league numbers last year over 150 games, and he ends up with 37 homers and 41 steals. He played two games in the majors last year and already owns the Pirates record for hardest-hit ball. He's an awe-inspiring talent worth stashing away in Rotisserie leagues regardless of what happens here, but the non-contending Pirates may want to make extra sure he's ready, particularly after he played just six games at Triple-A last year. There are financial incentives for keeping him down, too.
Likely choice: Treinen
Preferred choice: Treinen
Dave Roberts has had the luxury of leaning on Kenley Jansen for his entire tenure as Dodgers manager, so now we get to see how he manages the end of games without a tried-and-true closer. He has already given lip service to a committee, but Blake Treinen was an overwhelming force in the eighth inning last year and has been an All-Star closer in the past. If Roberts decides he's too attached to Treinen in the setup role, Daniel Hudson also has closing experience.
Likely choice: Torkelson
Preferred choice: Torkelson
The Tigers don't really have anyone else to play first base, which suggests they're counting on Spencer Torkelson to win the job. GM Al Avila is on the record saying the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft will be up if he looks ready to help the Tigers win now. If they opt to play it safe in the end, Jonathan Schoop could slide over to first base, allowing Harold Castro or Willi Castro to step in at second base.
Likely choice: platoon between Toro and Torrens
Preferred choice: Rodriguez
This one has the potential to surprise people. The Mariners are eager to contend and have been talking up Julio Rodriguez's defense in center field, where Jarred Kelenic no longer looks like a long-term fit. Manager Scott Servais has said he intends to start Rodriguez almost every game this spring, and GM Jerry Dipoto has gone as far as to say he thinks Rodriguez is "ready for the challenge on the big stage." It may be wishful thinking given that Rodriguez is 21 and has played only 46 games above A-ball, but prospects of his talent sometimes skip a level. It's not like the Mariners would miss Abraham Toro-Hernandez or Luis Torrens at DH, where newly acquired Jesse Winker would slot nicely.
Likely choice: Reyes
Preferred choice: Greene
There seems to be more momentum for Torkelson claiming an opening day job than Greene, but Tigers GM Al Avila mentioned both as possibilities, saying there would be no service time games. If the Tigers are serious about contending, Greene would be of much more help than the light-hitting Victor Reyes. The 21-year-old also put up superior numbers to Torkelson at Triple-A last year, batting .308 with a .954 OPS in 40 games.
Likely choice: Suarez
Preferred choice: Suarez
The Padres have been quiet about their ninth-inning plans after letting Mark Melancon walk this offseason, but they gave a two-year, $11 million contract to Robert Suarez, who had 42 saves with a 1.16 ERA in Japan last year. Meanwhile, Luis Garcia had attractive numbers with the Cardinals, and former starter Dinelson Lamet certainly has the stuff for the role. Of the names listed here, Emilio Pagan has the most closing experience (at least on this side of the Pacific) but has seen his ERA balloon in his two years with the Padres.
Likely choice: Barnes
Preferred choice: Whitlock
Matt Barnes is angling for the job again. He collapsed down the stretch last year but dominated for the first four months, compiling a 2.30 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 13.8 K/9. Garrett Whitlock was the steadier of the two, but the Red Sox may prefer to keep him in a more versatile role where he can work multiple innings at times. Newly signed Jake Diekman, a left-hander, is more of a dark horse.
Likely choices: Anderson, Heaney
Preferred choices: Gonsolin, Heaney
Unfortunately, the most talented of these pitchers, Tony Gonsolin, is also the one with the most bullpen experience. Just when it seemed like he was poised to step into the Dodgers rotation for good, the Dodgers re-signed Clayton Kershaw and then brought in Tyler Anderson for additional depth. Maybe they're just thinking they'll need to piggyback starters early in the season, when not everyone is fully stretched out due to the shortened spring training. Or maybe they have something longer-term in mind.
Likely choice: Houser, Lauer
Preferred choice: Ashby, Houser
It's hard to imagine Adrian Houser or Eric Lauer losing his job after the way each finished last season. More likely, Aaron Ashby is auditioning for a swingman role in case the Brewers want to go with a six-man rotation early in the season. It would still be a big step for him, giving him a chance to showcase his talents in case one of Houser or Lauer falters. The Brewers are quick to give their most talented pitchers opportunities, as they showed with Freddy Peralta last year.
Likely choice: Cano
Preferred choice: Smith
Robinson Cano seemed like the early front-runner coming off a yearlong PED suspension, but Dominic Smith, who hit .316 with a .993 OPS when the DH was in play for the NL in 2020, has been making noise in camp already, homering twice off Max Scherzer in an intrasquad game and then again in the Grapefruit League opener. The 26-year-old recently revealed that he played last year with a torn labrum in his shoulder, which might explain why his numbers took a step back. Really, any of these three would be of interest in Fantasy with full-time at-bats, so we'd like to see one win the job outright.
Likely choices: Joe, Tapia
Preferred choices: Joe, Tapia
The complicating factor here is that Sam Hilliard has by far the most experience in center field, and being able to cover ground is especially important at Coors Field. The bigger attraction offensively is Connor Joe, who emerged as the leadoff man when Raimel Tapia was sidelined early in the second half last year, reaching base at a .379 clip. He suffered a season-ending hamstring injury thereafter, though, and didn't fully entrench himself, which is a problem since he makes for the most difficult fit defensively.
Likely choices: Pollock, Taylor
Preferred choices: Pollock, Taylor
Chris Taylor and A.J. Pollock will get their at-bats. The question is how much the left-handed-hitting Gavin Lux will interfere. He looked to have a job of his own before the Dodgers signed Freddie Freeman. Chances are he'll earn some share of the starts against right-handers. The Dodgers like to move players in and out of the lineup anyway and probably aren't ready to give up on the 24-year-old. It would be nice to see him actually earn it with his performance this spring, though.
Likely choice: Brujan
Preferred choice: Brujan
There's room for both to make the roster, but Vidal Brujan is too talented to languish on the bench. He'll only make it if the Rays believe they can find at-bats for him, and they plan to try him at third base and shortstop this spring to increase his versatility. Defense isn't a question for Taylor Walls, but it's all he brings to the table. If Brujan manages to carve out a role, his 80-grade speed would make him a must-have in all Rotisserie leagues.
Likely choice: committee
Preferred choice: Warren
Chances are the Reds will go with a closer committee just to leave the door open for Lucas Sims to claim the role when he returns from elbow soreness at some point in April. I'd just as soon see Art Warren step into the role, though, given his 1.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 14.6 K/9 in 21 innings after joining the big club last season. The Reds never did settle on a closer last year, after all, and Sims' own inconsistencies had a lot to do with it.
Likely choices: Dunn, Gutierrez
Preferred choices: Greene, Lodolo
It seemed like a given that one of Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo would make the Reds starting rotation after Sonny Gray was dealt to the Twins, but then Justin Dunn appeared on the scene via the Jesse WInker trade. He and Vladimir Gutierrez give the Reds an easy excuse to delay the arrival of Greene and Lodolo if they so choose, and it's not like they're in a position to contend right now. Ability-wise, Greene and Lodolo may be ready, but Greene threw only 106 1/3 innings in the minors last year and Lodolo only 50 2/3. They'll need to break the doors down this spring.
Likely choice: Pena
Preferred choice: Pena
Even manager Dusty Baker has called Jeremy Pena "the front-runner for the job," and he's never been one to prioritize youth. At least defensively, the 24-year-old makes for an adequate replacement for Carlos Correa, but his offense is a major question mark. He hit .297 with a .942 OPS in the minors last year, but it was the first time he demonstrated real power. It also came in just 37 games because of a wrist injury early on. Niko Goodrum is the fallback if Pena proves unready.
Likely choice: Gore
Preferred choice: Martinez
MacKenzie Gore wasn't thought to be much of a contender until he dazzled in his first spring start, lighting up the radar gun at 98 mph and throwing two-thirds of his pitches for strikes. The Padres are optimistic they've cleaned up the delivery issues that ruined him last year, and remember, he was the game's top pitching prospect at this time a year ago. It's still more likely Nick Martinez (signed to a four-year deal out of Japan, where he had a 1.62 ERA last year) or Chris Paddack (himself a former prospect) wins the job instead, and they offer upside in their own right.
Likely choice: Odorizzi
Preferred choice: Javier
The Astors need a replacement starter for Lance McCullers, who has been slow to heal from a flexor tendon, and Jake Odorozzi makes the most sense if only because Cristian Javier had a moderately successful transition to the bullpen last year. Of course, Odorizzi would be of little Fantasy interest in either role while Javier has performed excellently as a starter so far in his major-league career. He had a 3.14 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 last year before getting bumped to the bullpen.
Likely choice: Stratton
Preferred choice: Bednar
The momentum is with Chris Stratton, who got seven of the Pirates' 10 saves after Richard Rodriguez was dealt last year, but Bednar is clearly the more talented of the two, having compiled a 2.23 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11.4 K/9 last year. The Pirates aren't looking to compete this year, so I suspect they'll look to limit Bednar's saves to keep his eventual arbitration figure down. But to do so, they'll need Stratton not to be a total disaster.
Likely choice: one mess of a platoon
Preferred choices: Vaughn, Sheets
Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets are the two most deserving of at-bats, but since neither is a natural outfielder, it's unclear either could handle right field on an everyday basis. Fortunately, the White Sox don't have a dedicated DH, but only one can slot there on any given day. Because Vaughn bats right-handed and Sheets left-handed, the risk of the White Sox using them in a semi-platoon is real. Maybe one of them looks more natural in the outfield this spring.
Likely choice: Gregorius
Preferred choice: Stott
Sounds like the Phillies are giving prospect Bryson Stott a chance to beat out Didi Gregorius for the everyday shortstop job. Gregorius appears to have lost a step defensively and was never much of an on-base threat. Stott, 24, broke through with a .299 batting average, 16 homers, 10 steals and an .876 OPS between three levels last year, reaching base at a .390 clip. He had an even better showing in the Arizona Fall League.
Likely choice: Detmers
Preferred choice: Detmers
Reid Detmers is the only one of these three who would matter for Fantasy purposes. The 2020 first-rounder looked overmatched in a five-start trial last year but had a 3.19 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 15.7 K/9 between two minor-league levels. His curveball is a genuinely special pitch, and he's already making an impression in camp.
Likely choice: Trivino
Preferred choice: Puk
Lou Trivino led the Athletics with 22 saves last year, which makes him the obvious front-runner for the role. But he faltered down the stretch, forcing the Athletics to deploy an ineffective closer committee as they dropped out of the playoff picture. They've purged much of their roster since then, and the reduced stakes only make it easier for them to give Trivino another try. Injury-plagued lefty A.J. Puk would offer more sizzle if he doesn't make the team as a starter.
Likely choice: Wick
Preferred choice: any as long as it's one
The Cubs eventually settled on Rowan Wick as their closer after moving Craig Kimbrel at the deadline, but his five saves certainly weren't enough to entrench him in the role. Since then, they've signed three relievers who were once on the periphery of closer roles -- Mychal Givens, Chris Martin and David Robertson -- but never claimed it outright (not in a few years, anyway, in Robertson's case). Maybe one of them will this time around.
Likely choice: Rainey
Preferred choice: Rainey
The Nationals bullpen was a disaster last season, and neither Steve Cishek nor Sean Doolittle represents much of an upgrade. All indications are that Tanner Rainey will get the first shot. He was the heir apparent in 2020 but couldn't find the strike zone last year en route to a 7.39 ERA. We'll see if he's straightened out this spring.
Likely choice: platoon
Preferred choice: Hiura
Keston Hiura was a popular breakout pick and prime draft target at this time a year ago, so his fall from grace has been particularly steep. He showed up to camp with a new timing mechanism, though, and is far from a lost cause at age 25. The Brewers won't want to hinder him if he shows middle-of-the-order potential again. If there's still work to be done, though, Rowdy Tellez figures to get the majority of the at-bats at first base, possibly in a platoon with Mike Brosseau.
Likely choice: Grichuk
Preferred choice: Kirk
Randal Grichuk is the most expendable of the four outfielders that the Blue Jays figure to swap in and out of the DH spot -- the others being George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel -- and would be an easy choice to bench if Alejandro Kirk proves deserving of regular at-bats. The portly 23-year-old has excellent bat-on-ball skills and makes loud contact, but the Blue Jays aren't prepared to use him as their primary catcher. There's a chance they could carry three catchers, though, which would open the door to him playing more DH.
Likely choice: Brash
Preferred choice: Brash
Matt Brash unveiled a nasty slider last year, breaking through with a 2.31 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 13.1 K/9 between two minor-league stops. He even spent time on the major-league roster late, though he didn't appear in a game. George Kirby is the superior prospect but is a long shot to make the leap from Double-A after throwing just 67 2/3 innings last year. Justus Sheffield was a disaster in the role last year. The Mariners could trade for someone else before the season starts, but Brash would be exciting enough for Fantasy purposes.
Likely choice: platoon
Preferred choice: Gorman
Corey Dickerson has been a useful Fantasy contributor in the past and is committed to hitting for power again after selling out for batting average in more recent years, but it's the younger guys who interest us more, right? Lars Nootbaar made an impression with sporadic at-bats last year, and Juan Yepez broke through with a .969 OPS between two minor-league levels. Maybe some sort of platoon is in order there. Beat writer John Denton (article linked above) also mentioned top prospect Nolan Gorman as a possibility, but it's doubtful he comes up until the Cardinals are ready to turn over second base to him.
Likely choices: Ynoa, Davidson
Preferred choices: Ynoa, Strider
Huascar Ynoa has had the most success of this group so far and was becoming a hot commodity in Fantasy before a fractured hand shut him down for three months last May. More or less just a two-pitch pitcher, he had lost the Braves' confidence by the World Series, which is why Tucker Davidson got a start instead. Kyle Muller and Spencer Strider are the ones with the prospect buzz right now, and each made a major-league cameo last year. Strider, who had a 21 percent swinging-strike rate across four minor-league levels last year, is particularly interesting.
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2022 Fantasy Baseball Draft Prep: Top 30 position battles at the start of spring training - CBS Sports
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