MLB Power Rankings: Mid-Spring Training Edition

While wins and losses are essentially meaningless during spring training, it is still an important time for players to round into regular-season form.

It's a time for star players to get ready for another big season, and bubble players to battle for their spot on a team's 25-man roster.

We're roughly at the midway point of spring training, so here is an updated look at where all 30 teams stand as we move closer to Opening Day.

*Note: Rosters taken from MLBDepthCharts.com.

30. Houston Astros

Mid-Spring Star

SP Phil Humber (4 G, 14 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 7 K)

Picked up off waivers from the White Sox before spring training, Humber will make $800,000 this coming season with a team option for 2014 and will serve as the team's No. 4 starter.

After resurrecting his career in 2011, he struggled to a 6.44 ERA last season over 26 games (16 starts), though he did throw a perfect game against the Mariners on April 21.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Tyler Greene
2B Jose Altuve
DH Carlos Pena
LF Chris Carter
1B Brett Wallace
CF Justin Maxwell
C Jason Castro
RF Fernando Martinez
3B Matt Dominguez

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Bud Norris
SP Lucas Harrell
SP Jordan Lyles
SP Phil Humber
SP Erik Bedard
CP Jose Veras

29. Miami Marlins

Mid-Spring Star

2B Donovan Solano (14-for-28, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 6 R)

Signed at the age of 17 by the Cardinals out of Colombia, Donovan Solano signed as a free agent with the Marlins in November of 2011 but failed to make the team out of camp.

The 25-year-old did earn a midseason call-up last year, though, and took over at second base after Omar Infante was traded. He hit .295/.342/.375 over 285 at-bats, and he'll open 2013 as the unquestioned starter at second.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Juan Pierre
3B Placido Polanco
RF Giancarlo Stanton
1B Logan Morrison
CF Justin Ruggiano
C Rob Brantly
2B Donovan Solano
SS Adeiny Hechavarria
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Ricky Nolasco
SP Henderson Alvarez
SP Wade LeBlanc
SP Nathan Eovaldi
SP Jacob Turner
CP Steve Cishek

28. Colorado Rockies

Mid-Spring Star

3B Nolan Arenado (8-for-23, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R)

After a breakout season at High-A in 2011, Nolan Arenado struggled to duplicate that success while he made the jump to Double-A in 2012, finishing the year with a .285/.337/.428 line and 12 home runs.

Those are still solid numbers—especially given the fact that he was 21—and he has impressed all spring in his pursuit of the everyday third base job this season.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Dexter Fowler
2B Josh Rutledge
LF Carlos Gonzalez
SS Troy Tulowitzki
RF Michael Cuddyer
1B Todd Helton
C Wilin Rosario
3B Chris Nelson
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jorge De La Rosa
SP Jhoulys Chacin
SP Drew Pomeranz
SP Juan Nicasio
SP Jeff Francis
CP Rafael Betancourt

27. Minnesota Twins

Mid-Spring Star

CF Aaron Hicks (13-for-35, 3 2B, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 11 R)

Hicks has been on the top-prospect radar since being taken in the first round of the 2008 draft. He enters the 2013 season as the No. 72-ranked prospect in baseball and the No. 6-ranked prospect in the Twins' system, according to Baseball America.

With Darin Mastroianni (7-for-17) hitting well this spring, the 23-year-old Hicks may still wind up starting the year in the minors, but he'll make his debut at some point in 2013. 

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Darin Mastroianni
2B Jamey Carroll
C Joe Mauer
LF Josh Willingham
1B Justin Morneau
DH Ryan Doumit
RF Chris Parmelee
3B Trevor Plouffe
SS Pedro Florimon Jr.

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Vance Worley
SP Kevin Correia
SP Mike Pelfrey
SP Liam Hendriks
SP Brian Duensing
CP Glen Perkins

26. San Diego Padres

Mid-Spring Star

LF Kyle Blanks (11-for-24, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 9 R)

Injuries have limited the once promising Blanks to just 92 games over the past three seasons, and he has failed to take the next step after hitting 10 home runs in 148 at-bats back in 2009.

He's still only 26, though, and the Padres could certainly use another bat with some pop, so he has an outside shot to crack the Opening Day roster if he keeps it up.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Everth Cabrera
2B Logan Forsythe
3B Chase Headley
LF Carlos Quentin
1B Yonder Alonso
RF Will Venable
CF Cameron Maybin
C Nick Hundley
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Edinson Volquez
SP Clayton Richard
SP Jason Marquis
SP Eric Stults
SP Freddy Garcia
CP Huston Street

25. Chicago Cubs

Mid-Spring Star

OF Brian Bogusevic (11-for-25, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 R)

A first-round pick back in 2005, Bogusevic saw a career-high 355 at-bats for the Astros last season but hit just .203/.297/.299 with seven home runs and 15 steals.

The Cubs gave a roster spot to Joe Mather last spring after he turned in a solid preseason, and Bogusevic looks to have a great shot at beating out either Dave Sappelt or Brent Lillibridge for a bench spot this season.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF David DeJesus
SS Starlin Castro
1B Anthony Rizzo
LF Alfonso Soriano
RF Nate Schierholtz
3B Ian Stewart
C Welington Castillo
2B Darwin Barney
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jeff Samardzija
SP Edwin Jackson
SP Scott Feldman 
SP Travis Wood
SP Carlos Villanueva
CP Carlos Marmol

24. New York Mets

Mid-Spring Star

OF Jordany Valdespin (10-for-27, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R)

Valdespin appears to have taken the lead for a starting outfield job and the lead-off spot in the Mets lineup, where his greatest asset—his speed—will be on display.

He hit .241/.286/.424 with eight home runs and 10 steals in 191 at-bats last season while playing all over the field. Now, he has a chance to settle into an everyday job in a wide open Mets outfield if he keeps it up this spring.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Jordany Valdespin
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Ike Davis
LF Lucas Duda
RF Marlon Byrd
C John Buck
SS Ruben Tejada
Pitcher 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jon Niese
SP Shaun Marcum
SP Matt Harvey
SP Dillon Gee
SP Jeremy Hefner
CP Bobby Parnell

23. Pittsburgh Pirates

Mid-Spring Star

LF Starling Marte (9-for-24, 2 3B, 6 R, 3 SB)

The speedy Marte announced himself as a top prospect with a breakout 2011 season in Double-A, and he turned in a solid big league debut last season.

Over 167 at-bats, he hit .257/.300/.437 with five home runs and 12 steals, which was enough to make him the front-runner for the starting left field and leadoff roles entering camp this year. He's done nothing to hurt his stock this spring, and he could be in line for a breakout year.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Starling Marte
2B Neil Walker
CF Andrew McCutchen
1B Garrett Jones
3B Pedro Alvarez
C Russell Martin
RF Travis Snider
SS Clint Barmes
Pitcher 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP A.J. Burnett
SP Wandy Rodriguez
SP James McDonald
SP Jeff Karstens
SP Kyle McPherson
CP Jason Grilli

22. Chicago White Sox

Mid-Spring Star

SP Dylan Axelrod (3 G, 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)

Taken in the 30th round by the Padres back in 2007, Axelrod was released by San Diego in 2009 and spent time in the Independent League before landing with the White Sox in August of that same year.

He went 7-5 with a 2.88 ERA in 16 Triple-A starts last season, and he also saw 14 games (seven starts) in the majors where he was 2-2 with a 5.47 ERA. He may not earn a rotation spot out of camp, but he could be the next in line if the team needs a fill-in starter at any point.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Alejandro De Aza
3B Jeff Keppinger
RF Alex Rios
1B Paul Konerko
DH Adam Dunn
LF Dayan Viciedo
SS Alexei Ramirez
C Tyler Flowers
2B Gordon Beckham

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Chris Sale
SP Jake Peavy
SP John Danks
SP Gavin Floyd
SP Jose Quintana
CP Addison Reed

21. Seattle Mariners

Mid-Spring Star

RF Michael Saunders (12-for-29, 4 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R)

The above stats reflect Saunders' combined performance between six games in camp with the Mariners and three games playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.

Though Canada was eliminated in pool play, Saunders was the MVP of Pool D, as he went 8-for-11 with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI. He'll now look to carry that production over to the regular season and build off his quiet 2012 breakout year in which he had 19 home runs and 21 steals for the Mariners.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

2B Dustin Ackley
CF Franklin Gutierrez
3B Kyle Seager
LF Michael Morse
DH Kendrys Morales
C Jesus Montero
1B Justin Smoak
RF Michael Saunders
SS Brendan Ryan

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Felix Hernandez
SP Joe Saunders
SP Hisashi Iwakuma 
SP Erasmo Ramirez
SP Blake Beavan
CP Tom Wilhelmsen

20. Cleveland Indians

Mid-Spring Star

SP Scott Kazmir (3 G, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

With all due respect to Ryan Raburn and Nick Swisher, who have both been tearing the cover off the ball, Kazmir has been the talk of Indians camp, and rightfully so.

The 29-year-old last pitched in the majors on April 3, 2011, and he spent last season toiling in the Independent League. He has a ways to go to prove that he's back, but so far he has looked good on the comeback trail.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Michael Bourn
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
2B Jason Kipnis
1B Nick Swisher
C Carlos Santana
DH Mark Reynolds
LF Michael Brantley
3B Lonnie Chisenhall
RF Drew Stubbs

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Justin Masterson 
SP Ubaldo Jimenez 
SP Brett Myers
SP Zach McAllister
SP Scott Kazmir
CP Chris Perez

19. New York Yankees

Mid-Spring Star

2B Robinson Cano (17-for-37, 4 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R)

Cano, who is playing for the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic, has gotten off to a great start this spring and is turning in an MVP-caliber performance in the tournament.

He leads the WBC field with 12 hits, including four doubles and two home runs, and he'll be counted on to keep that up in what will be a decimated Yankees lineup to open the 2013 regular season.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

RF Ichiro Suzuki
SS Derek Jeter
2B Robinson Cano
3B Kevin Youkilis
DH Travis Hafner
LF Juan Rivera
1B Dan Johnson
CF Brett Gardner
C Chris Stewart

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP CC Sabathia
SP Hiroki Kuroda 
SP Andy Pettitte
SP Phil Hughes
SP Ivan Nova
CP Mariano Rivera

18. Boston Red Sox

Mid-Spring Star

CF Jackie Bradley, Jr. (15-for-28, 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R)

Bradley put any lingering injury concerns from his time at South Carolina behind him during his first pro season last year, hitting .315/.430/.482 and swiping 24 bases.

He appears to be the heir apparent in center field with Jacoby Ellsbury set to hit free agency at season's end, and he has the potential to be a bona fide star down the line.

*Special mention to right-hander Allen Webster, who was acquired in the blockbuster deal with the Dodgers last August, as he's been terrific as well (11 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, 14 K).

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Stephen Drew
DH Mike Napoli
RF Shane Victorino
3B Will Middlebrooks
LF Jonny Gomes
1B Lyle Overbay
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

2013 Projected Rotation

SP Jon Lester
SP Clay Buchholz
SP Ryan Dempster
SP Felix Doubront
SP John Lackey
CP Joel Hanrahan

17. Milwaukee Brewers

Mid-Spring Star

OF Caleb Gindl (10-for-26, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R)

A fifth-round pick in 2007, the 5'9" Gindl has spent the past two seasons in Triple-A. Nagging injuries limited his production last season, but his 2011 numbers could be an indication of what he's capable of.

In his first go-around in Triple-A, he hit .307/.390/.472 with 15 home runs and 60 RBI. While he may never be an everyday big leaguer, the Baseball America Prospect Handbook likens him to Laynce Nix, who has put together a solid career as a fourth outfielder.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

RF Norichika Aoki
2B Rickie Weeks
LF Ryan Braun
3B Aramis Ramirez
C Jonathan Lucroy
CF Carlos Gomez
1B Alex Gonzalez
SS Jean Segura
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Yovani Gallardo
SP Marco Estrada
SP Michael Fiers
SP Chris Narveson
SP Wily Peralta
CP John Axford

16. Philadelphia Phillies

Mid-Spring Star

RF Domonic Brown (16-for-40, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 15 R)

After being considered one of the top prospects in baseball entering the 2011 season—ranked No. 4 overall, according to Baseball America—Brown has seen just 371 total at-bats over the past two seasons due to injuries and offensive struggles.

With two spots in the outfield up for grabs on the big league club, Brown has done everything in his power to win a starting position this year. Maybe this will be the year he turns in the breakout season that we all expected back in 2011.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Jimmy Rollins
2B Chase Utley
3B Michael Young
1B Ryan Howard
LF Darin Ruf
RF Domonic Brown
CF Ben Revere
C Erik Kratz
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Cole Hamels
SP Roy Halladay
SP Cliff Lee
SP Kyle Kendrick
SP John Lannan
CP Jonathan Papelbon

15. Texas Rangers

Mid-Spring Star

UT Jeff Baker (18-for-34, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 10 R)

After spending last season with the Cubs, Tigers and Braves, Baker settled for a minor league deal from the Rangers this offseason with an invitation to spring training.

He's a .266/.316/.428 career hitter and is capable of playing all four infield positions as well as the corner outfield. He should be a shoo-in for a bench spot this season after the way he has opened the preseason.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
DH Lance Berkman
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
LF David Murphy
C A.J. Pierzynski
1B Mitch Moreland
CF Leonys Martin

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Yu Darvish
SP Derek Holland
SP Matt Harrison
SP Alexi Ogando
SP Robbie Ross
CP Joe Nathan

14. Baltimore Orioles

Mid-Spring Star

1B Steve Pearce (9-for-21, 3 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R)

A journeyman with plus power, Pearce has never seen more than 165 at-bats in a season, and he spent last year with the Orioles, Astros and Yankees.

The Orioles acquired Jim Thome at the deadline last year to try and provide some punch off the bench, and that is a need once again. Pearce and Conor Jackson both have an outside shot at a roster spot as a result.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

2B Brian Roberts
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones
C Matt Wieters
1B Chris Davis
SS J.J. Hardy
LF Nate McLouth
3B Manny Machado
DH Wilson Betemit

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jason Hammel
SP Wei-Yin Chen
SP Chris Tillman
SP Miguel Gonzalez
SP Jair Jurrjens
CP Jim Johnson

13. Kansas City Royals

Mid-Spring Star

LF Alex Gordon (15-for-28, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 10 R)

The Royals are currently hitting a ridiculous .342/.395/.528 as a team this spring, so there are plenty of impressive performers to choose from, but we'll give Gordon the nod here.

Though he failed to match the production of his breakout season in 2011, the 29-year-old was solid nonetheless with a 5.9 WAR. He may never be a superstar, but he should continue to be a plus-performer atop the Royals lineup.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Alex Gordon
SS Alcides Escobar
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
C Salvador Perez
3B Mike Moustakas
RF Jeff Francoeur
CF Lorenzo Cain
2B Chris Getz

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP James Shields
SP Jeremy Guthrie
SP Ervin Santana 
SP Wade Davis
SP Bruce Chen
CP Greg Holland

12. Arizona Diamondbacks

Mid-Spring Star

1B Paul Goldschmidt (13-for-29, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 5 R, 6 BB)

After a strong audition in 2011 that ended with him serving as the starting first baseman in the postseason, Goldschmidt took the next step toward stardom last season.

He hit .286/.359/.490 with 20 home runs and 18 steals, and he still has the room to improve. At 25 years old, he has the tools to join the ranks of the game's elite first basemen.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Adam Eaton
2B Aaron Hill
C Miguel Montero
LF Jason Kubel
3B Martin Prado
1B Paul Goldschmidt
RF Cody Ross
SS Cliff Pennington
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Ian Kennedy
SP Trevor Cahill
SP Wade Miley
SP Brandon McCarthy
SP Tyler Skaggs
CP J.J. Putz

11. Oakland Athletics

Mid-Spring Star

OF Shane Peterson (16-for-35, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R)

A second-round pick in the 2008 draft, Peterson has moved slowly through the A's system, but he put up the best numbers of his career last year, hitting .326/.460/.510 between Double-A and Triple-A.

The Oakland outfield is already crowded, so Peterson's chances of making the roster out of camp are slim, but the 25-year-old should see the majors at some point in 2013.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Coco Crisp
3B Jed Lowrie
LF Yoenis Cespedes
1B Brandon Moss
RF Josh Reddick
DH Seth Smith
C John Jaso
2B Scott Sizemore
SS Hiroyuki Nakajima

Projected Opening Day Rotation 

SP Brett Anderson
SP Jarrod Parker
SP Tom Milone
SP A.J. Griffin
SP Daniel Straily
CP Ryan Cook

10. St. Louis Cardinals

Mid-Spring Star

SP Michael Wacha (4 G, 9.2 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 13 K)

The No. 19 overall pick in last June's draft, Wacha made a splash after signing last summer with a 0.86 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 21 innings in Double-A.

He's just another frontline arm in a terrific Cardinals minor league system, and the 21-year-old should continue to move quickly through the system and could set himself up for a September call-up.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF John Jay
1B Allen Craig
LF Matt Holliday
RF Carlos Beltran
C Yadier Molina
3B David Freese
2B Matt Carpenter
SS Pete Kozma
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Adam Wainwright
SP Jaime Garcia
SP Jake Westbrook
SP Lance Lynn
SP Shelby Miller
CP Jason Motte

9. Tampa Bay Rays

Mid-Spring Stats

SP Alex Cobb (4 G, 14 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 18 K)

The trade of James Shields has left a hole in the Rays rotation, but there may be no team better suited to replace someone like Shields than Tampa Bay, with its deep stable of starting pitching.

Though he didn't break camp with the team last year, the 25-year-old did make 23 starts for the team and went 11-9 with a 4.03 ERA. He's pitched like an ace this spring, and he could certainly help ease the loss of Shields with a breakout season.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Desmond Jennings
SS Yunel Escobar
RF Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
LF Matt Joyce
DH Luke Scott
2B Kelly Johnson 
1B James Loney 
C Jose Molina

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP David Price
SP Jeremy Hellickson
SP Matt Moore
SP Alex Cobb
SP Jeff Niemann
CP Fernando Rodney

8. Los Angeles Angels

Mid-Spring Star

2B Howie Kendrick (13-for-27, 1 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R)

Kendrick has continued his hot spring as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2012. After a breakout 2011, he signed a four-year, $33.5 million extension, but his OPS fell nearly 80 points last season.

He is still just 29 years old, so a return to his All-Star form is very possible. He could give the Angels yet another potent bat in their already stacked lineup.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

LF Mike Trout
SS Erick Aybar
1B Albert Pujols
RF Josh Hamilton
DH Mark Trumbo
2B Howie Kendrick
3B Alberto Callaspo
C Chris Iannetta
CF Peter Bourjos 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Jered Weaver
SP C.J. Wilson
SP Joe Blanton
SP Jason Vargas
SP Tommy Hanson 
CP Ernesto Frieri

7. Atlanta Braves

Mid-Spring Star

C/OF Evan Gattis (13-for-28, 5 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R)

Though he is already 26 and has just 49 games above Single-A under his belt, Gattis has made quite an impression this spring with his powerful bat.

A wrist injury limited him to just 74 games last season, but he still managed to hit .305/.389/.607 with 18 home runs and 67 RBI, and he has a real shot at a bench job with Atlanta.

*Props to shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who has been a catalyst for the surprising Team Netherlands in the WBC, going 10-for-27 with three doubles and two home runs.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Andrelton Simmons
RF Jason Heyward
LF Justin Upton
1B Freddie Freeman
CF B.J. Upton
2B Dan Uggla
3B Juan Francisco
C Gerald Laird 
Pitcher 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Tim Hudson
SP Kris Medlen
SP Mike Minor
SP Paul Maholm
SP Julio Teheran
CP Craig Kimbrel

6. Toronto Blue Jays

Mid-Spring Star

SS Jose Reyes (15-for-33, 1 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 9 R)

One of a number of big-name acquisitions the Blue Jays made this offseason, Reyes went 9-for-14 with a double and a home run in six games with the team before joining the Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic.

He has continued to hit well in the tournament, scoring five runs, and he should serve as a similarly dangerous table setter for a stacked Blue Jays lineup in the season ahead.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
1B Edwin Encarnacion
CF Colby Rasmus
3B Brett Lawrie
DH Adam Lind
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Emilio Bonifacio 

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP R.A. Dickey 
SP Brandon Morrow
SP Mark Buehrle
SP Josh Johnson 
SP Ricky Romero
CP Casey Janssen

5. Los Angeles Dodgers

Mid-Spring Star

OF Yasiel Puig (14-for-33, 3 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R)

Signed to a seven-year, $42 million contract after defecting from Cuba last summer, Puig hit .354/.442/.634 with five home runs and eight steals in 23 minor league games for the Dodgers last season.

The 22-year-old has as much offensive potential as any prospect in baseball, and he has held his own against big league talent this spring. He does have 10 strikeouts in 33 at-bats, so he still needs some seasoning, but he appears to be ahead of the developmental curve.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SS Hanley Ramirez
2B Mark Ellis
CF Matt Kemp
1B Adrian Gonzalez
RF Andre Ethier
3B Luis Cruz
LF Skip Schumaker
C A.J. Ellis 
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Lineup

SP Clayton Kershaw
SP Zack Greinke
SP Josh Beckett
SP Hyun-Jin Ryu
SP Chad Billingsley
CP Brandon League

4. Cincinnati Reds

Mid-Spring Star

C Devin Mesoraco (8-for-17, 1 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 3 R)

Mesoraco turned in a disappointing line during his rookie season, hitting just .212 with five home runs and 14 RBI over 165 at-bats while backing up Ryan Hanigan.

He'll once again fill the role of backup, but if he can continue to hit like he has this spring, he could unseat the veteran Hanigan. Mesoraco's offensive upside is high, and if he can step up, he would make an already stacked Reds lineup that much better.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Shin-Soo Choo
2B Brandon Phillips
1B Joey Votto
LF Ryan Ludwick
RF Jay Bruce
3B Todd Frazier
SS Zack Cozart
C Ryan Hanigan
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Johnny Cueto
SP Mat Latos
SP Bronson Arroyo
SP Homer Bailey
SP Aroldis Chapman
CP Jonathan Broxton

3. Washington Nationals

Mid-Spring Star

OF Bryce Harper (14-for-32, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R)

Last spring, Harper was trying to prove that he belonged in the major leagues, though he'd eventually wind up starting the season in the minors.

This spring, Harper is trying to take the next step in his progression toward super stardom, and the early returns have been impressive. Manager Davey Johnson has already seen enough to slot him in the No. 3 spot in the order, and a 30-HR, 100-RBI season is certainly doable.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Stephen Strasburg
SP Gio Gonzalez
SP Jordan Zimmermann
SP Dan Haren
SP Ross Detwiler
CP Rafael Soriano

2. Detroit Tigers

Mid-Spring Star

RP Al Alburquerque (7 G, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 11 K)

With Jose Valverde departing via free agency and hard-throwing prospect Bruce Rondon struggling early on in camp, the ninth-inning role in Detroit has yet to be resolved.

Alburquerque has legitimate swing-and-miss stuff, with 85 strikeouts in 56.2 big league innings. Even if he doesn't wind up in the closer's role, the right-hander will still play a major role in the team's bullpen this coming season.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Austin Jackson
RF Torii Hunter
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Prince Fielder
DH Victor Martinez
LF Andy Dirks
SS Jhonny Peralta
C Alex Avila
2B Omar Infante

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Justin Verlander
SP Doug Fister
SP Max Scherzer
SP Anibal Sanchez
SP Rick Porcello
CP Bruce Rondon

1. San Francisco Giants

Mid-Spring Star

1B Brandon Belt (15-for-33, 2 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R)

Belt set the bar incredibly high when he hit .352/.455/.620 in his pro debut in 2010 while reaching Triple-A. As a result, his first full season in the majors last year was a disappointment of sorts.

Still, his .275/.360/.421 line was solid, and he added seven home runs and 12 steals. The 24-year-old has plenty of room to improve, and while he doesn't have premier power, he could settle in as a perennial 20/20 player.

Projected Opening Day Lineup

CF Angel Pagan
2B Marco Scutaro
3B Pablo Sandoval
C Buster Posey
RF Hunter Pence
1B Brandon Belt
LF Gregor Blanco
SS Brandon Crawford
Pitcher

Projected Opening Day Rotation

SP Matt Cain
SP Madison Bumgarner
SP Tim Lincecum
SP Barry Zito
SP Ryan Vogelsong
CP Sergio Romo