MLB Predictions: Forecasting Winners for the 10 Biggest Position Battles
One of the most exciting aspects of spring training is the positional battles that every team faces.
Last year, young players such as Jason Heyward claimed starting spots for their teams, while veterans such as Bengie Molina held off charges from rookies to hold onto their spots, if only for a while.
The 2011 season is no different. Every team has a position battle ongoing but some are more important than others.
Here are the projected winners for 10 of the biggest positional battles this spring training.
10. Mariners Fifth Starter
1 of 10
Seattle’s battle for the final spot in the rotation hasn’t garnered much hype, but the end result could be huge for the franchise.
Prospect Michael Pineda has had a great spring, and he has gained better control of his changeup. This kind of improvement will help him hold off David Pauley and start the season in the bigs.
Projected Winner: Michael Pineda
9. Phillies Right Fielder
2 of 10
With Domonic Brown starting the season on the DL, the Phillies must find a new right fielder for the month of April.
Both John Mayberry and Ben Francisco are qualified to fill in, so Charlie Manual will have a difficult decision to make in the coming week, as both players have produced equally.
Projected Winner: John Mayberry
8. Angels Catcher
3 of 10
With the departure of Mike Napoli, the Angels are looking for a new catcher.
Jeff Mathis, Bobby Wilson and prospect Hank Conger are all in the running. As much as fans want Conger, the MVP of the 2010 Futures Game, to be the starter in 2011, it appears he will start the season in the minors and he will be called up midseason.
Manager Mike Scioscia seems to be leaning towards Jeff Mathis, who is a great defensive catcher but an average hitter.
Projected Winner: Jeff Mathis
.png?w=256)
7. Braves Fifth Starter
4 of 10
Before the spring started, Mike Minor was the favorite for the fifth starting role, with Brandon Beachy and Rodrigo Lopez as the challengers.
With spring almost over, things have changed.
Beachy has passed Minor and he is now the favorite. If Minor wants a spot in the Braves’ rotation, he must finish spring very strong.
Projected Winner: Brandon Beachy
6. Rangers Fifth Starter
5 of 10
The big dilemma with this race is whether Neftali Feliz will join the rotation or return to the bullpen as the closer.
If Feliz returns to the bullpen, the fifth starter will be Derek Holland or Matt Harrison.
But that is starting to look less likely. Brandon Webb will start the season on the DL and Feliz has been great in the spring.
Look for Feliz to at least start the season in the rotation.
Projected Winner: Neftali Feliz
5. Marlins Third Baseman
6 of 10
At first it appeared rookie Matt Dominguez, the Marlins’ top prospect, would win the starting spot at third.
Although his glove is ready for the majors, his bat isn’t. He has seen his batting average drop below the Mendoza line this spring.
This has allowed veteran Wes Helms to emerge as the front-runner to claim the starting spot.
Projected Winner: Wes Helms
4. Braves Closer
7 of 10
The Atlanta closer job appears to be a two-man race between Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters, with the loser joining veteran George Sherill in a setup role.
Kimbrel has been the early favorite, though Venters has proven to be a reliable arm out of the pen.
Projected Winner: Craig Kimbrel
3. Phillies Second Baseman
8 of 10
When Chase Utley is healthy, he will, of course, be the starting second baseman for the Phillies. But with him down, Philadelphia has been scrambling to find a replacement.
The answer appears to have come recently when they signed veteran second baseman Luis Castillo, who was recently cut by the Mets.
Castillo appears to be a short-term replacement for Utley, and once Utley comes back, he will be relegated to a utility role.
Projected Winner: Luis Castillo
2. Mets Second Baseman
9 of 10
With Luis Castillo being cut, the Mets are searching for a new second baseman.
They have no shortage of options. Daniel Murphy, Luis Hernandez, Brad Emaus and Justin Turner all have a shot at becoming the starter.
Out of all of these options, Emaus is the one who has started to separate himself from the field and is now the favorite to claim the Mets’ starting role at second.
Projected Winner: Brad Emaus
1. Yankees Fourth/Fifth Starter
10 of 10
All eyes have been on the Yankees to see who will be their fourth and fifth starters.
Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre are all competing for the final two spots.
It appears Mitre has fallen behind while the other three are battling it out.
Projected Winners: Ivan Nova and Bartolo Colon
.png?w=480)
