Every MLB Team's Biggest Position Battle to Watch This Spring
The start of the 2024 MLB season is just a few short weeks away, and as teams start to option players to minor league camp, each club's Opening Day roster starts to take a more clear shape by the day.
However, every team still has at least one notable spring roster battle that needs to be sorted out in the coming weeks, whether it's finding a fill-in for an injured player or sorting out a position that was up in the air when camp began.
Ahead we've highlighted each team's biggest position battle at roughly the midway point in the spring training schedule, with a list of candidates still in the mix to win the job and some details on how things are shaping up.
These are the decisions that will likely put the finishing touches on each team's 26-man roster heading into Opening Day.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Ryne Nelson, LHP Tommy Henry
The Arizona Diamondbacks have Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodríguez and Brandon Pfaadt locked into the first four spots in the starting rotation, and it appears to be a two-man race for the final starting job.
If in-game performance is the determining factor, Nelson (11.2 IP, 3.09 ERA, 14 K) is having a much better spring than Henry (13.2 IP, 8.56 ERA, 9 K). It's also worth noting that Nelson finished third on the team with 144 innings pitched in 2023.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Reynaldo López, RHP Bryce Elder
With AJ Smith-Shawver optioned to minor league camp on Monday, it's down to Reynaldo López, Bryce Elder and Huascar Ynoa still in camp battling for the final spot in the starting rotation.
López signed a three-year, $30 million deal in November, and after spending the bulk of his time in the bullpen the last three seasons, he has responded well to being stretched back out as a starter this spring.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Position Battle: Fourth outfielder
Candidates: Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, Ryan McKenna, Kyle Stowers
The Baltimore Orioles will once again trot out a starting outfield of Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander, but the battle for the fourth outfielder job is still up for grabs.
Ryan McKenna has effectively filled that role the last few seasons, and he is out of minor league options, but he doesn't offer the same upside as top prospects Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. The question is whether the Orioles will prefer to get those guys regular playing time in the minors to open the year.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Position Battle: Ceddanne Rafaela's role
Candidates: Wilyer Abreu, Emmanuel Valdez
This one is not as straightforward as most of the position battles on the list, with the biggest spring decision for the Boston Red Sox being what they choose to do with top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela.
The 23-year-old entered camp as a candidate to push Wilyer Abreu for the third starting outfield spot alongside Jarren Duran and Tyler O'Neill, with Masataka Yoshida expected to see the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter.
That still might end up being his role, but an injury to second baseman Vaughn Grissom has complicated the situation. Rafaela is viewed as a potential Gold Glove contender in center field, but he also has significant experience playing both middle infield spots, and the team could opt to use him at second base to open the year until Grissom is back.
Otherwise, Emmanuel Valdez is the logical choice to slot in at second base.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Position Battle: No. 4 and No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Javier Assad, LHP Drew Smyly, RHP Hayden Wesneski, LHP Jordan Wicks
There's a good chance all four of the pitchers listed above will break camp with a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the Chicago Cubs still need to sort out who is going to follow Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Shōta Imanaga in the starting rotation. It was a battle for one rotation spot before it was announced earlier this week that Jameson Taillon is expected to open the year on the injured list with back tightness.
Drew Smyly has the most starting experience, but he was also slated to be the lone lefty in the bullpen. Javier Assad, Hayden Wesneski and Jordan Wicks all have multiple option years remaining, which gives the Cubs flexibility.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Position Battle: Non-catcher bench
Candidates: Danny Mendick, Mike Moustakas, Kevin Pillar, Zach Remillard, Gavin Sheets, Braden Shewmake, Lenyn Sosa
Veterans Martín Maldonado and Max Stassi are going to form a platoon behind the plate for the Chicago White Sox, so one of the spots on what is expected to be a four-man bench will go to the backup catcher, but the other three spots are up in the air.
Danny Mendick, Braden Shewmake and Lenyn Sosa are all vying for the utility infield role, while Gavin Sheets and non-roster invitee Mike Moustakas offer a similar profile as a left-handed hitting power bat. Veteran Kevin Pillar looks like the safest bet to claim one of the open spots as a right-handed hitting platoon option for rookie Dominic Fletcher in right field.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Nick Martinez, RHP Connor Phillips, LHP Brandon Williamson
Losing top prospect Noelvi Marte to an 80-game suspension for a positive PED test sorted out an infield logjam for the Cincinnati Reds, leaving the back of the starting rotation as the biggest question that still needs to be answered.
Hunter Greene, Frankie Montas, Andrew Abbott and Graham Ashcraft appear to be locks for the first four starting roles, and Nick Lodolo will open the year on the injured list, leaving young up-and-comers Connor Phillips and Brandon Williamson to compete with free-agent signing Nick Martinez for the fifth starter job.
If he doesn't win a starting role, Martinez is still a safe bet to be part of the Opening Day roster in a swingman role.
Cleveland Guardians
8 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Xzavion Curry, RHP Hunter Gaddis, RHP Ben Lively
Top prospect Brayan Rocchio (3-for-23, 1 XBH) has not done enough this spring to push Gabriel Arias for the starting shortstop job, and regardless of who wins the center field job, both Myles Straw and Estevan Florial should both have a roster spot, so let's focus on the starting rotation.
Gavin Williams is dealing with elbow discomfort and expected to open the year on the injured list, which creates an opening in a staff that seemed to be set in stone when spring training began. Familiar face Carlos Carrasco is making a solid case as a non-roster invitee, and it might be his job to lose.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Position Battle: Fourth outfielder
Candidates: Sam Hilliard, Michael Toglia, Bradley Zimmer
With slugger Hunter Goodman optioned to the minors on Tuesday, there is one fewer name in the mix for the Colorado Rockies outfield, and assuming Sean Bouchard will break camp as the starting right fielder leaves three guys fighting for one spot.
Sam Hilliard returned to Colorado last month when he was claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles, but he has his work cut out for him in edging out a red-hot Bradley Zimmer (12-for-28, 4 2B, 1 HR, 3 SB), who is making his case as a non-roster invitee.
Slugger Michael Toglia (10-for-30, 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI) is the X-factor as he looks to make good on being the No. 23 overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Position Battle: No. 4 and No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Matt Manning, RHP Casey Mize, RHP Reese Olson
Matt Manning and Reese Olson both showed enough during the 2023 season to warrant a long look in the Detroit Tigers rotation this year, but a healthy Casey Mize has created a three-man race for the final two spots on the staff behind Tarik Skubal, Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty.
Mize, 26, has not pitched in a competitive game since April 14, 2022, so the answer might simply be to send him to Triple-A to shake off the rust. That would also help to limit his innings, since he will almost certainly be on a hard cap this year.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Position Battle: Final bench spot
Candidates: Corey Julks, Grae Kessinger, Joey Loperfido
The versatility of Mauricio Dubón gives the Houston Astros a lot of flexibility with how they want to round on their bench, with the 2023 Gold Glove winner giving the team a viable backup option at second base, shortstop and in center field. Catcher Victor Caratini and former top prospect Jon Singleton are also safe bets to join Dubón on the Opening Day roster.
Outfielder Corey Julks was on the Opening Day roster last year, and he might be the logical pick as a right-handed bat who can provide some balance alongside the lefty swinging Singleton. That said, there are "some inside the organization pushing for" prospect Joey Loperfido to be the pick, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Position Battle: Designated hitter
Candidates: Nick Pratto, Nelson Velázquez
Nelson Velázquez entered spring training looking like a lock for the Opening Day roster after posting a 134 OPS+ with 14 home runs in 40 games after he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline.
However, he is just 5-for-27 with seven strikeouts this spring, and that could open the door for a resurgent Nick Pratto to push his way ahead of him on the Kansas City Royals' depth chart.
The 25-year-old is 10-for-25 with two home runs and nine RBI this spring, and with Vinnie Pasquantino entrenched as the starting first baseman, his only real path to regular playing time is in the designated hitter role.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Position Battle: Final bench spot
Candidates: Ehire Adrianza, Miguel Sanó, Livan Soto
The defensive versatility of Luis Rengifo and Brandon Drury gives the Los Angeles Angels some flexibility on how they want to approach the final spot on the bench.
Non-roster invitee Ehire Adrianza fits a traditional utility infield role, but if the club feels comfortable with Rengifo at shortstop and Drury at second base on occasion, it could opt for the significant offensive upside that slugger Miguel Sanó provides.
The 30-year-old has not played in a big league game since July 29, 2022, but he is reportedly down a whopping 56 pounds. The former All-Star has averaged 38 home runs per 162 games over the course of his eight seasons in the majors.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Michael Grove, RHP Kyle Hurt, RHP Gavin Stone, LHP Ryan Yarbrough
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the deepest stable of starting pitching options of any team in baseball, but several of them will not be available to open the year.
Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder surgery) are both expected to be out until midseason, while Dustin May (flexor tendon surgery) is sidelined until the second half and Tony Gonsolin (Tommy John surgery) is out for the year. That group will be joined at least in the short term by Emmet Sheehan, who is dealing with shoulder soreness this spring.
That leaves young up-and-comers Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt and Michael Grove to compete with veteran swingman Ryan Yarbrough for the No. 5 starter job. Expect two guys from that list to break camp with the team.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Position Battle: Final bench spots
Candidates: Vidal Brujan, Xavier Edwards, Nick Gordon
The Marlins roster is mostly set with left-hander Ryan Weathers (13.2 IP, 1.32 ERA, 17 K) emerging as the clear front-runner for the No. 5 starter job, assuming Edward Cabrera misses some time early with a shoulder impingement.
That leaves the three-man race for the final two bench spots as the roster battle to watch, and in a lot of ways Vidal Brujan, Xavier Edwards and Nick Gordon are the physical embodiment of the Spider-Man pointing at Spider-Man meme.
All three are versatile super-utility players with limited power and former Top 100 prospect pedigrees. The tiebreaker could be the fact that Brujan and Gordon are out of minor league options, while Edwards still has two remaining.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Position Battle: Third base
Candidates: Sal Frelick, Andruw Monasterio, Joey Ortiz
The Milwaukee Brewers' decision to give Sal Frelick a test drive at third base has spiced up this position battle, and it's looking more and more like the 2021 first-round pick could start the year as the club's primary option at the hot corner.
"He embraced this," Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters. "He wanted to do it. I think he can help his career and I think he can help the Brewers. There are not too many guys on a Major League roster who can make that change. He's a very capable young man."
Joey Ortiz became the presumptive front-runner for the third base job after he was acquired in the Corbin Burnes deal, but he could wind up in more of a super-utility role or back at Triple-A to see regular playing time.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Anthony DeSclafani, RHP Louie Varland
The Minnesota Twins lost Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda from a starting rotation that led the American League with a 3.82 ERA from the starting rotation in 2023, and while a healthy Chris Paddack is expected to fill one of those vacancies, the No. 5 starter job is still up for grabs.
Veteran Anthony DeSclafani was slowed by elbow soreness early in camp and he is still ramping up for the start of the season, so it might end up being hard-throwing Louie Varland who starts the year in the rotation.
New York Mets
18 of 30
Position Battle: Designated hitter
Candidates: Ji-Man Choi, DJ Stewart, Mark Vientos
The decision to non-tender Daniel Vogelbach at the start of the offseason and lack of outside additions to potentially fill that void leave the New York Mets with a decision to make on who breaks camp with a potential role in the starting lineup.
Former top prospect Mark Vientos had some solid batted-ball data beneath the surface of an unimpressive rookie campaign, while DJ Stewart made some noise when he posted a 1.106 OPS with eight home runs in August.
However, both of those players have a minor league option remaining, and the team could opt to open the year with non-roster invitee Ji-Man Choi in that role. The 32-year-old has gone 5-for-19 with two doubles, one home run and six walks in 25 plate appearances this spring.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Clayton Beeter, RHP Luis Gil, RHP Luke Weaver
B/R's Zachary Rymer wrote an in-depth piece on the New York Yankees' options both internally and externally to replace injured ace Gerrit Cole a few days ago if you want to really dig into this position battle.
For now, veteran Luke Weaver appears to be the most logical player to plug into the rotation on a temporary basis, but Clayton Beeter (9.0 IP, 2.00 ERA, 11 K) and Luis Gil (8.1 IP, 3.24 ERA, 14 K) have both made a strong case this spring.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Position Battle: Third base
Candidates: Jordan Díaz, Darell Hernaiz, Abraham Toro
There are a lot of moving parts on the Oakland Athletics roster, which is a product of having a team made up largely of replacement-level players, and third base appears to be the most wide-open position battle.
Abraham Toro has shown some flashes in sporadic MLB action, and he hit .291/.374/.471 with 46 extra-base hits in 96 games for the Milwaukee Brewers Triple-A affiliate last year. Prospect Darell Hernaiz could force his way into the picture, and he would also give the team a solid backup option at shortstop.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Position Battle: Fourth outfielder
Candidates: Jake Cave, David Dahl, Cristian Pache
Former top prospect Cristian Pache flashed some potential in limited action for the Philadelphia Phillies last season, and with good speed and elite defense he fits the traditional mold of a fourth outfielder. However, the Phillies might prefer to round out their bench with a left-handed bat since Whit Merrifield and Edmundo Sosa both hit from the right side.
Jake Cave has a guaranteed $1 million salary that the Phillies would have to eat if they cut him, while Pache is out of minor league options and would likely be lost on waivers if he doesn't earn a roster spot, so there is a lot to consider with this decision.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Position Battle: No. 4 and No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Roansy Contreras, LHP Bailey Falter, RHP Jared Jones, RHP Luis Ortiz, RHP Quinn Priester
Emerging ace Mitch Keller and veteran additions Marco Gonzales and Martín Pérez will occupy the first three spots in the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation, leaving two openings for an intriguing group of young arms.
Top prospect Jared Jones has been the talk of camp and is a legitimate candidate to win a job, despite the fact that he has not yet made his MLB debut. Bailey Falter and Roansy Contreras are both out of minor league options and will almost certainly make the Opening Day roster, though one or both could end up in the bullpen, depending on how the rotation takes shape.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Position Battle: Center field
Candidates: José Azocar, Jakob Marsee, Óscar Mercado, Jackson Merrill, Cal Mitchell
It still feels like the San Diego Padres have a move or two to make before the offseason is over, but assuming they break camp with their current roster, center field is the most compelling position battle.
Top prospect Jackson Merrill has never played a regular-season game in center field, lining up primarily at shortstop, but he has the speed and athleticism to learn on the fly, similar to Trea Turner when he first came up with the Washington Nationals.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Position Battle: Shortstop
Candidates: Nick Ahmed, Marco Luciano
It looked like a foregone conclusion that the San Francisco Giants would see the torch pass from Brandon Crawford to Marco Luciano at shortstop heading into spring training, but things have gotten much cloudier at one of the most important positions on the diamond.
Luciano has looked overmatched at the plate this spring, going 2-for-22 with 12 strikeouts, and questions remain about his defensive game. If the club decides he needs more seasoning at Triple-A, non-roster invitee Nick Ahmed could be the guy, and he is a two-time Gold Glove winner with 12.2 WAR over 10 seasons.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Position Battle: Final two bullpen spots
Candidates: RHP Cody Bolton, RHP Ty Buttrey, RHP Tyson Miller, RHP Collin Snider, RHP Carlos Vargas
Injuries to Matt Brash, Gregory Santos and Jackson Kowar have left the Seattle Mariners with some holes to plug in the bullpen. Signing Ryne Stanek to a one-year deal earlier this month will help bridge the gap to closer Andrés Muñoz, but there are still some middle relief spots to sort out.
Carlos Vargas, Cody Bolton and Collin Snider all have the advantage of already occupying a spot on the 40-man roster, but don't sleep on Ty Buttrey. Once viewed as the closer of the future for the Los Angeles Angels, he has turned some heads this spring as a non-roster invitee.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: LHP Matthew Liberatore, LHP Zack Thompson
With Tommy Edman (wrist surgery) and Lars Nootbaar (fractured rib) both expected to start the season on the injured list, the biggest position battles for the St. Louis Cardinals on the position player side of things have been sorted out by default.
Offseason addition Sonny Gray is on the mend from a hamstring strain, but the Cardinals have no reason to rush him, so there is a rotation spot up for grabs to open the year.
Young southpaws Matthew Liberatore and Zack Thompson are the leading candidates, and they also happen to be best friends.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: LHP Tyler Alexander, RHP Chris Devenski, RHP Jacob Waguespack
The Tampa Bay Rays brought some clarity to their Opening Day roster on Friday when left-hander Jacob Lopez was optioned to the minors and spring standout Jacob Waguespack had his contract selected to be added to the 40-man roster.
However, it still remains to be seen who will be plugged into the fifth spot in the starting rotation that opened up when Taj Bradley was sidelined with a pectoral strain. Tyler Alexander and Chris Devenski have both worked mostly as relievers in the past, but they are being stretched out this spring for a bulk role, and the Rays had success moving reliever Zack Littell into a starting role a year ago.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Position Battle: Designated hitter
Candidates: Wyatt Langford, Jared Walsh
The Texas Rangers roster on Opening Day is going to look a little different than expected with shortstop Corey Seager (sports hernia surgery) and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (oblique strain) both likely to open the year on the injured list.
The expectation is that Ezequiel Duran will handle shortstop and prospect Justin Foscue will slot in at first base, so the biggest roster decision is still the head-to-head battle between top prospect Wyatt Langford and former All-Star Jared Walsh.
Langford flew through the minors last year after going No. 4 overall in the 2023 draft, and he has been raking this spring. If the team doesn't want to rush him, Walsh certainly looks to be back to the form that made him an All-Star in 2021, going 9-for-26 with two home runs this spring as a non-roster invitee on a minor league deal.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Position Battle: No. 5 starter
Candidates: RHP Paolo Espino, RHP Bowden Francis, RHP Mitch White
The Alek Manoah comeback tour didn't last long, as he has been sidelined with shoulder soreness since allowing three hits and one walk while hitting three batters over 1.2 innings in his spring debut.
Right-hander Bowden Francis now appears to be the favorite to fill the final spot in the rotation after he posted a 1.73 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 36.1 innings out of the bullpen as a rookie last season. Non-roster invitee Paolo Espino started a combined 38 games for the Washington Nationals in 2021 and 2022, and he has a 2.25 ERA with 12 strikeouts in eight innings of work this spring.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Position Battle: Left field
Candidates: Eddie Rosario, Jesse WInker
Assuming Joey Gallo is at first base and Joey Meneses is the primary designated hitter, the Washington Nationals' biggest spring decision will be which former standout in camp on a minor league deal gets the starting nod in left field.
Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker are both left-handed hitters who have been significantly better against right-handed pitching over the course of their careers, so there is no real platoon potential. They could opt to open the year with both players on the roster and simply ride the hot hand.
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