Grading Every Team's Spring Training Performance

As teams get ready to graduate their 25-man rosters from spring camp to the regular season, what better time to take a look at how each team has fared this spring—and what lies ahead?

I can't think of one.

While it's wise to not put too much stock into spring training statistics, they aren't completely useless.

At the very least, they give us an idea of who's already in a groove and who still has work to do.

That said, spring training results are somewhat like objects in the side mirrors on your car: Things may not be as bad—or as good—as they appear.

Let's take a look at who passed the spring semester with honors—and who needs to buckle down for the real test that awaits.

*Unless otherwise noted, all statistics courtesy of MLB.com and are current prior to games on March 27.

*Unless otherwise noted, all injury reports courtesy of MLB.com.

Baltimore Orioles

Spring Training Record: 18-8

Offense

Baltimore has hit the ball with authority: the team's collective .291 batting average and .832 OPS rank sixth in baseball, its 164 runs scored in a tie for 14th place with the Houston Astros—which serves as more proof that spring training stats are not a foretelling of regular season success..

Yet when you consider that those numbers include little production from two of the team's biggest stars, center fielder Adam Jones and right fielder Nick Markakis, who have combined to hit .219 with a pair of home runs and five RBI in 41 at-bats, those numbers are somewhat impressive.

Starting Rotation

The team's starting pitchers have struggled, with Jake Arrieta (1.56 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, over 17.1 innings) being the only member of the team's expected Opening Day rotation to pitch to an ERA below 4.00 or a WHIP under 1.55.

Baltimore's lack of a true front-of-the-rotation arm remains a concern, but top pitching prospects Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman made strong impressions with their play, reaffirming that the future of the Orioles' rotation will be in good hands.

Jair Jurrjens showed enough in spring training that he figures to be a part of the rotation mix at some point during the season. He's likely to start 2013 with Triple-A Norfolk.

Bullpen

Baltimore's bullpen has thrown to a combined 4.20 ERA and 1.41 WHIP this spring. The Orioles lead all of baseball with 13 saves in exhibition play—a number that, amazingly enough, includes no saves (or save chances) for closer Jim Johnson.

Despite some mediocre numbers from key relievers like Johnson and Pedro Strop, the Orioles bullpen remains a strength of the team and one of the better units in baseball.

Health

Despite losing designated hitter Wilson Betemit for six-to-eight weeks with a torn PCL in his right knee, the Orioles have managed to stay relatively healthy.

The importance of second baseman Brian Roberts remaining healthy cannot be understated. While nobody can reasonably expect the 35-year-old to return to his days as one of the best second basemen in the game, he adds another dimension to the team's offensive attack.

Spring Training Grade: A

Boston Red Sox

Spring Training Record: 15-15

Offense

You can't talk about the Red Sox offense without starting with Jackie Bradley Jr., the team's second-best prospect. The 22-year-old center fielder has all but assured himself of a spot in Boston's starting lineup after hitting .444 with a pair of home runs, 11 RBI, and as many walks (eight) as strikeouts.

While Bradley Jr. won't be replacing free agent signing Shane Victorino in the starting lineup, perhaps he should.

Victorino has looked very much like a player with nothing left to offer, something that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone—I've been a vocal critic of the acquisition since shortly after he signed with Boston.

Overall, the Red Sox have hit a rather pedestrian .268 wih a .726 OPS, numbers that put the team in the bottom third of MLB clubs this spring.

Starting Rotation

As crazy as it may sound, no team has gotten more from its starting pitchers this spring than the Red Sox, who lead baseball with a 3.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.

Boston's expected regular season starting rotation has looked solid: only John Lackey (5.40) has pitched to an ERA over 4.20, while Felix Doubront owns the only WHIP over 1.30 with a 1.49 mark.

Clay Buchholz, Ryan Dempster and Jon Lester have combined for a 1.60 ERA with 13 walks and 42 strikeouts over 56.1 innings of work.

Bullpen

Perhaps the biggest development to come out of the bullpen for the Red Sox this spring has been the re-emergence of Daniel Bard. After a failed stint as a starting pitcher, Bard has seemingly rediscovered what made him a lights-out reliever, fanning 10 batters in seven innings of work while walking only three.

Joel Hanrahan, acquired from Pittsburgh to serve as the team's closer, has not looked good, allowing nine runs (six earned ) and nine hits over 6.1 innings of work and failing to record a save. If his struggles carry over to the regular season, it may not be long before Andrew Bailey reclaims the ninth inning.

Health

It wouldn't be baseball season in Boston without talking about a Jacoby Ellsbury injury, and while the ankle that he rolled isn't expected to be a big deal, you can't help but think it's an ominous sign of things to come for the 29-year-old outfielder who has missed significant time in two of the past three years.

Starting shortstop Stephen Drew (concussion symptoms) is likely to start the season on the disabled list, joining designated hitter David Ortiz, who is still trying to work his way back from a heel injury that ended his 2012 season prematurely.

Spring Training Grade: B

New York Yankees

Spring Training Record: 12-17

Offense

Considering how many of the team's starting position players have missed time, it's difficult to read how the team's offense is shaping up. That said, no team in baseball has posted a lower batting average (.245), slugging percentage (.365) or OPS (.674) than the Bronx Bombers.

Brett Gardner, who missed most of the 2012 season due to an elbow injury, has looked very good, getting on base regularly as has Ichiro Suzuki, who was revitalized after joining the Yankees shortly before last year's trade deadline.

Kevin Youkilis, arguably the team's most important offseason acquisition, leads the team in home runs (five), extra-base hits (12) and RBI (13), all positive signs.

Starting Rotation

The Yankees have a veteran-laden rotation, and there's no concern that CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte will be at the top of their games once the regular season gets underway.

David Phelps continues to show that he's a versatile weapon for the team, able to fill in as a starter or throw out of the bullpen.

Vidal Nuno, a relative unknown 25-year-old starter who hasn't pitched above Double-A, has had an outstanding camp (1-1, 0.61 ERA,  0.95 WHIP) and is someone we are likely to see in the Bronx at some point this season if a need arises.

Bullpen

The key pieces in the bullpen have pitched well: David Aardsma, Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan and David Robertson, while the ageless Mariano Rivera, entering the final season of his legendary career, looks like he's picked up exactly where he left off in 2012 before injuring his knee.

Health

Already without Alex Rodriguez for the first half of the season, the Yankees have lost Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira to the disabled list, with Phil Hughes and Clay Rapada likely to join the group on the sidelines.

No matter how you spin it, that's not good—and you start to wonder whether the age of the veteran club is going to be a significant issue throughout the season, despite many of the injuries being fluke in nature.

Spring Training Grade: D

Tampa Bay Rays

Spring Training Record: 15-15

Offense

Tampa Bay's offense has been rather unimpressive this spring, with a .252 batting average and .712 OPS, numbers that put the Rays near the bottom of baseball in offensive production.

Perhaps the biggest development this spring for Tampa Bay has been the play of 26-year-old left fielder Desmond Jennings. Long considered to be the heir apparent to Carl Crawford, Jennings has struggled in parts of three major league seasons, posting a .248/.327/.406 slash line in 212 career games.

Hitting .306 this spring, Jennings has walked nine times while striking out only four, making solid contact and perhaps, finally, is on the verge of breaking out for Tampa Bay in 2013.

Starting Rotation

Regardless of the spring numbers—a combined 4.11 ERA and 1.34 WHIP—Tampa Bay still has one of the best starting rotations in baseball, one that is both talented and deep.

Matt Moore, whom the Rays need to step up his game and claim the No. 2 spot in the rotation vacated by the trade of James Shields to Kansas City, has shown flashes of being able to do just that—but Tampa needs more out of Moore.

Bullpen

I ranked Tampa Bay's bullpen the third-best unit in baseball heading into spring training and the group has done nothing to make me second guess that.

Jake McGee, Joel Peralta and Fernando Rodney will once again form one of the best late-inning trios in the game.

Health

Aside from some bumps and bruises, Tampa Bay is set to break camp without any major injuries to be concerned with.

Spring Training Grade: B

Toronto Blue Jays

Spring Training Record: 13-16

Offense

Despite putting only 150 runs on the board this spring, a total that puts the Blue Jays in the bottom third of baseball, there's no real concern with Toronto's lineup heading into the regular season.

Slugger Jose Bautista looks to be fully recovered from a wrist injury that cut his 2012 season short, while newcomers Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio and Melky Cabrera have all produced in varied amounts of playing time.

Colby Rasmus, the team's supremely talented yet chronically underachieving center fielder, has mustered only a .167 batting average with one extra-base hit and three RBI, striking out 12 times.

But the 26-year-old has drawn 11 walks, a major accomplishment for a guy who has been allergic to free passes for the bulk of his major league career. If he's able to carry that patient approach into the regular season, Rasmus may finally deliver some quality numbers for Toronto.

Starting Rotation

Josh Johnson, however, has looked every bit the part of a Cy Young award contender, striking out 21 batters in 16 innings of work while walking only one. 

Ricky Romero, the ace of the rotation in 2012, was beaten out for a spot in the rotation by J.A. Happ and demoted to Single-A Dunedin in one of the more surprising moves of the spring.

While Mark Buehrle, R.A. Dickey and Brandon Morrow haven't pitched well, there's little real concern at this point about their ability to deliver quality innings for the Blue Jays during the regular season.

Bullpen

It's a mediocre group that has pitched, well, like a mediocre group this spring, with a 4.51 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.

Closer Casey Janssen and setup man/closer candidate Sergio Santos both have tremendous upside, but neither has thrown the ball particularly well—as Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star notes, Tom Henke and Duane Ward they are not.

Health

Not having third baseman Brett Lawrie around to start the season hurts Toronto both at the plate and in the field, as the 23-year-old will start the season on the disabled list due to a strained rib cage.

That's the kind of injury that can linger for quite some time, so the Blue Jays must ensure that Lawrie is 100 percent healthy before getting him back onto the field. A nagging injury to one of it's most important players would seriously derail the team's plans of contending for a playoff berth in 2013.

Spring Training Grade: C

Atlanta Braves

Spring Training Record: 19-14

Offense

You'd think that Atlanta's offense would perhaps take a step back in 2013 after losing Michael Bourn and Chipper Jones this past winter.

If spring training is any indication of what's to come, the Braves are set to field one of the most potent lineups in the team's recent history.

B.J. and Justin Upton have combined to hit .324 with eight home runs, 29 RBI and 20 runs scored this spring, while Freddie Freeman (.342, 7 HR, 16 RBI), looks ready to build on his breakout performance from a year ago.

Starting Rotation

Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm have thrown the ball well; Kris Medlen and Mike Minor have not.

However, the biggest development this spring for the Braves rotation has been the play of top prospect Julio Teheran, who looks every bit the part of a future ace.

Teheran, a 22-year-old right-hander who struggled badly in both the majors and minors last year, has allowed only seven hits and three earned runs over 26 innings of work this spring, walking nine and striking out 35.

If he can pitch anywhere close to this level during the regular season, Atlanta's starting rotation is going to be significantly better than we thought it would be—no small feat, considering how good most people believe the unit to be already.

Bullpen

As far as I'm concerned, you won't find a better bullpen in baseball than the group Atlanta has at its disposal.

From all-world closer Craig Kimbrel to excellent middle relievers like Eric O'Flaherty, there's not much to dislike about the group. Despite pretty terrible numbers this spring: a combined 5.35 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, Atlanta's bullpen remains a strength of the team.

Health

Setup man Jonny Venters, with a sprained left elbow, is likely headed to the disabled list to start the season.

But by-and-large, Atlanta emerges from the spring relatively unscathed.

Spring Training Grade: A

Miami Marlins

Spring Training Record: 12-15

Offense

Giancarlo Stanton and Rob Brantly form a solid core for the Marlins to build a lineup around, and the spring performances of outfield prospects Jake Marisnick (5-for-11, 2 XBH, 2 RBI, 4 R) and Christian Yelich (16-for-44, 9 XBH (5 HR), 14 RBI, 13 R) give hope for the future.

Starting Rotation

Henderson Alvarez, Nate Eovaldi and Ricky Nolasco have pitched well in the rotation, but it's important to remember the level of competition that they've been facing.

While the trio has talent, only Nolasco has a proven track record of success.

Bullpen

Miami's bullpen has posted a 3.92 ERA, third-lowest in baseball this spring. Closer Steve Cishek who remains one of the more underrated relievers in the game, has had a strong spring, pitching to a 2.57 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in six relief appearances.

Health

On the injury front, Logan Morrison continues to battle knee problems, while catcher Jeff Mathis is recovering from a broken collarbone, with both likely to start the season on the disabled list.

Spring Training Grade: C

New York Mets

Spring Training Record: 13-13

Offense

Ike Davis hasn't flashed the power yet, but the Mets first baseman is getting on base with regularity (his .418 on-base percentage leads all expected starters on the team), a promising development after posting only a .308 mark in 2012.

Outfielder Colin Cowgill, an under-the-radar acquisition during the offseason from Oakland, has played his way into a starting spot in New York's outfield. Not only has he hit for power (his four home runs are second-most on the club this spring), but he's drawing walks and utilizing his speed to cause problems for the opposition once he gets on.

Don't read too much into Lucas Duda's .302/.351/.660 slash line. While Duda has tremendous power potential, his inability to draw a walk and penchant for striking out will see those numbers plummet once the regular season starts.

Starting Rotation

Matt Harvey looks every bit like a future ace (3.47 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 29 strikeouts in 23.1 innings of work), while Jon Niese, the team's Opening Day starter, looks like the current ace of the staff, with a 1.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over four starts.

The uncertainty surrounding Johan Santana and Shaun Marcum's health is a cause for concern. While top prospect Zack Wheeler is close to being ready for the big leagues, the team isn't going to rush him. That leaves a void at the back-end of the rotation heading into the regular season.

Bullpen

Bobby Parnell remains a solid reliever from last year's group of underachievers, but it's been a mixed bag for the Mets when it comes to the new faces in the bullpen.

Veterans Scott Atchison and LaTroy Hawkins have been solid, allowing only two earned runs and 13 hits over a combined 17 innings of work, while Brandon Lyon, who has surrendered seven earned runs and 12 hits over eight innings, has not.

Health

As previously mentioned, Shaun Marcum (neck) is questionable to start the season. Johan Santana (shoulder) and reliever Frank Francisco (elbow) are likely to start the year on the disabled list.

Spring Training Grade: C

Philadelphia Phillies

Spring Training Record: 14-15

Offense

It's been a long time coming, but it looks as if Domonic Brown has finally figured out how to put all of his natural gifts to use. Hitting .373 and tied with Ryan Howard for the team lead with seven home runs this spring, a strong season from Brown would be a welcome surprise and lengthen Philadelphia's lineup.

Howard, who never looked quite right last season after returning from a torn ACL, looks to be back to his pre-injury ways. Not only is Howard hitting the ball, he's hitting it well—the crack of the bat sounds different than it did last year. Look for the Phillies first baseman to have a resurgent season in 2013.

Ben Revere, acquired from Minnesota this winter to play center field, is getting on base and flashing his top-end speed, giving the Phillies a legitimate base-stealing threat towards the bottom of the lineup.

Starting Rotation

It's all about Doc.

Roy Halladay didn't look like himself in 2012, and while that could be chalked up to injury, the two-time Cy Young award winner hasn't looked like himself at all this spring either.

While Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels remain near the top of their games, the Phillies cannot afford to have another subpar season from Halladay. It's concerning that Halladay has allowed nine earned runs and 13 hits over 12 innings of work—it's even more concerning that he's walked seven batters.

Halladay must get back on track if Philadelphia is going to return to the land of contenders in 2013.

Bullpen

While closer Jonathan Papelbon's struggles this spring are surprising, I can't say that I'm shocked the Phillies bullpen has been rather mediocre—we had them ranked 20th heading into spring training, and that's about where I'd rank the unit when camp breaks.

The Phillies need to make the right call and break camp with right-hander Phillippe Aumont a part of the bullpen mix. He's been solid in limited work this spring, allowing two earned runs and three hits in just over six innings of work, but he has electric stuff and could be a candidate to fill in for Papelbon should his struggles continue.

Health

Philadelphia has suffered no significant injuries this winter and will enter the season with a healthy roster.

Spring Training Grade: C+

Washington Nationals

Spring Training Record: 12-16

Offense

There's no cause for major concern about the poor production from first baseman Adam LaRoche and center fielder Denard Span. Both are seasoned veterans who know how to hit and will do just that once the regular season starts and they get into a groove.

While Bryce Harper isn't going to hit .476 during the regular season, don't be too quick to chalk up the 20-year-old's numbers as we are apt to do in spring training (which, in most cases, is the right thing to do).

Another year older, Harper is more mature, both physically and mentally, than he was during his Rookie of the Year-winning season of a year ago. He's my pick for NL MVP this year.

Starting Rotation

Only clowns have doubts about Washington's starting rotation. Sure, the group's 4.50 ERA and 1.35 WHIP this spring are rather pedestrian, but the Nationals have as talented a rotation as anyone in baseball. 

Bullpen

Washington's new closer, Rafael Soriano, has struggled badly this spring, allowing nine hits and six earned runs in 4.2 innings of work, blowing both of his save chances. So has Drew Storen, who has allowed 16 hits and six earned runs in 10.2 innings of work.

Despite those ugly numbers, Washington's bullpen, with Storen and All-Star Tyler Clippard setting Soriano up, remains a solid if unspectacular unit.

Health

No major injuries to report.

Spring Training Grade: C-

Chicago White Sox

Spring Training Record: 12-13

Offense

The White Sox have been crushing the ball all spring, with baseball's third-highest team batting average (.300) and OPS (.861) during spring training.

Seven of the nine regulars that will comprise Chicago's everyday lineup are hitting at least .280 this spring, with only Alexei Ramirez (.268) and Adam Dunn (.216) not hitting the mark.

Starting Rotation

Gavin Floyd (6.10) and Jake Peavy (.788) are the only two members of the team's Opening Day rotation with ERA's over 4.00, while Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Dylan Axelrod have been solid throughout the exhibition season.

Bullpen

In 2012, closer Addison Reed was adequate in save situations (3.48 ERA, 1.37 WHIP over 27.2 innings), not so much when the save wasn't on the line (6.75 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in 33.2 innings.)

Reed hasn't entered a game in a save situation yet this spring and pitched fairly well (3.68 ERA, 0.82 WHIP), effectively silencing any critics.

Health

Left-handed starter John Danks will start the season on the disabled list as he continues to try and bounce back from shoulder surgery that ended his 2012 season prematurely. He could be joined by reliever Jesse Crain, who is battling an injury to his right leg.

Spring Training Grade: B-

Cleveland Indians

Spring Training Record: 16-13

Offense

Despite getting little production from new leadoff hitter Michael Bourn (.222/.288/.315) and second baseman Jason Kipnis (.152/.200/.239), the Indians have been one of the better hitting teams in baseball this spring. 

Nick Swisher and Mark Reynolds, Cleveland's other two big free agent signings, have combined to hit .383 with six home runs and 19 RBI, while third base prospect Lonnie Chisenhall (.412, 4 HR, 12 RBI) has been equally as impressive.

Starting Rotation

Cleveland's Achilles heel, the Tribes' starting pitchers have the highest spring training ERA (6.92), WHIP (1.73) and opponent's batting average (.377) of any team in baseball.

While Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez have shown signs of life, I'm not convinced that duo, along with Brett Myers, Zach McAllister and Scott Kazmir, who has faced 14 major league batters since the end of the 2010 season, can keep things close enough for the Indians to have great success.

Bullpen

For as bad as Cleveland's starting rotation has been, the bullpen looks like it might actually be better than I expected it to be.

Closer Chris Perez, along with setup men Vinnie Pestano and Joe Smith remain the keys to the group's success, but Nick Hagadone and Bryan Shaw have been tremendous.

Over a combined 16.1 innings of work, the duo has scattered 11 hits, allowing one earned run (Shaw's) while walking three and striking out 25. If they can carry that success into the regular season, getting to the bullpen will be the last thing Cleveland's opponents will want to do.

Health

Perez, who missed most of spring training with a sore elbow, is back on the mound and is likely to be good-to-go on Opening Day. Frank Herrmann, expected to be part of the bullpen mix ahead of Perez, will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Jason Giambi, who has a strained lower back, will start the year on the 15-day disabled list.

Spring Training Grade: A

Detroit Tigers

Spring Training Record: 18-12

Offense

Detroit's offense might rank near the bottom of baseball in runs scored and batting average, but does anyone really have concerns about this group?

Austin Jackson, Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and VIctor Martinez are as good a one-through-five in the lineup as any team in baseball can claim as its own.

Detroit is going to score runs—a lot of them.

Starting Rotation

Wondering how the Tigers have managed to be 18-12 despite relatively mundane offensive numbers?

Detroit's starting pitchers have gone 12-5 with a 3.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP—and that's with Justin Verlander allowing 10 earned runs and 14 hits (five home runs) over 19 innings of work.

Like the lineup, Detroit's starting rotation is as solid as they come.

Bullpen

Rookie Bruce Rondon has yet to pitch well enough to be named the team's closer outright, which means that the Tigers are likely going to go with a closer-by-committee approach to open the season.

With a 4.75 ERA and 1.50 ERA, Detroit's relievers have been mediocre this spring, though Darin Downs (0.71 ERA, 0.85 WHIP), Joaquin Benoit (1.80, 1.10) and Brayan Villareal (2.25, 1.00) have pitched very well.

Health

Outfield prospect Avisail Garcia will start the season on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised heel.

Spring Training Grade: A

Kansas City Royals

Spring Training Record: 23-6

Offense

As a team, Kansas City has a spring slash line of .338/.390/.510 and scored 207 runs. That's an average of more than seven runs per game—and a Team OPS of .900. All of those ridiculous numbers lead baseball this spring.

But, Kansas City batters are averaging more than two strikeouts for every walk they draw. Over the course of a 162-game season, a ratio like that has a way of bringing offensive numbers back down to earth.

That's not to say that the Royals won't have one of the better offenses in baseball this year—I believe that they will. Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas are swinging the bats as well as they ever have, and along with Billy Butler, are all in the primes of their careers.

Starting Rotation

Kansas City's starting rotation is most definitely improved from a year ago, but it's Wade Davis, not James Shields, who has been the team's best starter this spring.

Davis has gone undefeated in four starts with a 1.29 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, while Shields has a 2-1 record, 7.90 ERA and 1.68 WHIP.

Even with that disparity, the Royals starting rotation falls in the middle of the pack in overall numbers this spring, something that the Royals can definitely deal with during the regular season.

Bullpen

Kansas City's bullpen has been the best in baseball this spring, going 9-1 with a 3.67 ERA and 1.26 ERA. We shouldn't be surprised by this—I had them pegged as the second-best bullpen in baseball heading into spring training.

Health

The Royals head into the season with no new injuries of note; both Danny Duffy and Luis Mendoza continue to work their way back from Tommy John surgery that they underwent in 2012.

Spring Training Grade: A+

Minnesota Twins

Spring Training Record: 15-14

Offense

Minnesota hasn't put a lot of runs on the board this spring—the team's 154 ranks 20th in baseball—but the team's .284 batting average and .352 on-base percentage both land in the Top 10.

Led by rookie center fielder Aaron Hicks, whose four home runs and 18 RBI lead the team and Joe Mauer, 10-for-23 over the nine games in which he's played, Minnesota's offense remains, as it was in 2012, solid, if unspectacular.

Starting Rotation

Minnesota's starting rotation was a major issue in 2012 and, unfortunately, it looks as if that will be the piece of the puzzle that keeps the Twins from contending for a playoff spot once again.

Vance Worley, Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey have combined for a 6.18 ERA over 51 innings of work, far more telling a statistic than the combined 3.33 mark that Cole De Vries and Liam Hendriks have combined for.

Bullpen

The Twins bullpen has been better than expected, with a 4.10 ERA and 1.36 WHIP making it a top five unit this spring.

Middle-reliever Jared Burton (3.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) and closer Glen Perkins (0.00, 0.94) have been solid, while Ryan Pressly (0.71, 0.95) has come out of nowhere to win a spot in Minnesota's relief corps.

Health

Left-handed starter Scott Diamond, who would be the ace of the starting rotation were he healthy, continues to work his way back from arthroscopic elbow surgery that he underwent in December and will start the season on the 15-day disabled list.

Spring Training Grade: B

Chicago Cubs

Spring Training Record: 16-17

Offense

With 137 home runs, the Cubs ranked 23rd in baseball last season when it came to going deep.

This spring, the team's 42 round-trippers rank third in all of MLB, behind only Seattle (54) and Atlanta (46).

Of the Cubs with more than two home runs, only three will be regular contributors at Wrigley Field this summer: Alfonso Soriano (four), Darwin Barney (two) and Jeff Samardzija (two).

We expect to see Soriano there, but Barney, who has nine home runs for his career and Samardzija, the ace of the team's starting rotation?

The point is, don't expect this sudden power surge to last into the regular season.

Starting Rotation

Mediocre and average are words that will be used to describe the Cubs quite often in 2013 as the second year of Jed Lowrie and Theo Epstein's rebuilding plan gets underway.

Those adjectives apply to the team's starting rotation as well.

While Samardzija, Edwin Jackson and Matt Garza are solid, middle-of-the-rotation arms on a contending team, they've been miscast as front-of-the-rotation arms in Chicago.

Travis Wood and Carlos Villanueva, who round out the rotation are, you guessed it, mediocre starting pitchers at best.

Bullpen

Carlos Marmol (4.66 ERA, 1.76 WHIP) remains the team's closer, but he's worn out his welcome in Chicago and it's only a matter of time before Japanese import Kyuji Fujikawa (2.57, 1.29) replaces him in the ninth inning for skipper Dale Sveum.

The group's combined 5.16 ERA and 1.49 WHIP is worse than we can expect during the regular season, but this is far from a solid major league bullpen at this point.

Health

Starters Matt Garza (side/back) and Scott Baker (elbow) will be out of action until at least the beginning of May, while third baseman Ian Stewart (left quad) could return in late April.

Spring Training Grade: C

Cincinnati Reds

Spring Training Record: 10-18

Offense

While Ryan Ludwick has been nearly invisible this spring, hitting only .184 with a pair of RBI, it's not time to panic just yet.

An opposite-field hitter, Ludwick figures to get going once the Reds return to the cozy confines of Great American Ballpark, where he owns a career .275 batting average and has 67 RBI in 96 games.

Cincinnati's offense will be fine once the season gets underway—key pieces, like Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, missed significant time due to the World Baseball Classic, so the Reds have only had their everyday lineup on the field a handful of times.

Starting Rotation

The team's starting pitchers have struggled, with Bronson Arroyo (3.71) and Mat Latos (3.78) the only two members of the rotation sporting an ERA under 5.00 this spring.

While neither Homer Bailey or Mike Leake have lengthy track records of success as major league starters, both have proven in the past that they can handle the job, making their spring struggles less worrisome than they might normally be.

Bullpen

Aroldis Chapman is back where he belongs, at the back-end of Cincinnati's bullpen, and the unit, which I had ranked seventh heading into spring training (without Chapman), immediately jumps back into the top five.

Cincinnati's relievers haven't been very good this spring, with a combined 5.91 ERA and 1.67 WHIP, but between Chapman, Jonathan Broxton, Sean Marshall and Jose Arredondo, the Reds are in good shape when a starter needs to come out of a game.

Health

Right-hander Nick Masset continues to recover from shoulder surgery that he underwent last Sepetember.

Spring Training Grade: D

Milwaukee Brewers

Spring Training Record: 10-17

Offense

After leading the National League with 776 runs scored in 2012, you'd think that the fact that Milwaukee is the only team in baseball to not have scored 100 runs this spring is bizarre.

But when you consider that Corey Hart has yet to play due to injury and that Ryan Braun has taken a total of 15 at-bats this spring, maybe it's not as surprising as one would think.

Aramis Ramirez has struggled badly, hitting .216 with a home run and six RBI, but the veteran third baseman is notorious for being a slow starter.

Milwaukee's offense will be fine as the regular season gets underway.

Starting Rotation

What was once shaky has been solidified with the team's signing of Kyle Lohse earlier this week.

Lohse gives the Brewers a solid one-two punch atop the rotation with ace Yovani Gallardo, while Marco Estrada (1.88 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) looks like he's ready to solidify the third spot for skipper Ron Roenicke.

Michael Fiers (6.98, 1.91) and Chris Narveson (5.50, 1.61) haven't been good, but each has shown signs of turning things around.

Bullpen

The worst bullpen in baseball last year is vastly improved in 2013, with the unit's 4.10 ERA the fourth-lowest in baseball this spring.

Closer John Axford (6.75, 1.35) and left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez (5.87, 1.70) have been awful, while Burke Badenhop and Tom Gorzelanny have allowed a combined five earned runs and 12 hits over 16 innings of work, walking one and striking out 11.

Health

Corey Hart continues to recover from offseason knee surgery and likely won't be back until May, while infielder Taylor Green (hip) and right-handed starter Mark Rogers (shoulder) will start the season on the 15-day disabled list.

Spring Training Grade: D

Pittsburgh Pirates

Spring Training Record: 12-17

Offense

As Andrew McCutchen goes, so does the Pirates offense.

It's not a coincidence that Pittsburgh has struggled to put runs on the board this spring with McCutchen, the team's best player, hitting .233 with three home runs and 10 RBI. 

He's not the only big bat struggling for Pittsburgh: Neil Walker (.229, 1 HR, 3 RBI) and Pedro Alvarez (.191, 1 HR, 7 RBI) have been just as culpable in the Pirates' inability to mount an offensive attack.

Starting Rotation

It only took eight innings of work this spring to see that Gerrit Cole is the best pitcher in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old right-hander will start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Wandy Rodriguez has yet to make a spring start for the Pirates, having spent the bulk of spring training at the World Baseball Classic, while A.J. Burnett, the team's ace, is throwing the ball like he's back in a Yankees uniform, with a 7.88 ERA and 1.63 WHIP this spring.

Until Cole arrives on the scene, Pittsburgh will have to deal with mediocre performances from a mediocre pitching staff.

Bullpen

If you want to talk about surprises this spring, take a look at Pittsburgh's bullpen, which has posted the second-lowest ERA (3.90) in baseball.

Jared Hughes, Chris Leroux and Mark Melancon have combined to allow only three earned runs and 21 hits over 27.1 innings of relief, walking nine while fanning 29.

Health

Right-handed starters Jeff Karstens (shoulder) and Francisco Liriano (fractured arm) will start the season on the 15-day disabled list, likely to be joined by infielder Brandon Inge (shoulder).

Chase d'Arnaud, another utility infielder, will start the season on the 60-day disabled list with torn ligaments in his left thumb.

Spring Training Grade: D

St. Louis Cardinals

Spring Training Record: 14-14

Offense

St. Louis spent most of spring training without two of its biggest bats, as both Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltran advanced to the Championship Game of the 2013 World Baseball Classic with Puerto Rico.

Their absence is a big reason why the Cardinals have managed to score fewer runs than the Houston Astros this spring.

Starting Rotation

For all the speculation that the Cardinals needed to re-sign Kyle Lohse, especially with Chris Carpenter sidelined by injury, St. Louis' starting pitchers have gone 10-8 with a 3.96 ERA this spring, the third-lowest mark in baseball.

Adam Wainwright, Jaime Garcia, Shelby Miller and Jake Westbrook have combined to go 9-3 with a 3.06 ERA over 79.1 innings of work.

Those are the numbers that really matter.

Bullpen

For as good as the starting rotation has been, the bullpen has been inconsistent.

The Cardinals have converted only 33 percent of their save chances this spring, and closer Jason Motte will start the season on the disabled list with a strained elbow. 

Health

It's possible that we've seen the last of Chris Carpenter (shoulder) and Rafael Furcal (Tommy John surgery), as both veterans face uncertain futures following their latest setbacks. Carpenter is out indefinitely while Furcal will miss the entire 2013 season.

Third baseman David Freese (back) and the aforementioned Motte are likely to start year on the disabled list. 

Spring Training Grade: C-

Houston Astros

Spring Training Record: 13-14

Offense

In 2012, Houston didn't have an everyday player finish the season with an OPS over .800. This spring, the team has an OPS of .816.

Chances are, that consistent hitting isn't going to last, especially as the Astros begin the team's first season as members of the American League West, home to perennial Cy Young Award candidates Jered Weaver (Los Angeles) and Felix Hernandez (Seattle).

Starting Rotation

Houston's Opening Day starting rotation figures to consist of Lucas Harrell, Bud Norris, Phil Humber, Brad Peacock and Erik Bedard.

That group has posted a 4-3 record and 2.74 ERA, scattering 45 hits over 65.2 innings of work, walking 22 while striking out 35.

Against American League lineups, they'll be hard pressed to continue that success.

Bullpen

Houston's two best relievers, Jose Veras and Wesley Wright, have surrendered 19 hits and 13 earned runs over 11.2 innings of relief this spring. 

As a unit, Houston's bullpen has pitched to a 4.90 ERA and 1.42 WHIP converting only nine-of-20 save opportunities.

Health

Houston heads into the season relatively healthy.

Spring Training Grade: A

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Spring Training Record: 8-18

Offense

The Angels are tattooing the ball all over the field, hitting .310/.370/.487 with 195 runs scored, second in baseball only to the Kansas City Royals.

Since it's something that we'll be doing all season long, let's get the first combined numbers for Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout out of the way.

The trio is hitting .343 with 21 extra-base hits (6 HR), 28 RBI and 32 runs scored.

Pitching against them is going to be fun for the opposition, huh?

Starting Rotation

With a 3.46 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 13 innings of work, Joe Blanton has been the Angels best starting pitcher this spring.

Joe Blanton.

On a team with Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Tommy Hanson, that simply cannot happen—nor can the performance that the Angels have gotten from that trio, who have pitched to a combined 6.81 ERA over 39.2 innings of work, allowing 51 hits while striking out 29.

Bullpen

Things don't get much prettier in the bullpen for the Angels, where of the team's expected eight-man unit, David Carpenter, with a 5.91 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in 10.2 innings this spring, has been the most effective reliever for Los Angeles.

Health

You'd almost hope to see a lengthy injury list here as a way to explain the team's pitching woes, but alas, only Ryan Madson, still recovering from 2011 Tommy John surgery, is likely to start the season on the disabled list.

Spring Training Grade: D

Oakland Athletics

Spring Training Record: 14-12

Offense

Oakland may not be as flashy as their division rivals in Los Angeles, but the A's offense has been just as effective this spring as the Angels.

The A's offense ranks in the top five in multiple offensive categories this spring, with a team slash line of .295/.377/.477 and 185 runs scored, fourth in all of baseball and more than any National League team.

Derek Norris has made the team's acquisition of John Jaso to serve as the starting catcher look rather pointless, as Norris has crushed the ball this spring (.371, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 14 R) while Jaso (.216, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R) has not.

Starting Rotation

Oakland's starting rotation of Brett Anderson, Tommy Milone, Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin and Dan Straily, expected to be one of the better groups in baseball this season, have allowed 51 earned runs over 54.1 innings of work, pitching to an almost unthinkable 8.45 ERA.

It's hard to imagine that those numbers won't improve drastically once the regular season gets underway.

Bullpen

Another perceived strength of the team (I had the A's bullpen ranked sixth), Oakland's bullpen has been nearly as bad as its starting rotation, with a combined 5.43 ERA and 1.59 WHIP

Health

Utility infielder Adam Rosales (ribs) will start the season on the 15-day disabled list.

Spring Training Grade: C

Seattle Mariners

Spring Training Record: 19-11

Offense

No team in baseball has hit more home runs than the Seattle Mariners (54), who have put 194 runs on the board this spring, trailing only Kansas City and Los Angeles (AL).

Between Safeco Field being a pitcher's park (despite the reconfigured outfield) and the fact that Seattle's batters have struck out more than three times as often as they've drawn a walk, it's only a matter of time before the Mariners' offensive woes return.

Starting Rotation

You never worry about Felix Hernandez, and Brandon Maurer has been outstanding, allowing only a pair of earned runs over 13 innings of work, scattering 13 hits while fanning 15.

It's the rest of the rotation that leaves something to be desired, as Blake Beavan, Hisashi Iwakuma and Joe Saunders have allowed 31 earned runs over 39 innings of work.

Thankfully for Seattle, the Mariners have plenty of reinforcements waiting in the minor leagues to fill in should a change be necessary.

Bullpen

Seattle's bullpen has been solid but unspectacular this spring, with a combined 4.20 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Closer Tom Wilhelmsen has struggled badly, allowing six earned runs and 13 hits over 10 innings of relief, making you wonder whether this isn't the Brandon League situation all over again.

Health

Seattle heads into the season with no injuries to anyone of note.

Spring Training Grade: C

Texas Rangers

Spring Training Record: 15-15

Offense

With 174 runs scored and a team OPS approaching .800, any concern that the Rangers' potent offensive attack walked out the door with Josh Hamilton over the winter has been laid to rest by the team's performance this spring.

Starting Rotation

Remember when people were upset that the Rangers didn't land another starting pitcher this winter?

So far, GM Jon Daniels and company made the right call, as the Rangers starting rotation has been excellent this spring, specifically Yu Darvish and Alexi Ogando, who have allowed a combined six earned runs and 21 hits over 31.2 innings of work.

Overall, Texas starters have pitched to a 4.14 ERA and 1.43 WHIP this spring.

Bullpen

The Rangers bullpen has been two different stories.

On one hand you've got veterans Jason Frasor and Joe Nathan, who have allowed a combined 16 earned runs and 10 hits over 12.1 innings this spring.

On the other, youngsters Michael Kirkman and Robbie Ross, who have scattered 11 hits over 14.2 innings of work, allowing only two earned runs.

The regular season is likely to be a mixed bag for the unit as well.

Health

Neftali Feliz, Colby Lewis and Joakim Soria all continue to work their way back from surgeries they underwent in 2012, while pitching prospect Martin Perez will miss at least the first month of the season with a fractured forearm.

Spring Training Grade: B

Arizona Diamondbacks

Spring Training Record: 15-14

Offense

Arizona hasn't missed a beat offensively in the post-Upton era, putting up a Top 10 offense during the spring.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt has done his best Joey Votto impersonation this spring, walking nearly as many times as he's struck out and sitting with both a batting average (.411) and on-base percentage (.485) in the stratosphere.

Starting Rotation

While a 5.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP during the regular season would be time for panic, those numbers put Arizona right in the middle of the pack when it comes to spring training.

Trevor Cahill and Patrick Corbin have been excellent, Brandon McCarthy and Wade Miley have been hit hard while the ace of the staff, Ian Kennedy, falls somewhere in between.

That said, between the talent currently in the rotation and prospects like Tyler Skaggs and Archie Bradley waiting in the wings, the Diamondbacks are in good shape heading into the season.

Bullpen

More evidence that it's important to take a team's total statistics in spring training with a grain of salt: Arizona relievers have pitched to a 5.56 ERA and 1.57 WHIP this spring.

Yet of the seven pitchers expected to comprise the team's regular season bullpen, only two—David Hernandez and Matt Reynolds—have an ERA higher than 2.70 or a WHIP higher than 1.20 this spring.

Numbers never lie, but they sure can be deceiving.

Health

Adam Eaton, the Diamondbacks starting center fielder and leadoff hitter, will be out until early May with a sprained UCL, while right fielder Cody Ross is likely to join him on the disabled list with a lower left leg strain.

Spring Training Grade: B-

Colorado Rockies

Spring Training Record: 16-12

Offense

Hitting the ball has never been a problem for the Rockies, especially since the team plays half of its games at Coors Field.

Troy Tulowitzki is off to a slow start, with a .244/.294/.400 slash line, one home run and 11 RBI, but the perennial MVP candidate is sure to get going once the games start to truly matter.

Starting Rotation

If only spring training equated to regular season success, the Rockies and their fans would be doing backflips over having a rotation that doesn't rank near the bottom of baseball in nearly every statistical category.

Tied with the New York Mets for the 10th lowest ERA among starters at 4.51, the group's 1.51 WHIP is far more telling of things to come.

The Rockies starters have been solid, but they continue to get hit fairly hard—that's not a recipe for regular season success.

Bullpen

It's pretty much the same story as with the starting rotation: respectable spring training ERA (4.49, 12th-lowest in baseball), WHIP on the high side of the spectrum at 1.45.

Health

With the exception of pitching prospect Edwar Cabrera, on the 60-day disabled list with a shoulder injury, the Rockies are in good shape heading into the regular season.

Spring Training Grade: A

Los Angeles Dodgers

Spring Training Record: 11-18

Offense

With a lineup that's littered with All-Stars, we can be sure that the Dodgers are going to hit during the regular season.

While the team sits in the middle of the pack this spring when it comes to offensive production, part of the problem is that Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp have combined to hit only .218 with three home runs and 14 RBI.

Those struggles won't last.

Starting Rotation

Clayton Kershaw remains a perennial Cy Young award contender and is arguably the best pitcher in the game, so there are no worries about his performance this spring, which has gotten progressively better with each outing.

Zack Greinke's shoulder injury is a concern, though if there's a team with the depth in its starting rotation to withstand losing a member of the group it's the Dodgers, who have veterans Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Ted Lilly to plug in when necessary.

Bullpen

Perhaps manager Don Mattingly will reconsider his decision to go with Brandon League as the closer over flamethrower Kenley Jansen after looking at the performances by the two this spring.

League has allowed six earned runs and 10 hits in 6.1 innings of work, while Jansen has allowed one earned run and four hits in 5.1 innings. I thought the decision was foolish when it was made, and League's performance this spring hasn't given anyone a reason to think the Dodgers' skipper isn't wrong.

Health

Hanley Ramirez is out until at least mid-May with a torn thumb ligament suffered at the World Baseball Classic, and Greinke's status for the start of the regular season remains up in the air at this point.

Spring Training Grade: C

San Diego Padres

Spring Training Record: 15-17

Offense

San Diego's offense took a hit when Chase Headley went down with a fractured left thumb, but the Padres might surprise some people with the way they hit the ball this season.

Carlos Quentin and Yonder Alonso have been relatively quiet this spring, but the pair will produce during the regular season, just as they did a year ago.

Jedd Gyorko's versatility (he'll play third base until Headley returns, then move to second base) and swing (.286, 3 HR, 10 RBI) earned him a spot on the Padres' Opening Day roster. He'll be in the running for the NL Rookie of the Year award when the regular season comes to an end.

Starting Rotation

San Diego simply doesn't have the starting pitching to contend in the National League this year.

Edinson Volquez hasn't looked sharp since returning from the World Baseball Classic, while Jason Marquis' 2.00 ERA doesn't look so great next to his 1.50 WHIP or nine walks in 18 innings of work.

Bullpen

Luke Gregerson and Huston Street remain one of the more underrated setup man/closer combinations in baseball, but after them, there's a dropoff in production.

San Diego's bullpen figures to be a fluid one this season, with pieces constantly being moved around until skipper Bud Black finds the right mix.

Health

The aforementioned Headley is likely to be joined on the disabled list by fellow infielder Logan Forsythe, sidelined with plantar fascitis.

A trio of pitchers: Andrew Cashner, Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland, are all at various stages of rehabilitation from injuries suffered in 2012 and aren't expected to be ready to contribute until later in the season.

Spring Training Grade: C

San Francisco Giants

Spring Training Record: 14-13

Offense

San Francisco has been average at the plate this spring, with a team slash line of .282/.335/.454 that lands the defending World Series champions in the middle of the pack.

Hunter Pence, who struggled mightily after the Giants acquired him from Philadelphia last season, has gotten off to a strong start this spring, hitting .361 with a pair of home runs and 12 RBI.

Brandon Belt, who has been vilified for no apparent reason, has been tearing the cover off of the ball, hitting .453 with seven home runs and 18 RBI.

Starting Rotation

Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain will fight each other for Cy Young votes this season, while Ryan Vogelsong remains a solid veteran at the back-end of the rotation.

Barry Zito has picked up where he left off last season, allowing only four earned runs over 18.1 innings of work this spring.

Tim Lincecum, well...he just looks lost, giving up 13 earned runs and 17 hits over 10.2 innings of work, walking seven and striking out 10.

Bullpen

The group has hit some rough patches this spring, but Jeremy Affeldt, George Kontos and Sergio Romo have been solid, each with an ERA under 3.50 and a WHIP under 1.45.

Health

Brett Pill will be out until mid-April after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery earlier in March.

Spring Training Grade: B