All 30 MLB Teams' Blueprint to a Perfect Spring Training
Spring training is just around the corner, a reminder for us here in the icy Midwest that warmer weather is on the way and an exciting time for baseball fans across the country who are itching to see their team in action once again.
For the most part, the preseason is a time for established players to shake off the rust and the manager to decide on who fills the handful of open spots on the 25-man roster.
However, there are a handful of key areas that teams focus on in particular, sort of a blueprint to preseason success, if you will, and those are what the following article will focus on.
One player (in some cases two) who applies to each of the following categories was chosen:
- Health: The key player either recovering from an offseason injury/surgery or an oft-injured player to keep an eye on. The hope here is that he will avoid any setbacks or stay healthy.
- Rebound: The key player coming off of a down season. Ideally, he'll turn in a big spring performance and build some confidence heading into a potential bounce-back year.
- Prospect: The prospect in big league camp who is capable of making the biggest impact this coming season or is expected to fill a key role on the Opening Day roster. A young player who looks like he belongs in the spring can certainly give the team some added confidence in him heading into the year.
- Newcomer: The one new addition everyone will be watching this spring. Not necessarily the top player the team added, though in many cases they are one and the same.
Think of this as a quick overview of what to watch for this spring.
If a team's respective health question mark, rebound candidate, prospect contributor and key newcomer can all walk away with a positive spring performance, it may be as close to a perfect spring as any team can hope for.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Health: 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt was well on his way to another MVP-caliber season when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a fractured hand on Aug. 8, costing him 51 games and effectively ending his season. The expectation is that he'll be good to go from the start of spring training, and the Arizona Diamondbacks certainly need him at the top of his game.
Rebound: LF Mark Trumbo
After hitting 95 home runs in three seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Mark Trumbo was expected to be a key run producer as the Diamondbacks' big acquisition last offseason. Instead, a stress fracture in his foot cost him 71 games, and he wound up with a .707 OPS and 14 home runs in 328 at-bats.
Prospect: 3B Yasmany Tomas
The Diamondbacks emerged as surprise winners of the Yasmany Tomas derby, signing the Cuban slugger to a six-year, $68.5 million deal. Viewed by most as a corner outfielder, he'll be given every chance to play third base, but it's his bat in the middle of the lineup that could put him among the NL Rookie of the Year front-runners.
Newcomer: SP Jeremy Hellickson
Since winning AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 and following it up with a solid sophomore campaign, Jeremy Hellickson has posted a 5.00 ERA (4.20 FIP) in 44 starts over the past two seasons. The D-backs shipped a pair of quality prospects to the Tampa Bay Rays to acquire him this offseason, and a bounce-back season could help bring some clarity to a rotation that is up in the air heading into camp.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Health: RF Nick Markakis
Nick Markakis was the Atlanta Braves' big offseason addition, signing a four-year, $44 million deal, in an offseason that saw a number of key pieces shipped out of town. The 31-year-old underwent fusion surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck on Dec. 17, but he's expected to be ready to go for Opening Day as long as he does not suffer any setbacks, according to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
Rebound: SP Mike Minor
After going 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA (3.37 FIP) two years ago, Mike Minor took a step back in 2014 when he finished 6-12 with a 4.77 ERA (4.39 FIP). The 27-year-old will open the season as the No. 4 starter, and a return to his 2013 form would certainly provide the rotation with a big boost.
Prospect: C Christian Bethancourt
Christian Bethancourt saw 113 at-bats in Atlanta last year, but his rookie eligibility is still intact, so he qualifies as the team's most important prospect. The 23-year-old takes over as the team's primary catcher, and after posting a .725 OPS with 24 doubles and 13 home runs in the minors last year, he has a chance to be a plus backstop both offensively and defensively right out of the gates.
Newcomer: SP Mike Foltynewicz
While veterans Eric Stults and Wandy Rodriguez are currently expected to duke it out as non-roster invitees for the No. 5 starter spot, the Braves would love nothing more than for the flame-throwing Mike Foltynewicz to win the job with a big spring.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Health: C Matt Wieters and 3B Manny Machado
Matt Wieters (Tommy John surgery) and Manny Machado (knee surgery) both missed significant time last season, and their returns this season are expected to go a long way in offsetting the losses of Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis in free agency. Both players are expected to be ready for Opening Day, according to Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun, after an offseason of rehab.
Rebound: 1B Chris Davis
Chances are Chris Davis will never match the 1.004 OPS, 53 home runs and 138 RBI he tallied in a phenomenal all-around season in 2013, but it's also fair to assume he's a better player than what we saw a year ago when his OPS dipped to .704. The 2012 version of Davis had an .827 OPS with 33 home runs, and a return to that level of production would be more than welcome.
Prospect: SP Dylan Bundy
The No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft, Dylan Bundy rocketed through the Orioles system to make his big league debut as a 19-year-old in 2012. Tommy John surgery would cost him all of 2013 and most of last season, but he returned to make nine starts down the stretch last year. A healthy Bundy could play a key role in 2015.
Newcomer: RF Travis Snider
It's been a quiet offseason for the Orioles as far as notable additions go, but they did pick pick up an intriguing corner outfield option in Travis Snider. The former top prospect is still just 27 years old and coming off a solid season that saw him post a .776 OPS with 15 doubles and 13 home runs in 322 at-bats with the Pirates.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Health: 2B Dustin Pedroia
After landing awkwardly on his left wrist during the Boston Red Sox's home opener last year, Dustin Pedroia dealt with nagging issues the remainder of the season before finally undergoing season-ending surgery on Sept. 11. The surgery was expected to improve his range of motion, and that could help his offensive numbers rebound in 2015.
Rebound: SP Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz went 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 12 starts to open the 2013 season before neck and shoulder injuries limited him to just four more regular-season starts. That was followed up by a disastrous season last year that saw him go 8-11 with a 5.34 ERA (4.01 FIP). But there is hope for a rebound as he enters the final guaranteed year of his contract.
Prospect: CF Rusney Castillo
With just 10 professional games under his belt after signing a seven-year, $72.5 million last August, Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo is still very much a prospect entering the 2015 season. He bulked up between his defection and his signing with Boston, giving him a bit more power projection, but speed and on-base skills will be his meal tickets.
Newcomer: SP Rick Porcello
Much has been made about the Red Sox's lack of a bona fide ace atop their rotation. Barring something big happening between now and Opening Day, they're not going to have one when the season begins. Rick Porcello has perhaps the best chance of filling that role, as the 26-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, having gone 15-13 with a 3.43 ERA in 204.2 innings of work.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Health: SS Starlin Castro
The Cubs have no serious injury concerns heading into camp, but keeping shortstop Starlin Castro healthy will be on the to-do list. He was slowed by a hamstring injury for almost all of the preseason last year and also saw his 2014 season end prematurely with a high ankle sprain.
Rebound: 2B Javier Baez
Saying Javier Baez needs to rebound from a 52-game rookie performance may sound a bit silly, but there were some truly alarming numbers in his debut, and adjustments have to be made if he's to avoid being a bust. The slugger struck out a whopping 95 times in 213 at-bats, or about 41.5 percent of the time, and he's by no means guaranteed a roster spot after the team acquired Tommy La Stella from the Braves.
Prospect: 3B Kris Bryant
At this point, the hype could not be any bigger for Kris Bryant, and understandably so after he slugged 43 home runs and posted a 1.098 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A last season. Regardless of how he performs this spring, he'll spend the first three weeks of the season in the minors, buying the Cubs another year of team control, but his Cactus League at-bats will be as closely monitored as anyone's.
Newcomer: SP Jon Lester
There are no shortage of newcomers on the Cubs roster this season, with Dexter Fowler and Miguel Montero joining Jon Lester as significant offseason additions. The big-ticket item was obviously Lester, though, after he signed a six-year, $155 million deal, and he'll be expected to look the part of an ace from day one.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Health: C Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto will be in White Sox camp on a minor league deal, but he has a real shot at making the roster as long as he can prove he's healthy, according to a tweet from Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago. The 32-year-old played just 24 games last year while dealing with knee surgery and a groin strain.
Rebound: RF Avisail Garcia
The key return piece of the trade that sent Jake Peavy to the Boston Red Sox in 2013, Avisail Garcia was pegged as a potential breakout candidate heading into last season. A torn labrum (shoulder) would instead cost him all but 46 games, but hopes will be high for the 23-year-old once again entering the 2015 season.
Prospect: 2B Carlos Sanchez or Micah Johnson
For all the attention starter Carlos Rodon is going to receive this spring, and understandably so, sorting out the second base position will have the bigger impact on the team to open the season. Re-signing Gordon Beckham gives the White Sox a veteran option, but they would no doubt love nothing more than for Carlos Sanchez or Micah Johnson to seize the job.
Newcomer: SP Jeff Samardzija
Count Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and David Robertson among the White Sox's other notable offseason additions, but the one to watch will be Jeff Samardzija. He joins a rotation that already features Chris Sale and Jose Quintana at the top, and if all three of those guys pitch to their potential, the South Siders could have the best trio in the American League.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Health: SP Homer Bailey
With Mat Latos gone, $105 million man Homer Bailey will be stepping into a more important role in the Cincinnati Reds rotation this coming season as the No. 2 starter. His 2014 season ended Sept. 4 with elbow surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon, but he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Rebound: RF Jay Bruce
While Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips will also be looking to rebound after injury-plagued seasons, right fielder Jay Bruce has perhaps the most work to do after the worst season of his career, albeit one that was hindered by a balky left knee. After averaging an .812 OPS and 27 home runs over his first six seasons, Bruce hit just .217/.281/.373 with 18 home runs in 493 at-bats in 2014.
Prospect: SP/RP Raisel Iglesias
There are a handful of prospects to watch for the Reds this spring, including pitcher Robert Stephenson and outfielder Jesse Winker, but Raisel Iglesias has perhaps the most upside as far as expected contributions in 2015 are concerned. The Cuban defector signed a seven-year, $27 million deal last June, and he has the raw stuff to be a real difference-maker.
Newcomer: SP Anthony DeSclafani
While Iglesias is perhaps the most intriguing prospect, right-hander Anthony DeSclafani is by far the more big league-ready, and he enters camp as the front-runner for the vacated No. 5 starter position. The 24-year-old, who was acquired from the Miami Marlins in the Mat Latos deal, will need to show improvement with his changeup as a third offering this spring.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Health: 1B Brandon Moss
After a big first half, Brandon Moss saw his production dip across the board in the second half, as he was dealing with a nagging hip injury. He underwent surgery on Oct. 21 and is expected to be ready to suit up for his new team when Opening Day rolls around.
Rebound: 2B Jason Kipnis
A .284/.366/.452 line with 36 doubles, 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 2013 earned Jason Kipnis a six-year, $52.5 million extension. However, he hit just .240/.310/.330 with 25 doubles, six home runs and 22 stolen bases this past season, and his WAR dropped from 5.9 to 0.9. Rushing back from a strained oblique was likely part of the problem, and a return to form this coming year would certainly help the Indians' chances of contending.
Prospect: SS Francisco Lindor
Pegged as the shortstop of the future in Cleveland since being taken with the No. 8 pick in the 2011 draft, Francisco Lindor should arrive on the scene at some point in 2015. Already an elite defender, the 21-year-old has continued to make strides at the plate, hitting .276/.338/.389 with 16 doubles, 11 home runs and 28 steals between Double-A and Triple-A last year.
Newcomer: SP Gavin Floyd
Despite what appeared to be a clear need for a reliable No. 2 starter type, the Indians' big offseason acquisition on the pitching side of things wound up being Gavin Floyd on a one-year, $4 million deal. He's been solid throughout his career when healthy, but his health is far from assured after suffering a fracture in his pitching elbow last June on the heels of Tommy John surgery in 2013.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Health: SS Troy Tulowitzki
The health of Troy Tulowitzki continues to be the top story out of Colorado Rockies camp on a yearly basis. This past season saw the 30-year-old post MVP-caliber numbers before a torn hip labrum cost him the final 64 games of the season. He's expected to be healthy for Opening Day, but we'll see how long that lasts.
Rebound: SP Jhoulys Chacin
Jhoulys Chacin had gone 37-40 with a 3.58 ERA (3.93 FIP) in four seasons as a starter leading up to last year, but he struggled mightily in 2014, going 1-7 with a 5.40 ERA (4.82 FIP) over 11 starts. A right shoulder strain in camp put him in the disabled list to begin the season, and he was seemingly never right the rest of the way.
Prospect: SP Eddie Butler
Hard-throwing Jon Gray has more upside long term, but it's Eddie Butler who is more likely to make a significant impact in 2015 after making three starts for the Rockies last season. The 23-year-old was 6-9 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.259 WHIP in 18 starts for Double-A Tulsa in 2014 after opening the season as the No. 24 prospect in baseball, according to Baseball America.
Newcomer: SP David Hale
Kyle Kendrick is probably a better bet to crack the rotation out of spring training, but there is an awful lot more upside in the right arm of David Hale, who was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. The 27-year-old went 4-5 with a 3.30 ERA in 45 games overall last season, and that included 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in six starts.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Health: 1B Miguel Cabrera and DH Victor Martinez
With Miguel Cabrera already on the mend from early offseason ankle/foot surgery, fellow Tigers slugger Victor Martinez joined him in going under the knife when he had surgery to repair a torn knee meniscus on Feb. 10. Both players are questionable for the start of the season, so they'll be watched closely this spring.
Rebound: SP Justin Verlander
Despite winning 15 games last season, Justin Verlander had his worst season since 2008, pitching to a 4.54 ERA and 1.398 WHIP. With Max Scherzer gone in free agency and Rick Porcello traded to Boston, the Tigers are counting on Verlander to at least be solid out of the No. 3 starter spot, which is not asking too much considering his $28 million salary.
Prospect: SP Buck Farmer
Outside of losing the two arms mentioned above, the Tigers are also dangerously thin on starting pitching depth, with prospects Kyle Lobstein and Buck Farmer likely next in line if someone gets hurt. Lobstein saw more big league action last season, but Farmer is the more intriguing prospect, having gone 12-6 with a 3.07 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 123 innings while climbing three levels in 2014.
Newcomer: SP Alfredo Simon
Acquired in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds to fill one of the vacated rotation spots, with Shane Greene expected to fill the other, Alfredo Simon has some significant questions to answer this spring. An All-Star after going 12-3 with a 2.70 ERA in the first half, he was just 3-7 with a 4.52 ERA after the break. A 4.33 FIP overall suggests he's probably closer to the guy we saw in the second half, and a return to the bullpen is not out of the question.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
Health: SP Brad Peacock
The No. 5 starter spot in the Houston Astros rotation appears to be up for grabs heading into camp. Brad Peacock could be one candidate for the job after going 4-9 with a 4.72 ERA in 24 starts in 2014, but he's questionable for Opening Day after undergoing hip surgery in October. Dan Straily looks like the front-runner for the job at this point.
Rebound: C Jason Castro
An All-Star in 2013, when he posted an .835 OPS and 4.3 WAR, catcher Jason Castro saw those numbers drop to .651 and 1.7 this past season. The team acquired Hank Conger this offseason in a trade with the Angels, and he could push Castro if the struggles to continue, but a bounce-back season would obviously be the preferred outcome.
Prospect: SP Mark Appel
Despite a disastrous 2014 season that saw him post a 6.91 ERA in 83.1 innings between High-A and Double-A, Mark Appel remains one of the game's top pitching prospects. The front-line stuff is still there, and he showed flashes of turning a corner near the end of the season, including eight innings of two-hit, 10-strikeout ball in his second to last start.
Newcomer: DH Evan Gattis
The Astros finally found themselves in a position to add rather than subtract this offseason, and there are plenty of new faces, including Pat Neshek, Luke Gregerson, Jed Lowrie, Luis Valbuena and Dan Straily. However, the big pickup was slugger Evan Gattis' four remaining years of team control. It remains to be seen whether he'll play first base, left field or designated hitter, but his bat will be a welcome addition.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
Health: RP Luke Hochevar
An inconsistent starter, Luke Hochevar finally found a home in the bullpen in 2013 when he posted a 1.92 ERA and 10.5 K/9 over 58 appearances. After missing all of the 2014 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, the team brought him back with a two-year, $10 million extension, and he figures to make an already loaded Royals bullpen even better.
Rebound: 3B Mike Moustakas
Let's preface this by saying beware of the preseason numbers of Mike Moustakas, as he's gone a combined 52-for-127 (.409 BA) with 15 doubles, nine home run and 34 RBI the past two springs, only to flop in the regular season. However, after launching five home runs and posting an .817 OPS in the playoffs last year, perhaps the long-awaited breakout is finally around the corner.
Prospect: SP/RP Brandon Finnegan
Taken with the No. 17 pick in the 2014 draft, Brandon Finnegan became the first player from the draft class to reach the majors, and he wound up serving as a key arm out of the bullpen during the Royals' postseason run. His future is still as a starter, and seeing as he may be next in line if someone gets hurt, chances are he'll be stretched out in Triple-A to open the season.
Newcomer: SP Edinson Volquez
Despite his postseason struggles, losing James Shields is an obvious blow to the Royals pitching staff, as he was a workhorse and a leader. Veteran Edinson Volquez was signed to a two-year, $20 million deal to replace him after enjoying a career renaissance in Pittsburgh last year, and he'll need to prove he can at least be a viable middle-of-the-rotation arm.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
Health: SP Garrett Richards
Garrett Richards was a legitimate AL Cy Young candidate before suffering a season-ending knee injury last August, going 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA (2.60 FIP) and 1.038 WHIP over 26 starts. He's ahead of schedule in his rehab from surgery on the knee, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, but he is still expected to miss the first four to six weeks of the season.
Rebound: SP C.J. Wilson
Signed to a five-year, $77.5 million deal the same offseason the Angels added Albert Pujols, lefty C.J. Wilson went 30-17 with a 3.60 ERA during his first two years with the team. His ERA climbed to 4.51 (4.31 FIP) this past season, though, and with Richards on the disabled list to open the year, the team will be counting on him to return to form alongside Jered Weaver at the top of the rotation.
Prospect: RP Cam Bedrosian
A first-round pick in 2010, Cam Bedrosian quickly saw his pro career sidetracked by Tommy John surgery in 2011. He made the move to the bullpen in 2013 and was absolutely dominant this past year, posting a 2.00 ERA, 0.756 WHIP and an insane 16.4 K/9 mark (82 K in 45 IP) over three levels. He struggled to a 6.52 ERA in 17 big league appearances, but he has the stuff to replace Jason Grilli in the setup role.
Newcomer: SP Andrew Heaney
Despite a clear need to add pitching depth and the vast upside of Andrew Heaney, trading Howie Kendrick to acquire the left-hander is still a deal that was met with some skepticism, as the longtime second baseman was a big part of the team's success in 2014. Heaney will have every chance to win the No. 5 starter job, and long term, this could wind up being one of the best moves of the offseason.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
Health: SP Brett Anderson
He may have a clean bill of health heading into spring training, but keeping Brett Anderson healthy has been no easy task. The 27-year-old has made just 32 starts over the past four years, including only eight in Colorado last year, but he'll be counted on to fill the No. 5 starter spot after agreeing to a one-year, $10 million deal.
Rebound: RF Yasiel Puig
Saying a player needs to rebound from a season that saw him post an .863 OPS with 37 doubles and 16 home runs may sound crazy, but with Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp gone, the Dodgers will be counting on Yasiel Puig to be a consistent offensive threat in the middle of the lineup. Puig struggled to a .544 OPS in August and managed just four home runs in the second half before striking out eight times in 12 postseason at-bats.
Prospect: CF Joc Pederson
With Kemp out of the picture, top prospect Joc Pederson finally has a clear path to an everyday job in the Dodgers outfield. He annihilated Triple-A pitching last season to the tune of a .303/.435/.582 line that included 33 home runs, 100 walks and 30 stolen bases. He may not be a 30/30 guy at the MLB level, but his patience at the plate and five-tool skill set should make him an impact player nonetheless.
Newcomer: 2B Howie Kendrick and SS Jimmy Rollins
With Dee Gordon and Hanley Ramirez gone, the Dodgers will have a new double play combination this coming season in veterans Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins. Seeing how these guys work together this spring will be one area to keep an eye on, and as long as they can both stay healthy, they figure to be one of the more productive middle infields in all of baseball.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
Health: SP Jose Fernandez
Well on his way to an impressive sophomore season, Jose Fernandez was instead lost for the year when he underwent Tommy John surgery on May 16. The latest reports are that he could rejoin the Marlins rotation as early as June 15, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. That's provided he avoids any setbacks once he starts throwing off the mound again this spring.
Rebound: SP/RP Brad Hand
Brad Hand made 12 starts and had a 4.20 ERA as a 21-year-old rookie back in 2011, but he's been spinning his tires in the three seasons since, going 4-10 with a 4.52 ERA in 40 games (17 starts). The left-hander is out of options heading into camp, and provided Dan Haren is not with the team come Opening Day, he looks like the front-runner for the No. 5 starter job.
Prospect: C J.T. Realmuto
Jarrod Saltalamacchia is still signed for the next two seasons, but top prospect J.T. Realmuto could make him expendable in the very near future if he continues to produce like he did in 2014. The athletic backstop hit .299/.369/.461 with 25 doubles, eight home runs and 18 stolen bases in his second go-round at the Double-A level, and he enters 2015 as one of the top catching prospects in the game.
Newcomer: SP Mat Latos
After arguably the best season of his career in 2013, Mat Latos missed the first 66 games of the season this past year while recovering from offseason knee surgery. His fastball velocity was down once he returned, from 92.6 mph to 90.7 mph (via FanGraphs), but with a normal offseason, the Marlins are hoping he can return to front-line form and help bridge the gap to Fernandez returning.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Health: RP Jim Henderson and Tyler Thornburg
With Francisco Rodriguez, Zach Duke and Tom Gorzelanny all departing in free agency, the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen is in a state of flux heading into 2015. Setup men Jim Henderson (shoulder) and Tyler Thornburg (elbow) both missed significant time down the stretch in 2014, but they'll be counted on to step into key roles alongside left-hander Will Smith.
Rebound: SS Jean Segura
A revelation during the first half of the 2013 season when he hit .325/.363/.487 with 30 extra-base hits, Jean Segura has been a below-average producer in the season-and-a-half since. To be fair, 2014 was a tough year for Segura, who lost his nine-month-old son in July. He's still just 24 years old, so there's no reason to think he can't be a plus shortstop again moving forward.
Prospect: IF Luis Sardinas
The key pickup in the trade that sent Yovani Gallardo to the Texas Rangers, infielder Luis Sardinas made his big league debut as a 20-year-old last April. He held his own with a .261/.303/.313 line and six doubles in 115 at-bats, and he could presumably push Segura at shortstop if his offensive struggles continue.
Newcomer: 1B Adam Lind
After employing the veteran platoon of Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay at first base last season, the Brewers moved quickly to shore up the position this winter, shipping expendable arm Marco Estrada to the Blue Jays for Adam Lind. He doesn't hit a lick against left-handed pitching, but he can still be a significant upgrade at the position in a platoon role.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Health: 3B Miguel Sano and CF Byron Buxton
The Minnesota Twins entered the 2014 season with baseball's No. 1 prospect in Byron Buxton and No. 6 prospect in Miguel Sano, according to Baseball America. However, their development was halted due to injury, as Sano missed the entire season with Tommy John surgery and Buxton played just 31 games while dealing with a wrist injury and later a concussion.
Rebound: SP Ricky Nolasco
Handed a then-team-record four-year, $49 million deal in free agency last winter, Ricky Nolasco was one of the biggest flops of the offseason, going 6-12 with a 5.38 ERA and 1.516 WHIP in 27 starts. After he took the ball on Opening Day last year, the Twins only need Nolasco to be a passable No. 3 starter this season, and that reduced pressure could be enough to spark a bounce-back performance.
Prospect: SP Alex Meyer
Acquired from the Washington Nationals in the Denard Span deal, towering 6'9" right-hander Alex Meyer has quickly emerged as the top pitching prospect in the Twins organization. He was 7-7 with a 3.52 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 130.1 innings in Triple-A last season, and he'll have every chance to lock down a rotation spot this spring.
Newcomer: SP Ervin Santana
The deal Nolasco signed was referenced as a "then-team record" because Ervin Santana set the new mark this offseason with a four-year, $55 million deal. Santana has posted an ERA under 4.00 in four of the past five seasons, and he's also topped 195 innings four times during that span. He'll join Phil Hughes atop a rotation that will look to avoid finishing as the worst in baseball for a third straight year.
New York Mets
18 of 30
Health: SP Matt Harvey
Matt Harvey threw his first bullpen session of the spring Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery, which cost him the entire 2014 season. He looked sharp, according to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, and looks to be on track for a potential Opening Day start.
Rebound: 3B David Wright
Despite suiting up for 134 games last season, David Wright was far from healthy, as he battled a nagging shoulder injury for much of the year. The result was a precipitous drop in his power production, as his .698 OPS and eight home runs were both career lows. If the New York Mets are going to have any chance at contending, they need Wright to return to his superstar status.
Prospect: SP Noah Syndergaard
The Mets have seemingly been unwilling to part with big right-hander Noah Syndergaard in any and all deals that have been discussed this offseason, and understandably so, as he has legitimate ace upside. His 4.60 ERA in Triple-A last season may look like cause for concern, but it came in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League while playing his home games in extremely hitter-friendly Las Vegas.
Newcomer: RF Michael Cuddyer
A right-handed-hitting corner outfielder with pop was atop the Mets' wish list when the offseason began, and they wasted little time filling that need, signing Michael Cuddyer to a two-year, $21 million deal on Nov. 10. The 35-year-old has hit .331/.385/.543 over the past two seasons, but he played in just 49 games last season while battling shoulder and hamstring injuries, and the team is banking on him being healthy.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Health: SP Masahiro Tanaka
Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka managed to avoid Tommy John surgery on his partially torn UCL last season, even returning to make a pair of starts in September, but that doesn't mean he's out of the woods yet. Early reports have been good, according to ESPN, but that partial tear could turn into a bigger issue at any time.
Rebound: RF Carlos Beltran
A number of guys could be the pick here for a Yankees team that fell well short of expectations last season, but let's focus on 37-year-old Carlos Beltran. After two productive seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, he signed a three-year, $45 million deal that looked like a potential bargain, but instead, he hit just .233/.301/.402 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI in 109 games in his first season in the Bronx.
Prospect: 2B Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyder
The decision to re-sign Stephen Drew puts a damper on the hopes that either Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder would emerge from camp as the Yankees' starting second baseman. However, if either player impresses this spring, the team could still opt to release Brendan Ryan and slot Drew in the utility infield spot.
Newcomer: SP Nathan Eovaldi
With injury questions surrounding Tanaka, CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda, and little expected out of Chris Capuano other than league-average production, the X-factor in the Yankees rotation figures to be Nathan Eovaldi. The right-hander has the stuff, including a fastball that averaged 95.7 mph (via FanGraphs), but he is still working on transitioning from thrower to pitcher.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Health: RP Sean Doolittle
An All-Star out of the Oakland bullpen last season when he converted 22 of 26 save chances with a 2.73 ERA and 0.734 WHIP, Sean Doolittle was diagnosed with a partial tear of his rotator cuff in late January. There's no clear timetable for his return, but it appears that he won't miss significant regular-season time, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Rebound: OF Craig Gentry
One of the better fourth outfielders in baseball during his time with the Texas Rangers, including a .280/.373/.386 line and 24 stolen bases in 2013, Craig Gentry could play his way into a significant role for the A's this coming season. He hit just .254/.319/.289 in 232 at-bats last year, but he was bit by the injury bug more than once, and a bounce-back performance could make him the primary left fielder.
Prospect: RP R.J. Alvarez
Considering Marcus Semien no longer has rookie eligibility, and it's unclear if anyone from the newly acquired pitching trio of Chris Bassitt, Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin will crack the Opening Day roster, let's focus on reliever R.J. Alvarez here. The right-hander was acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Derek Norris deal, and he could make an immediate late-inning impact after posting a 1.25 ERA, 0.969 WHIP and 12.7 K/9 in 38 minor league appearances last year.
Newcomer: 3B Brett Lawrie
Who ultimately wins the Josh Donaldson-to-Toronto trade will likely boil down to whether Brett Lawrie ever manages to stay healthy and perform up to his potential. He's just 25 years old, and it's not out of the realm of possibility to think Lawrie could be the better player moving forward; it's just a matter of him staying on the field.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Health: SP Cliff Lee
A pair of forearm strains cost Cliff Lee a total of 110 games last season, turning him from an intriguing trade candidate into a huge question mark moving forward. He's expected to bounce back after an offseason of rest, and if he proves healthy, he could again hit the trade block.
Rebound: LF Domonic Brown
Over the course of the past five seasons, Domonic Brown has been called top prospect, flop, breakout star and disappointment. So what, exactly, can the Phillies expect out of the 27-year-old moving forward? Who knows, but a return to his 2013 production, when he posted an .818 OPS with 27 home runs and 83 RBI, sure would be nice.
Prospect: 1B/3B Maikel Franco
The 2014 season as a whole was something of a disappointment for top prospect Maikel Franco. The 22-year-old hit just .230/.285/.364 with six home runs in 343 at-bats during the first half of the season, but he rebounded nicely to bat .309/.326/.551 with 10 home runs in 178 at-bats after the break, earning a late-season call-up as a result. A hot start could be enough for him to unseat Cody Asche in Philadelphia.
Newcomer: SP Chad Billingsley
The Phillies' biggest offseason addition at the big league level has been veteran starter Aaron Harang, but the newcomer to keep an eye on is Chad Billingsley. The 30-year-old has not pitched since April 15, 2013, having undergone a pair of elbow surgeries, but he's one of the more intriguing bounce-back candidates this season on a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Health: SP Charlie Morton
With the Pittsburgh Pirates opting to re-sign Francisco Liriano and bring back A.J. Burnett this offseason, there's not quite as much pressure on Charlie Morton to rush back from September hip surgery to repair a torn labrum. The original timetable for his return was six to eight months, putting him back somewhere between late March and late May.
Rebound: 1B/3B Pedro Alvarez
Pedro Alvarez is really only valuable if he's hitting home runs, and he hit an NL-best 36 of them in 2013. He managed just 18 this past season, though, in 398 at-bats, and he's been unseated at third base by Josh Harrison as a result. He'll now platoon with Corey Hart at first base, and a return to 30-homer form would be big.
Prospect: SP Nick Kingham
He's ranked behind Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon as far as Pirates pitching prospects are concerned, but Nick Kingham is expected to beat them both to the majors. The 23-year-old went 6-11 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.214 WHIP between Double-A and Triple-A last year, and he could be next up if someone gets hurt this spring.
Newcomer: IF Jung-ho Kang
No one really knows what to expect out of Korean infielder Jung-ho Kang at the MLB level, but he'll be one of the more closely watched players in the league this spring. The 27-year-old hit .356/.459/.739 with 36 doubles and 40 home runs in the extremely hitter-friendly KBO last year, earning four-year, $11 million deal, and there's at least a chance he bumps Jordy Mercer from the every shortstop job.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Health: SP Josh Johnson
Signed to a one-year, $8 million deal last offseason as one of the more intriguing buy-low options on the market, Josh Johnson instead wound up missing the entire season with Tommy John surgery. With the feeling that he has "unfinished business" in San Diego, per Jeff Sanders of U-T San Diego, Johnson re-signed on a one-year, $1 million deal this winter.
Rebound: 2B Jedd Gyorko
Count me among those who were expecting a breakout season from Jedd Gyorko after he tallied 26 doubles and 23 home runs as a rookie in 2013. The Padres apparently agreed, as they handed him a six-year, $35.5 million extension in March. Instead, he hit just .210/.280/.333 with just 10 home runs, and he'll obviously be looking to rebound in 2015.
Prospect: 2B/3B Cory Spangenberg
Should Gyorko continue to struggle, or the team opt to move him back to his natural position of third base at some point in the near future, Cory Spangenberg could become the second baseman of the present and future for the Padres. The No. 10 pick in the 2011 draft, Spangenberg has hit .289/.359/.410 with 113 steals in four minor league seasons, and he could be the leadoff hitter the Padres appear to be lacking.
Newcomer: RF Wil Myers
James Shields, Matt Kemp may be viewed as bigger pickups, but no newcomer will be more closely watched this spring than Wil Myers. After a huge rookie season in 2013, Myers took a big step back this past year. While it was partly due to a fractured wrist, that doesn't explain his pre-injury struggles, so he'll need to prove he's still a future star. He'll also need to prove he can handle center field duties after originally serving as a catcher in the minors.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Health: SP Matt Cain
Questions abound in the Giants rotation behind ace Madison Bumgarner, and chief among them is the health of Matt Cain. The right-hander underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his throwing elbow on Aug. 12, then to remove a bone spur from his ankle on Sept. 27, and the team is banking on him returning strong and fronting the rotation alongside MadBum.
Rebound: SP Tim Lincecum
Chances are he will never return to elite form, but Tim Lincecum struggled to the point of losing his rotation spot down the stretch last season, and the Giants are going to need better than that from him this year. There are other options in Ryan Vogelsong and Yusmeiro Petit, but the Giants would obviously prefer that Lincecum be the one to hold down the final rotation spot given his $18 million salary.
Prospect: SP Clayton Blackburn
With Joe Panik now established as the starting second baseman, Andrew Susac still blocked by Buster Posey and top pitching prospects Kyle Crick and Tyler Beede still not ready to contribute at the big league level, finding a Giants prospect who could make an impact in 2015 is tricky. Right-hander Clayton Blackburn could get a look after going 5-6 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.226 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 in Double-A last year, but that would likely mean thing have gone awry in the rotation.
Newcomer: 3B Casey McGehee
Filling in for a fan favorite and postseason hero is no easy task, but Casey McGehee might just be up to the task. He likely won't be the same offensive producer or defender at the hot corner, but he was lauded for his leadership and positive clubhouse presence in Miami last season, and he's no slouch with the bat.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Health: SP Danny Hultzen
The No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft and a top-30 prospect in 2012 and 2013 according to Baseball America, Danny Hultzen has seen his development halted by arm problems. After reaching Triple-A in his first pro season in 2012, he made just seven starts in 2013 before undergoing a major shoulder surgery, and he's been recovering since.
Rebound: SS Brad Miller
Brad Miller turned some heads as a rookie in 2013, posting a 110 OPS+ with 25 extra-base hits in 306 at-bats, and that was enough to earn him the starting shortstop job over Nick Franklin last year. While he managed 15 doubles and 10 home runs, he hit just .222/.288/.365 in the process, and with top prospect Chris Taylor knocking on the door, this could be a make-or-break season for Miller.
Prospect: 1B/3B D.J. Peterson
The next top prospect Seattle Mariners fans have to get excited about is slugger D.J. Peterson. Expected to move quickly as one of the top college bats in the 2013 draft class, he's done just that after putting up a .912 OPS with 31 doubles and 31 home runs between High-A and Double-A last year. Logan Morrison opens the season at first base, but Peterson could unseat him by the end of the year.
Newcomer: DH Nelson Cruz
The Mariners opted against signing Nelson Cruz last offseason, only to watch him go on to lead all of baseball with 40 home runs on a one-year, $8 million deal with the Orioles. They got their guy this time around, bringing Cruz aboard on a four-year, $57 million contract, and he could be the piece that pushes them over the top slotted between Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the middle of the lineup.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Health: SP Adam Wainwright
Postseason included, Adam Wainwright has thrown a whopping 519.2 innings over the past two seasons, and it looked like the workload finally started to catch up to him last October. He underwent minor surgery to trim the cartilage in his right elbow in late October, but he's expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training.
Rebound: RP Kevin Siegrist
A former 41st-round pick, Kevin Siegrist was a revelation in 2013, posting a 0.45 ERA, 0.882 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 in 45 appearances out of the Cardinals bullpen. He saw that ERA spike to 6.82 in 37 games this past season, though, and he missed 52 games in the first half with a nerve issue in his shoulder. The team is counting on him to rebound as the primary left-handed setup man, with Randy Choate and Sam Freeman as the other options out of the pen.
Prospect: SP Marco Gonzales
Marco Gonzales could be another candidate to provide a left-handed presence out of the bullpen, a role he served during the postseason, but chances are he's ticketed for Triple-A to be stretched out as a starter. Carlos Martinez will be given every chance to lock down the No. 5 starter spot, but if he struggles or someone goes down with an injury, Gonzales is next in line.
Newcomer: RF Jason Heyward
Despite posting a 24.5 WAR over the course of his five big league seasons, including a 6.3 mark this past year, it's fair to say that Jason Heyward has yet to deliver on his full potential. He's an elite defender, terrific on-base threat and solid base stealer, but he's capable of more, and a change of scenery to St. Louis could be the spark he needs to take his game to the next level.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Health: RP Jake McGee and SP Matt Moore
Two key pieces of the Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff will likely begin the season on the disabled list, as Matt Moore continues to recovery from Tommy John surgery last April and closer Jake McGee is on the mend from December elbow surgery. McGee was originally expected to miss the first month of the season, but he's ahead of schedule and could now only miss a week or so, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Rebound: RP Grant Balfour
The Rays have a solid history of piecing together bullpens, but their decision to sign Grant Balfour to a two-year, $12 million deal rather than re-sign Fernando Rodney—who got a two-year, $14 million deal from the Mariners—was a miss. Balfour opened the season 9-of-11 on save chances with a 6.46 ERA before losing the closer's job to Jake McGee, but with McGee sidelined to begin the season, a bounce-back performance would go a long way.
Prospect: SP Alex Colome
After spending the past two-and-a-half seasons in Triple-A waiting for his opportunity, Alex Colome finally has a clear path to a rotation spot. The 26-year-old has impressed in limited big league action (2.50 ERA, 39.2 IP), and now he'll look to emerge as the latest quality arm developed by the Rays minor league system.
Newcomer: LF Steven Souza
There are plenty of new faces on the Rays roster this coming season, but Steven Souza will be the one under a microscope, as everyone will want to see the key piece of the deal that sent Wil Myers out of town. Souza is a terrific defender, and he hit .345/.427/.577 with 25 doubles and 17 home runs in the minors last year, so expectations are understandably high.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Health: 2B Jurickson Profar
After missing the entire 2014 season with a torn muscle in his throwing shoulder, Jurickson Profar finally began a throwing program on Jan. 20, according to ESPN. The consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball heading into the 2013 season, Profar still has tremendous upside, and the team will be careful not to rush him back, especially with Rougned Odor in the mix at second base as well.
Rebound: 1B Prince Fielder
There are a number of Rangers players looking to rebound from injury-plagued 2014 seasons, but none more so than Prince Fielder, whom the team owes $114 million over the next six years. Fielder managed just three home runs in 42 games last season before undergoing season-ending neck surgery, and he'll be counted on to again be an elite run producer.
Prospect: IF/OF Ryan Rua
A fringe prospect before exploding for 36 home runs in 2013, Ryan Rua now looks like the front-runner to win the left field job for the Rangers this coming season. The 24-year-old proved his breakout performance was not fluke when he hit .306/.378/.488 with 26 doubles and 18 home runs in the minors last year, and he capped it off by hitting .295/.321/.419 with seven doubles and two home runs in 105 big league at-bats.
Newcomer: SP Yovani Gallardo
Considering they used 40 different pitchers last season, including 15 different starters, it's hard to imagine the Rangers staff not being significantly better in 2015. However, the rotation in particular has a chance to be really good with a healthy Derek Holland and newcomer Yovani Gallardo joining ace Yu Darvish at the top. Gallardo is also entering a contract year, so he'll be motivated to step his game up with his new team.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Health: RP John Stilson
The Toronto Blue Jays don't really have any major injury questions heading into spring training, though one notable prospect is on the mend in reliever John Stilson. The 24-year-old reliever posted a 3.18 ERA and 8.5 K/9 in 25 appearances in Triple-A last year before undergoing surgery on a torn labrum (shoulder) in August. He was expected to miss six to eight months at the time of the operation.
Rebound: RP Steve Delabar
An All-Star in 2013 when he had a 3.22 ERA and 12.6 K/9 over 55 appearances, Steve Delabar struggled to the point of being demoted to Triple-A in June this past season, and he never returned, posting a 2.89 ERA and 12.2 K/9 in 24 minor league appearances. He'll be counted on to fill a key role once again this season, though, joining Brett Cecil and Aaron Sanchez at the back of a questionable bullpen.
Prospect: SP Daniel Norris
My love for Blue Jays pitching prospect Daniel Norris has been well-document this offseason, and he's probably my pick for AL Rookie of the Year if he wins the No. 5 starter job out of camp or shortly thereafter. He'll have to beat out fellow prospect Sanchez for the gig, but he may well be ticketed for a key role in the bullpen instead.
Newcomer: C Russell Martin
The Blue Jays were as aggressive as any team in the early stages of the offseason, and their first big move was signing Russell Martin to a five-year, $82 million deal. While he is a terrific offensive addition, Martin's presence might be felt more in his ability to handle the Blue Jays' young staff. He's also one of the better pitch-framers in the league, ranking 10th in that category last year, according to StatCorner.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Health: LF Jayson Werth
In addition to his brief jail stint this offseason, bearded Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth also underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Jan. 9. His rehab is expected to take two to three months, leaving him questionable at best to be ready to go for the season opener.
Rebound: RF Bryce Harper
Limited to just 100 games last season after suffering a thumb injury, Bryce Harper is still looking for that true breakout season, though it bears mentioning that he's still only 22 years old. He was one of the few bright spot for the Nationals in their National League Division Series loss to the Giants, hitting three home runs in four games; perhaps that will be the jumping-off point he needs for a monster year.
Prospect: CF Michael Taylor
If Werth does in fact begin the season on the disabled list, the Nationals could use that as a chance to give top prospect Michael Taylor another taste of big league action. The 23-year-old had a .915 OPS with 23 home runs and 37 stolen bases in the minors last season, and all signs point to him as the heir to Denard Span in center field once he departs in free agency next offseason.
Newcomer: SP Max Scherzer
Any time a team shells out $210 million dollars on a player, which, admittedly, has not happened very many times, his first action in that new jersey is going to be one of the most closely watched stories of the spring. The addition of Max Scherzer gives the Nationals an absolute juggernaut of a rotation, and while the detractors will understandably point to their lack of postseason success, it's hard not to view them as the favorites to win it all heading into 2015 after that signing.
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.
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