Most intriguing spring training position battles
Analyzing who could earn starting spots this spring
Spring training is a time for players to get back into shape and prepare for the upcoming season. For some , how they perform in spring training can make or break whether or not they earn a starting position or even make a Major League roster.
Every year there are position battles and surprise performances that happen on the back fields in Florida and Arizona that determine how paying time shakes out. It is almost impossible to keep track what is going on at every camp, so here is a primer on some of the most intriguing position battles to follow in spring training and the World Baseball Classic, along with predictions on who will end up winning each job.
Cincinnati Reds First Base: Sal Stewart, Nathaniel Lowe, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand
The Cincinnati Reds made a surprising run to the postseason last year, had a quietly productive offseason headlined by a reunion with Eugenio Suarez and are poised to once again make noise in what could be a weak NL Central.
There are a lot of options for the Reds at first base. Sal Stewart is the Reds’ No. 1 prospect and the No. 22 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline. Spencer Steer will certainly be an everyday player for the Reds, but can also play second base, third base and the corner outfield spots. Christian Encarnacion-Strand looks like a longshot for the job, but has shown some promising flashes at the plate when healthy over the last three seasons. Nathaniel Lowe was a non-roster invitee to spring training and is on a minor league deal, but won a Gold Glove in 2023, a Silver Slugger in 2022 and hit 18 home runs last season between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox.
In all likelihood, Reds manager Terry Francona will give the 22-year-old Stewart, the top prospect and guy with the most potential, the job. And that would be very warranted. In just 18 games in the Major Leagues last season, Stewart hit five home runs during the Reds’ frantic postseason push. Stewart already has two home runs in six games this spring. The hit tool is elite. But, keep an eye out for Lowe. Lowe was very solid after being picked up by the Red Sox for their stretch run, recording a .790 OPS in 34 games. He would also provide the Reds lineup with a much-needed left-handed bat.
Prediction: Sal Stewart
Red Sox No. 5 Starter: Johan Oviedo, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Patrick Sandoval, Kutter Crawford
The Boston Red Sox focused on run prevention this offseason and added three high-caliber starting options, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, through free agency and trades. Now, they have arguably the most pitching depth in the Major Leagues. Garrett Crochet, Suarez, Gray and Brayan Bello look locked in for the first four spots, but the fifth spot is completely up for grabs.
The potential options for that fifth spot? Oviedo, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval. Oviedo could be in the driver’s seat for the fifth spot given what the Red Sox traded for him (Jhostynxon “The Password” Garcia, then the team’s No. 3 prospect), but he has experience pitching out of the bullpen. Tolle and Early are both 23, supremely talented and showed very promising flashes last season, but could be better served developmentally starting the season in the minor leagues as starters. Crawford and Sandoval both missed last season with injuries, but are proven Major League starters.
Based on a combination of health and experience, it would make sense for Oviedo to get the nod in the rotation to begin the season. But do not be shocked if Tolle forces way into the mix. In a three-inning relief appearance on Wednesday against the Yankees, Tolle only allowed one hit and one walk while striking out seven, even topping 100 mph on the radar gun.
Prediction: Johan Oviedo
Rays closer: Garrett Cleavinger, Griffin Jax, Edwin Uceta (maybe Joe Boyle!)
It looks like there will be a significant talent gap between the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the AL East. But, if there is one thing the Rays are known for, it is making the most out of what they have in-house and finding creative ways to piece together just enough to win games. One unit that could help keep the Rays competitive in a loaded division is their bullpen. The closer spot is still up in the air after Pete Fairbanks signed with the Miami Marlins, but there are a lot of potential leverage arms that manager Kevin Cash could use in the ninth inning.
While Cash has alluded to using a closer-by-committee approach, there are three names, along with one high-upside longshot, that will likely get the majority of the Rays’ save opportunities. Garrett Cleavinger, Griffin Jax and Edwin Uceta are the clear choices to close games, but Joe Boyle should not be counted out. Cleavinger and Jax are both representing the United States at the World Baseball Classic. If Team USA makes a deep run, both of the Rays relievers will have ample opportunities to throw against some of the world’s best given the WBC’s pitch count rules and the reliance teams often have to have on their bullpen. Uceta is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is still up in the air whether or not he will be available for Opening Day, but he should be in the mix as well if healthy.
Cleavinger has the most closing experience of the three and had the best numbers last year, recording a 2.35 ERA and a strong 12.0 SO/9. But let’s talk about Boyle for a second. While his numbers do not look like anything special at first glance, he has some of the most electrifying stuff in baseball. At 6’8”, 250 pounds, Boyle regularly throws over 100 with his fastball velocity in the 96th percentile and has a slider that could develop into a true putaway pitch. Boyle will almost certainly not start the year with many high-leverage opportunities, but if his control improves and he earns the trust of Cash, he could certainly work his way into the mix.
Prediction: Garrett Cleavinger
Nationals catcher: Harry Ford. Keibert Ruiz
The Washington Nationals are in the thick of a rebuild under new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. One of Toboni’s first moves at the helm of the Nats was trading for reliever Jose A. Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners for catching prospect Harry Ford, who is currently the No. 71 prospect in baseball and the Nationals’ No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and was blocked at the Major League level by Cal Raleigh.
Ford, who just turned 23, has had a great spring training both with the Nationals and as one of the key players for Great Britain at the World Baseball Classic. Ford hit home runs for Great Britain in their exhibition against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday and in their first game in pool play against Mexico on Friday. Keibert Ruiz, however, is the incumbent, but has dealt with some significant injuries and is running out of time to live up to the potential many saw in him when he was one of the centerpieces of the trade that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021.
If Ford keeps mashing for Great Britain, it will be difficult for new Nationals manager Blake Butera to keep him off the field. But, the previous Nationals regime clearly believed in Ruiz, signing him to an eight-year, $50 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. Ford earning the starting job would be a very clear indication of Toboni’s influence on the new Nationals roster.
Prediction: Harry Ford
Mets right field: Carson Benge, Tyrone Taylor, MJ Melendez, Brett Baty, Mike Tauchman
The New York Mets outfield will look very, very different this season. Brandon Nimmo is out after being traded to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien. Juan Soto is moving from right field to left field. Luis Robert Jr. was acquired via trade from the Chicago White Sox to play center field. That leaves right field wide open.
23-year-old Carson Benge is the No. 16 prospect in baseball and the Mets’ No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline and has earned rave reviews from manager Carlos Mendoza so far. Before a disastrous 2025 season that saw him get demoted to Triple-A, MJ Melendez had a very solid first three seasons of his career with the Kansas City Royals and is looking to turn things around with the Mets. Forced out of the infield after Semien and Bo Bichette were brought in, Brett Baty has been getting reps in right field this spring. Mike Tauchman could also be in the mix, but the veteran seems like a longshot to earn a consistent role and could be more valuable as a bench piece. Same goes for Tyrone Taylor, who will likely be on the Major League roster as a defense-first guy who can play all three outfield positions at an elite level.
At this point, Benge looks to be the favorite to earn the job. He shot through the minors last season and has no real flaws in his game. If Mendoza thinks Benge is ready, the job should be his. If not, do not be surprised if Melendez gets a chance. In 11 spring at-bats, Melendez has four hits, two home runs and a double. If Melendez’s hot start fizzles out, Mendoza can always go to the safe option and start the season with Taylor in right until he feels Benge is ready.
Prediction: Carson Benge