MLB Spring Training position battles in the NL Central
· Yahoo Sports
Now that the Calendar has turned to March, Spring Training is now in full bloom as both the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues have been playing full game schedules for over a week. With many stars set to depart to compete in the WBC, they will leave behind their teammates to battle for starting jobs and roster spots for their respective MLB teams. In this space, we are going to take a weekly look at some of the positions and roster battles for each team, and how the contenders are doing in camp.
As you watch the Spring training highlights and scour the internet for box scores, you might see some names that you might not recognize. We’re here to help. Let’s take a look at a team-by-team breakdown on some position/roster battles amongst hitters in the Senior Circuit and how they have developed in the early going so far this Winter. It’s far too early to draw hard conclusions, but we can at least identify some battles that we will be watching for the next 4 weeks or so.
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Chicago Cubs (DH, 4th OF)
Sep 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros (25) hits an RBI-single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesThe Cubs are the favorites to win the Central, and they’re pretty set right throughout their lineup. There’s a big battle taking place in camp for the spots backing up PCA, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki, and it’s worth watching, as you never know when injuries may strike. Michael Conforto was brought in as an option to do just that while taking at-bats at DH. He’ll have to beat out young prospect, Moises Ballesteros, who’s a catcher by trade, but a catcher in the same way Kyle Schwarber was once upon a time in Chicago. Dueling with them for at-bats at DH and as an outfield sub are prospects Kevin Alcantara, Matt Shaw, Justin Dean, Chas McCormick, and Dylan Carlson.
Michael Conforto. He was just signed to a minor league deal in the last week of February and only has 3 plate appearances. He’s yet to make contact, with a walk and 2 Ks. He’s not far removed from a 20-homer season and should have a role if he makes the squad.
Moises Ballesteros. His start to camp was delayed by visa issues, but he’s in now and has gone 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI so far. I’m keeping an eye on him in camp.
Kevin Alcantara. Tall prospect who has been up for a cup of coffee in the last 2 seasons. He has 1 hit in 7 at-bats with 3 Ks. He’s worth watching in NL-only leagues.
Matt Shaw. He can back up multiple positions and take some righty at-bats at OF/DH. He’s gone 5 for 17 so far with 2 stolen bases. He’ll be their super sub this year and is worth a spot on an NL only roster.
Justin Dean. He’s gotten a bunch of early at-bats, going just 3 for 20 with 10 Ks. He has organizational depth and can be ignored in all formats.
Chas McCormick. The former Astro is in camp as an NRI. He also has 20 early at-bats with 5 hits, including 1 double and 2 RBI. He’s a long shot to make the roster and should take a minor league assignment for a shot later if there’s an injury.
Dylan Carlson. The former Cardinal is in a similar spot as McCormick; he’s in camp as an NRI. He’s shown a little more, going 7 for 13 with 5 walks. If he maintains a .700 OBP, he’ll find a job somewhere, since he’s still just 27-years-old.
Cincinnati Reds. (1B, OF, DH)
Cincinnati Reds outfield Noelvi Marte strikes out in the third inning against the Dodgers in a National League wild card series game in Los Angeles.There are so many possibilities with this team, it can make you dizzy. We were all excited to see what Sal Stewart could do this season, but things got a bit crowded when they brought in Eugenio Suarez to handle the DH at-bats. That squeezed Spencer Steer into a super utility role where he will be battling Stewart for at bats at 1st while competing with Will Benson, JJ Bleday, Dane Myers and Noelvi Marte for at bats in the corner outfield positions.
Christian Encarnacion Strand is also still hanging around as an option to play 1st and DH. This just means that Stewart will have to avoid any prolonged slumps if he wants to stay in the lineup. TJ Friedl should be safe as the starting CF and lead-off hitter, with Matt McLain at 2b, Elly at short, and Ke’Bryan Hayes at 3rd. None of these players can afford to stumble through, as Tito Francona has a ton of flexibility to move these guys around during the season.
Sal Stewart. He showed up in great shape, and the early returns have been nice as he’s gone 6 for 14 with 2 homers, 5 RBI, and 2 steals. He’s doing what he needs to stay in the lineup.
Spencer Steer. He’s 2 for 13 with 3 Ks and 3 walks. More importantly, he has been taking reps at 2nd base to increase his flexibility. He’s going to come at a discount in drafts, and he’s worth keeping an eye on for deeper leagues. The downside is a short half of a platoon.
Will Benson. He’s always had the tools; he just needs to get regular work. As a lefty, it feels like he’s in a direct competition with Bleday for a roster spot and a hold on the larger half of a platoon in left. He’s gone 3 for 13 with a homer and 2 walks so far.
JJ Bleday. He could be a 25-homer guy with full-time at-bats, or he can also be an AAA all-star. He’s 5 for 12, with a homer and 5 runs scored so far. It’s going to be a tight race all Spring with Benson for that lefty side of a platoon in left.
Noelvi Marte. He’s very likely to play nearly every day, barring a complete collapse. He has started off camp going 4 for 17 with 2 doubles and a homer. A breakout may be coming.
Christian Encarnación Strand. He’s likely the odd man out and may be in need of a change of scenery. A hamstring delayed his start, and he’s just 1 for 6 so far. There are too many bodies between him and steady at bats right now in Cincy.
Milwaukee Brewers. (1B, 3B, CF)
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (28) hits a solo home run during the fourth inning of their National League Division Series game against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, October 11, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.The Brewers and their manager, Pat Murphy, have a magic formula for success. Usually, you start by losing your best pitcher in the off-season, and then you patch it all together and end up making the playoffs. Easy Peasy. The lineup is fairly set, but we aren’t sure yet if Andrew Vaughn is the guy we saw in the first half of last year or the guy we saw in the second. He’ll be battling Jake Bauers and former prospect, Tyler Black, for at-bats at 1st.
Meanwhile, the recent trade of Chad Durbin has opened up the hot corner, where Luis Rengifo, David Hamilton, and off-season addition Jett Williams are all battling for time. Finally, there’s the matter of centerfield. Jackson Chourio is a lock for everyday duties in left, and we will go ahead and give Sal Frelick the RF job, but he could slide to CF if needed. Christian Yelich seems content to fill the DH spot every day, so we’re left with Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins, Akil Badoo, and minor leaguer Luis Lara for those remaining outfield at-bats.
Andrew Vaughn. He was a pleasant surprise last year after being called up after Rhys Hoskins went down. He’s 6 for 14 so far with a homer and 3 RBI and 3/1 bb/k. So far so good, he makes for a nice later round corner infield option.
Jake Bauers. He’s a big lefty hitter who just hasn’t ever put it together when given the chance. He’s been with the team as a bench bat for 2 years, and so far, this Spring, he’s 4 for 8 with a stolen base. NL only depth at best.
Tyler Black. He was a prospect recently, but faded a bit. He’s hot to start camp, going 8 for 12 with a homer and 8 RBI with 3 stolen bases. He has my attention; let’s see if he can keep it up. He’s a lefty, so he could carve out a role.
Luis Rengifo. He has the inside track for at-bats at 3rd. He’s 3 for 11 with a homer and 2 RBI. With a full-time workload, he could flirt with a 20/20 season.
Jett Williams. The former Met prospect is 1 for 6 with 2 walks and a steal. He’s nursing a sore quad and has missed time recently. He could start the year in AAA or make the team as a super sub.
David Hamilton. Came over from Boston and could make the team as a super sub. He’s interesting because of his stolen base potential for NL-only leagues. So far, he’s gone 4 for 15 with a steal.
Garrett Mitchell. He has the inside track for the CF job if he can get and then stay healthy. He’s back for now and has 2 walks and a run scored in 6 early plate appearances. Worth watching in deeper formats.
Blake Perkins. He was up for the end of last season and the playoffs. He’s not young, at 29, he is competing for at-bats in CF, and as a switch-hitter with fairly neutral splits, he could man the short half of a platoon with Mitchell. He’s 3 for 8 with 2 walks so far. Deepest of NL-only leagues only.
Pittsburgh Pirates (1B, 3B, RF)
Pittsburg Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) rounds third and scores on a base hit from Pittsburg Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (2) in the sixth inning between Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburg Pirates at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Sept. 24, 2025.We talk about young and exciting teams all the time, but this team isn’t just young and exciting; they’re a must-watch squad this spring, with Konnor Griffin in camp joining Paul Skenes. With Skenes now off to play in the WBC, we will all still be tuning in to see what the Pirates will do with this 19-year-old phenom. He’s not in a position battle as much as he’s in a battle with the Pirate front office, which may want to play some games with his clock. It’s not even worth discussing here, as this kid doesn’t need further explanation. He’s a generational talent that is poised to be the first teenager since Ken Griffey Jr. to make an opening day roster.
Instead, I will focus on the scintillating battle between Spencer Horwitz, Ryan O’Hearn, Enmanuel Valdez, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Jake Mangum for the playing time between 1st and RF. The battle for 3rd base boils down to Jared Triolo against the aforementioned, Valdez, and Nick Gonzalez, who is currently the lame duck shortstop.
Spencer Horwitz. He has always had potential, and he finally showed something in the second half of last year. The likely large half of a platoon at 1st has gone 3 for 14 with a walk and 3 Ks so far.
Ryan O’Hearn. He’s also a lefty, but he doesn’t have the extreme splits that Horwitz has. He’s gone 4 for 11 with a homer and 3 walks so far. He’ll play RF against righties and very well may move to 1st against southpaws. He’s a solid option as a mixed league OF.
Enmanuel Valdez. He can back up 1st, 3rd, and even 2nd base. He hasn’t shown much in the early going, with just 1 hit in 15 abs with 7 Ks. He’s best left on waivers, even in NL-only formats.
Jhostynxon Garcia. Can we come up with a nickname already? The 23-year-old former BoSox has looked good in the field and even better at bat with 7 hits in 13 at-bats with 3 walks. He has a homer and 3 steals as well, and he’s making a real case for serious playing time. At worst, he gets the righty at bats in RF while O’Hearn covers 1st.
Jake Mangum. This guy has been buzzing all over camp for the Bucs, both offensively and defensively. He makes for an interesting target in NL-only leagues after stealing 27 bases as a rookie in Tampa last year. In camp, he has gone 6 for 15 with a double, triple, and a steal. File his name away.
St. Louis Cardinals (3B, DH)
Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) runs sprints during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn ImagesWith the Cardinals, it’s not so much about position battles, but about which young players will take a big step forward this season. They have a bunch of interesting candidates that can seize full-time roles if they get hot. Players like Thomas Saggese, Nolan Gorman, JJ Wetherholt, Victor Scott, Jordan Walker, and eventually Josh Baez will all be given a chance to play every day and could potentially be fantasy impact players. None of them, aside from Wetherholt (ADP 229), are going before pick #300 on average in drafts right now.
Thomas Saggese. He played 2nd, 3rd, and SS in the Bigs last year and is working out in the OF in camp. He went 3 for 9 with 1 K and 2 walks before leaving to play with Team Italy in the WBC. He should have a role with this team and could carve out some solid PT. NL only league target only right now.
Nolan Gorman. Sort of Port Hype Sleeper, as he will get every day at bats at 3rd to start the season. He’s a lefty batter who has neutral splits vs left and right, but that’s because he’s been bad vs. both. He’s 2 for 14 with a homer and 1 K/1 bb so far. He’s certainly worth a flier in deep leagues where he’s going.
JJ Wetherholt. The rookie phenom is set to play 2B every day and has gone 3 for 10 with a homer and an impressive 6 walks vs. 2 Ks. He’s rising draft boards every week right now.
Victor Scott. There has to be a way for him to cut down Ks and better use those wheels. So far in camp, his “retooled swing” has netted him 2 hits in 12 at-bats with 5 Ks. So, the changes haven’t taken place yet. It’s early, and I’ll be watching him as he could be a 50+ steal guy who you can nab near the end of a shallow (12-team mixed) draft.
Jordan Walker. Maybe we can rename this team The Post Hype Birdies. Walker has elite skills. His exit velo and swing speed are in the top percentile of the league, but his chase and whiff rates are at the bottom. So far in camp, it’s been promising as he’s gone 3 for 13 with 3 Ks vs 2 walks. We can live with those rates if he can keep it going.
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