MLB Spring Training position battles in the NL West

Mar 6, 2026 - 19:30

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MLB Spring Training position battles in the NL West

Now that the Calendar has turned to March, MLB 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 departing 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 MLB 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 3 weeks or so.

MORE: World Series power rankings entering March

Los Angeles Dodgers (2B, 4th OF)

Nov 1, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman (25) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth inning during game seven of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

This team is stacked and ready to roll for title #3 in a row in 2026. It’s for that reason that there really isn’t much to talk about in regard to their lineup aside from whether Dave Roberts will use Tommy Edman at 2nd with Hyeseong Kim as their super sub, or vice versa. Miguel Rojas is still in the mix to help out until Edman can get healthy. The outfield is set with Kyle Tucker, Andy Pages, and Teoscar Hernandez set to start, but there are some questions about who may make this squad as their backup.

They have a trio of young and athletic outfielders knocking on the door in Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, and Zach Ehrhard, all making noise in camp, with Eduardo Quintero right behind them. There are also a few veteran names like Alex Call and Ryan Ward on the roster, who could make the opening day roster.

Tommy Edman. He’s most likely to be their super sub, as Dave Roberts mentioned that he loves the flexibility that Edman gives him, as he can play every position on the field. He’s basically going to get starter-level at-bats but has yet to appear in a Spring game as he works his way back from an ankle injury. He’s not going to make it back before opening day.

Miguel Rojas. He’s been around for a long while and could have some value early on in NL-only formats if he plays every day. He’s gone 6 for 16 with a homer and 4 RBI so far.

Hyeseong Kim. He will fill a super utility role early on and share 2B at bats with Rojas and eventually Edman. He’s 6 for 13 with a homer and 2 steals so far. He has some deep mixed league appeal and is worth more than a few bucks in an NL-only auction.

Alex Call. The former Nat will likely make the team as a reserve as he’s on the 40-man and can back up all three OF spots. He has 2 hits in 7 Spring at-bats,

Ryan Ward. Too old to be considered a prospect, but the 28-year-old lit up AAA last year with 36 homers, 122 RBI, and 16 steals. So far in camp, he’s gone 3 for 22 with 7 Ks, so we may have a Quad-A player here. Nothing to go nuts over, unless he’s cut and lands on the Rockies.

San Francisco Giants. (UT, 4th OF)

Mar 3, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge against Team USA during a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Giants lineup will be fairly set, but there are a few names worth tracking this Spring. Bryce Eldridge is one, as he is slated to get a chunk of the at-bats at 1st base, while sharing the position along with DH at-bats with Raffy Devers. Casey Schmitt is another name to watch as he is competing with Tyler Fitzgerald and Christian Koss to back up all of the infield positions. A couple of outfield names have popped in the box scores so far in Jerar Encarnacion, Luis Matos, and Victor Bericoto, as they are all competing with Will Brennan for the 4th and 5th OF spots behind Bader, Ramos, and Jung Hoo Lee.

Bryce Eldridge. He’s a name to watch as he’s gone 4 for 17 so far with a homer and 3 RBI. The 7-3 K/BB ratio isn’t ideal, but it’s early. The Ks are what make him a bit of a batting average liability, but the power is exciting, even in that home stadium.

Casey Schmitt. He’s gone 5 for 15 so far with a stolen base. He’s the guy we want to see as their super sub, and he has the potential to hit 15 homers with a few steals. He’s a name to track for NL-only leagues only.

Tyler Fitzgerald. He’s been up and down for the last 3 years between AAA and the Giants. He’s a backup only and has gone 2 for 17 with 5 Ks and 0 walks so far. Ignore him.

Jerar Encarnacion. He’s gotten a bunch of at-bats, so we see him in the box score every day. He’s just 3 for 19 with 7 Ks and 0 walks. He’s on the 40-man, so he may make this team as their 5th OF, but nothing more.

Luis Matos. He’s still young (24) despite being up with the team for the last 3 years. He has gone 6 for 16 so far with a homer and a stolen base and should make the team as a 4th or 5th OF. He has some pop and speed and good bat-to-ball skills, but as of yet, that hasn’t yielded much. Track him for deep NL-only leagues only.

Will Brennan. I’m sure he’s a great guy, but he’s just blah for fantasy. He can make contact, but it leads to nothing but singles and groundouts. So far in camp, he’s 4 for 12 with 0 homers and 0 steals. He’s the safe bet to make the roster, and if he ends up on your NL-only squad, then things didn’t go well for you.

San Diego Padres (1B/2B/DH)

Oct 2, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Gavin Sheets (30) singles during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Padres brought in a bunch of similarly profiled hitters to compete for at-bats between 1st, 2nd, and DH. None of these guys are going before pick #400 on average, so we are doing a bit of dumpster diving here. It’s something to watch for NL-only leagues and super deep formats, as we are talking about over 1700 plate appearances up for grabs.

It’s going to come down to Gavin Sheets, Nick Castellanos, Sung-Mun Song, Jake Cronenworth, Miguel Andújar, Jose Miranda, Ty France, and Luis Campusano. A few of those names will be sent to the minors or will be playing Indy Ball in a town near you come May, but a couple of them just might get us 450-500 at-bats and help our NL-only squads.

Gavin Sheets. He has the inside track to the lefty at bats at 1st after hitting 19 bombs last year. He’s gone 2 for 10 with 5 walks vs 3 Ks in the early going. I’m interested.

Nick Castellanos. He’s right-handed, so maybe he sticks as the short side at 1B/DH since they put him on their 40-man when they signed him to a minimum contract. He’s 4 for 16 with a homer so far, and his name will get him drafted by somebody. No, thank you.

Sung-Mun Song. The Korean import was slowed by an oblique issue but has returned and has gone 3 for 145 so far with 6 Ks vs 3 walks. He bats from the left side and will compete for at-bats at 1st and 2nd. As a late flier or $1 guy in an NL-only league, I’m interested.

Jake Cronenworth. His ADP has bottomed out to around pick #500; he has gone 3 for 14 with a double so far in camp. He’s likely to start on opening day at 2nd and is worth a shot in NL-only leagues.

Miguel Andujar. He’s there to back up the corner OF spots but is basically competing with Castellanos for right-handed DH duties. He’s gone 5 for 17 with a homer and a steal so far. Given the choice, I’d prefer him to Casty. But neither of them excites me.

Jose Miranda. The former Twins 3B is trying to catch on in San Diego as a backup corner or righty DH. He’s not on the 40-man roster, so he’s likely going to need to blow Craig Stammen away to earn a spot. He started hot with 7 hits in his first 17 at-bats with a homer.

Ty France. He’s in the same boat as Miranda, trying to make this team as a righty bat. He’s gone 5 for 14 with 2 walks vs. 3 Ks so far. He feels like a future Long Island Duck.

Luis Campusano. He’s making the team as the backup catcher, but he has enough pop that he could be the righty DH. He has started slowly with just 2 hits in 15 at-bats with a walk and 4 Ks. He’s a deep sleeper as a 2nd catcher in NL-only formats.

Arizona Diamondbacks (OF)

Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.

The D-Backs biggest question as we head towards opening day is how soon will they get Corbin Carroll back? And, how will his recovery from hamate bone surgery affect his production in the early going? With both Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel on the mend, the Arizona outfield seems like it’s pretty much up in the air with Jordan Lawlar, Alek Thomas, Tim Tawa, Jorge Barrosa, Ryan Waldschmidt, and non-roster invitees Oscar Mercado and Kristian Robinson all getting the bulk of the outfield at-bats in Spring games thus far.

Jordan Lawlar. He’s a shortstop by trade, but Arizona wants to get his bat in the lineup, and the outfield is his best bet. So far in camp, he is 4 for 12 with 2 homers. He’s a good bet to get an early run in CF.

Alek Thomas. Slated to be the starter in center, he has slid to left to allow Lawlar to cover center in camp. Thomas has gone 6 for 16 thus far, including 2 doubles, a triple, and a stolen base. He’s a safe bet to get a lot of at-bats, and he’s practically free in drafts right now. He has more value in NL-only leagues, where at-bats are at a premium and where 10 homers and 10 steals are worth a bit more.

Tim Tawa. He’s a backup utility player who can cover every position on the field. He’s gone 5 for 15 with a homer and 3 RBI so far. He can carve out similar stats as Thomas, and isn’t the worst end-game pick-up in NL-only leagues.

Ryan Waldschmidt. The D-Dacks top prospect has 6 hits in 19 at-bats this Spring with a homer and a steal. He’s going to get a chance to play early on, and if he shows he can handle big league pitching, he should stay in the lineup over Alek Thomas. He’s the one I want from this group at his ADP of 590.

Kristian Robinson. He’s been getting at-bats this Spring and has gone 5 for 12 with 2 steals. Nothing to worry about right now, but if he sticks with the team through camp and somehow makes the team, he could steal you a few bases as a sub in deep NL-only leagues. He had some off-field issues that affected his development, but stole 34 bases between AA and AAA last year.

Oscar Mercado. He made some waves back in 2019 as a rookie in Cleveland and has been a lot of nothing since. He’s gone 5 for 13 so far in camp, but he’s likely headed to AAA to fill a roster spot in Reno.

Colorado Rockies (1B, 2B, 3B)

Feb 25, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Willi Castro (3) hits a single against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Colorado has long been the land of opportunity in fantasy baseball. Look no further than last year’s roster and players like Mickey Moniak and Hunter Goodman, who both came out of nowhere to put up seasons that surely helped savvy fantasy players win. Some others, like Brenton Doyle and Ezequiel Tovar, let us down, as they weren’t able to follow up on their big 2024 seasons, so buyer beware when investing in a follow-up. Right now, there are 3 positions up for grabs in Denver, and there are some interesting names to watch this Spring, as the player who is able to nab a full-time gig could be this year’s Moniak.

The suspect list is fairly long, so we will need to comb through these names to see which ones have the best chance to pay off: TJ Rumfield, Edouard Julien, Charlie Condon, Kyle Karros, Vimael Machin, Ryan Ritter, Adael Amador, and Willi Castro. Tyler Freeman is also hanging around, but he hasn’t played yet as he’s rehabbing a back injury. It’s a lot to comb through, and none of them are going before pick 500 aside from Willi Castro (396) right now. This is dumpster diving at its finest.

Willi Castro. He was brought in to play 2b, but he can play 3rd and the OF as well, so if the need arises elsewhere, he can give manager Warren Schaeffer some flexibility. Either way, he’s going to play nearly every day, and I like his chances to steal near the 30+ bases he was able to back in 2023. In camp so far, he’s 7 for 11 with 2 walks and a stolen base.

TJ Rumfield. He’s atop the early depth chart, but he’s never played a game in the majors. He’s looked good so far with 5 hits in 16 at-bats, including 3 homers, with 2 walks vs. 1 K. Keep him on your radar.

Edouard Julien. Will get at-bats at DH, 1B, and possibly 2nd as well. In a new setting, he could get back to a 15+ homer bat. He’s gone 2 for 12 so far with 3 Ks and a walk. Meh.

Charlie Condon. Former top pick of Colorado is hot in camp, going 7 for 15 with 3 homers and 5 RBI with 3 Ks vs 2 walks. He’s a big donkey (6’6″) and could be a complete sleeper this season. I’ll grab him for a buck in NL-only leagues if he keeps this up.

Kyle Karros. I feel like it will be one of these 3 that breaks out and hits a bunch of homers this year. Karros bulked up with winter and filled out his 6’5″ frame. He’s looked good so far with 5 hits in 12 at-bats with a homer, 4 RBI, and 2 steals. If you have a reserve, it’s not insane to stash a couple of these guys in super deep leagues.

Adael Amador. He’s young (23) and has done well at AAA, but hasn’t been able to bat over .200 in two separate runs in Colorado. We can’t write him off yet, because of his age, as he’s gone 4 for 17 in camp with a homer and 2 steals. He’s shown both power and speed in the minors and could eventually earn time at 2B if the Rockies have the need. Jot his name down somewhere, but don’t draft him unless he wins a job.