At the outset of spring training, I covered 11 position battles that were set to play out in the coming weeks and would eventually impact fantasy baseball draft rankings. Here is an update on each battle, and as an added bonus, I’ve included details regarding the closer battles that are currently being waged across Florida and Arizona.
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Position Players
Baltimore Orioles RF: Dylan Beavers vs. Tyler O’Neill
Spring Update: O’Neill got off to a hot start in spring training and was slashing .636/.692/1.000 in 13 plate appearances before joining Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic. He did not make much of an impact in the global tournament. Beavers has been solid this spring, batting .241 with five extra-base hits but also logging a 1:9 BB:K ratio.
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Verdict: I originally predicted that O’Neill’s contract would ensure him a fresh opportunity, and I stand by that stance. Beavers will make the team and will draw some starts against right-handers. This won’t be a straight platoon, and I expect O’Neill to play as often as Beavers.
Tampa Bay Rays LF/RF: Chandler Simpson vs. Jake Fraley vs. Jonny DeLuca vs. Justyn-Henry Malloy vs. Jacob Melton
Spring Update: So far, this feels like a race to the bottom. Check out the OPS for Malloy (.601), Melton (.593), DeLuca (.760) and Simpson (.666). Fraley (1.241) has been the best of the group, albeit over fewer opportunities.
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Verdict: We are destined for a pair of platoons, with Chandler and Fraley starting against right-handers while DeLuca and Malloy (or Ryan Vilade, who is out of options) starting vs. southpaws. Melton will open 2026 in Triple-A but should be a full-time player by midseason. Simpson is the only draftable player in the group, and his value is limited to categories leagues.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS: Nick Gonzales vs. Konnor Griffin
Spring Update: This battle mostly revolves around the readiness of Griffin. He has had some highs (four homers) and lows (0:9 BB:K ratio, .212 average) in his 33 spring at-bats. Gonzales has appeared just six spring games, thanks to his participation for Mexico in the WBC.
Verdict: Given that he is just 19 years old and hasn’t set the Grapefruit League on fire, Griffin will likely open 2026 in Triple-A. The budding superstar likely won’t stay there for long, and smart money would be on him debuting prior to Memorial Day.
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Detroit Tigers SS: Kevin McGonigle vs. Zach McKinstry
Spring Update: McKinstry has met modest expectations this spring by collecting a few singles and walks en route to an .815 OBP. But McGonigle has been the story of camp. His .444 OBP and 8:6 BB:K ratio suggest that he’s ready to grab a premium spot in a Tigers lineup that could use another impact player.
Verdict: The Tigers would be foolish to return McGonigle to the minors. He should hit lower in the lineup on Opening Day, with an eye on having him become the leadoff hitter by late April. He is undervalued at his current Yahoo ADP (206.2)
New York Mets LF: Carson Benge vs. Tyrone Taylor
Spring Update: Although Benge has yet to hit a homer, he has impressed this spring. He leads the team in at-bats and is batting .367 with just five strikeouts. Taylor has also fared well (.292/.333/.667 slash line), although spring results are less persuasive when analyzing a veteran player. Solid spring performances by Cristian Pache (1.140 OPS), Mike Tauchman (1.101 OPS) and MJ Melendez (1.364 OPS) have further muddied the waters.
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Verdict: Benge is doing everything that has been asked of him, but it won’t be enough. It’s too easy for the Mets to open the season with a combination of veterans, which would allow Benge to start his season with a couple months of full-time action in Triple-A. I expect to see Benge in June.
Cincinnati Reds 1B/LF: Sal Stewart vs. JJ Bleday vs. Spencer Steer
Spring Update: Stewart has been terrific this spring (1.100 OPS), while Bleday has also fared well (.881 OPS). Meanwhile, Steer has struggled, posting a .582 OPS while producing neither a homer nor a stolen base.
Verdict: Stewart is locked into a full-time role and should be regarded as a top-15 first baseman for 2026 drafts. The left-handed-hitting Bleday should start against righties, with Steer playing against southpaws and drawing a few additional starts at other positions. Neither of the two veterans are draftable in mixed leagues.
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Rotation Battles
Boston Red Sox SP5: Johan Oviedo vs. Connelly Early vs. Payton Tolle
Spring Update: Looking at the K:BB ratios, this seems to be an even battle so far between Oviedo (14:6), Early (9:3) and Tolle (8:1).
Verdict: All three of these hurlers have options, but Oviedo is much older and more experienced than Early and Tolle. Oviedo has pitched well enough to hold his spot over the challengers, who will open 2026 in Triple-A. Expect Early to have significant value at some point this year.
Texas Rangers SP5: Jacob Latz vs. Kumar Rocker
Spring Update: Rocker has fared well this spring, logging an 8:1 K:BB ratio. It’s worth noting that one of his three appearances came as a reliever, while Latz, who has been less impressive (10:6) has worked exclusively as a starter.
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Verdict: If Rocker continues his strong spring, the Rangers would be foolish to send him to the minors. After all, they have been waiting for him to break through for several years. Latz should head to the bullpen, where he can work as a long reliever until a rotation spot opens up.
New York Mets SP 3/4/5: Sean Manaea vs. David Peterson vs. Kodei Senga vs. Clay Holmes vs. Jonah Tong
Spring Update: Although he could still be recalled, the fact that Tong has already been optioned suggests that he is out of the mix. Here are the results from the veterans: Manaea (5:2 K:BB, 6.35 ERA), Holmes (13:3 K:BB, 2.84 ERA), Senga (7:0 K:BB, 3.18 ERA), Peterson (3:0 K:BB, 2.25 ERA).
Verdict: None of the veterans have options, which means that we are heading toward one of two conclusions – a six-man rotation or a bullpen demotion. Keep an eye on Manaea – his velocity is down this spring, which could lead to an IL stint.
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Baltimore Orioles SP 4/5: Shane Baz vs. Zach Eflin vs. Dean Kremer
Spring Update: No one has seized these jobs. Baz has been wild (4 BB in 5.1 IP), Kremer has struggled (7.71 ERA, 2:4 K:BB ratio) and Eflin has barely pitched (two innings).
Verdict: Baltimore seems destined for a six-man rotation, as their staff ace (Kyle Bradish) will have his workload managed all season. Baz is an interesting late-round flyer in standard formats, while Eflin fits the same bill in 15-team leagues. Kremer isn’t draftable.
St. Louis Cardinals SP5: Kyle Leahy vs. Hunter Dobbins vs. Richard Fitts
Spring Update: The favorite for the last rotation spot, Leahy has likely pitched well enough this spring (14:4 K:BB) to hold his advantage over Fitts, who has allowed six earned runs in 9.1 innings. Dobbins, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee, has yet to pitch in a spring training game but should be ready early in the season.
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Verdict: Leahy has locked up this spot. He is worth a late-round pick in 15-team leagues and can be monitored from the waiver wire in 12-team formats.
Closer Battles
Milwaukee Brewers: Trevor Megill vs. Abner Uribe
Spring Update: Coming off an injury-impacted finish to 2025, Megill looks to be fine this spring. After all, he has logged an 8:1 K:BB ratio over 3.2 innings. Uribe spent much of the spring pitching in the World Baseball Classic, where he logged inconsistent results.
Verdict: Megill was the main closer for most of 2025 and is the favorite at the moment. The two relievers could end up sharing ninth-inning duties, but if a fantasy manager had their choice in the second half of a draft, Megill is the preferred option.
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Tampa Bay Rays: Edwin Uceta vs. Griffin Jax
Spring Update: This battle ended before it started, as Uceta has been sidelined by a shoulder injury. He could return to the ninth-inning picture at some point, but he has fallen far behind Jax, who pitched well with the Rays (5:1 K:BB ratio) and was part of the World Baseball Classic.
Verdict: Jax is the heavy favorite for saves, but this is the Rays, which means that we could see 3-4 relievers with at least one save by the end of April. For now, it makes sense to project Jax for 20-25 saves.
St. Louis Cardinals: Riley O’Brien vs. JoJo Romero vs. Matt Svanson
Spring Update: O’Brien, who entered spring training as the favorite, was slowed by a minor calf injury and has walked five batters in 3.2 innings of Grapefruit League action. Meanwhile, Svanson has continued to build on his successful 2025 season by posting a 5:1 K:BB ratio across six spring frames. Veteran lefty JoJo Romero has been neither impressive nor concerning this spring (5:2 K:BB ratio).
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Verdict: There is a real chance that Svanson gets the first chance and runs with the role. But the more likely scenario remains that all three relievers receive opportunities during the initial month of the season.
Washington Nationals: Clayton Beeter vs. Cole Henry
Spring Update: Beeter has been effective this spring (9:2 K:BB, 4.1 IP), while Henry has not allowed a run over 3.2 innings but has recorded a mediocre 4:3 K:BB ratio.
Verdict: Beeter remains the Nats reliever for managers in deeper formats to target. But given the lack of closer experience and lack of overall talent on this roster, this is a situation to avoid in head-to-head leagues.
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Arizona Diamondbacks: Paul Sewald vs. Kevin Ginkel
Spring Update: Ginkel has recorded a solid 4:1 K:BB ratio, but he has also allowed hitters to tee off on him, which has led to 11 hits and a 10.38 ERA over 4.1 innings. Sewald has been steady (4:0 K:BB, 3.60 ERA).
Verdict: It’s too early to declare a winner in this battle. My gut feeling is that one of the two veterans will hold the closer’s role, rather than a committee. If I had to draft one in a deeper format, it would be Sewald.
Minnesota Twins: Taylor Rogers vs. Justin Topa vs. Cole Sands
Spring Update: Rogers has been solid, striking out seven batters while allowing two runs over 4.2 innings. Meanwhile, Topa has struggled (22.09 ERA). Sands has been acceptable (6.00 ERA, 5:2 K:BB).
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Verdict: With 83 career saves and solid spring results, Rogers has emerged as the favorite for early-season save chances. Since Rogers is a lefty, Sands should be the primary option on occasions when the ninth inning matchups clearly call for a right-hander.
Los Angeles Angels: Robert Stephenson vs. Kirby Yates vs. Jordan Romano
Spring Update: Yates has been effective this spring (4:1 K:BB ratio), and although he is the underdog in this battle, Romano has kept his name in the mix by tossing four scoreless innings. Stephenson, who has thrown just 10 innings across the past two seasons, has been limited to bullpen sessions and won’t be ready for Opening Day.
Verdict: Yates is starting to emerge as the best option. He’s the only Angels reliever to consider in standard Yahoo formats.
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