Welcome to the 2023 Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Position Battles update.
In the first edition of this piece, five battles were listed with the candidates for the job. Each of these will be discussed and updated.
Three more Fantasy-relevant Spring Training position battles are listed, along with those being updated.
Among the battles included are the Chicago Cubs' fifth starter, New York Yankees shortstop, and St. Louis Cardinals outfield.
2023 Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Position Battles Update
Become an All-Access Member to get access to our award-winning rankings, draft tools and more.
If you are already a member, sign in.
Arizona Diamondback Fifth Starter
Drey Jameson/Ryne Nelson
This is a close battle between two young pitchers who were both impressive in 2022. The problem, however, is that they have struggled mightily this spring. It's tough to say who has the advantage right now, but both are worth a late-round flier in most leagues.
Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Catcher
GABRIEL MORENO MOONSHOT ALERT
Moreno’s second dinger of the spring was 109 MPH off the bat and went 448 feet to straight-away center.
— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) March 8, 2023
Gabriel Moreno/Carson Kelly
There's not too much going on here. Both have played well in their time at the plate. It's likely to be a timeshare during the 2023 regular season, but Moreno is the long-term answer for the Diamondbacks at catcher. Fantasy managers would love to see him get the starting spot sooner than later.
Chicago Cubs Fifth Starting Pitcher
Hayden Wesneski tosses 4 perfect innings 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5FcxfRGr4V
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 11, 2023
Adrian Sampson/Caleb Kilian/Hayden Wesneski/Javier Assad
This started as a three-man competition, but Caleb Kilian has turned it into a four-man battle.
| Pitcher | Innnings Pitched | Earned Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | WHIP | Batting Average Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Sampson | 4.1 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2.31 | .350 |
| Caleb Killian | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .50 | .154 |
| Hayden Wesneski | 8.2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | .81 | .161 |
| Javier Assad | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .25 | .000 |
After seeing these stats, it's clear that Hayden Wesneski is running away with the job so far. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is legit and is something he can carry into the regular season. Fantasy managers should target Wesneski in drafts this year.
Chicago White Sox Starting Third Baseman
Jake Burger with an absolute bomb off the top of the batter's eye. It's his 2nd HR of the game. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/h7nDWxT2kC
— White Sox Daily (@dailywhitesox) March 12, 2023
Jake Burger/Yoan Moncada
Jake Burger has seriously impressed this spring. His four home runs tie him with the lead among all players in Spring Training. If Burger can lock down an everyday role at third base or designated hitter, he has 30+ home run potential.
However, Yoan Moncada has been equally impressive for team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. He's recorded three hits in back-to-back games and flashed the leather on defense at the hot corner. Moncada is still the favorite for the starting third baseman, but Burger is also making his case to get playing time.
Oakland Athletics Outfield
Cristian Pache/Conner Capel/Esteury Ruiz/JJ Bleday
The Athletics have four outfielders that need to fill two spots. In center field, it's Christian Pache versus Esteury Ruiz. In left field, it's Conner Capel versus JJ Bleday. All of these players have spent less than 120 games in MLB, and Capel is the only one to find any success.
From a Fantasy Baseball perspective, Ruiz is the most enticing. This is due to his elite speed. According to Baseball Savant, Ruiz tied for the 13th fastest sprint speed in 2023 among all MLB players. If Ruiz can play 150 games in a season, he is one of few players that can attain 40+ stolen bases. Last year he led the minor leagues with 85 total stolen bases.
Bleday, Capel, and Pache are not worth drafting unless it's an AL-only format or deep league such as a 16-team league.
New York Yankees Starting Shortstop
Anthony Volpe CONTINUES to impress with a bomb to right center field! pic.twitter.com/LOIT6k5NXn
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 12, 2023
Anthony Volpe/Isiah Kiner-Falefa/Oswald Peraza
Anthony Volpe is a top prospect forcing his way onto the Major League squad. At first, this looked like a competition between Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza, but Volpe is now taking over. Kiner-Falefa is getting reps in at second and third base and appears to be out of the running to be the starting shortstop.
| Player | At bats | Slash Line | Runs | Home Runs | Runs Batted In | Stolen Bases | Walks | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Volpe | 25 | .320/.433/.680 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa | 19 | .263/.348/.474 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Oswald Peraza | 15 | .200/.333/.267 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
After seeing the stats, one would think Volpe is the favorite here, but this is a case where we might see service time manipulation from the Yankees. In this case, the Yankees will send Volpe to Triple-A to gain an additional year of service time on the prospect. This means we may not see Volpe until at least the season's second week.
St. Louis Cardinals Leadoff Hitter
Brendan Donovan goes yard for the Cards pic.twitter.com/R9owKXPdEz
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 10, 2023
Brendan Donovan/Tommy Edman
Excluding top prospects Masyn Winn and Jordan Walker, Brendan Donovan is the most impressive batter in the St. Louis Cardinals spring training camp. Through 29 at-bats, he's slashing .310/.355/.724 with seven runs, four home runs, and 10 runs batted in.
Donovan also has the team lead for at-bats at the top of the order this spring. 27 of his 29 at-bats have come in games where he starts as the leadoff hitter.
Tommy Edman has spent time with team Korea in the World Baseball Classic, but they moved him down to ninth in the order. He has just three hits in 16 at-bats combined in Spring Training and the WBC.
I predicted Donovan would earn the leadoff spot, and now he is doing just that. He needs to be flying up 2023 Fantasy Baseball drafts.
St. Louis Cardinals Starting Outfielder
Dylan Carlson/Jordan Walker/Lars Nootbaar/Tyler O'Neill
These four players will occupy the outfield this season for the Cardinals, but it's still unclear who will get the bulk of the playing time.
At the start of spring training, Walker was seemingly expected to be on the outside looking in. He would need a fantastic Spring Training to make the opening-day roster. He's done just that, and now he needs to be the favorite to be an everyday starter in this outfield.
I believe Lars Nootbaar, Tyler O'Neill, and Walker are the likely three starters. The Cardinals, however, are giving Dylan Carlson every opportunity to keep a hold on the starting job.
Similarly to Volpe of the Yankees, there is still a possibility the Cardinals will start Walker at Triple-A to gain an extra year of service time. This means we may not see Walker until at least the season's second week.
Be prepared for the upcoming season by checking out all the 2023 Fantasy Baseball content on Fantasy Six Pack.
