NL Hot Seats: 5 Position Battles Heating Up This Spring Training

Chicago Cubs - 5th Starter

All of the excitement surrounds Japanese lefthander Shota "The Throwing Philosopher" Imanaga, but there is still intense competition over who will round out the Cubbies' rotation. The three hurlers expected to be in the running are lefty Jordan Wicks and righthanders Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski.

Chicago's 2021 first-round pick, Wicks, made his MLB debut last season and likely has the inside track. The 24-year-old started seven games for the Cubs in 2023, recording a 4.41 ERA, a number inflated after allowing six runs in 1.2 innings in his final outing. Wicks started in Friday's Cactus League opener, allowing one run on two hits across 1.2 innings. The Arkansas native surrendered 11 walks in 34 IP last season, so that will be something to watch throughout the spring. 

Assad was utilized as a starter and reliever for Chicago last season and posted a solid 3.05 ERA across 109.1 IP. The 26-year-old does not possess the secondary offerings of Wicks but throws slightly harder. The question throughout the spring will be where management feels Assad can make the most significant impact.

The real wild card is Wesneski, who turned a solid spring into the Cubs' No. 5 spot to open last year. However, the 26-year-old was largely ineffective, spending most of the season as a swingman, with a 4.63 ERA in 34 appearances (11 starts). This was a letdown from his impressive 2022 debut, where Wesneski recorded a 2.18 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33 IP (six games, four starts). That said, underlying metrics suggest Wesneski's arsenal is the best of the three and offers the highest ceiling. He could be afforded another starting opportunity if he shows signs of his old form during the spring.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Second Base

In what shapes up to be a wide-open NL Central Division, an interesting position battle is being waged at second base in Pittsburgh, where a bevy of young talent vies for a starting berth.

Liover Peguero turned some heads in his call-up to the big club last season, hitting .237 with seven home runs and six stolen bases in 213 at-bats. The 23-year-old played both middle infield positions, making 33 starts at second base. While Peguero's defensive metrics were less than standout, the combination of power and speed he brings to the position arguably gives him the inside track in Spring Training.

Selected 7th overall by the Pirates in 2020, Nick Gonzales has flashed his offensive potential in the minors, slashing .281/.379/.507 at AAA Indianapolis last season with 14 home runs. Gonzales was called up twice in 2023, playing 29 games at second base, but was disappointing offensively, hitting just .209 (.272 wOBA) with two home runs in 115 at-bats. It is a small sample size, but amid heated competition, the time is now for the highly touted prospect to rise above the keystone crowd.

Ji Hwan Bae, 24, split time starting between second base (56 games) and center field last season (33 games) but struggled at the plate, hitting just .231 (.272 wOBA). While he brings some much-needed speed to the Bucs lineup (24 stolen bases in 2023), the lack of offensive production is a concern.

Jared Triolo filled an important utility role for manager Derek Shelton last year, playing primarily third base with Ke'Bryan Hayes sidelined but also seeing action at first and second base. Known more for his defensive skills, Triolo hit .298 in 181 at-bats, and while he lacks power, his versatility will ensure his share of plate appearances in 2024. With Hayes and the welcome return of Oneil Cruz anchoring the left side of the Bucs infield, Triolo could see a more significant share of playing time at second this season.

Padres - Closer

Josh Hader's departure in free agency has left an opening at the back of San Diego's bullpen. The team brought in Japanese lefty Yuki Matsui and Korean righthander Woo-Suk Go to address the situation. Matsui is the early favorite for closing duties after inking a five-year, $28 million contract in the offseason. The 28-year-old, who recorded 39 saves with a 1.57 ERA last season in NPB, was impressive in Saturday's Cactus League debut, striking out the side. However, Matsui complained of back tightness following the game and was sent for an MRI, which revealed no structural damage. The Padres are listing him as day-to-day, but it's noteworthy nonetheless.

Go, who signed a two-year, $4.5 million deal in January, had somewhat of a down year for the LG Twins of the KBO last season, pitching to a 3.68 ERA in 44.0 IP. The 25-year-old still managed a combined 2.39 ERA the past five seasons while leading the KBO with 139 saves and racking up 334 strikeouts over 274.4 IP - he is in the closer mix.

San Diego may also shift last year's setup man, Robert Suarez, to the ninth-inning role. Suarez closed out 2023 on a high note, recording a 2.38 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in ten September appearances (11.1 IP). 

Los Angeles Dodgers - Right Field

The Dodgers are absolutely loaded, although some questions remain about who will be the club’s primary right fielder. Jason Heyward was serviceable in that role last year and figures to have an early leg up on the competition, buoyed by his strong defensive metrics. However, Heyward struggled against lefties and will likely be part of a strong-side platoon even if he wins the job.

Prospect Miguel Vargas could be the biggest threat to Heyward’s playing time, mainly after the club dealt Manuel Margot to the Minnesota Twins. The 24-year-old opened last season as LA’s starting second baseman but struggled to a .195/.305/.367 slash line in 81 games before he was sent back to the minors. There were some positives, however, as Vargas demonstrated solid plate discipline, recording a 12.5% walk rate and a 20.8% chase rate. Furthermore, of his 50 big league hits last season, over half went for extra bases. With Mookie Betts transferring full-time to second base, Vargas should see reps in the outfield, and while a 2-for-12 start this spring is far from ideal, he remains an integral part of the Dodgers’ plans and still has time to make a case for consistent at-bats.

The trade of Margot also does not entirely close the door on veteran Chris Taylor. After a poor 2022, the former All-Star bounced back slightly last season, slashing .237/.326/.420 with 15 home runs and 56 RBI in 117 appearances (started 82 games). Taylor strikes out at an untenable rate (32.6% last season), but his 15 long balls were five more than he hit the year prior despite logging 70 fewer plate appearances. He also stole 16 bases. If he can cut down on the punchouts, it will go a long way toward securing a more significant role.

Chicago Cubs - 5th Starter

All of the excitement surrounds Japanese lefthander Shota "The Throwing Philosopher" Imanaga, but there is still intense competition over who will round out the Cubbies' rotation. The three hurlers expected to be in the running are lefty Jordan Wicks and righthanders Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski.

Chicago's 2021 first-round pick, Wicks, made his MLB debut last season and likely has the inside track. The 24-year-old started seven games for the Cubs in 2023, recording a 4.41 ERA, a number inflated after allowing six runs in 1.2 innings in his final outing. Wicks started in Friday's Cactus League opener, allowing one run on two hits across 1.2 innings. The Arkansas native surrendered 11 walks in 34 IP last season, so that will be something to watch throughout the spring. 

Assad was utilized as a starter and reliever for Chicago last season and posted a solid 3.05 ERA across 109.1 IP. The 26-year-old does not possess the secondary offerings of Wicks but throws slightly harder. The question throughout the spring will be where management feels Assad can make the most significant impact.

The real wild card is Wesneski, who turned a solid spring into the Cubs' No. 5 spot to open last year. However, the 26-year-old was largely ineffective, spending most of the season as a swingman, with a 4.63 ERA in 34 appearances (11 starts). This was a letdown from his impressive 2022 debut, where Wesneski recorded a 2.18 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33 IP (six games, four starts). That said, underlying metrics suggest Wesneski's arsenal is the best of the three and offers the highest ceiling. He could be afforded another starting opportunity if he shows signs of his old form during the spring.