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2016 MLB Preview: Intriguing AL Spring Training Position Battles to Watch

By Jordan Wevers

Mar 3, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) runs back into the dugout during a spring training baseball game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) runs back into the dugout during a spring training baseball game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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AL West

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Astros – 1B: Houston struck out with Chris Carter at first base and Jon Singleton is no sure thing. The latter has posted a .171 average across parts of two seasons. He’s only 24 now and had decent success in the minors, but there’s a 22-year-old who could be nipping at his heels for playing time in 2016.

A.J. Reed was selected in the second round of the 2014 draft out of the University of Kentucky. He dominated Double-A in 2015 with a .332/.405/.571 line, 11 home runs and 46 RBI in only 53 games. If Singleton struggles this spring, fast-tracking Reed to Houston could be in the cards, much like it was for the Astros and Carlos Correa in 2015.

Athletics – LF/DH: The sooner left field clears itself up, so too will the picture at designated hitter become more crisp. The trade for Khris Davis gives the A’s lots of flexibility. He can compete in left for an everyday job with Coco Crisp or Sam Fuld, but is also a viable option to take significant at-bats away from Billy Butler or Mark Canha at DH. For more on that, click here.

Mariners – RF/SS/SP: MLB.com’s depth chart has Franklin Gutierrez as a reserve player in Seattle’s outfield at the moment, but if can reciprocate his 2015 numbers (.292-15-35) from only 59 games to a full season worth of production, he’ll be a better option at either corner outfield spot than Seth Smith or Nori Aoki.

Up the middle, the infield will need either Ketel Marte or Chris Taylor to perform. In 2014, Taylor played admirably over 47 games with a .287/.347/.346 line. In 2015, he was atrocious (.170/.220/.223) across 37 appearances. Where he faltered, Marte did not, hitting .283/.351/.402 over 57 games. Neither will provide the lineup with ample power, but that’s not what the M’s need here. They need a consistent defender who can stay healthy and get on-base regularly.

Lastly, fans are still waiting for big things from Taijuan Walker and James Paxton. The last two spots in the rotation will come down to those two or contributions from Nate Karns, Vidal Nuno or Mike Montgomery. Walker won’t get as much love as former GM Jack Zduriencik gave him. Of him, Karns and Paxton, Walker has the worst command, but he’s still only 23.

Rangers – LF: Can Texas really rely on Josh Hamilton this year? They’d love to be able to turn back the clock to 2012 with him, but that’s wishful thinking. Top prospect Joey Gallo is roadblocked by Adrian Beltre at his natural third base position, so beating out Hamilton seems like the easy fix to regular playing time for him.

Next: AL Central

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