While spring training may seem tedious and useless because you can only really take spring training numbers so serious.  Your not going to let Miguel Cabrera slip out of the first round because he has been struggling to hit in the spring.  

While the numbers in spring training may not matter much, the battles between pitchers fighting for a starting rotation spot can make all the difference on a fantasy team.  Sometimes that player that just barely beats out another for that last rotation spot can be the gem you are looking for on your team.  So pay attention to who is ahead of who in the race for a fifth starters spot and make sure you draft or claim that hidden gem for your fantasy team.

Taylor Jordan VS Tanner Roark

The battle for the Nationals fifth starter spot looks like it is going down to the wire and will be made right before the season starts.  Neither starter has run away with the battle although Roark probably has the upper hand as he has been slightly better so far this spring.  Roark this spring has pitched well with a 3.29 ERA, 1.024 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched.  Jordan through 20 innings has a 3.92 ERA, 1.258 WHIP and 20 strikeouts.  

While Jordan may be the younger arm with a higher upside than Roark, it is Roark who has having the better spring.  Roark also has last seasons numbers on his side as he was extremely dominant last year in his brief stint in the majors.  Last season Roark went 7-1 with an astonishing 1.51 ERA and 40 K’s through 53.2 innings.  If Roark does get the nod as the fifth starter over Jordan this year than Jordan would likely begin the season in AAA or the bullpen but it should only be a matter of time until he pitches his way into the rotation.

Archie Bradley VS Randall Delgado

One would have to believe that Bradley is the favorite here to win this battle over Delgado despite the fact that he has been less than stellar so far this spring.  Bradley has a 4.32 ERA so far through the spring and has walked six batters through only 8 innings but despite this he has pitched better than Delgado thus far.  Delgado has an ERA of 5.56 and a 1.324 WHIP.  Unfortunately for Delgado the fact that he is having a worse spring than Bradley and Bradley being the number five overall prospect with extreme upside tends to open the door for the young pitcher.  

Delgado also doesn’t have a pedigree of success. So far in the majors he has an ERA over 4.00 for his career and below average strikeout rates.  Chances are Bradley opens up the season as the number five starter with Delgado being relegated to the bullpen and a spot starter if someone gets injured.

Tyler Skaggs VS Joe Blanton

This battle has been less than stellar but it seems likely that Skaggs is going to win the job for the fifth starters spot. Skaggs is sporting a 4.95 ERA this spring which is somehow god enough to likely beat out Joe Blanton who is the proud owner of a 7.08 ERA this spring.  Blanton also finished last year with a 6.04 ERA which is really hurting his case for making the team over the young and unproven Skaggs.  

It’s becoming likely that Blanton becomes a reliever to start the year if he is willing to accept the role.  Despite whoever wins this battle though neither pitcher is currently worth owning until proven otherwise.  Skaggs has yet to impress in his limited time in the majors with a career ERA over 5.00, so temper any expectations until Skaggs shows that he can be relied upon.