Spring training may not be the best barometer of a player when you are dealing with veterans. Many of them already have secured spots and are just trying to get in game shape. Then you have guys who are fighting to make the team, who have to go out and perform each time they take the field. If you are someone who takes stock in spring training numbers, then here are some guys whom you may want to consider drafting this year.
1) Taijuan Walker, Starting Pitcher, Seattle Mariners
This will be Walker's third stint in the majors, yet he only has 53 innings pitched to his name. The 22-year-old is having a great spring up to this point for the Mariners. In 12 innings of work, he has only allowed four hits, three walks with 13 strikeouts and no runs allowed. The improved command thus far is a great sign as that is what really held back Walker last season, besides his injuries. Walker can be had late in the draft, but if the improved command is permanent he could wind up being one of the better pitchers in 2015 with his electric repertoire.
2) Brandon Belt, First Base, San Francisco Giants
Belt has probably been on this list for the last two years. Last season many people were expecting a breakout season, they got exactly that until Belt broke his hand. He was never the same after he returned as his overall umbers dropped. Belt is once again off to a great spring training and if he can stay healthy, is poised to have a big year.
3) Kris Bryant, Third Base, Chicago Cubs
Nobody is having a better spring than Kris Bryant. The Cubs have already said that he will begin the season in the minors, but he is making that extremely difficult for them to do. Bryant is batting .480 this spring with eight homeruns, 10 runs, and 14 RBI. Bryant has already logged 70 games at Triple-A with great success last seasaon. The Cubs are going to be very hard pressed to keep in the minors very long. Even if the Cubs keep Bryant in the minors, people are going to be drafting him so you might as well make sure it’s you, because the power is for real.
4) Alex Rodriguez, Third Base, New York Yankees
Many people have written off Rodriguez this year due to his age, 12-plus months away from baseball and a body that is falling apart. I however, think that the year off from baseball is going to prove to be beneficial for Rodriguez. A-Rod has had trouble coming back from his hip injury and I think that a full offseason of rehab is going to do wonders for him. He has looked solid so far in spring training. He only has a .269 average, but has shown good plate discipline with four walks and two homeruns, which is a good sign as hip injuries tend to sap away power. A-Rod has also been able to turn on inside fastballs this spring which is a pitch that has given him fits over the last two or three years.
5) Ender Inciarte, Outfield, Arizona Diamondbacks
This last guy is a bit of a risk because he may not begin the season as a full time starter. Inciarte is likely to start the season in a platoon role. However, if he manages to get a starting gig somehow, he is worth having on your roster. Inciarte was impressive last year after cracking the starting lineup due to injuries in the Diamondbacks outfield. Inciarte is certainly making a case to start based off of his spring training stats. Inciarte is batting .425 with six runs and four stolen bases. Due to lack of job security Inciarte is likely to go undrafted, but if someone goes down with an injury or is not performing, be sure to pick up Inciarte if he is named their replacement in the lineup.