A team's record in spring training doesn't mean much, and that's true for a player's statistics as well. Factors such as small sample size, wildly varying talent levels of the opposition, and players working on specific aspects of their game muddy the picture in terms of spring stats. The same isn't necessarily the case with spring performance, particularly for certain individuals.
Some players fighting for a job need to show they are hitting the ball harder, using a third pitch with confidence or have regained the step they seemed to have lost a year ago. Below are 10 players with something to prove this spring to make sure they are ready for Opening Day.
After the Yankees signed Gerrit Cole, it seemed Happ might be on the trading block. With Cole, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, James Paxton and Domingo German, Happ might have been on the wrong side of the starting rotation. But with German suspended and injuries to Severino and Paxton, Happ all of a sudden is the team's third starter. Whether he is ready for that task is up for debate. His 5.22 FIP and 4.91 ERA were both considerably below average and he didn't perform much better in the second half of the season than he did in the first. How quickly the Yankees decide to go outside the organization for pitching help might depend on their confidence in Happ's ability to put together quality starts every five days.
If you ignore the number of games played, Buxton had a nice season in 2019, with a batting line 10% better than average, 10 homers, 14 steals in 17 tries to go along with very good defense in center field, resulting in an above-average 2.7 fWAR. Unfortunately, Buxton played only half the season, and what might have been a six-WAR campaign was derailed with him limited to 35 plate appearances after the All-Star break. After having shoulder surgery, Buxton has yet to to play a game this spring. Buxton is still just 26, but if he wants to make a difference for a potentially very good Twins team, he needs to get on the field and stay there. Over the five seasons of his big league career, Buxton has compiled just 1,369 plate appearances.
When Wacha signed with the Mets, it seemed he would slide into the team's fifth starter spot. Then the Mets signed Rick Porcello, leaving Wacha in a battle with Steven Matz for the last spot in the rotation. Wacha struggled last season in St. Louis, briefly was moved to the bullpen after the All-Star break, then averaged just four innings per start in August and September. His velocity has been good this spring, but he's going to have to build up innings and show consistent command to avoid being sent to the bullpen.
Carter Kieboom, Washington Nationals
With Anthony Rendon off to the Los Angeles Angels, Kieboom has been penciled in as the third baseman in Washington. While he certainly has the tools to play there, having come up as a shortstop, he has played only 10 games at third as a professional. The Nationals certainly want and expect Kieboom to take the job, but the team has some insurance in the form of Asdrubal Cabrera. Kieboom still has plenty of time this month to get sharp, but a dismal spring could result in a return to Triple-A.
Camargo had an unexpectedly good season for the Braves in 2018 with a hitting line that was 15% above average to go along with solid defense at third base. For 2019, the Braves signed Josh Donaldson and relegated Camargo to a utility role. While his 2018 results might have been fueled somewhat by some batted-ball luck, his drop in 2019 production was the result of not making good contact. He hit just .233/.279/.384 in 248 plate appearances. With Donaldson gone, Camargo is in a battle with Austin Riley for the third-base job, and if he's going to win it, he'll need to show that 2019 was the mirage, not 2018.
Dexter Fowler, St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals' outfielder is in the fourth year of his five-year deal worth $82.5 million, but he is surrounded by young 20-somethings trying to take his job. He was moved to a corner outfield spot two years ago and put up an average season with the bat in 2019, but Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson are a threat to his playing time. The former has a ton of power, but hasn't gotten an extended chance in the majors, while the latter is one of the better prospects in baseball. Fowler, who turns 34 later this month, might have to prove himself this spring to ensure he keeps his starting spot.
Over the past three seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Kipnis has put up a .236/.305/.403 batting line that's 15% below league average. Even with solid defense, that's a below-average player, and with him turning 33 in April, it's a stretch to think Kipnis should get better. But that doesn't mean he can't carve out a role on the Cubs. He hits a little better against right-handed pitchers than lefties and a platoon is a possibility. He's going to have to prove himself this spring with a new team, though, as the Cubs have internal options in David Bote and Nico Hoerner. Kipnis signed a minor league deal and will have to beat out the competition to stick with the club.
Carson Fulmer, Chicago White Sox
The White Sox drafted Fulmer eighth overall in 2015 and he was in the majors a year later, but since then, things haven't exactly gone to plan. Fulmer has made the big league club at some point in each of the past four seasons, splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen, but he hasn't pitched well in any situation so far. He's now out of options and needs to make the big league roster out of spring or be exposed on waivers. Fulmer has attempted to make changes to his release point and get different movement on his pitches, and he really needs something to click this spring.
First basemen are known for their offense. Ronald Guzman is a first baseman who has hit like a backup catcher the past few seasons when given an opportunity. He has big power, but hasn't been able to get to it enough in games. There isn't a huge roster crunch for Guzman, but Todd Frazier can play third and first, and if Greg Bird can finally put things together, Guzman's playing time could be at risk. Guzman is a three-true-outcomes hitter, and while there have been plenty of walks and strikeouts, he hasn't hit enough homers to stick in the majors. He might need a big spring to show he belongs.
Josh James can strike out a lot of batters. The question is whether he can go five innings or more and not have his walks catch up to him. James was a starter prospect in 2018, but the Astros needed him in the bullpen last year. He was decent in that role and often pitched more than an inning at a time, but his 38% strikeout rate was balanced by a 13% walk rate. He's going to get an opportunity to win the fifth starter role, but he'll need a good spring to avoid a return to the bullpen.