Guardians Analyst Takes A Look At Spring Training Position Battles

The Cleveland Guardians entered camp with more than their fair share of position battles.

The rotation, except for a couple of spots, was almost entirely up for grabs.

There were also a few bullpen spots available and, of course, second base.

These positions are still unresolved, but we are starting to get some clues about what the team will do.

Guardians Prospective, who follows the team’s every move, offered his take on the aforementioned races and explained who is still in the running for each position or gig.

“Rotation to me currently: Bibee, Williams, Lively, Ortiz, Allen,” he wrote.

Rotation to me currently:

Bibee
Williams
Lively
Ortiz
Allen

Also of these position players two will not make roster. Spots up for grabs are second base and two utility positions.

Arias
Brito
Freeman
Martinez
Schneemann

One bullpen spot between:

Allard
Cantillo
McKenzie…

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 20, 2025

In his view, Ben Lively and Logan Allen (who pitched 4.2 one-run innings on Wednesday to lower his spring ERA to 1.90) have done more than Triston McKenzie, Jakob Junis, Joey Cantillo, Vince Velazquez, and the rest of the starters to be worthy of a place in the rotation.

“Also, of these position players, two will not make the roster. Spots up for grabs are second base and two utility positions: Arias, Brito, Freeman, Martinez, Schneemann,” he also wrote in the same post.

Juan Brito is coming into his own and might now be the favorite to start at second base.

Martinez could be one of the odd men out since the rest of the players in that group have been solid.

This could be one of the most difficult decisions ahead for manager Stephen Vogt: Schneemann is slugging .559, Brito .541, Freeman .583, and Arias .462.

The insider also projects Kolby Allard, Joey Cantillo, and McKenzie fighting for one bullpen spot while also reminding that Shane Bieber, Slade Cecconi, Nic Enright, John Means, Erik Sabrowski, and Trevor Stephan will open the season on the injured list.