Dodgers' 3 biggest position battles of spring training

2. Long Reliever/Sixth Starter: Ryan Pepiot, Gavin Stone, Michael Grove, Andre Jackson

If there is one thing that the Dodgers love to have, it is a sixth starter who makes the big-league roster as a long-relief pitcher that becomes the first go-to option to become a starter if someone gets hurt. Los Angeles typically has a lot of success with this player, who oftentimes ends up better than the original starters themselves.

Tyler Anderson was this player for the Dodgers last season and he took his opportunity and ran with it, earning an All-Star trip and a pretty penny from the Los Angeles Angels this offseason. In previous years, the likes of Ross Stripling and Alex Wood have also turned this opportunity into success.

The candidates to be the sixth starter this year are all young, and some of them are considered top prospects. The leading candidate simply because of his big-league experience is Ryan Pepiot. Keeping him in Triple-A will not accomplish anything, as he has more than proven everything he needs to prove at that level.

Gavin Stone has had a meteoric rise through the Dodgers' farm system and has dominated at every level he has pitched at. While he may need slightly more time in Oklahoma City, there is also the chance that he dominates in spring and forces his way onto the big-league roster.

Then there are the guys who are fighting for their big-league careers (at least with the Dodgers). Andre Jackson and Michael Grove are in the running, but if they are unable to get the job, then they may end up on a different team before 2023 is over.

1. Center Field: Trayce Thompson, Jason Heyward, James Outman

Center field is perhaps the most fun position battle for the Dodgers in spring training, as there are three candidates who all could easily make their case for deserving the starting nod. Some have to do more work than others in the spring, but the job is very clearly up for grabs.

First we have Trayce Thompson, who looked to be on his way out of the league before the Dodgers brought him back and helped reinvent his career. While Thompson put together strong numbers in a small sample size last season, there should be concerns about his long-term ability to produce (especially with that crazy-high strikeout rate).

Then there is James Outman, who is this writer's favorite Dodger to watch in all of 2023. Outman has been absolutely incredible in the minors and it is impossible to deny him a spot on the roster. Outman has all the tools of being a great center fielder, and he could prove that in the spring.

Then there is the grizzled veteran, Jason Heyward, whose career also seemed to be nearing its end ... but the Dodgers took a chance on him, changed his swing, and now he's getting legitimate buzz out of Camelback Ranch. If he produces in the spring then he could absolutely swoop in and take the starting job.

Mookie Betts is the obvious choice for right field. while Chris Taylor and David Peralta should be sharing most of the workload in left field. Keep your eyes on the CF competition, which should be a fun one.

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