Dodgers' 3 biggest position battles of spring training

The Los Angeles Dodgers head into spring training with a much different feel around the ball club. While they're still undoubtedly talented, they're not the mammoth favorite that has lapped the rest of the league (on paper) in terms of talent.

In fact, for the first time in the last decade, the Dodgers head into spring training as underdogs, with many people picking the San Diego Padres to run away with the National League West.

This new dynamic makes spring training more exciting than in previous years. Instead of it simply being a warm-up for the regular season, Dodgers fans can learn a lot about this team while it plays at Camelback Ranch. Specifically, fans will get an idea about which players will pull away and win certain positional battles.

Here are the Dodgers' 3 biggest position battles of spring training

3. Closer: Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Reyes, whoever decides to step up in spring

For the first time in a long time, the Los Angeles Dodgers do not currently have a dedicated closer. Kenley Jansen held that role for years before handing it over to the disaster that was Craig Kimbrel in 2022.

Dave Roberts has pushed back on the idea of having a designated closer who only pitches in the ninth inning. It very well could be a situation where the Dodgers go closer by committee for the first half of the season until things iron out.

But you never know. Someone could be so dominant in the spring that it forces Roberts to change his mind. The obvious favorite for the role is Evan Phillips, who was borderline historic in relief for Los Angeles last season. Brusdar Graterol is also in the running, while new signing Alex Reyes should also be considered due to his previous experience as a closer.

And of course, we should all expect there to be one random reliever that comes out of nowhere and puts his name in the hat. That is the Dodgers special.

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.