JotCast | RosterResource Chat

RosterResource Chat - 3/14/25

Jason Martinez

2:02

Welcome to the RosterResource Live Chat! This is the last one before official MLB games are played and second-to-last before official Opening Day.

Still plenty of intriguing roster battles. Check out our MLB Opening Day Tracker to see which players are still left in camp. Best way is to click on the "Not On Projected Roster/Still In Camp" drop-down ... https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/opening-day-tracker/padres?s...

Here we go ...

Zach

2:02

Is Robert Hassell III going to have a real role on the Nats this year?

Jon Becker

2:04

Maybe after the Trade Deadline if they're out of contention and move Bell, or if Bell just isn't hitting enough, though they could also move Young to a bench/defensive replacement/pinch runner role if Hassell forces things. But he's coming off a really bad year and they're going to need to see more than a great Spring Training in a small sample.

Buff

2:04

Does Brett Baty seize the Mets’ 2b job and run with it?

Jason Martinez

2:06

That was my thought as soon as the injury was reported and still my projection ... https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/mets

Baty is having a great camp. He should be adequate at 2B. Acuña has not done much this spring and he also didn't really hit much in the minors last year. People just remember how impactful he was in his short stint and assume he's going to be the 2B now. That doesn't mean the Mets aren't thinking the same thing. Just seems like Baty has earned the job (vs RHP).

Snoo

2:06

What do you make of the SS playing time situation in Detroit. Baez has actually had a stronger spring than Trey Sweeney, so do you think maybe he gets the first crack at the gig (hard to believe he's still only 32) and gets more than 400 PA?

Jon Becker

2:07

I think it'll be Sweeney's job every day, at least against righties. It's possible, though, that Báez actually starts at 3B after playing there for the first time in a while a day or two ago. Jung hasn't looked good and thy might want to give him more AAA time.

Cromulent

2:08

What would it take for Shane Smith to break into the ChiSox rotation?

Jason Martinez

2:10

He's probably earned it. But I think he threw less than 100 IP last season and will be limited. If he starts in the rotation, he's not going to finish there. Easier to do if you have him pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen. Bryse Wilson should also be adequate as the No. 5 SP for a month and then he can move into a multi-inning bullpen role. That's how I think it will go. But Smith is forcing their hand.

Easy E

2:10

It feels like we're on the cusp on a major breakout for Gavin Williams (health pending). Do you agree?

Jon Becker

2:11

I don't like to read too much into Spring Training performance, but he's also always had such good stuff and just didn't have the performance to match last year. Not a stretch at all to say he could be their best starter this year even if Bibee is still really good.

POTATO_CANNON

2:12

Amador to get a bigger callup this year, and is it entirely predicated on a Thairo Bounceback?

Jason Martinez

2:13

Seems like they're all in on Thairo at the moment. They've even anointed him as their No. 5 batter in the lineup. Amador wasn't ready last year and I think the plan is for him to get a full season in AAA. Of course, if he's hitting and Thairo is not, things could change.

wheelhouse

2:13

just how bad is the yankees' pitching depth after injuries to Cole and Gil? bad enough to view this as an inevitable gap year in their closing window?

Jon Becker

2:14

It's pretty rough beyond the top five options with Hampton out for the year too. But I'm always hesitant to say the Yankees have a closing window. They're certainly worse now than they were when they ended the season, though.

Schlittlerature

2:15

How many PA do you see Hunter Goodman getting given his strong spring and that also it's the Rockies? I'm skeptical Bryant, Beck and some of their other projected starting options last long, and I hope HG hits his way into more PT

Zach

2:15

How many at bats should we expect for Jacob Stallings?

Jason Martinez

2:17

With Romo officially optioned, Goodman will also get a chance to be the backup catcher. Will be a bit more challenging to prove himself with the bat since he has a lot more on his plate. But a good chance he can at least stick in a David Fry role and more if Bryant can't stay healthy or Toglia, Beck, etc. aren't productive.

I have Stallings getting 50% of the starts as of now.

clydethedog

2:18

Does Baldwin have a real chance to make opening day roster?

Jon Becker

2:19

Assuming this means Drake Baldwin, absolutely, we have him as their starting catcher right now. Sale has liked working with him and that matters even more than the offense since his stay could be pretty temporary.

Guest

2:19

Hey Jason, Al Riccobono here. I know that Kim is not traveling with the Dodgers to Japan, but are you confident that he is the every day second baseman when they get back at the end of the month? That being said is Edmond more appropriate in the outfield long-term than listed at second base as he will be for the first two games?

Jason Martinez

2:21

Hi Al. Kim was optioned to AAA so the plan is to let him get comfortable down there for at least a few weeks before they have to make a decision. Presumably, this opens up CF for James Outman or Andy Pages, which means Tommy Edman will play a lot of 2B early in the season.

drplantwrench

2:21

im starting to lose hope about my angels already... can you guys spin up some hope to get me through spring training?

Jon Becker

2:22

Mike Trout looks healthy and like himself, Schanuel's working on bat speed and power to all fields, Ben Joyce threw 104 yesterday! I'm not expecting them to get to .500 but I think they'll be better than last year.

Robert

2:22

Drew Avans has come out of nowhere Why do u like him over the competition?

Jason Martinez

2:24

For that final bench spot, I'm just going with the guy who is having the best camp and that's Avans. I had Esteury Ruiz there. Even if he doesn't play much, he gives them some speed off the bench. But he can't hit at all and the A's probably want him working on that in AAA. Max Schuemann also has a good chance because of his defensive versatility.

POTATO_CANNON

2:25

Is Colson up in May and this send down just an excuse, or are they really losing interest in him being a big part of 2025?

Jon Becker

2:26

I think he'll be up soon, and May might even be pessimistic. Don't think it's an excuse since they can get PPI if he's up within the first two weeks of the season and wins ROY. He was slowed with back tightness for about ten days and they just felt he ran out of time, though it's not like they're really teeming with options at SS, so I was surprised to see him sent down so soon.

Doc Estes

2:27

Mets bullpen behind Diaz...some say Stanek is the next right hander, Closer depth chart shows Butto. What is the argument for Butto?

Jason Martinez

2:29

I actually moved AJ Minter back to the SU8 role now that he appears to be on track for Opening Day. I would guess that a closer committee is likely if Diaz were to get hurt. And that's the good version of closer committee because there are many good options (as opposed to "closer committee because there are no good options"). Stanek, Butto, Minter, Garrett are all capable of closing games. And if whatever Kranick is doing this spring carries over, you can also put him in the mix. But who is "next in line" with that group can change from week to week.

2:29

What do you think of the Padres LF/DH options? Heyward looks washed, do you see them dropping him before opening day?

Jon Becker

2:31

Not impossible to think they'd dump Heyward with Gavin Sheets hitting so well, but it's also Spring Training, and it's not a great look to future free agents to give a guy a guaranteed deal and then cut him. Just about everyone on the team will get PA at DH, but probably primarily Arraez, Joe, Iglesias (assuming he makes the team, which he will).

Guest

2:31

Has anything in Spring Training shed more light on the Heim/Higashioka split in playing time? Do you still think its pretty much an even split?

Jason Martinez

2:33

They can't totally ignore spring stats (Higgy has been great, just like 2024; Heim continues to not hit) but I think the plan is to be as close to 50/50 as possible and then go with the hot hand throughout the season. If anything has changed, I think Higgy's chances of starting on Opening Day and getting a slight edge in playing time have increased.

Spherical

2:34

When will teams start putting injured players on the 7-day IL?

Jon Becker

2:35

Teams can only backdate IL (10 days for position players, 15 for pitchers; 7-day is only in the minors) stints by three days, so there's no point until ILing anyone until Opening Day. Not sure they're even allowed to until then.

Cromulent

2:35

If spring training dispatches are to be believed it sounds like the race for the Royals fifth starter is pretty close between Bubic and Lynch. Could you elaborate on why you have Bubic fifth and how close this race might actually be?

Jason Martinez

2:38

As long as the Royals are going to give Bubic a chance to start, it's going to be in the beginning of the season or not at all. Once he's back in the bullpen, where he dominated last season, it will be difficult to build him back up.

Guy

2:38

Chances of a majors roster spot for Ben Brown and Heston Kjerstad?

Jon Becker

2:39

95%+ for Kjerstad and maybe 50/50 for Brown? O's are going to mix and match a lot; Brown is on the travel roster to Japan and they still have time to decide between Brown, Rea, and Wicks for the 5th SP spot.

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