Each team's player with most to prove in Spring Training

When Spring Training arrives each year, there are certain players who have more on the line than others. These are players who were perhaps injured the previous season or didn't live up to expectations. This year is no exception, with many such individuals looking to make a big impact during Cactus League and Grapefruit League play in order to prove their value.

Here's a look at a player from each team who has the most to prove as Spring Training gets underway:

Jump to: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

American League East

Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette
A year ago, Bichette looked like one of the steadiest young players in baseball. You could set your watch to him. Then, multiple calf injuries derailed his 2024 season and limited him to a .599 OPS over 81 games. The Bichette we saw prior to ¡®24 is still the real version of him, but he¡¯ll need to remind the rest of baseball of that, especially going into his final year of club control with the Blue Jays. As Toronto tries to find some life in its lineup again, no one is more important to making that happen than Bichette. -- Keegan Matheson

Orioles: INF Jackson Holliday
After a disappointing 2024 rookie campaign in which he produced a .189/.255/.311 slash line over 60 games, the 21-year-old Holliday is looking to prove he can become a solid everyday player in '25. MLB Pipeline¡¯s former No. 1 overall prospect has the tools and the pedigree to become one of baseball¡¯s top stars, and this spring will give him the opportunity to take a big step forward. Holliday is confident that the upcoming season will go much better than his last. -- Jake Rill

Rays: OF Josh Lowe
There¡¯s no shortage of motivation in Rays camp. Junior Caminero wants to take the next step toward stardom. Christopher Morel didn¡¯t make a good first impression last year. Nearly all of Tampa Bay¡¯s returning position players are bounce-back candidates, really. But the player with the most to prove is probably Lowe, who took a step back from a strong 2023 with a ¡¯24 season that was delayed and derailed by injuries. He has game-changing talent, with power and speed and the ability to hit for a high average, and there¡¯s no doubt he is eager to prove he¡¯s capable of more than he showed two years ago, much less last season. -- Adam Berry

Red Sox: 2B Vaughn Grissom
For Grissom, the right-handed hitter the Red Sox acquired for Chris Sale, the 2024 season was almost a complete loss. Grissom came to camp with leg problems, started the season on the injured list and was largely ineffective when he returned, only to sustain another hamstring injury in June that cost him another couple of months. After getting optioned to Triple-A, Grissom was recalled late in the season and had a strong finish. It remains to be seen how the addition of Alex Bregman impacts Grissom¡¯s present and future on the club, but he will try to improve his stock this spring and is open to playing different positions (short, third, outfield) if that helps his case to make the team. -- Ian Browne

Yankees: SS Anthony Volpe
Volpe raised his offensive performance in the postseason, including a memorable grand slam in World Series Game 4 against the Dodgers. As the 23-year-old enters his third season as the starting shortstop, the Yankees would love to see him carry consistency into a full campaign. He played 160 games in 2024, registering a career-high 28 steals and enjoying a 21-game hitting streak in May, when he batted .341 (31-for-91). A 2023 Gold Glover, Volpe continued to provide reliable defense. Now, he must prove that he can make adjustments to minimize slumps and raise his on-base percentage, which ranked fourth-lowest among all qualified shortstops (.293) in 2024. -- Bryan Hoch

AL Central

Guardians: INF Gabriel Arias
When Cleveland made the Mike Clevinger trade with the Padres back in 2020, Arias was viewed as an exciting acquisition, a potential cornerstone in the middle infield. Alas, the road has been rockier than envisioned. Arias has appeared in 191 games in the big leagues and looked overwhelmed offensively while also having his work ethic come into question at times. In a Guardians camp with an opening at second base after the Andr¨¦s Gim¨¦nez trade, there is still an opportunity for the 25-year-old to assert himself here in the Cactus League. But now that he¡¯s out of Minor League options, he¡¯ll have to do it quickly. -- Mandy Bell

Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe
The Royals never landed that middle-of-the-order bat they were searching for all offseason. That puts a lot of pressure on their corner outfielders, many of whom are still young and trying to establish themselves -- like MJ Melendez -- or win a job out of camp -- like Nelson Velazquez and Drew Waters. But Renfroe is the player the Royals were hoping gave them a power threat and on-base ability down in the lineup when they signed him after the 2023 season. He ended up posting a .689 OPS and a 92 wRC+ with 15 homers and then picked up his player option to make $7.5 million this season. The 33-year-old has put together better years, most recently in 2022, when he slugged .492 with 29 homers in Milwaukee. If he can get closer to that form, the Royals could feel a lot better about their lineup. -- Anne Rogers

Tigers: 1B/DH Spencer Torkelson
Torkelson was a 31-homer slugger in Detroit just two years ago, but the former No. 1 overall Draft pick¡¯s career is at an intersection after he split time last year between Detroit and Triple-A Toledo. With Colt Keith moving from second to first base to accommodate free-agent signing Gleyber Torres, president of baseball operations Scott Harris laid out the challenge for Torkelson to show progress. He¡¯s on the outside looking in on Detroit¡¯s Opening Day roster, vying for a short-side platoon role, but could revive his career as an in-season promotion or even a trade candidate. -- Jason Beck

Twins: INF Edouard Julien
Quite a few infielders could fit the bill. Ty France needs to show he can still produce. Brooks Lee needs to show he's ready to hit at the big league level. Royce Lewis needs to show he's the guy from 2023 and early '24. But the call is Julien, who could be anything from the primary second baseman to back in Triple-A based on whether he can regain his form from 2023. -- Matthew Leach

White Sox: 1B Andrew Vaughn
Those who denigrate the first four years of Vaughn¡¯s Major League career are overlooking his average of 18 home runs, 69 RBIs and 27 doubles per season. But Vaughn¡¯s numbers always will be judged against higher expected production from a first baseman attached to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 Draft. This season almost needs to be Vaughn¡¯s true breakout, with the 26-year-old earning $5.85 million in 2025 and just one year of team control remaining. -- Scott Merkin

AL West

Angels: 3B Yoán Moncada
With the news that Anthony Rendon will undergo hip surgery and miss significant time, Moncada is now the favorite to take over at the hot corner for the Angels. Moncada, though, was limited to just 12 games last season because of a left adductor strain and played in only 92 games in 2023 and 104 in '22. But the 29-year-old former top prospect has plenty to keep him motivated after joining the club on a one-year deal. He has to prove he can stay healthy and get back to his previous form. -- Rhett Bollinger

Astros: OF Chas McCormick
After a 2023 season in which he had career highs in hits (110), doubles (17), homers (22), RBIs (70) and stolen bases (19), McCormick had a woeful ¡¯24. He slashed .211/.271/.306 with five homers in 94 games and was sent to Triple-A. He¡¯s slated to be the Astros¡¯ starting right fielder entering this year, replacing three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, and a rebound season would go a long way to help the Astros lengthen their lineup. -- Brian McTaggart

Athletics: 2B Zack Gelof
After a breakout 2023 rookie year, expectations were sky high for Gelof heading into '24. He turned in an up-and-down season, hitting .211 while also dealing with an oblique issue that landed him on the injured list for the first time in his career. He did still hit 17 home runs and steal 25 bases, which shows his dynamic ability, and graded out as one of the better defensive second basemen in baseball. But if he can develop more consistency at the plate this season, he would strengthen what is already shaping up to be a potent A¡¯s offense. -- Mart¨ªn Gallegos

Mariners: SS J.P. Crawford
After a career year in 2023, when he was the Mariners' most consistent player, Seattle's longtime shortstop had arguably his worst season in '24, when he was limited to 105 games due to a pair of lengthy IL stints. And when he was healthy, he hit just .202 with a .625 OPS, both career lows. There's not necessarily pressure, given that the front office has optimism for a bounce-back -- and that he's due $23 million over the next two seasons -- but the uber-competitive Crawford will say as much as anyone that he wants to re-establish himself as he enters his age-30 season. -- Daniel Kramer

Rangers: RF Adolis García
In 2023, Garc¨ªa was an All-Star and hit .323/.382/.726 in 15 postseason games while being named the ALCS MVP. The 2024 season did not bring the same fortune. He opened the year slashing .301/.359/.570 in April. Then he went on a months-long slump that lasted until the final weeks of the regular season, and he finished the year with a .684 OPS, the lowest of his Texas tenure by far. He spent the offseason trying to get his swing back as he looks to return to All-Star form. -- Kennedi Landry

National League East

Braves: C Sean Murphy
Murphy¡¯s success in Oakland led the Braves to acquire him in a three-team trade that sent William Contreras to Milwaukee. While Contreras established himself as the game¡¯s top-ranked catcher last year, Murphy endured the worst season of his career. He¡¯ll be asked to catch at least 60 percent of Atlanta¡¯s games this year, and he believes the consistent playing time will help him regain the form he had when he was an All-Star in 2023, his first year with Atlanta. -- Mark Bowman

Marlins: RHP Edward Cabrera
Cabrera, who turns 27 next month, hasn't been able to live up to his frontline potential through the first 63 outings (61 starts) of his MLB career due to injuries and command issues. The time is now after Jes¨²s Luzardo's departure and Braxton Garrett's season-ending surgery. Miami hopes Cabrera can replicate his final 13 starts of the 2024 campaign (3.57 ERA) over an entire season. -- Christina De Nicola

Mets: C Francisco Alvarez
Two years ago, as a 21-year-old rookie, Alvarez clubbed 25 homers and appeared well on his way to stardom. But he took a notable step backward last season, hitting just 11 homers and losing 34 points off his slugging percentage. Now 23, Alvarez is entering what should be his physical prime. He remains a strong framer behind the plate and has markedly improved as a thrower, answering many of the defensive questions that dogged him as a prospect. But Alvarez must prove more consistent as a hitter if he wants to make good on his potential and become one of the top overall catchers in the game today. -- Anthony DiComo

Nationals: LHPs DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker
The Nationals are stacked with starting pitching in Spring Training: MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Michael Soroka, Trevor Williams, Shinnosuke Ogasawara, Herz and Parker. With this depth comes a competition for only five rotation spots on the Opening Day roster. Herz and Parker proved themselves as Major League starters last year in their rookie seasons, but both of them will have to make a case again this spring. Last season, Parker went 7-10 with a 4.29 ERA in 29 starts and Herz was 4-9 with a 4.16 ERA in 19 starts. -- Jessica Camerato

Phillies: RHP Taijuan Walker
The Phillies signed Walker to a four-year, $72 million contract before the 2023 season. He enters this spring with $36 million owed, but fighting to be the eighth man in an eight-man bullpen following major struggles last season. The Phillies hope an offseason workout program will help Walker regain athleticism and velocity. If so, he could be a long man and provide depth for the starting rotation. -- Todd Zolecki

NL Central

Brewers: RHP Brandon Woodruff
The longest-tenured Brewers player and the club¡¯s all-time ERA leader, Woodruff hasn¡¯t pitched since suffering a shoulder injury in September 2023 that cost him that year¡¯s postseason, necessitated major surgery and sidelined him for all of 2024. Shoulder recoveries are notoriously tricky, but Woodruff is optimistic about rediscovering the zip on his signature fastball and re-establishing himself this season ahead of free agency in the fall. -- Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: 2B/3B Nolan Gorman
The 24-year-old Gorman worked most of the offseason at third base, where he expected to spend most of his time in the 2025 season before the Cardinals were repeatedly rebuffed in their attempts to trade Nolan Arenado. For now, Gorman will return to second base and the Cardinals hope he returns to his power-hitting form from 2023. He slumped badly in '24, with his strikeout rate soaring to a whopping 37.6 percent, prompting another demotion to Triple-A. Gorman¡¯s raw power is unquestioned, but he must find a better line of defense for pitchers who attack him with fastballs up in the zone. -- John Denton

Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks
A first-round pick in the 2021 Draft, Wicks enjoyed an impressive rookie debut down the stretch in '23 and then made the Cubs¡¯ Opening Day rotation a year ago. His chance to establish himself as a fixture on the starting staff last season was derailed by multiple injury setbacks. With Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea signed to help the rotation this offseason, the 25-year-old Wicks looks to have an uphill battle for a starting role. The lefty could compete for a bullpen job, but the Cubs may also be better served with him serving as rotation depth if he does not claim a big league role this spring. -- Jordan Bastian

Pirates: C Henry Davis
Joey Bart had a solid 2024, Endy Rodr¨ªguez is back from elbow surgery and Jason Delay is a more than capable glove-first catcher. That leaves Davis in a tough spot if he doesn¡¯t produce in 2025. He¡¯s shown he can crush Minor League pitching, but struggled mightily at the plate in 2024 (a .453 OPS in 122 trips to the plate). Earning a job out of camp would help put that year behind him. -- Alex Stumpf

Reds: 3B Noelvi Marte
Once the organization¡¯s top-ranked prospect, Marte debuted with nice results in 2023 while batting .316 with an .822 OPS and three homers in 35 games. But 2024 was a big step back, as Marte was suspended for 80 games in March after failing a test for PEDs. Then he batted .210 with a .549 OPS and four homers in 66 games. Usually known for strong defense, Marte was one of the league¡¯s worst defenders last season, struggling with both fielding and throwing. Still only 23, Marte is part of a crowded infield picture, and he doesn't have an assured spot on the roster, so he will have to prove himself in camp and beyond. -- Mark Sheldon

NL West

D-backs: LHP Jordan Montgomery
Signed just after the regular season opened last year, Montgomery was a disappointment in his first year in Arizona, posting a 6.23 ERA before he was demoted to the bullpen in August. Montgomery picked up his player option for 2025 at $22.5 million, and with the signing of Corbin Burnes, the D-backs have seven starters for five spots in the rotation. Montgomery needs to pitch well this spring to earn one of those spots and also have a good season as he heads back into free agency. -- Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: OF James Outman
Expectations were high for Outman after he finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, but he couldn't replicate that success in '24, posting a .521 OPS across 53 games. Outman has an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster regardless, but with a strong spring, he could ensure he's among the first to get the call should the Dodgers need to bring in reinforcements in the outfield. -- Sonja Chen

Giants: OF Marco Luciano
The Giants¡¯ former top prospect will be one of the most fascinating players to watch this spring, as he¡¯s expected to transition from the infield to the outfield. The club hopes the position change will help him unlock his bat, which has long been viewed as his carrying tool. Luciano has struggled to put it all together in the Majors over the last two seasons, but he¡¯s still only 23 and has enough talent to emerge as a difference-maker for the Giants in 2025. -- Maria Guardado

Padres: C Luis Campusano
Campusano entered the 2024 season as the Padres¡¯ starter behind the plate. By midseason, he¡¯d lost that job to Kyle Higashioka. Then, after the team signed Elias D¨ªaz late in the year, he was left off the postseason roster entirely. Nonetheless, Campusano is right back in the mix for the starting catcher role in San Diego. Despite his struggles, it¡¯s worth remembering that he¡¯s still only 26 years old with a potent bat and high upside. There¡¯s a job for him to win if he can finally reach that upside. -- AJ Cassavell

Rockies: OF-DH Kris Bryant
Bryant has appeared in just 158 games over the first three years of a seven-year, $182 million contract. The back problems that are the main reason he has has missed so much time are difficult to reverse. An offseason program emphasizing core muscles and flexibility over bulk represents the latest and most detailed attempt by Bryant and the Rockies to get the most out of the investment. The Rockies are excited about a group of prospects, and they expect Jordan Beck to show his true talent after a hand injury curtailed his impact last year when he was a rookie. But until the Rockies are sure about their younger talent, they need Bryant to be a main hitter in the lineup. -- Thomas Harding