This story was excerpted from Jake Rill¡¯s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Spring Training isn¡¯t the same for all players. For some, roster spots are guaranteed and camp is all about ramping up for the regular season. There isn¡¯t any pressure to impress or stand out.

Others must use the spring to try to play their way onto the big league team. Because of that, most camps will have multiple competitive position battles taking place, giving fans plenty to monitor throughout February and March.

? What to know about Orioles Spring Training

Here are three storylines to watch for the Orioles this spring:

1. Can Grayson Rodriguez secure a rotation spot?
Assuming Rodriguez stays healthy, he¡¯ll make his Major League debut in 2023. The 23-year-old right-hander would have reached the big leagues last year if he hadn¡¯t missed three months due to a right lat strain.

There¡¯s a good chance that Rodriguez¡¯s first MLB start will come within the first week of the upcoming season. Baltimore general manager Mike Elias has repeatedly made it clear that he believes Rodriguez has an inside track to earning a spot in the five-man rotation. Does the No. 7 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, also envision that happening?

¡°Personally, yes,¡± Rodriguez said. ¡°But we¡¯ve got to show up to Sarasota, make sure we take care of our business down there.¡±

Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin (both acquired by the O¡¯s this offseason) are the only locks for the rotation. At this point, it¡¯d be a surprise if Rodriguez doesn¡¯t join them. He¡¯d likely have to pitch his way off the roster this spring for that not to be the case -- and that doesn¡¯t seem likely, given his talent and strong track record in the Minors.

2. What will the Orioles decide to do with DL Hall?
Although Hall pitched out of the O¡¯s bullpen at the end of last season -- recording a 3.60 ERA in 10 relief appearances over September and October -- the club still views the 24-year-old left-hander as a starter for the long term.

¡°We want to toss him into the rotation competition in camp, and hopefully he wins one of those spots,¡± Elias said.

That isn¡¯t going to be easy, though. If Gibson, Irvin and Rodriguez are all in the rotation, that leaves front-runners Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells among those battling for the final two spots. Hall may have stood a better chance if Baltimore hadn¡¯t traded for Irvin, a fellow southpaw.

Elias hasn¡¯t shared whether Hall would go back to the bullpen or be sent down to Triple-A Norfolk to be a starter if he doesn¡¯t end up in the O¡¯s rotation. But those scenarios aren¡¯t even on Hall¡¯s mind.

¡°I¡¯m comfortable with whatever,¡± said Hall, the No. 97 overall prospect in baseball. ¡°Any time I can go out there and toe the rubber -- I don¡¯t care where it¡¯s at, who it¡¯s for, what role it¡¯s in -- I¡¯m just going to go out there and do my best.¡±

3. Who will emerge as the left-handed-hitting option(s) at first base?
The Orioles spent all offseason stockpiling lefty hitters who can play first, as they want somebody from that side who can back up the right-handed-hitting Ryan Mountcastle. They signed Franchy Cordero and Nomar Mazara to Minor League deals, acquired Ryan O¡¯Hearn in a trade with the Royals and claimed Lewin D¨ªaz off waivers -- all players who will be non-roster invitees in camp.

Outfielder Anthony Santander and catcher Adley Rutschman, both switch-hitters, could get time at first. Terrin Vavra is ready to join the mix, too. The 25-year-old infielder/outfielder has never played first in his professional career, but he¡¯s been taking grounders there this winter.

¡°I know that¡¯s an area where they would like the idea of having a left-handed option,¡± Vavra said. ¡°So I want to be able to show that I can do that.¡±

While one of the aforementioned non-roster players could break camp with the team, Vavra would have a clear edge if he proves he can contribute at first. Consider him a slight favorite to be the final position player on Baltimore¡¯s 26-man roster as of now.