With the MLB regular season to kick off for real on Thursday, now seems like a good time to update all the position battles we’ve been watching during Spring Training so you last-minute drafters can avoid making a crucial mistake. Obviously this will be our final Cactus League Update for the 2025 MLB season.
Cactus League Update for the Final Week: Position Battle Winners
1. Landen Roupp Surprises as the Giants’ Fifth Starter
In what became one of the closest watched position battles in spring training, it was finally announced that Landen Roupp has won the fifth starter spot for the Giants. His competition was fierce as Hayden Birdsong put together a strong spring performance by allowing just one run in 12 innings. But Roupp shined brightest when he needed to by showing his composure and readiness on the mound against formidable lineups. Now, it’s up to Roupp to carry his strong spring into the season as the leash will likely be short with Birdsong waiting in the wings.
I was not ready for this level of FILTH. All (yes, ALL) of Landen Roupp's pitches in his eye-popping inning of work. Up to 97 with tremendous sink and that hook that will make you scream OH MAH GAWD pic.twitter.com/lbgIhPMXz1
— Giant Prospective (@giantprospectiv) March 9, 2024
2. Austin Hays Wins His Outfield Spot for the Reds
Not too long ago, Austin Hays was viewed as a consensus top 100 prospect. Ongoing injuries in the big leagues stunted his ability to reach his prospect potential at all stops in his career so far. Now entering his fifth full season in the majors, he’s on his third team with the Cincinnati Reds. The change in team and renewed health have allowed Hays to thrive so far in spring training. In fact, he has flat out raked with a .310 batting average, 14 RBI, and 7 runs. As a result, he’s secured the everyday left fielder role and will bat in the middle of a powerful Reds lineup.
As concerned as I am about the #Reds outfield collectively, I am quite optimistic Austin Hays is going to have a career year in Cincinnati. I think he’s going to be a >115 wRC+ bat and establish a new career high in XBH. pic.twitter.com/R1tbHBcGZd
— OnBaseMachine (@RedsFan_Brandon) March 23, 2025
3. Justin Martinez Gets A Strong Vote of Confidence
There may not be any position battle in the Cactus League that had bigger ramifications for fantasy baseball than the closer role in Arizona. Last season, both Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk emerged as dominant options. While no official announcement has been made to name a closer, Justin Martinez just received a massive contract extension. This is a clear indication that Justin Martinez is a key piece to the back end of the Diamondbacks bullpen for the year to come. While it’s not guaranteed he’ll be the primary closer, it’s clear he’ll get a decent volume of save chances moving forward.
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen explains the team extended 23-year-old reliever Justin Martinez because they have a strong belief in who he is.
"It makes it easy to bet on." pic.twitter.com/HJJcjYrHeM
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 24, 2025
4. Jordan Beck Edges Out Tough Competition
There may not have been a more crowded outfield situation this spring than the Colorado Rockies. Even with Charlie Blackmon’s retirement there’s a glut of young prospects with a formidable case for making the opening day roster. With former first-round pick Zac Veen making waves early in spring training it became uncertain where Jordan Beck might fit in. With the recent trade of Nolan Jones and demotion of Zac Veen, it became clear that Beck had earned the opening day roster role. The hope now is that Beck can live up to his prospect potential despite a dismal debut season in 2024 where he batted .188.
#Rockies make moves, unofficially set the roster. Nick Martini is added, Jordan Beck holds onto his spot and his starts, and Zac Veen is sent to Triple-A @ABQTopes for experience.https://t.co/W5oXgZBUsL
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) March 23, 2025
A closing note for this year’s Cactus League update series is to take the meaningful spring training news with caution. As we’ve seen on a yearly basis, everything can change quickly once the season commences. That’s why I keep tabs on player roles with weekly starting pitcher rankings and ongoing deep league waiver wire targets. Stay tuned for those articles and follow me on BlueSky or X at @TheToddMpls.
Check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit for more of the great fantasy baseball analysis from FantraxHQ! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
