2015 MLB Spring Training

Top prospects around the league are often the focus of many conversations during spring training, and understandably so, as it's a chance to see what a young player is capable of against established competition.

However, it is also a time when young big leaguers who are still trying to establish themselves have a chance to open some eyes and take the first steps towards carving out an everyday gig in the majors.

Midway through the month of March and three weeks from Opening Day, there is still a lot to be sorted out before the 2015 MLB season officially begins.

We've already had some key players lost to injury this spring, most notably Yu Darvish for the year to Tommy John surgery and Marcus Stroman to a torn ACL, and unfortunately, there will likely be at least a few more significant losses before the season gets under way.

Ah, spring training stats—how you tease, how you tempt, how you beguile. Our heads tell us that a torrid March doesn't portend a scalding April (never mind the months that follow), but our hearts...well, they're tougher to convince.

There's nothing wrong with optimism, and every year a handful of players carry surprisingly strong spring performances into the regular season.

For the most part, though, what happens in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues stays in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. 

The Diamondbacks have started well this spring despite tempered expectations in 2015. Entering Saturday, Arizona sported a 6-4 record and is one of only seven National League teams with a positive run differential (+4).

Spring training results hardly forebode success or failure during the 162-game MLB season, especially two weeks through the exhibition schedule.

The Chicago Cubs don't have a ton of position competitions during this year's spring training, but a few key battles are currently going on.

Most aren't at key spots, but the outcomes of the battles could end up being very important nonetheless.

At these four spots, the competition is starting to heat up. Here's a look at which players have the upper hands in those battles based on their overall skill sets and what they've shown so far this spring.

The Cleveland Indians are making waves early in spring training and have a legitimate shot at winning the American League Central in 2015.

If they're going to do it, though, they'll need all hands on deck. That hasn't been the case so far in spring training, and three players in particular are turning heads for all the wrong reasons.

We remind ourselves every year not to worry about what happens during spring training. It's Major League Baseball's practice season, so it's typically a good idea to heed the wisdom of Allen Iverson.

But who are we kidding? A lot of the time we just can't help ourselves. Though patience is advised, sometimes spring training makes us PANIC.

FORT MYERS, Florida — Nights were the worst. You think of a major league baseball player, you think of a dreamy life with plush hotels.

There were no dreams for Mike Napoli. Only fear. In the middle of the night. Alone. When he would jolt awake, several times each evening, because he could not breathe.

Spring training statistics have to be taken with a grain of salt, as the MLB preseason is as much about shaking off the rust and working on specific things as it is about actual on-field performance.

That being said, we as baseball fans love us some statistics, so there's no sense pretending they don't exist.

Here in mid-March, there are already a handful of players who have stood out, albeit in less than 10 games.