2015 MLB Spring Training

Despite the increasingly blustering conditions across the nation, MLB's spring training continues to roll along. Whether they're in Arizona or in Florida, the best players in the sport are gearing up for the long season ahead.

In past years the San Francisco Giants minor league system was much maligned. However, the system has produced several outstanding players on the current roster such as Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum and Sergio Romo. 

In 2014, with injuries hitting the Giants hard, the minor league system produced once again. Second baseman Joe Panik emerged as a reliable starter and solidified the position.

Spring training is underway for the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, Florida.  The Red Sox have 40 players on their official roster in camp, as well as an additional 17 non-roster invitees.

Ah, the dark horse, that mythical beast of spring.

You know the profile: A player on the fringes—maybe a rookie, maybe a veteran—who winds up winning not merely a roster spot but a starting gig on the strength of his March performance. Between the stretching and bullpen sessions, it's what makes this time of year exciting.

So who will emerge as 2015's MLB dark horses? By definition, it's difficult to predict. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their first spring training games this week as it's become abundantly clear that baseball is officially back.

Over the next month, management will be closely evaluating the roster in order to determine which 25 players will make the cut for Opening Day on April 6 against the San Diego Padres.

About a week has gone by since spring training officially started for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A fresh start is exactly what's needed in the desert after producing the MLB's worst record in 2014.

Offseason acquisitions such as Yasmany Tomas and Jeremy Hellickson should have the fanbase confident that a turnaround isn't too far away.

The Yankees will take the field March 3 for the first spring game of their 2015 season. 

The team is hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2014 season which saw it finish second in the AL East by a whopping 12 games. To do that, the Yankees will have to deal with a new crop of players, injury concerns and the departure of longtime shortstop and surefire Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, as well as the big dark cloud hanging over Alex Rodriguez.

TAMPA, Fla. — Routinely in the early days this spring, the Yankees haven't started workouts until late morning. Nobody begins their workdays this late in the spring, ever. Not in Florida. Not in Arizona.

Why did manager Joe Girardi do it? Was it because:

Following the 2014 World Series, Alex Rodriguez's season-long suspension came to an end. Now, the controversial star has to convince the New York Yankees that he is healthy enough to be a productive piece for the franchise in 2015 and beyond.

That journey began Monday as he participated in an intrasquad game and will continue Wednesday when he plays in his first exhibition game.  

The calendar has turned to March, meaning we're inching ever closer to the onset of the 2015 MLB regular season.

Spring training is now in full swing for all 30 teams. Pitchers are throwing bullpens, and hitters are taking their hacks in the cage in preparation for the upcoming grind of a 162-game season. As if that weren't enough, there's a slate of roughly 30 spring games to be played as well.