NL West

Spring training has begun, and the Dodgers are still a few weeks away from moving from Arizona to Los Angeles. However, their roster is still slightly in flux; I believe the platonic ideal of their Opening Day roster is not what it would actually look like if the team broke camp today.

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).

At this point in the spring, players are focused on getting their work in to be ready for the start of the season. Unless you're a rookie or marginal player trying to land a job, statistics are largely meaningless.

With more than three weeks remaining before the start of the season, there is still plenty of time for a player to find his groove.

Through the first nine games of spring training at Camelback Ranch, it’s clear that the Los Angeles Dodgers are beginning to shake off the winter rust.

Most of the players are, anyway.

Some members of the team have yet to find their rhythm on the mound and in the batter’s box. While the sample size is small, these players will need to turn things around if they have aspirations of making the 25-man roster when camp breaks in less than three weeks.

As all (or most) people reading this are well aware, spring training began last week—and the Los Angeles Dodgers have already tied twice. And while seven games is neither enough to be a validation of existing ideas or to justify an opinion reversal, it is worth taking a look at some of the top performers thus far.

The Arizona Diamondbacks began spring training games Wednesday, the first step toward getting ready for the 2015 campaign. 

Several players have opened eyes thus far in limited time such as Walter Ibarra, Peter O'Brien, Rubby De La Rosa and Archie Bradley to name a few. 

On the other hand, several big-name players who are supposed to contribute greatly during the upcoming season have not performed as predicted.

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.

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 San Francisco Giants have won three world championships in five years. In today's era of free agency, that level of success qualifies as a modern-day dynasty.

So, how have the Giants been able to accomplish this, even though, on paper, their talent level has often been regarded as weaker than their opponent in a given series? 

What is it that sets the Giants apart from all the rest?