Players who helped themselves the most during spring training

Arguably the top prospect in baseball, Acuna was sent to minor league camp – but not before tearing up major league pitching. He hit .432-4-11 with four stolen bases in 16 games, showing that he's close to the show if he's not ready now. The Braves are playing things conservative as they look toward the long term and manage Acuna's service time, but he will almost certainly be starting in the not-too-distant future.

Asuaje made a meaningful contribution in 307 at-bats for the Padres last season, but he was forced to fight for a roster spot after the team's offseason additions. He might have won the starting second base job after hitting .339-2-15, potentially beating out Cory Spangenberg and Jose Pirela.

As Oakland's top middle infield prospect, Barreto could force the organization to do something with Jed Lowrie. He struggled during his MLB debut last season but has hit .291-3-9 with a .879 OPS in 21 games this spring.

Blach made 24 starts for a bad Giants squad last season and entered spring fighting for a rotation spot. He's likely solidified his spot with a great spring, posting a 3.63 ERA and 15/1 K/BB in 17.1 innings over five starts.

The main return in the Christian Yelich trade with Milwaukee, Brinson has likely played himself onto the roster and even into the leadoff spot with a great spring. He's hitting .328-2-9 in 23 games for the Marlins.

Dahl looked great during the second half of 2016 but didn't appear in the majors last season due to a bizarre back injury. He's started to make up for lost time this spring, hitting .274-5-18 with four stolen bases in 24 games. Finding a roster spot still may be difficult after the Rockies brought back Carlos Gonzalez, but Dahl has earned one.

Davidson needed to deliver this spring after a truly horrendous second half in 2017, hitting .185-8-26 with 59/6 K/BB in 186 plate appearances. He's done just that, batting .328-4-19 this spring. He's also focused on contact, fanning only 19 times in 21 games.

Engel hit just .166 in 97 games for the White Sox last season but found playing time without much competition during the second half. He entered spring battling for the starting center field job and has likely won it, hitting .383-4-10 in 19 games.

A top prospect, Garrett struggled through injuries during his rookie season in 2017 and posted a 7.39 ERA in 70.2 innings with the Reds. It looks like he's turned a corner this spring, allowing just six runs in 17 innings with 21/4 K/BB. The performance has likely cemented a rotation spot for Garrett.

A former elite prospect, Giolito was terrific late last season with the White Sox, and the performance has carried over into spring this year. Giolito has a 2.04 ERA in four starts with 17/4 K/BB inn 17.2 innings, showing that he's gone a long way in correcting his past control issues.

A former first-round pick by the Cardinals, Gonzales fell out of favor in St. Louis after Tommy John surgery. He was traded to Seattle late last season and looks like a new pitcher this spring, allowing only four runs in 21.1 innings. He will likely enter the year in the starting rotation.

Guerra had a breakout year at age 31 for the Brewers in 2016 but struggled last season after an early-season injury. He's turned things around again this spring, posting a 3.15 ERA in 20 innings. It's unclear what role Guerra will play to start the season, but it would be shocking if he didn't make the Opening Day roster.

Kingery had a breakout 2017 season in the minors with 26 home runs and 29 stolen bases. He's continued to rake for the Phillies this spring, making the roster decision difficult for new manager Gabe Kapler. Kingery is hitting .392-4-7 with four steals in 20 games. He's been so impressive, the Phillies signed the second baseman to a record-breaking contract.

Philadelphia's starting rotation was a major question mark entering the season, but Lively has taken advantage of his opportunity this spring. After posting a 4.26 ERA in 15 starts last season, Lively has a 3.13 ERA in five spring starts, with 15/2 K/BB in 23 innings. He's likely locked in a rotation spot behind Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola, especially with injuries to Jerad Eickhoff and Mark Leiter Jr.

Amir Garrett isn't the only young Reds pitcher who has shined this spring. Mahle has been fantastic after four good starts in Cincy late last season. The right-hander has a 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings, walking only three batters as he vies for a rotation spot.

Pirela posted an .837 OPS in 344 plate appearances last season, but it looked like the former minor league veteran would be squeezed off the roster when the Padres signed Eric Hosmer. He's made that nearly impossible after hitting .385-2-9 with an OPS above 1.000 in 61 plate appearances this spring.

Ross returned to the organization where he saw the most success after a terrible 2017 season in Texas. He's done enough to earn a rotation spot with a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings. It remains to be seen if his velocity can bounce back after the arm injuries that plagued him over the last two years.

Santander missed most of last season with an elbow injury, but he's likely won a roster spot with a strong spring. He's hit .292-4-18 in 69 plate appearances and shows potential to challenge Colby Rasmus for the right field job.

Word that Schwarber was getting in better shape this offseason proved true this spring. The former first-round pick has been crushing the ball, hitting .333-4-6 with four steals in 57 plate appearances. While already solidified as Chicago's starting left fielder, Schwarber looks like he could be set for an All-Star season.

Colorado's roster is loaded with young starting rotation candidates, and Senzatela has stood out. He has a 1.62 ERA in 16.2 innings, fanning 12 batters over that time. He was used as a swingman last season but could get a longer look in the rotation this year.

Soler was a huge disappointment last season after being acquired for closer Wade Davis, but he looks like a new hitter this spring. The Cuban outfielder is hitting .230-6-11 in 23 games, showing elite power potential, and while the average still isn't great, the power is undeniable.

The last two spots in the Giants' rotation were open behind Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija entering spring training. With 10 strong starts last season and a good spring, Stratton has likely claimed one. He has a 4.03 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 22.1 innings this spring.

Ryon Healy was injured early in spring training, opening up a bigger opportunity for Vogelbach. The stout first baseman has likely won himself a roster spot by hitting .400-6-12 with 13/10 BB/K in 64 plate appearances, though he could still struggle to find playing time.

Whalen showed up in better shape after an awful 2017 season and has been dominant at times this spring. Despite a poor last start, Whalen has been mostly effective and has 21 strikeouts in only 15 innings. He was optioned to the minors but certainly made an impression.

The outfield bench spots on the Giants' roster were available for the taking heading into spring training, and Williamson deserves one of them after hitting .318-4-14 in 45 plate appearances. It's a welcomed improvement after Williamson struggled last season.