- The rotation is a little unsettled: Cole Hamels has rocketed up the depth chart, and while Ray Collins and Jack Katoll are highly rated by the internal scouting department, room may need to be made for some mixture of Steve Carlton, Robin Roberts, or Pete Alexander.
- The unsettled nature of the rotation has resolved a little, both ways. Collins and Katoll have been solid, and Roberts has been excellent. Monte Ward and Jack Easton have made a case for a role as well. Carlton, Hamels, Edwin Jackson, and Moose are probably out of the picture, with Hamels being sent down to AAA.
- The top 3 slots are still filled, but little has clarified beyond that. Or, at least, little for the good: Kelleher, Jackson, and Moose were all sent to AAA. That leaves Larry Jackson (who has pitched well enough to deserve a start), Ward, Alexander, Easton, and Carlton fighting over the final 2 slots.
- The unsettled nature of the rotation has resolved a little, both ways. Collins and Katoll have been solid, and Roberts has been excellent. Monte Ward and Jack Easton have made a case for a role as well. Carlton, Hamels, Edwin Jackson, and Moose are probably out of the picture, with Hamels being sent down to AAA.
- The relief roles are similarly up for grabs: the only job that seems set is Jack Meyer to eat some innings. Other than that, somewhere between Jerry Blevins, Hal Kelleher, Bob Moose, Brad Kilby, Ron Reed, Larry Jackson, and Bob Howry, some hierarchy needs to emerge.
- Reed, Meyer, and Howry have been quite good; Blevins, Kelleher, and Kilby quite bad. So somethings have emerged.
- Howry will close, setup by Reed. Claude Jonnard and Rheal Cormier were recalled.
- Reed, Meyer, and Howry have been quite good; Blevins, Kelleher, and Kilby quite bad. So somethings have emerged.
- The starters at C (Mike Scioscia or Sherm Lollar), 1B (Ted Kluszewski or Cecil Cooper), and 2B (Chase Utley or Juan Samuel) are up in the air, but the roster talent is pretty set.
- Kluszewski and Utley have edged ahead in their respective contests.
- Lollar is well ahead of Scioscia at this point.
- Kluszewski and Utley have edged ahead in their respective contests.
- It’s not clear if both Riggs Stephenson and Bobby Abreu will make the team, but 1 should.
- It could be hard for Abreu and Stephenson: they are behind 5 players who are having great Springs (Gavvy Cravath, Buck Freeman, Sherry Magee, George Hendrick, and Rico Carty) and well ahead of Dusty Baker, Willie Davis, and Richie Ashburn, who are all scuffling.
- Ashburn has moved to AAA.
- It could be hard for Abreu and Stephenson: they are behind 5 players who are having great Springs (Gavvy Cravath, Buck Freeman, Sherry Magee, George Hendrick, and Rico Carty) and well ahead of Dusty Baker, Willie Davis, and Richie Ashburn, who are all scuffling.
- Scott Rolen is pressuring Mike Schmidt for the starting job at 3B. He and Al Smith have both moved ahead of Jose Ramirez.
- Ramirez has moved to AAA, and the Stars are still waiting for Schmidt to start hitting.
- Mickey Doolin‘s injury has opened the door for both Roger Peckinpaugh and Pat Meares (called up from AAA) to compete for the starting job. Veteran Larry Bowa has also been added to the Spring roster.
- Right now, it’s Peckinpaugh. But they’ve all been pretty miserable: Gene Demontreville has been recalled until Doolin is back, and could even force himself into the conversation.
| Near Definite | Likely | Possible | Long Shot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Pitchers | Ray Collins Jack Katoll Robin Roberts | Jack Easton Monte Ward Steve Carlton Pete Alexander Larry Jackson | ||
| Middle Relievers | Jerry Blevins Brad Kilby | Claude Jonnard Rheal Cormier |
||
| Setup | Ron Reed Jack Meyer | |||
| Closer | Bob Howry | |||
| C | Sherm Lollar | Mike Scioscia | Butch Wynegar | |
| 1B | Ted Kluszewski | Cecil Cooper | ||
| 2B | Chase Utley | Juan Samuel Gene Demontreville |
||
| 3B | Scott Rolen | Al Smith Mike Schmidt | ||
| SS | Roger Peckinpaugh | Pat Meares Larry Bowa |
||
| OF | Gavvy Cravath | Buck Freeman Sherry Magee Rico Carty | George Hendrick Riggs Stephenson Bobby Abreu | Dusty Baker Willie Davis |