Meet the 2016 Oakland A's spring training roster: Position Players

There are plenty of position players already in spring training camp well ahead of the February 25 reporting day for them. Here's a rundown of all the position players on the spring training roster.

I have drawn up brief notes on each player invited to A's major league spring camp, and rated their chances of getting on the "25-man" as "Definite", "Probable", "In the mix", "Questionable", or "Doubtful."

A player is doubtful if there is practically no chance that player makes the opening day roster. I would guess the team would make a trade to acquire a better player than allow him to remain on the roster for very long in case injury forces the issue.

A player is questionable if there is a chance that a breakout improvement in the player's tools could allow the team to consider that player. On the flipside, a player is probable if there is a significant chance that a significant drop in the player's skills could cause the team to drop that player in favor of another.

Catchers

Stephen Vogt isn't throwing at spring camp yet after his offseason arthroscopic elbow surgery, but he is catching with someone else returning the ball to the pitcher. He'll be playing in the second week of spring games, though it highlights Oakland's shallow catching roster. Josh Phegley is the only other catcher on the A's 40-man roster right now.

That makes the battle for third catcher the one to watch this spring, first to sort out who is going to play catcher at Triple-A and then who will be the first one called up in cash one of Vogt or Phegley is out with an injury. Carson Blair, Matt McBride, and Bryan Anderson all played at the major league level last year, though McBride didn't play catcher and hasn't had any games at the position since 2013.

Bruce Maxwell played in Double-A, but he only hit .243/.321/.308 in Midland. Beau Taylor spent most of last year in High-A before an August call up to Double-A.

Infielders

We pretty much know who the infielders are going to be for Opening Day, and so most of the battles are going to be who the next prospect up is going to be.

At shortstop, Tyler Ladendorf, Chad Pinder, and journeyman Josh Rodriguez will battle it out. Ladendorf also plays center field, and may get more time there due to Oakland's limited depth at that position.

At second base, Joey Wendle will compete with Pinder, Ladendorf, Rodriguez, and possibly Max Muncy. Muncy had been working with Ron Washington at second base at the end of last season and played a little bit there in winter ball before an injury forced him out.

At third, Renato Nuñez and Max Muncy seem to be the competitors, but actually he'll be fighting with the rest of the infielders to be the next call up because the A's could also just move Jed Lowrie from second base to third base to call up a better player.

If Matt Olson continues to sock dingers and keep up his plate discipline, he's got a great chance at being on deck for the A's in case of an injury to Yonder Alonso or Mark Canha. Rangel Ravelo, Max Muncy, and Renato Nuñez could factor in that competition as well.

The A's also invited prospects Matt Chapman, Franklin Barreto, and Richie Martin. They will start the year at Double-A or below.

Outfielders

The A's did not invite any non-roster players who primarily play outfield to camp, electing to stick with the seven players already on the A's 40-man roster listed primarily as outfielders. Mark Canha and Tyler Ladendorf also play in the outfield. Potential midseason call up Matt Olson does, as well.

Just like the infielders and the catchers, the main question is who will be the next player called up in case a major leaguer goes on the disabled list.

In center field, Sam Fuld would have to clear waivers to go to the minor leagues and he would have the choice to refuse minor league assignment, forcing his release. Tyler Ladendorf's ability to play center field becomes important for his chances to get called up, in that case.

In the corners, Andrew Lambo and Jake Smolinski are good reserve outfielders on opposite sides of the platoon. If Matt Olson absolutely crushes Triple-A, however, watch for the A's to do anything they can to call Olson up.