The ongoing Spring Training job battles in the National League Central are heating up, with rookies and veterans vying for key positions. The Chicago Cubs have intriguing options at third base, with Matt Shaw emerging as a favorite due to his impressive minor league stats, despite a slow start in spring training. Justin Turner, though a seasoned hitter, may only serve as a temporary solution due to his age and limited past appearances at third base. For the fifth starter role, Ben Brown presents significant strikeout potential, although he has limited MLB experience.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds are sorting through a crowded infield, with Gavin Lux likely to secure a starting role while Spencer Steer deals with shoulder issues. The closer position may be up for grabs as Alexis Diaz recovers from injury, potentially opening the door for veteran Taylor Rogers. The Milwaukee Brewers have Caleb Durbin in the mix at third base, but he must perform well this spring to secure the job. Finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates are addressing their catching situation with Joey Bart expected to start, amid competition from Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez.

The 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft is underway, with a focus on later-round catcher draft values and sleeper picks that can enhance your roster in deeper leagues. In a landscape where elite catchers are sparse, several players stand out as potential hidden gems worth targeting.

Ivan Herrera of the St. Louis Cardinals is poised for a breakout after a solid 2024 season, batting .301 with five home runs and providing decent speed. With Willson Contreras moving to first base, Herrera is expected to see more playing time. Alejandro Kirk from the Toronto Blue Jays also shows promise, especially after the team's offseason trades that have potentially opened up more at-bats for him. Meanwhile, Joey Bart of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Austin Wells of the New York Yankees have demonstrated power potential that could pay off well if they secure starting roles. Finally, Baltimore's Samuel Basallo, while a prospect, could emerge as a strong offensive contributor if given the opportunity.

Joey Bart has seen a notable shift in his performance since joining the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing flashes of potential that may make him a valuable pick in upcoming drafts. After being released by the San Francisco Giants, Bart's stats improved, especially against left-handed pitching, though he still has a significant strikeout rate of 25.9%. Despite a promising start with three home runs in his first seven games, injuries have clouded his consistency.

Moving forward, Bart's projected stats over 450 at-bats are favorable, predicting 23 home runs and 85 RBIs. However, he faces potential competition from teammates Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez, both of whom are talented young catchers capable of taking over his role. Given this backdrop, Bart presents a risk-reward scenario for fantasy managers—he offers power but his job security is uncertain.

Josh Hader's first season with the Houston Astros came to an unexpected end as they traded him to the Chicago Cubs after just one year. The move followed Ryan Pressly's approval, allowing him to waive his no-trade rights. While the Astros aimed to bolster their bullpen by signing Hader, the upcoming season now poses challenges as the bullpen’s depth and performance remain uncertain. Bryan Abreu is expected to step into the primary setup role alongside Hader, who had a mixed performance last year with a 3.80 ERA but still converted 34 of 38 save opportunities.

The trade leaves the Astros with questions about their roster. Only Tayler Scott appears firmly established, having recorded a 2.23 ERA last season. New faces and untested pitchers will compete for bullpen roles during spring training, including the likes of Bryan King and Kaleb Ort. The Astros previously counted on Pressly's experience, which they will now lack. With their bullpen's history of struggles, the Astros may need to explore external options to fill the gaps left by Hader and Pressly.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are focusing on improving their offense and bullpen this offseason, but their limited payroll poses challenges. With the second-lowest salary expenditure in the league, free agency seems unlikely to meet their needs.

ESPN's David Schoenfield suggests a trade involving utility player Nick Yorke and catcher Joey Bart for Yandy Díaz and Pete Fairbanks, which could enhance the Pirates' performance significantly. Díaz's offensive skills and Fairbanks' bullpen experience could address critical weaknesses, but trading away young talent remains a tough decision for the franchise.