Players who have helped themselves most in 2016 spring training

A Rule 5 draft pick, Blash has not only played himself onto the San Diego roster, but could be looking at regular at-bats in a thin outfield. He hit three homers through 38 at-bats this spring.

Brito got a cup of coffee late last season, and he could be looking for much more playing time this year. Effectively replacing Ender Inciarte for Arizona, Brito was hitting .360 through 16 games this spring and could take playing time away from Yasmany Tomas.

The former Rockies ace doesn't have the stuff that he did earlier in his career, but he's been very effective this spring. Chacin had allowed only four runs through 11.1 innings and won a rotation spot.

Drury could be a super utilityman for the Diamondbacks, doing everything this spring to earn a roster spot. He hit .340-3-10 through 20 games and was getting work at first base and the outfield. His natural position is third base, but Drury also got a look at second base and shortstop last season.

Goeddel is looking at regular at-bats, even with a mediocre spring. He hit .279-12-72 with 28 steals at Double-A last season and was hitting .250 in 48 at-bats this spring.

Fighting through injuries and struggling last season, Greene faced an uphill battle to win a rotation spot. He heads into the season as Detroit's fifth starter after allowing only four runs in 13.2 innings.

Holliday's bat hasn't done much this spring, but he has shown that his quad is healthy. More importantly, he's added versatility with work at first base and could be a factor there this season for the Cardinals.

Holt has been a consistent performer as a utilityman for the Red Sox over the last two seasons and could be their starter in left field with Rusney Castillo continuing to struggle. Holt hit .256 with 39 at-bats this spring.

A fine batting average hitter before last season, Jay struggled after wrist surgery last season. He's looked like his old self this spring, and the Padres have desperately needed him with one of the thinnest outfields in the game. He hit .327 with two homers through 15 games.

Kelly had a good second half in 2015 and has brought his adjustments to spring training. He allowed only three runs in 20 innings, easily earning a rotation spot.

Milone needed to battle for a rotation spot, but he's succeeded. The soft-tossing lefty allowed only four runs in 15 innings, winning the No. 4 rotation spot for the Twins.

Not only did Naquin win a roster spot with the Indians, but he's expected to be the team's starting center fielder. The former first-round pick absolutely crushed the ball through 16 games, hitting .476-3-5 with a 1.427 OPS.

A former top prospect in Colorado, Nicasio was stretched out this spring but seemed likely headed for the pen. He had other ideas, throwing 15 scoreless innings with 24 strikeouts and winning a rotation spot.

Olivera didn't perform as advertised in 2015 after signing a lucrative deal with the Dodgers. After making mechanical adjustments in the offseason, he's been great with a .400 batting average in 17 games.

Shoulder issues have hindered Owings over the last two seasons, but he's won Arizona's second base job with a great spring. He hit .362 with seven steals through 15 games.

Acquired from the Yankees in November, Pirela looks like a good utility option for a team in major need of help. Pirela is hitting .348 through 19 games.

Rea looked good in his rookie debut last season and showed enough flashes this spring to secure a rotation spot for the Padres. Petco Park should help him again.

Arguably the best hitting prospect in the game, Reed has shown that he's close to ready. He's turned on his power late in camp with three long balls and should help the Astros at some point this season.

Orioles brass has raved about Rickard all spring, and it's clear he will make the 25-man roster. He's hit .388 through 21 games after hitting .321 between three minor league levels last year.

It would be a crime if Sanchez didn't win the fifth starter job for the Blue Jays after what he's done this spring. Through 20 innings, he's allowed only three runs and has a 19/3 K/BB ratio.

Shaw is putting the pressure on Pablo Sandoval at third base with a great spring and also getting some work in the outfield. After hitting 13 homers in 65 games in his rookie season, Shaw is hitting .391 with two homers through 16 games.

This is called making the most of an opportunity. Story had a chance to win the shortstop job with Jose Reyes' pending court case and has earned the job by hitting .333-4-11 through 15 games.

New manager Dusty Baker has been impressed with the athletic Taylor, who is hitting .486-4-13 with three steals in 15 games. He will likely steal playing time away from Jayson Werth and Ben Revere.

Jason Grilli was ready to take back the closer job this spring after tearing his Achilles' last year, but Vizcaino isn't ready to give it back. He performed well in the role last year and has thrown six scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts this spring.

The first base job was open in Houston, and White has all but won it. He's been incredible for the Astros, hitting .368-1-9 with seven walks in 17 games. He has no MLB experience,but did have a .425 on-base percentage between Double-A and Triple-A last season.