Opinion

The Giants System Check video offers a quick overview of the team's farm system, addressing its strengths and weaknesses and how it can improve moving forward. The video also provides a breakdown of the Giants' top prospects for 2014, pitchers Kyle Crick, Edwin Escobar and Chris Stratton, including each player's ETA in the major leagues and potential long-term role within the organization.

Atlanta Braves fans have seen a little bit of everything this spring training, including season-ending injuries and free-agent signings. The season-ending injuries are never a wanted sight at this time of year, and they have forced the Braves to fill some holes.

Meanwhile, the players in camp are preparing for a fast-approaching Opening Day. Like any team, the Braves have had some pleasant surprises with elevated play. Unfortunately, the flip side of that coin is that the team has also had some flops this spring training. 

As shown by their massive spending spree this offseason, the New York Yankees retool through free agency and not through their minor league system.

However, it is hard to know if they do that by choice or if they are forced to by a lack of organizational depth.

The Cincinnati Reds haven't exactly had the best of luck in spring training this year.

The team won 90 games last season, but it was tasked with the challenge of replacing Shin-Soo Choo, while questions about rotational depth and whether or not Billy Hamilton would be ready to step in as an everyday player were abundant leading up to spring training.

In short, there was a lot of work to do this spring, and to this point, next to nothing has been settled.

Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher on the National League's best team. After a 92-win season, trip to the NLCS and Cy Young campaign for the dominant southpaw, expectations were set to be sky high for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014.

There's a moment in every player's career he dreads: Walking into the locker room after a game and being called into the manager's office to be told you didn't make the 25-man roster—either resulting in a trip to the minors or being released from the club. 

Most players on thin ice probably act like Willie Mays Hayes in Major League on cut-down day. He walks into the clubhouse fearing a red tag is in his locker, so he cautiously opens it up and can't bring himself to look inside. 

Barring major spring training injuries, the 2014 Detroit Tigers profiled as the team to beat in the American League Central. Yet, if Jose Iglesias—last year's AL Rookie of the Year candidate—misses significant time, the Tigers actually could be an even bigger lock to reach the postseason.

The Kansas City Royals prepare for their season in Surprise, Ariz., every year.  The excitement level surrounding the club during spring training in recent years has greatly increased.

When the Baltimore Orioles traded Danny Valencia to the Kansas City Royals for David Lough this offseason, they were hoping they were acquiring a high-energy player who could help fill the void in left field created by Nate McLouth's departure. 

So far this spring, it appears they got exactly what they hoped for.