DUNEDIN -- As we approach mid-march here in Dunedin, Spring Training games begin to carry a little more weight as roster battles for the final spots take shape.

Here are your questions on what’s happened in the Blue Jays’ camp so far:

What is the plan for George Springer in the batting order? They seem to be liking him at leadoff so far. I feel No. 2 or 3 would be better though. -- @GreyhamPed

I expect George Springer in the leadoff spot on Opening Day, and the track record is there. Across 603 plate appearances as the first batter in a game -- which we can roughly call one full season -- Springer is hitting .296 with a .379 on-base percentage, .944 OPS and 39 home runs. That plays, and should leave plenty of RBI opportunities for hitters like Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and Teoscar Hernández coming behind him.

What roles do you see Ross Stripling and Julian Merryweather having and what are your thoughts on Yosver Zulueta? Will he play some kind of role later on in the season? -- @LittleAristotle

Ross Stripling should have some real value to this staff, and added a long-toss routine this offseason, which he hopes will add some velocity and let him sustain it deeper into games. Along with Thomas Hatch, he’s a top candidate to slide into the rotation if there’s a need, but the definition of “the rotation” will be blurry this season. Multi-inning relievers and piggyback roles will be key. File Julian Merryweather into that group, too, as the Blue Jays are stretching him out for now. The right-hander’s high-leverage potential could prove too tempting, though, as Merryweather could be a legitimate bullpen contributor right now. Zulueta is an exciting prospect, but he’s very raw and needs some time in the Minor Leagues to harness his power.

Where do you see young pitching prospects like Simeon Woods Richardson or Alek Manoah starting the season? Who do you think will teach the Major League level first? -- @Isaacbonenfant

I see Woods Richardson with Double-A New Hampshire, and while it would be a bigger jump in levels for Manoah, he could open with the Fisher Cats, too. These are two contrasting styles, as Woods Richardson works with a deep, mature arsenal at just 20 years old while Manoah can wow you with a classic, overpowering fastball-slider combo. Give me Woods Richardson for now in terms of who reaches the big leagues first, with a late 2021 promotion not entirely out of the question.

The Buffalo outfield looks like Chavez Young, Jonathan Davis and Joshua Palacios to start 2021. In the event of an injury or trade who gets the first call, Davis or Palacios? -- @JDJays

With Springer and Grichuk capable of playing center, it’s a question of who’s injured. If either of those two miss time, I’ll lean towards Jonathan Davis, given his ability to play a great center field. If a corner outfielder misses time, though, that opens the door to Josh Palacios, who has loads of momentum early in camp and profiles as the best bat of the bunch. Chavez Young is on the outside looking in without a spot on the 40-man roster, but don’t discount the speedy Bahamian. He’s looked great defensively here in camp, and he could easily follow a path similar to Davis.

How is Austin Martin looking? -- @SCReid_1973

Looks at Austin Martin have been limited, but he’s worked a couple of walks and it’s easy to see his athleticism on the bases. We’ll see how that power develops, but Martin’s contact tool isn’t in question and he should be able to hit for a strong average. The big narrative here is position. Martin made a couple of errors at shortstop earlier in camp, but he will also see some time in the outfield. If there’s one thing to watch when you get a look at Martin, it’s his throwing arm and how that fits at these positions.

Defense is a major concern for the Blue Jays. What have you seen so far? Whose defense looks good? Who still needs to improve? -- @KarenSoutar1

So far, so good. That’s surprising, frankly, given how fundamentally inconsistent this defense was in 2020. Cavan Biggio has looked right at home at third base, while the depth outfield group of Davis, Palacios and Young have all made some memorable plays. Bichette and Semien have looked comfortable working together, too. Don’t expect an elite defensive group, but just being steady would be a major improvement. I know the focus on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been third base, but his development at first is key. I’ll be interested to see how he handles some slow rollers when they come his way.

How much of a chance do you think Anthony Kay has of landing a job in the starting rotation for this year with his performance so far in Spring Training? -- Darren M.

A rotation spot for Anthony Kay might take a handful of injuries in front of him, but he’ll have a role in 2021. Kay’s fastball has looked livelier this spring, sitting in the mid-90s, and the Blue Jays love how aggressively he goes after hitters. He’s in that crowded group of young depth starters, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him used in a multi-inning role or make some spot starts along the way. It will take different shapes, but the innings should be there eventually.

Is there a possibility of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting actual playing time at 3B during the season? -- @PrimeCavan

Rarely, but yes. Keep an eye on games where the Blue Jays have a fly-ball pitcher on the mound. Tanner Roark, for example. If they can hide Guerrero at third base to stack up the lineup with Tellez at first and an outfielder getting a DH day, that makes sense. There will be some late-game value, too. Having the option to slide Guerrero over to third for the late innings after inserting a pinch-hitter or runner could be utilized a few times.

Which player on the outside looking in (NRI, non-40-man) is making the biggest push for the Jays to make room for them on their roster? -- Derek

Joe Panik has the inside track on that reserve infield job, but that’s been the case since he signed back with the Blue Jays. A.J. Cole will make a push for that last bullpen job, but he’s got some legitimate competition in veteran Francisco Liriano, who’s had a good start to camp, and Tim Mayza, who's looks great in his first outings back from Tommy John surgery. Beyond the obvious top prospects, Joey Murray, Anthony Castro, Kevin Smith and Young will all make a case for spots on the 40-man roster eventually in 2021.

If you had to name the five-man rotation right now, who would you have pitching 1-5 (including Pearson) -- @raptor_szn

Hyun Jin Ryu followed by Nate Pearson, if he’s ready, then Robbie Ray, Steven Matz and Tanner Roark. Pearson’s timeline (right groin strain) should become clearer soon, but if he’s not able to open the season in the rotation, look to Stripling or Hatch. Pearson’s spot will be particularly fluid this season as the Blue Jays’ strategy for safely managing his workload develops.

What are the chances Alejandro Kirk makes the roster? Does it make sense to let him develop as the everyday catcher in Buffalo for a few months? -- Doug D.

If this were 2019 with a losing season ahead, I’d lean more towards Alejandro Kirk rounding out his development in Triple-A. In 2021, it’s all about winning, and the Blue Jays are a better baseball team with Kirk on the roster, where he can develop behind Danny Jansen and work with John Schneider. Some prospects are capable of continuing their development arc in the big leagues, and Kirk’s maturity should allow for that.