As much as we romanticize the idea of the Spring Training position battle, the truth is that a significant percentage of roster decisions have basically been made before players report to camp. And we’re not just talking “Mookie Betts will be the Dodgers’ right fielder” type of stuff. Many times, the roster bubble moves are dictated by factors like Minor League options and service time.

So when guys legitimately step up and seize an Opening Day roster spot unexpectedly, well, that’s something to celebrate.

Here are 11 players who fit that bill this year.

Andrew Vaughn, DH/OF/1B, White Sox

On the one hand, we were all well aware the White Sox were open to the idea of delegating the DH duties to Vaughn going into camp. But one can never assume that a 22-year-old with only 205 Minor League at-bats to his name (and none above A-ball) will win such a job, especially given the service-time stipulations that prompt so many teams to delay their prized prospects.

Not only did Vaughn perform well enough to land a regular spot in the lineup, but now the Eloy Jiménez injury creates the possibility of him seeing regular time in left field, where his experience is limited to three games in the Cactus League.

Matt Harvey, RHP, Orioles

The surprise here isn’t so much that Harvey, a non-roster invitee, made the O’s. Though his track record over the last five seasons is spotty, to put it charitably (5.82 ERA in 411 2/3 innings), the Orioles obviously offered a particularly good opportunity to crack a roster and get a chance.

But Harvey made it further along than fellow reclamation project Félix Hernández (who had elbow discomfort and opted out of his Minors deal), and here’s the kicker: Harvey is Baltimore’s No. 2 starter! Yes, that’s right. Matt Harvey. In 2021. No. 2 starter. Here's hoping he can reclaim his old magic and live up to the role.

John Nogowski, 1B, Cardinals

“The Big Nogowski” is an easy “Dude” to root for. He’s 28 years old and a 34th-round pick (by the A’s in 2014). The one game he played for the Cardinals is the only game he’s played in the big leagues.

But rather than be relegated to cup-of-coffee status, the 6-foot, 245-pound Nogowski played his butt off this spring, ripping hits and charging hard down the line. He also showed a keen eye (nine walks, three strikeouts) that’s helped him accrue a .375 on-base percentage in six Minor League seasons. He made it impossible for the Cards to deny him.

Kyle Garlick, OF, Twins

When the Twins non-tendered Eddie Rosario last winter, the assumption was that one of their upper-tier prospects -- Alex Kirilloff or Brent Rooker -- would land the job.

But as is sometimes the case in cooking, Garlick overpowered everything. The 29-year-old waiver claim had a .987 OPS in Grapefruit League play to nab a roster spot, while Kirilloff and Rooker didn’t make the club. This is Garlick’s fourth organization but perhaps his first earnest opportunity at the big league level.

Jonathan India, 2B, Reds

Coming into Spring Training, the Reds’ infield figured to be Mike Moustakas at second base, Eugenio Suárez at third and the recently acquired Dee Strange-Gordon at short.

But India, the club’s No. 5 pick in the 2018 Draft, shook all that up with a sensational spring in which he slashed .313/.441/.604, prompting the Reds to release Strange-Gordon, put India at second and move Moustakas (third) and Suárez back to their old positions. India used to primarily be a third baseman and only began adapting to second at the alternate site last year.

Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Braves

There was this fun moment last October when Sandoval pinch-hit in the NLCS and all of Baseball Twitter woke up to the reality that the Panda was, indeed, on the Atlanta Braves. Now we’ll get to relive that on Opening Day or soon thereafter since the 34-year-old Sandoval made the club as a non-roster invitee.

Going into camp, the safer guess would have been that Jason Kipnis would land a reserve infield role after his solid season with the Cubs, but it turns out Pandas, like cats, have nine lives.

Garrett Whitlock, RHP, Red Sox

Over the course of four appearances in the Grapefruit League, Whitlock threw the equivalent of a fantastic full game -- nine innings, one run, 12 strikeouts, no walks. That was enough to land the Rule 5 Draft pickup a roster spot, and he will be an option out of the bullpen, initially, and perhaps in the rotation eventually.

Whitlock is 24 with a mid-90s fastball and a changeup that was a revelation this spring. So he could be fun to watch. And here’s the delicious part for Red Sox fans: Boston took him from the Yankees.

Akil Baddoo, OF, Tigers

Rebuilding ballclubs can occasionally offer opportunity to a Rule 5 Draft pickup like Baddoo, but the pandemic circumstances do make his situation a bit more dramatic. He hasn’t played above A-ball, and he hasn’t played in a legitimate game since 2019.

And yet, by the end of camp, in which he posted a 1.210 OPS with five homers, two doubles and four steals, there was no doubt that Baddoo was worthy of a roster spot in the Motor City. But he’ll have to stick all season or else be offered back to the Twins.

Logan Webb, RHP, Giants

With a 5.36 ERA in his first 94 innings in the big leagues in 2019-20, Webb appeared destined to begin the season in the Minors. An injury to Alex Wood created a hole in the rotation. But even if that hadn’t been the case, Webb’s spring performance would have been difficult to deny. He was the Giants’ best pitcher in the Cactus League, with a 0.53 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 17 innings.

So now, not only is he in the rotation, but he’s starting the third game of the season, following Kevin Gausman and Johnny Cueto.

David Bednar, RHP, Pirates

This is a heartwarming one, because it’s always fun when the hometown kid makes good. Bednar is from Mars … no, not that one. The one just outside Pittsburgh. He was dealt to the Pirates from the Padres in the Joe Musgrove trade over the winter and, with a 6.75 ERA in 17 1/3 big league innings, didn’t figure to be an immediate option even on the rebuilding Bucs.

But Bednar wowed in camp by striking out 18 and walking just one in 8 2/3 scoreless innings to make the club as a potential high-leverage option. Martians are loving it.

Taylor Trammell, OF, Mariners

Fellow outfield prospects Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodríguez get more attention, but Trammell, who was acquired by the M’s in a trade with the Padres last summer, is a legit talent himself (ranked No. 100 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list). He demonstrated that with a .311/.392/.644 slash line in the Cactus League to earn a starting opportunity. With reigning AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis out with a right knee bruise, Trammell will likely be the starter in center field on Opening Day.