Didi Gregorius to compete for starting SS spot in spring training

Newly-acquired Didi Gregorius will be given the opportunity to compete for the Arizona Diamondbacks' starting shortstop job. General manager Kevin Towers spoke about the 22-year-old rookie in a conference call on Tuesday, saying Gregorius is "certainly going to come into camp and compete with Willie Bloomquist, as well as Cliff Pennington at shortstop."

A spot on the major league roster is no guarantee for Gregorius, as Towers was asked if Gregorius is ready for the big leagues. He responded, "If he had to go back to Triple-A, I don't think it's such a bad thing. I think Triple-A would be good for him."

Gregorius appeared in eight games with the Cincinnati Reds last season. He spent most of the year in the minors with Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville. He showed a surprising burst of power with Louisville, hitting six homers in 202 plate appearances after just one in 359 plate appearances with Pensacola. He still has six years of club control, and is not eligible for free agency until 2019.