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Yesterday, the Angels finally announced the non roster invitees for Spring Training. That list included these 19 guys:
Today, the #Angels announced the 19 non-roster players invited to 2018 Spring Training in Tempe, AZ. pic.twitter.com/yKL95QDcWV
— Angels (@Angels) February 7, 2018
Including the 40-man roster (which is full), that makes 69 players heading to Spring Training. In case you need a reminder who is on the 40-man roster (I included jersey numbers in case you are heading out to spring training and need to know who they are):
40 Man Roster
| # | Pitchers | B/T | Ht |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Pitchers | B/T | Ht |
| 48 | Jose Alvarez | L/L | 5'11" |
| 90 | Luke Bard | R/R | 6'3" |
| 72 | Jaime Barria | R/R | 6'1" |
| 32 | Cam Bedrosian | R/R | 6'0" |
| 62 | Parker Bridwell | R/R | 6'4" |
| 71 | Jesus Castillo | R/R | 6'2" |
| 57 | Dayan Diaz | R/R | 5'10" |
| 28 | Andrew Heaney | L/L | 6'2" |
| 74 | Jake Jewell | R/R | 6'3" |
| 33 | Jim Johnson | R/R | 6'6" |
| 23 | Alex Meyer | R/R | 6'9" |
| 39 | Keynan Middleton | R/R | 6'2" |
| 60 | Eduardo Paredes | R/R | 6'1" |
| 53 | Blake Parker | R/R | 6'3" |
| 64 | Felix Pena | R/R | 6'2" |
| 66 | JC Ramirez | R/R | 6'4" |
| 25 | Noe Ramirez | R/R | 6'3" |
| 43 | Garrett Richards | R/R | 6'3" |
| 38 | Troy Scribner | R/R | 6'3" |
| 52 | Matt Shoemaker | R/R | 6'2" |
| 45 | Tyler Skaggs | L/L | 6'4" |
| 35 | Nick Tropeano | R/R | 6'4" |
| 46 | Blake Wood | R/R | 6'5" |
| Catchers | |||
| 13 | Juan Graterol | R/R | 6'1" |
| 12 | Martin Maldonado | R/R | 6'0" |
| 58 | Carlos Perez | R/R | 6'0" |
| 44 | Rene Rivera | R/R | 5'10" |
| Infield/DH | |||
| 22 | Kaleb Cowart | S/R | 6'3" |
| 7 | Zack Cozart | R/R | 6'0" |
| 24 | C.J. Cron | R/R | 6'4" |
| 16 | Nolan Fontana | L/R | 5'11" |
| 3 | Ian Kinsler | R/R | 6'0" |
| 19 | Jefry Marte | R/R | 6'1" |
| 2 | Andrelton Simmons | R/R | 6'2" |
| 18 | Luis Valbuena | L/R | 5'10" |
| 5 | Albert Pujols | R/R | 6'3" |
| Outfield | |||
| 56 | Kole Calhoun | L/L | 5'10" |
| 84 | Michael Hermosillo | R/R | 5'11" |
| 27 | Mike Trout | R/R | 6'2" |
| 8 | Justin Upton | R/R | 6'2" |
Non-Roster Invitee Details
Pitchers
Vicente Campos #81 (RHP) - spent his 2017 putting up some not so pleasant numbers. This is his 4th spring training (2nd with the Angels) but he only has 5.2 big league innings in his career.
Adam Hofacket #75 (RHP) - He made the spring training list last year and gave up 3 runs in 2.1 innings over 3 appearances. He had a VERY impressive season in AA last year but struggled at bit at the AAA level.
Ian Krol #47 (LHP) - The Angels signed him as a minor league free agent on January 31st. He has 188 big league innings under his belt over 5 seasons, but none all that impressive. Another wildcard pick for Eppler.
John Lamb #49 (RHP) - Didn’t play much last year thanks to a 50 game suspension for a “drug of abuse”. He’s never quite materialized as a great pitcher with a career 5.30 ERA In the minors.
Osmer Morales #89 (RHP) - Went to spring training with the Mariners in 2016 and Angels last year for a total of 3.1 innings. Morales was once a top prospect but could still be a valuable middle reliever who should get a call up some time this year.
Shohei Ohtani #17 (RHP) - I heard this guy can hit too. You should look him up :)
Brandon Pinder #40 (RHP) - Signed as a minor league free agent back in August. Had an impressive 2015 campaign for the Yankees but hasn’t pitched in the big leagues sine April of 2016.
Catchers (Bats/throws)
Francisco Arcia #96 (L/R) - Attending his 7th Spring Training which is a perk of being a catcher since teams call up most of their available catchers due to all the pitchers invited. Been floating around the minors since 2007 but is still only 28 years old.
Michael Barash #97 (R/R) - Making his second spring training after being a 9th round pick in 2016. Barash will land back in AA to start the season. Last year he showed a bit of pop with 10 homers in 84 games and hew as 2 for 3 in Spring Training.
Jose Briceno #95 (R/R) - Been with the Angels since 2016. Probably destined to be a career depth guy at the AAA level.
Jack Kruger #98 (R/R) - Only DH’d in his first season (2016) but caught 91 games across 2 levels last year with a 23% caught stealing rate and a .240 AVG. The 23 year old will end up back back in High A or maybe AA to start the season.
Taylor Ward #99 (R/R) - The 2015 1st round pick is getting closer to the big leagues. He hit .286 with a .400 OBP in 33 games at the AA level last year. He has a 34% career caught stealing rate in the minors. He should see some time in Salt Lake before the season is over.
Infielders
Jose Miguel Fernandez #83, 2B (L/R) - The Angels signed the 29 year old second baseman in January mostly as a depth move. He’s an intriguing player who spent most of his career (through 2016) playing in Cuba where he had a career .319 AVG and .423 OBP.
David Fletcher #86, SS (R/R) - Fletcher impressed in the field and at the plate last spring training and he should see a good chunk of playing time again. His bat needs to come around a bit as he only hit .254 with a .285 OBP in the hitter-friendly PCL last year.
Matt Thaiss #85, 1B (L/R) - Had a good spring last year, and like Ward is getting closer to The Show, with a probably Salt Lake call up some time in 2018. Has a huge ability to get on base but hasn’t shown much power - especially not for a first baseman.
Colin Walsh #51, 2B (S/R) - Depth piece if ever I saw one. With Fletcher and Fernandez, Walsh will have to really impress to see any big league time this year. Angels signed him as a minor league free agent back in November.
Outfielders
Jahmai Jones #87 (R/R) - This will be his 3rd spring training but he didn’t get a single AB in 2016 and only 2 ABs in 2017. I expect to see a lot more of him this spring. 20 years old and one of the Angels top prospects - he will be one to watch in Tempe!
Rymer Liriano #37 (R/R) - Signed as a minor league free agent in December, he’s no newbie to Spring Training. A few years back, scouting reports had him as 20/20 potential. He’ll compete for a 4th outfielder spot.
Eric Young Jr. #9 (S/R) - Nice to see EYJ back! The hero who arose when Mike Trout was injured last summer will be back to compete for the 4th outfielder gig.
Misses
There are a few guys I would like to have seen on the invite list, but sadly Billy Eppler must have ignored my letter.
Brandon Marsh, OF (Age 20) - Jahmai Jones is on his 3rd invite at age 20 so I think Marsh (who had a monster year) got snubbed. Would loved to have seen him get a few ABs this spring.
Connor Justus, SS (Age 23) - The Angels have high hopes still for this solid fielder whose bat hasn’t yet come around. Would also liked to have seen what he can do with a few ABs early in Spring Training.
Brennon Lund, OF (Age 23) - Lund has done well everywhere he has been and even worked his way onto many top prospect lists this season. Where is the Lund love Billy?
Who did I miss? Anyone else you think should have been invited to Spring Training?