Countdown to Spring Training: 10 Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Earn a Contract
With the Philadelphia Phillies' heist of former Cy Young-winner Cliff Lee from the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers stealing the spotlight in MLB, the countdown to Spring Training 2011 is being lost in the fray.
Big-name acquisitions in free agency, like Adrian Gonzalez heading to the Boston Red Sox, will always garner the most attention, but we can't forget about those less-heralded players that will ultimately make the difference in who wins the World Series.
That being said, here's a list of 10 non-roster invitees to Spring Training who could earn a spot in the majors.
And no, Kenny Powers doesn't count.
Dan Meyer, P, Phillies
1 of 10
Dan Meyer, a former highly-touted pitcher highlighted in Moneyball, will attempt to make the Phillies as a non-roster invitee.
In over 113 career innings he has an awful 5.46 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, but Billy Beane saw something in him, and it's never too late for a guy to put it all together.
Josh Barfield, 2B, Phillies
2 of 10
Barfield is a 28-year-old who showed some promise as a rookie with the San Diego Padres, but has fallen off the map since then.
If he can recapture his rookie-year form of hitting .280 with 13 HR, 58 RBI and 21 SB, he'd be a great acquisition for Philly.
Victor Garate, RP, Marlins
3 of 10
Garate hasn't done anything of note in the majors yet, but he's just 26 years old.
At 6'2" and 212 pounds. Garate is a big lefty with potential.
He won't be spectacular, but Baseball America described his upside as a "poor man's Brian Fuentes," and the Marlins would surely take that.
Don't be surprised if the Venezuela native steals a spot in the Marlins bullpen.
Zach Miner, P, Unsigned
4 of 10
Miner was non-tendered by the Tigers due to the fact that he's recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he'll likely earn a non-roster invite.
The 28-year-old has talent and could find his way back into the majors as a reliever, a role in which he posted a respectable 7-5 record last year.
Ed Lucas, 3B, Braves
5 of 10
Lucas, a 28-year-old Dartmouth alum, hasn't seen major league action yet in his seven-year career.
But he was impressive in Triple-A ball last year, posting a .398 OBP with 13 HR and 50 RBI. Those marks were well above his career averages, and he may have turned a corner in his development.
Consider Lucas a solid bet to make the Braves.
Matt Pagnozzi, C/1B, Rockies
6 of 10
Pagnozzi posted just 39 AB with the Cardinals last year, but the 28-year-old posted an impressive .359 BA and .405 OBP.
He certainly has a shot to earn a roster spot.
Wilkin Ramirez, OF, Braves
7 of 10
Ramirez is a 25-year-old former top-prospect who has 100 career minor league home runs.
At such a young age, it's too early to write off the guy.
Carlos Corporan, C, Astros
8 of 10
Corporan is a 26-year-old backstop with just one major league at bat.
But he hit .290 with 12 HR and 50 RBI in the minors last year and will get a shot with the rebuilding Astros.
Randy Flores, RP, Unsigned
9 of 10
Flores is a 35-year-old journeyman who posted a respectable 3.19 ERA in 31 IP with the Twins last year.
He is currently unsigned, but almost any team can use a lefty with seven years of experience.
Ryan Langerhans, Mariners
10 of 10
Langerhans had a poor year last year, but is just 30 years old.
The lefty was a very respectable platoon outfielder with the Braves just a few years ago and simply has had a couple of down years.
He's nothing special, but could be a valuable contributor to a Mariners team that could use some depth.
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.
