Every MLB Team's Non-Roster Invitee with Best Shot to Make Roster

It seems like every season in MLB there are a handful of players that come out of nowhere to have significant impacts for their respective teams. Many of those players have come into camp as long shots to make the big league roster, only to use spring training to prove they belong in "The Show."

Aside from the usual top prospects who are invited to camp for some extra seasoning, many of the non-roster invitees (NRIs) come from similar places. NRIs are often veteran pieces either hoping to come back from injuries or journeymen hoping to finally stick on a major league squad. 

For this list, we will take positional needs into account when deciding which NRI has the best chance to make a potential roster. If a squad has a need due to injury or a lack of depth, an NRI who can step in and fill that void will be more likely to make the final 25-man roster.

Of course, most of these players remain unlikely to make the Opening Day roster. There's a reason the following players aren't on a 40-man roster, after all. 

But we will do our best to sort through the most likely of candidates to rise from obscurity to a major league roster. 

Let's get to it!

Arizona Diamondbacks: Peter O'Brien

The Arizona Diamondbacks dealt away Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs this offseason, leaving the club with a giant hole behind the dish. 

Arizona will enter spring training with two catchers on its 40-man roster in Tuffy Gosewisch, a 31-year-old who's appeared in 55 career games, and Oscar Hernandez, an A-Ball youngster who came over from the Tampa Bay Rays as a Rule 5 pick. 

Needless to say, the door is open for a dark-horse candidate to make a push for a roster spot. That candidate could be Peter O'Brien, a former second-round pick.

O'Brien has flashed immense pop in his bat, homering 39 times in the minors in 2014. His strikeout rates are alarming, but O'Brien's power would provide the Diamondbacks with a different dimension behind the plate. 

Another Name to Watch

Yoan Lopez

Atlanta Braves: Michael Kohn

The Atlanta Braves could see a handful of non-roster invitees make the club, with the likes of Eric Stults, Wandy Rodriguez and Eric Young Jr. all in the hunt for a roster spot this spring.

But with the loss of young reliever Shae Simmons to Tommy John surgery earlier this offseason, Michael Kohn's road to the big leagues has become much more manageable.

Kohn had spent his entire career with the Anaheim Angels, finally cracking the major league roster over the last few seasons. The right-hander logged over 50 innings with a 3.74 ERA in 2012, followed by 23 innings and a 3.04 ERA last season.

The 28-year-old can be wild at times, as evidenced by his career walk rate of 5.95 per nine innings. But with a mid- to upper 90s fastball and a wipeout slider, Kohn has the stuff to become a deadly late-inning commodity.

Another Name to Watch

Eric Stults

Baltimore Orioles: Dane De La Rosa

The Baltimore Orioles don't have the most glamorous crop of non-roster invitees, but every MLB team is always looking for bullpen help. With Dane De Le Rosa, the O's could have a competent bullpen piece to add to the fold in 2015. 

De la Rosa enjoyed a successful 2013 with the Los Angeles Angels, appearing in 75 games and posting a 2.86 ERA. The right-hander led Halos' relievers in WAR that season, fanning over eight per nine innings. 

The 32-year-old didn't see the same good fortune last season, battling injuries for most of the season. De La Rosa started 2014 on the disabled list (DL) with a forearm issue, which derailed his season before it even got started. 

The Orioles boasted one of the best bullpens in baseball last season, but the club will be without Andrew Miller in 2015. Not saying that De La Rosa is going to come close to making up for the loss of Miller, but if he can return to his 2013 form, the O's could have a productive late-inning arm on the cheap. 

Another Name to Watch

Chris Parmelee 

Boston Red Sox: Henry Owens

This selection is pending a potential Cole Hamels blockbuster, of which top prospect Henry Owens would likely be involved in. 

Owens is the 19th-ranked prospect in the minor leagues, according to MLB.com. The southpaw went 17-5 with a 2.89 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A last season. Owens finished the year fourth in strikeouts in the minor leagues, fanning over nine per nine innings at Double-A. 

The Red Sox would probably rather start Owens in Triple-A to begin the 2015 season, but an impressive showing this spring could accelerate his path to the big leagues. 

The group of Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Justin Masterson and Joe Kelly consists of hurlers clouded in uncertainty. Injuries or inconsistencies from any of the arms in the rotation could put the pressure on Boston to start Owens in the majors to begin the year, especially with a lineup that's built to win now. 

Another Name to Watch

Mitchell Boggs

Chicago Cubs: Chris Valaika

The Chicago Cubs have positioned themselves to return to the playoff picture in 2015 behind a young and evolving core of young players. 

While many of the Cubs' positions have a clear starter penciled in the lineup, the club will probably still be on the prowl for another infielder for depth purposes.

If super-prospect Kris Bryant is going to start the season in the minor leagues as expected, that leaves the Cubbies with Mike Olt, Starlin Castro, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo as the starting infield, while Tommy La Stella and Arismendy Alcantara can be used in a backup capacity. 

There are a few infield options in the group of Cubs' non-roster invitees, but Chris Valaika probably has the best opportunity to make the squad. 

Valaika has nearly 300 major league at bats, hitting just .238 in his limited plate appearance. But he did flash some pop for the Cubs last season, as seen in the video above. His biggest asset is his versatility, as the 29-year-old can play first, second or third base in a pinch.

Another Name to Watch

Jonathan Herrera

Chicago White Sox: Geovany Soto

Much like its crosstown rivals, the Chicago White Sox did some tinkering to their roster this offseason. The club on the South Side seems poised to make some noise in the AL Central this season. 

Tyler Flowers will start for the White Sox behind the dish to begin 2015, but general manager Rick Hahn pulled off a shrewd deal signing Geovany Soto to a minor league contract this winter. 

Flowers hit .241 for the club last season, mashing 15 homers and driving in 50 runs. Behind him is Adrian Nieto, a 25-year-old with just 48 games of major league experience.

There's no guarantee that Soto makes the squad as an NRI, but his experience gives him a leg up on his competition. The 32-year-old is a career .248 hitter with a lifetime 102 wRC+. He's reached double figures in homers five times in his career as well. 

Another Name to Watch

Micah Johnson

Cincinnati Reds: Felix Perez

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

The Cincinnati Reds' list of non-roster invitees is littered with top prospects, such as Robert Stephenson and Jesse Winker, and veterans hoping to crack the squad such as Kevin Gregg and Jason Marquis. 

But it's outfielder Felix Perez that has the best chance to prove his worth this spring. 

Perez has been with the Reds for his entire career, playing at Triple-A over the last three seasons. In 2012, Perez hit .301 with 111 wRC+. After a less impressive season in 2013, Perez returned to his consistent ways last year. The 30-year-old hit .280 with 12 homers and 110 wRC+. 

The Cincinnati outfield is pretty much set with Marlon Byrd, Billy Hamilton and Jay Bruce pegged to start the year as the club's every-day options. But Perez could challenge Skip Schumaker for the Reds' fourth outfielder spot with a good showing in camp.

Another Name to Watch

Josh Satin

Cleveland Indians: Scott Downs

Probably the most common way for a non-roster invitee to make a team is through the bullpen. For the Cleveland Indians, Scott Downs could become the latest reliever to win a spot in spring training. 

Downs has bounced around the league in recent years, as the Indians will be his fifth team since 2013. The lefty struggled in 2014, yielding a 4.97 ERA in 55 games. 

But Downs has a proven track record as reliable major league reliever. He boasts a career 3.56 ERA, including a 2.49 mark as recently as 2013. More importantly, the southpaw has held left-handed hitters to a .214 average throughout his career. 

Downs' career ground-ball rate of nearly 60 percent also plays in the hitter-friendly confines of Progressive Field. 

Another Name to Watch

Shaun Marcum

Colorado Rockies: John Axford

If any team in baseball is looking for more pitching, it's the Colorado Rockies. The club's hurlers ranked dead last in ERA last season, including a 4.79 bullpen ERA. 

The Rockies used LaTroy Hawkins as a closer last season, while Adam Ottavino put together a solid campaign in 75 appearances. But Colorado's bullpen remains a weak link headed into spring training.

That gives veteran reliever John Axford a chance to earn a spot as a late-inning option. 

Axford is a few-years removed from his 1.95 ERA in 2011, but the right-hander is still fanning opposing hitters at an impressive rate. The 31-year-old struck out over 10 batters per nine innings last season. 

He's not touching triple digits like he used to, but Axford's heater was averaging in the mid-90s last season. If his control doesn't become an issue this spring, there's a very high probability Axford will wind up on the big league roster. 

Another Name to Watch

Gus Schlosser

Detroit Tigers: Jordan Lennerton

Sometimes life is all about timing; something that Jordan Lennerton may realize this spring. 

A couple of weeks ago, Lennerton's path to the big leagues was blocked by Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. Little did he know that injuries to both Detroit sluggers have given him an opportunity to make the Tigers' Opening Day roster out of spring training. 

Lennerton isn't your typical prospect. He's a 29-year-old lifetime minor leaguer, who has patiently awaited his chance in The Show. The left-handed hitting slugger has climbed the developmental ranks all the way to Triple-A, where he has played for the last two years.

The former 33rd-round pick has done so behind a solid run-producing foundation. Lennerton has hit over 10 homers in every season since 2011, while posting over 130 wRC+ in each year from 2011-2013. 

Another Name to Watch

Joel Hanrahan

Houston Astros: Roberto Hernandez

The artist formally known as Fausto Carmona should be able to push for a spot on the Houston Astros' Opening Day roster with a productive spring.

That would be Roberto Hernandez, who was traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Hernandez made 29 starts between the two clubs last year, going 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA. 

While those numbers aren't the most glamorous, Hernandez could be a solid addition for Houston as a long reliever or spot starter. 

Another Name to Watch

Gregorio Petit

Kansas City Royals: Ryan Roberts

The defending American League champions will be looking for infield help during spring training.

The Kansas City Royals will enter camp with Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, Omar Infante and Eric Hosmer as their starting infield. While that combination has proven its full of capable producers, Christian Colon remains the only other potential infielder on the roster. 

Journeyman Ryan Roberts only played in eight games for the Red Sox in 2014, but the 34-year-old has played in over 500 games in his career. In 2013, Roberts hit .247 and posted 90 wRC+ in a backup role. 

Another Name to Watch

Ryan Jackson

Los Angeles Angels: Roger Kieschnick

The Los Angeles Angels are another team with a pretty full squad, as its non-roster invitees leave much to be desired. But outfielder Roger Kieschnick's power could make its way on to the Angels' bench with a successful spring.

Kieschnick spent 2014 between the Arizona Diamondbacks and its Triple-A affiliate. The 28-year-old hit .260 with 15 homers at Triple-A, before struggling in a cup of coffee with the big club to close the season. 

With Josh Hamilton's health concerns, the Angels will likely give Kieschnick and their other outfield options a long look this spring.

Another Name to Watch

Alfredo Marte

Los Angeles Dodgers: Ryan Buchter

While Corey Seager and Julio Urias headline the NRIs of the Los Angeles Dodgers, neither highly touted prospect will be on the big league roster come Opening Day. 

Instead, a hurler like Ryan Buchter might be a more realistic option to break camp with the defending NL West champions. 

Buchter has been a Braves' farmhand for the past few seasons, pitching very well at Double-A and Triple-A. The southpaw posted a 2.76 ERA in 2013, followed by a 3.29 mark last year. Buchter fanned over 14 and nine batters per nine at each respective stop.

The Dodgers' bullpen woes have been well-documented, so any late-inning option that impresses in spring training has a legitimate shot to make the team.

Another Name to Watch

Erik Bedard

Miami Marlins: Chris Narveson

The Miami Marlins could use another left-hander out of the bullpen, with Mike Dunn as the only proven southpaw capable of pitching in the later innings on the roster. 

The Marlins have invited a trio of lefty arms to camp, but former Milwaukee Brewers' hurler Chris Narveson has the best chance of making the Opening Day roster. 

Narveson spent 2014 pitching in Japan, but the 33-year-old has tossed over 390 innings in the big leagues. His 4.65 career ERA isn't ideal, but Narveson was always tough on same-sided hitters. Lefties have only managed a .225 average against him in his big league career. 

Another Name to Watch

Pat Misch

Milwaukee Brewers: Elian Herrera

The Milwaukee Brewers may not decide to keep five outfielders on the roster, but Elian Herrera could force the club to consider his services for the year ahead, especially when you consider that the 30-year-old can play in the infield in a pinch.

Herrera has already provided Brewers' fans with a glimpse of what he can do. He hit .274 in 69 games for Milwaukee last season, after hitting .304 in 33 games at Triple-A earlier in the year.

He hasn't been able to duplicate the plate discipline in the majors that he has shown in the minors, but the versatile Herrera does enough to warrant a potential spot on a big league roster. 

Another Name to Watch

Tyler Cravy

Minnesota Twins: Shane Robinson

While many eyes will be on Minnesota Twins' top prospects Byron Buxton and Jose Berrios, a dependable outfielder such as Shane Robinson could sneak his way onto the Opening Day roster.

The longtime St. Louis Cardinals' outfielder will have a chance to claim a bench outfield spot this spring. Robinson is only a career .231 hitter, but his ability to play all three outfield positions makes him an attractive candidate. 

Robinson is also capable of swiping a bag, giving him another advantage over his competition. 

Another Name to Watch

Blaine Boyer

New York Mets: Buddy Carlyle

The New York Mets had the worst bullpen in baseball last season in terms of WAR, so it's safe to assume the club will be searching for late-inning options throughout spring training. 

One potential candidate could be Buddy Carlyle's familiar face. 

After pitching well at Triple-A last season, Carlyle did more of the same with the Mets. He posted a 1.45 ERA, bolstered by a 2.65 FIP. A big factor in his success was a dip in his walk rate. Carlyle allowed just over one walk per nine innings last season. 

Another Name to Watch

Kevin Plawecki

New York Yankees: Andrew Bailey

With the addition of Andrew Miller, the New York Yankees' bullpen has the potential to turn into one of the better units in the American League. Miller, David Carpenter and Dellin Betances give the Bronx Bombers a solid core to close down games. 

That bullpen could become even better if Andrew Bailey can return to his prior form after missing all of 2014 with shoulder injuries.

Bailey is a former two-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year. In his prime, the right-hander was a strikeout machine for the Oakland A's. Bailey fanned over 12 per nine innings with the Boston Red Sox in 2013. 

Another Name to Watch

Rob Refsnyder

Oakland A's: Pat Venditte

Pat Venditte is another left-handed reliever who could make an MLB roster out of spring training. 

The Oakland A's are expecting to miss closer Sean Doolittle for a few weeks at the beginning of the season, so the club will need all hands on deck in the bullpen. Venditte's recent work with the New York Yankees might push him to the front of the list.

Venditte posted a 0.82 ERA in 22 Double-A innings in 2014, followed by a 3.36 ERA in 51 Triple-A innings. The southpaw racked up gaudy strikeout totals in his rise through the ranks last season.

Another Name to Watch

Jason Pridie

Philadelphia Phillies: Cesar Jimenez

What do you know, another left-handed reliever with a chance to make the team as a NRI. 

Cesar Jimenez cleared waivers last week and will attend spring training as a non-roster invitee with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media. The southpaw will hope that his 16 appearances with the Phillies to end the season left a positive impression on the Philadelphia brass.

In those limited games, Jimenez posted a 1.69 ERA. Before that, the 30-year-old had recorded a 1.45 ERA and over eight K's per nine at Triple-A.

Another Name to Watch

Kevin Slowey

Pittsburgh Pirates: Brad Lincoln

The Pittsburgh Pirates will work out 12 pitchers as non-roster invitees this spring, with Brad Lincoln hoping to get another chance in the big leagues this season.

Lincoln began his career with the Pirates, before enjoying his best years with the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander posted a sub-4.00 ERA in back-to-back seasons in 2012 and 2013. 

The 29-year-old primarily stuck with a two-pitch mix of a fastball and curveball during that time. His breaking ball held opposing hitters to a .133 average in 2013. 

Another Name to Watch

Blake Wood

San Diego Padres: Scott Elbert

Arm injuries have derailed Scott Elbert's career in recent years, but when healthy, the 29-year-old has shown he can be a dominant major league reliever. 

In 2011 and 2012, Elbert posted an ERA under 2.50 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Elbert then missed the entire 2013 season with Tommy John, before returning to record a 2.08 ERA in seven games to close 2014. 

Elbert is more than just a lefty-on-lefty guy, as he's equally effective against right-handers. With Alex Torres as one of the only left-handed options for the San Diego Padres out of the pen, a healthy Elbert could be a key addition to the San Diego bullpen. 

Another Name to Watch

Ramiro Pena

San Francisco Giants: Juan Gutierrez

The defending World Series champions are another team with a limited pool of non-roster invitees, but San Francisco Giants fans would probably be okay with reliever Juan Gutierrez making the squad once again in 2015.

The right-hander was a huge factor in the Giants' pen during the first few months of last season. Gutierrez logged over 60 innings and appeared in 60 games, finishing the year with a sub-4.00 ERA. 

The 31-year-old was effective in 2013 as well with the Royals and Angels, posting a 4.23 ERA and a 3.73 FIP. 

Another Name to Watch

Brandon Hicks

Seattle Mariners: John Baker

Finally a break in the reliever action! Here we have John Baker, a catcher with a chance to make the squad as a backup for Seattle Mariners pitch-stopper Mike Zunino. 

Baker has appeared in over 359 career contests, hitting .247 in those games. The 34-year-old boasts a career walk rate of over 10 percent, offsetting his strikeout totals to a certain degree. 

Zunino has a stranglehold on the starting spot, but Baker could easily supplant Jesus Sucre as his backup. Sucre is a career .207 hitter with a lifetime wRC+ of 24. 

Another Name to Watch

Endy Chavez

St. Louis Cardinals: Carlos Villanueva

While that detour away from relief options was fun while it lasted, we'll have to get back to another late-inning option for the defending NL Central champions. 

The St. Louis Cardinals have a very thorough roster, but Carlos Villanueva has a real chance to claim the long reliever spot in the St. Louis bullpen. 

Over the past two seasons, Villanueva played that role competently with the Chicago Cubs. In 2013, the right-hander logged 128.2 innings and posted a 4.06 ERA. Last season, the right-hander didn't throw as many innings, but he fanned over eight hitters per nine innings. 

His ability to control his offerings and not allow many walks is a valuable asset for a long reliever who will be asked to eat innings in mop-up duty. 

Another Name to Watch

Tim Cooney

Tampa Bay Rays: Juan Francisco

An American League squad was always going to take a flier on the powerful Juan Francisco, and the Tampa Bay Rays did just that this offseason. 

Francisco is an interesting player. He brings something to the table that's dying in today's game: power. 

The 27-year-old has 48 career homers in limited playing time during his career. He also sports a 100 wRC+ and .203 isolated power ranking, proving he's capable of changing the game with one swing of the bat. The left-handed hitting slugger also ranked 16th in fly-ball distance in 2014, according to BaseballHeatMaps.com. 

Tampa Bay ranked 26th in baseball in homers last season, so Francisco's pop off the bench could be attractive for the Rays. Francisco can also play first or third base, which would also provide the Rays with a litany of lineup options. 

Another Name to Watch

Jhan Marinez

Texas Rangers: Ryan Ludwick

The Texas Rangers' outfield ranked 23rd in WAR, 26th in homers, 20th in OBP, 25th in slugging percentage and 25th in wRC+. Those numbers were buoyed by the solid campaign of Leonys Martin, who led the team in outfield WAR. 

Aside from Martin, the Texas outfielders didn't pull their weight in 2014. Shin-Soo Choo completely underwhelmed in his first season with the Rangers, hitting .242 and posting a 100 wRC+. Alex Rios has since departed, and Michael Choice and Ryan Rua have very little major league experience.

Martin, Choo, Rua and Choice figure to see the bulk of the innings in the outfield in the 2015 season, but Texas could end up thankful for extending a spring training invite to veteran Ryan Ludwick. 

Ludwick's production has fallen off in the past two seasons, as the outfielder has produced less than 100 wRC+ in two straight seasons. But the 36-year-old crushed 26 homers and recorded 134 wRC+ in 2012, and he's a career .260 hitter with a lifetime .191 isolated power mark. 

Another Name to Watch

Nate Schierholtz

Toronto Blue Jays: Ezequiel Carrera

The Toronto Blue Jays will enter the 2015 season with a legitimate chance to win the AL East. But the club's outfield situation remains a question mark entering the season. 

Jose Bautista will be back, but Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus will be playing elsewhere in 2015. Toronto will likely break camp with Bautista, Dalton Pompey and Michael Saunders as its starting outfield. 

If Ezequiel Carrera can take advantage of an extended look this spring, there's no reason to think that the 27-year-old can't carve out a niche on the Jays' roster. 

Carrera hit .261 in 45 games with the Tigers last season, swiping seven bags in the process. Before his promotion to the bigs, the outfielder slashes .307/.387/.422  with 43 steals at Triple-A. 

His speed and ability to defend all three outfield spots makes him a candidate for the Jays' fourth outfield spot. 

Another Name to Watch

Ramon Santiago

Washington Nationals: Mike Carp

Of all the groups of NRIs in MLB, the Washington Nationals probably boast the most impressive bunch. 

That collection of players includes veterans Heath Bell, Dan Uggla, Matt Skole, Evan Meek and Matt Carp. But it's Carp that has the best chance to make the team as a left-handed bench bat. 

The Nationals bench options consist of the right-handed hitting Kevin Frandsen, Tyler Moore and Jose Lobaton. Nate McLouth is a left-handed hitter, but he only hit .173 for the Nats last season. Danny Espinosa is a switch-hitter, but he will likely make the team as the backup middle infielder.

With Carp, Washington would employ a pinch-hitting, platoon option with significant upside. Despite his struggles last year, the 28-year-old is a career .254 hitter with a lifetime .414 slugging percentage.

Carp will be utilized against right-handed pitchers this spring, something he's done effectively in his career. Twenty-two of his 27 career homers have come against righties. 

Another Name to Watch

Heath Bell 

Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.