1 non-roster invitee from each AL team to watch during spring training
As some of the big names in free agency come off the board with first official workouts for all 30 MLB teams underway, a number of other players are finding work in a potentially lesser role with a smaller paycheck.
A slew of players have accepted minor-league deals with invites to spring training in the hopes of cracking a big-league roster by outperforming 40-man counterparts or providing additional depth. There are some up-and-coming prospects as well as forgotten players entering camp as NRIs who could also be surprises.
Let's take a look at one player from each organization who could turn heads and potentially crack his respective organization's Opening Day roster.
We'll start in the AL, with the NL to follow Thursday.
AL East
Orioles - Colby Rasmus - OF
After stepping away from baseball last season despite posting an .896 OPS in 37 games with the Tampa Bay Rays, Rasmus is back. The 31-year-old - who has 165 career homers on his resume - signed a minor-league deal with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday and should compete for the vacant starting job in right field with Austin Hays, Craig Gentry, and Alex Presley.
Red Sox - Rusney Castillo - OF
The forgotten man in Boston is still collecting a fat paycheck (more than $11 million per season on average) in the minors, but he showed signs of life at Triple-A Pawtucket last season, hitting .314/.350/.507 in 87 games. If the Red Sox keep J.D. Martinez's promised playing time in the outfield to a minimum and Brock Holt doesn't rebound from a season derailed by concussion and vertigo issues, Castillo will have a shot at the Opening Day roster by putting together a strong spring. The Red Sox might also still want to get some value for their investment.
Yankees - Danny Espinosa - IF
Espinosa had a forgettable 2017 campaign, hitting .173/.245/.278 with three different teams in the bigs, but the Yankees still see something there. The 30-year-old, who belted 24 homers in 2016 could outplay Ronald Torreyes in spring and land a bench spot, providing some additional experience to a young New York club. Working in his favor is that Torreyes still has two options left. Espinosa also has experience at five different defensive positions.
Rays - Dustin McGowan - RP
The Rays have more than a dozen arms coming into spring camp as NRIs, looking to claim a spot in a bullpen that doesn't appear to be solidified behind closer Alex Colome. One person of interest is veteran right-hander McGowan, who's coming off two up-and-down seasons in Miami, though he showed he could still provide effectiveness (2.82 ERA in '16, 77 2/3 IP in '17).
Blue Jays - Craig Breslow - RP
Similar to Tampa, the Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen should be something to watch during spring training. There are a lot of NRI arms looking for work, and with a number of youngish pitchers such as Carlos Ramirez, Danny Barnes, and Matt Dermody with options, a veteran such as lefty Breslow could wind up making the Opening Day roster. Breslow, 37, didn't look good with the Minnesota Twins last season (11.0 H/9), but improved in a short seven-game stint with the Cleveland Indians (10.4 SO/9 in 4 1/3). Plus, don't lefties always find work?
AL Central
Indians - Rajai Davis - OF
Remember Game 7 of the World Series in 2016? Davis, an ever-popular speedster, has a very good chance of cracking the Indians as their fourth outfielder, especially with lingering concerns about Michael Brantley's health. Davis' speed is always an asset. The 37-year-old swiped 29 bags last season and has 394 over his career.
White Sox - Hector Santiago - SP/RP
The Midwest wasn't nice to Santiago, who, after going 10-4 with the Los Angeles Angels in 2016, was traded to the Twins. Santiago battled injuries and inconsistency to formulate a 5.61 ERA in 131 2/3 innings in Minnesota. The 30-year-old is now returning to where it all started. He was drafted by the White Sox in 2006 and has a solid chance of nabbing a bullpen spot, although Xavier Cedeno and Rob Scahill could have an advantage due to their lack of minor-league options. Santiago's versatility as both a starter and reliever does work in his favor, however.
Tigers - Travis Wood - SP/RP
After an incredibly solid '16 campaign with the World Series champion Chicago Cubs, Wood did not deliver the goods last season, going 4-7 with a 6.80 ERA split between the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres. It's a good thing then that the rebuilding Tigers were in desperate need of pitching. Unless he tanks this spring, Wood should have no issues making a Detroit bullpen that does not look strong heading into next season.
Royals - Ryan Goins - IF
The Royals are rebuilding and reportedly won't be pursuing any marquee free agents, which means players like the defensively gifted Goins are likely to be featured in 2018. Goins' defensive versatility and smooth glove work should be enough to earn him a bench spot, but he'll need to improve on his career .228 average if he hopes to secure more playing time behind the durable Whit Merrifield and Alcides Escobar.
Twins - Nick Gordon - IF
While plenty of eyes will be on infield prospect Gordon, it's unlikely the 22-year-old will be able to snag a starting spot away from either MVP candidate Brian Dozier or out-of-options, switch-hitting youngster Jorge Polanco, but a bench job is certainly a possibility. Gordon has dropped in prospect rankings over the past few years, but he's still got speed to burn (25 triples and 68 steals in the minors since 2014).
AL West
Angels - Shohei Ohtani - P/DH
This one is pretty obvious. Ohtani is not only an NRI to keep an eye on, but one of the main talking points of 2018 in general. The 23-year-old phenom should have no problem making the team out of spring - considering all of the changes the organization appears to be making to accommodate him as both a pitcher and hitter - but he should bring a new element to an Angels team that is expected to be a playoff contender.
Astros - Kyle Tucker - OF
When you're the World Series champs and you boast an incredibly deep team, there won't be many holes to fill. But, if any NRI is worth keeping an eye on during camp, it's Astros top prospect Tucker. Although he struggled in the Arizona Fall League (.615 OPS), the 21-year-old slugged .528 and drove in 90 through the minors last season. Jake Marisnick is expected to be Houston's fourth outfielder, but Tucker is hot on his heels.
Athletics - A.J. Puk - SP
There isn't a lot of former star power among the NRIs heading to Athletics camp, but one player with strong potential is 22-year-old left-hander Puk. He was once viewed as a potential No. 1 overall draft choice before back injuries derailed things, but Oakland still saw enough in him to grant the largest signing bonus for a pitcher in franchise history. The Athletics love to use their young arms as early in their careers as possible, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Puk land a rotation spot.
Mariners - Hisashi Iwakuma - SP/RP
In six big-league seasons since arriving from Japan, Iwakuma has been a solid and dependable big-league starter (63-39, 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.86 FIP). But, a right shoulder issue caused the Mariners to decline his 2018 option and bring him back on a minor-league deal. Iwakuma may be in tough to earn a spot in Seattle's starting rotation, but he's proven how valuable he can be when healthy, which should give him a legitimate shot at making the team if he performs well in spring.
Rangers - Bartolo Colon - SP/RP
Come on, now. Everyone wants to see "Big Sexy" continue to pitch in the big leagues, and with a Rangers rotation full of question marks behind Cole Hamels, Colon and his rubber arm could potentially crack it. The 44-year-old did not deliver his All-Star form of 2016 with either the Braves or Twins last season, but he did show flashes of brilliance. Colon pitched three games for Minnesota in which he allowed one earned run or less, with his final start of the campaign being a three-hitter against the Tigers.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)