Non-roster invitees for major league clubs are like the TV pilots that Amazon Prime or Netflix release for possible new shows. Most of them are unwatchable and have no shot at succeeding. However, sometimes one takes off and has a nice run. Two recent examples would be pitchers Zach Duke for the Brewers and Pat Neshek for the Cardinals in 2014. Duke posted a 2.45 ERA in 74 appearances and Neshek boasted a 1.87 ERA, a .787 WHIP, and was an All-Star.
While a considerable number of NRI might make the major league roster, only a handful actually earn a starting spot. With Opening Day less than a week ago, it’s too early to project long-term and see how these players will fare this season. Therefore, we are going to do just that. The following are five NRI who seem poised to turn some heads this season.
LHP Wandy Rodriguez – Braves
The 36-year old opted for season-ending knee surgery following getting released by the Pirates in May of last year. While there were teams interested in his services, he desired to take the time and get ready for this season and so far it looks like it paid off for the lefty. In five starts and 18 innings, Rodriguez has a 2.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts. While his walk numbers are high (eight), his control may improve as he gets stronger and healthier. The Braves have all but announced that Rodriguez will be in the starting rotation and it appears he will man the 4-slot.
With Mike Minor starting the season on the Disabled List, the Braves are fortunate to have Rodriguez at their disposal. Rodriguez averaged 186 innings from 2007-2012 for the Astros and Pirates so he has the durability that the Braves require, especially since this team might struggle to win games. Is Rodriguez a 15-game winner? No, but for a non-roster invitee, he’s a needed cog in the Braves’ pitching wheel.
GLENDALE, AZ – MARCH 5: Micah Johnson #7 of the Chicago White Sox turns a double play during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 5, 2015 at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Glendale, Arizona. The Dodgers defeated the White Sox 6-1. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
2B Micah Johnson – White Sox
Known mostly for his speed, Johnson has so well in spring this year for the White Sox that it looks like he is going to be their starting second baseman. The 24-year native of Indianapolis has scorched his way to a .886 OPS and a .347 batting average in 53 plate appearances. The reports are that he can run a 4.4 second 40 yard dash which makes every NFL coach weak at the knees. However, at 6 feet tall and 190 pounds, Johnson won’t be seeing a gridiron anytime soon.
In 2013 playing for three teams in the White Sox minor league system, he swiped 84 bases. But speed isn’t the only thing he brings to the table. He has hit .297 in his three seasons on the farm and while his strikeout numbers are a little high, he makes up for it with his base-running and attitude. Johnson told David Hough of the Chicago Tribune that:
I don’t just have batting practice for fun, I work on stuff every single day. Hitting balls to left field, protecting the plate with two strikes, fouling pitches off. I practice fouling it off with two strikes. There’s a plan to everything I do.
His fielding is a little suspect: 52 errors in his three pro seasons, but it does look like he’s going to get the nod over Carlos Sanchez, another White Sox prospect.
GOODYEAR, AZ – MARCH 3: Jason Marquis #31 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the second inning during a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark on March 3, 2015 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
RHP Jason Marquis – Reds
Partly due to Homer Bailey beginning the season on the DL and partly because he’s pitched well, it appears that 36-year old veteran Marquis will make the rotation for the Reds in 2015. Bailey should not miss too many starts so whether this will be a long-term position for Marquis remains to be seen. However, he will most likely beat out Raisel Iglesias who may get sent to the bullpen upon Bailey’s return.
The Reds are another team, like the Braves who do not have the brightest prospects for the coming season with a lot of question marks regarding their offense. The rotation is one of those as well as they try not to solely rely on Johnny Cueto for the entire season. The Reds are hoping that Marquis uses his experience to help the staff grow and mature.
Marquis has never been a great pitcher (4.56 career ERA in 309 starts), although he does have a Silver Slugger award (that’s right, they give them to pitchers too). But give him credit, he’s managed to stay in the league this long. The Reds will be Marquis’ ninth major league team during what will be his 15th season. This spring he is 3-1 in six starts with a 3.46 ERA. The righty missed all of last year due to an elbow injury.
DUNEDIN, FL – MARCH 19: Devon Travis #77 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a throw to first base during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on March 19, 2015 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
2B Devon Travis – Blue Jays
Of course you haven’t heard of him, but I bet Blue Jays fans have. The Blue Jays traded 24-year old outfielder Anthony Gose to the Detroit Tigers this winter for the 2012 13th-round draft pick, Travis, in a deal that likely wasn’t noticed by anyone. However, this spring Travis has played himself into the starting lineup for Toronto.
Do not let his slight stature (5’9″ and 195 lbs, which towers over Astros’ Jose Altuve who is 5’6″, 175 lbs) fool you. The Florida State grad has hit .352 this spring and has impressed people with his outgoing personality and positive attitude. He also brings a solid glove the middle infield for the Canadians.
A concern is however that Travis has not played at all at Triple-A and the transition form Double-A to the majors will not be an easy one. He does not possess a lot of power, but simply getting on base will assuage any of those concerns. There will likely be growing pains for the 24-year old as the season gets under way, but keep your eye out for this kid.
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 15: Roberto Hernandez #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Colorado Rockies during a game at Coors Field on September 15, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
RHP Roberto Hernandez – Astros
The artist formerly known as Fausto Carmona was traded by the Phillies in August of 2014 to the Dodgers who released him upon their elimination from the playoffs. Hernandez was signed as a free agent in February by an Astros teams whose pitching staff finished sixth-worse in team ERA last season (4.11). The 34-year old was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Indians in 2000 and finished second in the American League in wins with 19 in 2007 and finished 4th in the Cy Young Award voting.
Hernandez has never really realized his potential and largely has been a disappointment in the league. However, like Marquis, he still finds a way to stay in the league. It could be argued that is because pitching is such a commodity and is hard to find, but plenty of pitchers just can’t stay in the league so the fact Hernandez is still here has to count for something. Will he remind Houstonites of Nolan Ryan? Of course not, and not Doug Drabek either. But just like all of the NRI players, anything you get from him is a bonus and it’s the teams that make those crafty moves that are still playing in October.
