Spring Training

Non-Roster Invites in Blue Jays Camp: The Hitters

Every year at spring training, there there are a numbers of non-roster invitees (NRIs) that may seem surprising; some are there more as instructors and mentors while others are projects returning from injuries or just looking for another shot at the big leagues. This year the Blue Jays have 29 players in camp who aren’t on the 40 man roster – twelve pitchers and seventeen position players. Fourteen (eight pitchers, six hitters) of these players have some major league experience while the remaining eighteen players comprising of minor league fodder mixed in with legitimate prospects.

BP Toronto will be breaking down these NRIs into three groups – veteran pitchers, veteran hitters, and prospects – and assessing their odds of making the opening day roster.

Without further ado, let’s get to the veteran hitters in camp looking for a job.

Humberto Quintero – Catcher

PECOTA Projection: 250 PA – .232/.256/.344 – 4 HR, 1SB, 7 BB, 54 K, .212 TAv, -1.0 WARP

In Spring Training, the more catcher depth that you have, the better; Quintero is a prime example of what you want to bring in. Humberto Quintero has good reviews for his work with pitching staffs, and is a veteran of nearly 500 MLB games. While he isn’t a prolific hitter in any sense of the word (.594 career OPS), he’s a solid catch and throw backstop. Quintero has thrown out 33% of would be base stealers in his major league career.

How he fits: He’s a likely mentor for young catchers, both in Spring Training and in the minors. Quintero will likely slot in at AAA Buffalo for the season.

Chance of Making the Opening Day Roster: 1/5

If Quintero makes it as the backup, it’s unlikely that he’ll play much. However, he could fulfill the one or two day a week role if he develops a rapport with a starter a lá Dioner Navarro and Estrada/Buehrle.

Tony Sanchez – Catcher

PECOTA Projection: 250 PA – .236/.314/.388 – 7 HR, 1 SB, 22 BB, 62 K, .292 TAv, 0.7 WARP

Tony Sanchez is easily the second best catcher in camp…and yes, that includes Josh Thole. He is a former Pittsburgh Pirates first round pick, and has gone through quite a bit of adversity on his climb to the majors. In contrast to Humberto Quintero, Sanchez is not a good catch and throw receiver, as his career 22% caught stealing rate shows. However, Sanchez has additional defensive value in the his framing. Over the last three years between AAA and MLB, he’s posted well above average pitch farming numbers, and isn’t a liability at keeping the ball from the backstop. Beyond his defense, Sanchez has also been a solid offensive catcher for years in the minors, and he hasn’t failed miserably in the majors. At AAA Indianapolis, he he has a triple slash of.248/.342/.415.

How he fits: As the second best catcher in camp, he profiles well as a backup to Russell Martin. His only drawback being his inexperience in catching the knuckler.

Chance of Making the Opening Day Roster: 3/5

I’d give him a 4 out of 5 if it weren’t for his lack of options. The Jays seem to want someone who can catch the knuckleball. If Sanchez made the team out of camp, and then couldn’t catch the knuckler, he’d have to be waived in order to bring up Thole. That’d be an asset management disaster.

David Adams – Secondbase and Thirdbase

PECOTA Projection: 250 PA – .240/.311/.372 – 5 HR, 0 SB, 21 BB, 51 K, .246 TAv, 0.3 WARP

David Adams is able to play at the keystone or at the hot corner. He is more infield depth for a team that already plenty. He’s been a competent hitter in the minor leagues, and was once thought to have the upside of a quality utility infielder. However, injuries have slowed him, limiting his ability at both second base and the plate. In that way, he has a similar profile to Jays farmhand Andy Burns. In the end, Adams should slot in for the Jays at AA New Hampshire.

How he fits: As the emergency 2B, for the emergency 2B. If everyone gets injured, he’ll be up in the big leagues. However, there’s far too many guys ahead of him on the depth chart for that to realistically happen.

Chance of Making the Opening Day Roster: 0/5

As mentioned above, the Jays just have so much depth in the middle infield. Even if Devon Travis is out beyond May, there is little chance that Adams makes the team.

Casey Kotchman – Firstbase

PECOTA Projection: 250 PA – .259/.323/.382 – 5 HR, 0 SB, 19 BB, 30 K, .253 TAv, 0.0 WARP

Casey Kotchman is a former four time Baseball America Top 25 prospect. At present, he’s an elite defender with above average contact skills at first base. Kotchman was a valuable player early in his career with the Angels, but was never quite as good after leaving LA as part of the Mark Teixeira deal. Outside of one resurgent season with Tampa Bay in 2011, Casey Kotchman has been in the minors, struggling to replicate the promise that he once showed. Now on the wrong side of 30, he appears to be in the line to play 1B for the Bisons.

How he fits: Kotchman is at least 5th guy on the first base depth chart heading into the season. It’s possible that he was brought in to spring to mentor beloved Blue Jays first base prospect Rowdy Tellez on the finer points of the position.

Chance of Making the Opening Day Roster: 0/5

There is just too much depth in front of him to expect him to make the team out of camp.

Domonic Brown – Left Fielder

PECOTA Projection: 290 PA – .252/.312/.413 – 9 HR, 5 SB, 35 BB, 53 K – .281 TAv, 0.5 WARP

Another former top prospect, Domonic Brown was the one Phillies’ one untouchable players during the Roy Halladay trade negotiations. Since then, there has been a lot of struggles for the former Top 25 prospect. He was once viewed as a right fielder with some power, an ability to run, and solid defence. However, Brown has struggled to live up to the hype once bestowed upon him. However, somehow, in 2013, Brown was an All-Star. That was mostly on the back of his first 62 games wherein he hit .293/.333/.604 with 19 home runs. He’s yet to be able to repeat the success he had in that short run.

With that said, despite Brown’s negatives, there is still untapped talent inside. We’ve seen formerly well regarded prospects come to Toronto and thrive. Brown could be a dark horse to make the team this season; particularly if an outfielder starts the season on the DL.

How he fits: In addition to unfulfilled potential, Domonic Brown brings a much needed left-handed power bat to the table. With analytical and supportive hitters like Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista in the clubhouse, it’s possible that some of that talent could shine through.

Chance of Making the Opening Day Roster: 3/5

Brown’s potential makes him a fun add to the team. However, his inability to cover centre field and be an effective fourth outfielder hurts his chances to make the team.

NOTE: Maicer Izturis was on the initial draft of this post, but due to his retirement, he has been left off. He was an underrated and very valuable utility piece during him prime as a result of quality defence and some solid hitting for some very good Angels teams. While he never produced in his time with the Jays, he was a player who gave it his all on the field. His retirement leaves Bartolo Colon as the last remaining active former Montreal Expo. All the best in retirement Maicer!

In the end, it’s unlikely that any of the hitters profiled break camp with the team. With that said, there are some interesting names in camp like Tony Sanchez and Domonic Brown. Both players have untapped potential and are in the prime of their athletic careers. Next up on Saturday, Ewan Ross will break down the prospects in camp.

Lead Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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