The New York Mets have announced seventeen non-roster players that the organization will invite to major league Spring Training. The list includes:
– Right Handed Pitchers: Buddy Carlyle, Zach Thornton, Cody Satterwhite, Tyler Pill, Matt Bowman, Jon Velasquez, Chase Bradford.
– Left-Handed Pitchers: Scott Rice
– Catchers: Johnny Monell, Kevin Plawecki, and Xorge Carrillo.
– Infielders: Brandon Allen, Matt Reynolds, Danny Muno, and Gavin Cecchini.
– Outfielders: Alex Castellanos, Brandon Nimmo.
Of all of the non-roster invitees, very few will have a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster. Veterans Scott Rice & Buddy Carlyle will both be competing for a spot in the bullpen.
Regarding the position players, the player that stands out the most is Kevin Plawecki. In 58 games with AA Binghamton, Plawecki posted .326/.378/.487 before moving up to Triple-A Las Vegas. In 43 games at Vegas, Plawecki posted .283/.345/.421. Plawecki will begin the season with Triple-A Vegas, but will almost certainly make his major league debut in 2015.
Brandon Nimmo, the New York Mets first-round draft pick in 2011 (13th overall), could open up the season in AAA Vegas after finishing last year with AA Binghamton. If all goes according to plan, then Nimmo could also possibly make his major league debut this season as well.
Assuming the front office doesn’t make any upgrades at the SS position via trade, which all indications point to, keep an eye out on Matt Reynolds. Depending on how Reynolds looks in Spring Training, if Wilmer Flores doesn’t play well, then Reynolds can be a fallback option for the Mets. Ruben Tejada, if of right now the backup SS, but the sample size for Tejada is plentiful and it is time for the Mets to move on from Tejada. Again, Reynolds ability to play the position at a major league level is still unknown, but Reynolds is a player to keep your eye on.
