The Padres have invited 18 players who are not already on the roster to their 2015 Major League Spring Training. For me, this is one of the most fascinating parts of the roster building process.
The 18 players are a range of former All-Stars trying to regain their form and stick a few more years in the Big Leagues like relief pitcher Jose Valverde, who has led three different teams in saves; draft picks with big signing bonuses trying to force their way on to an Opening Day roster a little earlier than expected, like Austin Hedges; and journeymen, the guys who have been in professional baseball for years but never really established themselves as every day Big Leaguers like Marcos Mateo.
One guy who Padres fans will be keeping a close eye on (as long as A.J. Preller doesn't trade him for Mike Trout or something) is outfielder Hunter Renfroe. San Diego's outfield is stacked with talent after a series of off-season trades, but Renfroe, the team's first round pick in 2013, is already knocking on the door thanks to his prodigious pop (You can see the kind of power Renfroe possesses here).
If he goes nuts with the bat in the Cactus League the Padres will be severely tempted to put him on the Opening Day roster, perhaps even moving him to 1st base.
Here's the full list of this year's non-roster invitees:
Right-Handed Pitchers:
Justin Hancock
Jay Jackson
Marcos Mateo
Jose Valverde
Matt Wisler
Left-Handed Pitchers:
Scott Elbert
Jason Lane
Chris Rearick
Infielders:
Jake Goebbert
Diego Goris
Ramiro Pena
Brett Wallace
Outfielders:
Rico Noel
Hunter Renfroe
Catchers:
Cody Decker
Griff Erickson
Rocky Gale
Austin Hedges
