The Padres have invited 19 non-roster players to Spring Training. On the list are some of their better prospects like outfielder Hunter Renfroe … a few guys who have limited MLB experience like left-handed reliever Frank Garces … and players coming back from injury like right-handed starter Brandon Morrow.
But then you have a bunch of players who are trying to catch on again with a big league club and either resurrect their careers or simply get the break they haven’t received yet. The Friars have a couple of very interesting names on the 2016 list.
One is infielder Nick Noonan. He’s a graduate of Francis Parker High School who was drafted 32nd overall by the Giants in the 2007 Draft. Noonan made his MLB debut in 2013 but has only played 76 games with San Francisco. He’s still just 26 years old and has the ability to play 2nd base, shortstop and 3rd base. He’ll be trying to earn a utility role on the bench of his home town team.
Another guy to keep an eye on is RHP Philip Humber. If the name sounds familiar it’s probably because on April 21, 2012 Humber was pitching for the White Sox when he threw the 21st official Perfect Game in baseball history at Safeco Field against the Mariners.
Since then he’s only made 21 more starts, going 4-13 in the process. He spent 2014 with the Sacramento River Cats (AAA affiliate of the Oakland A’s) and pitched in 2015 for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization. It’s a monster longshot but if the Padres are able to salvage something from Humber (and if anyone has the track record to do that it’s Pitching Coach Darren Balsley) they’ll have a heck of a steal, and an even better story, on their hands.
Here’s the full list of Padres non-roster invitees:
Right-Handed Pitchers (8)
Martires Arias
Luis Diaz
Jose Dominguez
Johnny Hellweg
Philip Humber
Daniel McCutchen
Brandon Morrow
Carlos Pimentel
Left-Handed Pitchers (1)
Frank Garces
Catchers (3)
Rocky Gale
Jason Hagerty
Erik Kratz
Infielders (5)
Carlos Asuaje
Nick Noonan
Adam Rosales
Ryan Schimpf
Jemile Weeks
Outfielders (2)
Hunter Renfroe
Skip Schumaker
Padres pitchers and catchers report to the Peoria Sports Complex on February 18. Position players join them on February 23.
