The Tigers today announced 21 non-roster invites. These are players in the organization who aren’t on the 40 man roster, but will be in the big league camp during Spring Training. They are:
- Francis Beltran
- Joe Bowen
- Michael Hollimon
- Matt Joyce
- Freddy Dolsi
- Dusty Ryan
- Jeff Larish
- Timo Perez
- Jeff Gerbe
- Dane Sardinha
- Scott Sizemore
- Wilkin Ramirez
- Chris Lambert
- James Skelton
- Danny Worth
- Clete Thomas
- Preston Larrison
- Max St. Pierre
- Aquilino Lopez
- Nick Trzesniak
- Matt Mantei
Per usual, there are quite a few catchers and I’m happy to see Skelton in that group. The Tigers will also be taking a look at 3 of their middle infield prospects in Scott Sizemore, Michael Hollimon, and Danny Worth. If it weren’t for the Inge situation I’d think that Hollimon would have a decent shot to beat out Ramon Santiago for the utility infielder role with a strong spring. But with the Tigers bench pretty full, I don’t expect Hollimon or anyone else to surprise.
Didn’t Matt Joyce play guard for the Lions? 😉
I believe that Matt Mantei and Mike Hollimon will be the only ones who have a chance to get on the 25 man roster. Mainly though Mantei because of our lack of depth in the Bullpen.
I’m with you on being happy to see James Skelton included in the catching crop.
He was great for West Michigan in 2007. In a park and league that drastically dampen offensive numbers he put up an .850 OPS with 18 steals and good defense.
Hopefully he shows up in Detroit in 2009.
This list is interesting: Matt Mantei has a chance so does Timo Perez but the wild card could be Jeff Larish. When I think of Larish I think of Chris Shelton but with more power and more strikeouts. He’s decent defensively so he could be a good back up for first base, if he can cut on those strike outs.
It will be interesting to see how some of these catchers do in their at bats. It sure would be nice to have at least one of them put up some solid numbers and call a decent game. With Wilson/Pudge at catcher we could need another Mike Rabelo this season.
Mike Rabelo won the 2007 award for Most Mispronounced Name by opposing broadcasters. I can’t count the number of times he was called “Ray-blow” or “Rah-below”.
Anyway, catching depth is sure to be an issue. Hopefully Inge would embrace donning the tools of ignorance 30-40 times, though that’s not a given. I’m not exactly hyped for the return of Vance Wilson. I just don’t think he’ll be healthy.
What in the heck ever happened with Wilkin Ramirez? This guy used to be very highly regarded but his star has fallen faster than Britney. I liked the scouting reports I’ve read on Clete Thomas. You can never have enough guys named “Clete” in your system if you ask me. I’d hope Sizemore performs well in camp. For some reason I feel a Polanco injury happening, and he’d be a guy who might be able to step in.