Prospect Hatch, vet Gimenez among Cubs' NRIs
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CHICAGO -- Thomas Hatch, the Cubs' first pick in the 2016 Draft, is one of 19 non-roster invitees to the team's Spring Training camp, it was announced Thursday.
Veteran Chris Gimenez is one of four catchers on the list, joining Taylor Davis, Ian Rice and Ali Solis.
Hatch, 23, ranked No. 7 on MLB Pipeline's list of top 30 Cubs prospects, went 5-11 with a 4.04 ERA in 26 starts last season at Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach.
Cubs pitchers and catchers will have their first workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 14, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 19. The Cubs open Cactus League play on Feb. 23 against the Brewers and play their first home game at Sloan Park the next day against the Rangers.
Other pitchers invited to Spring Training include right-handers Anthony Bass, Craig Brooks, David Garner, Justin Hancock and Williams Perez, and lefties Alberto Baldonado, Daniel Camarena and Kyle Ryan.
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The Cubs have an opening for a backup catcher if they decide Victor Caratini needs more regular playing time in the Minor Leagues. Gimenez, 35, has played for the Indians, Mariners, Rays, Rangers and Twins, and has a career .218 batting average over nine seasons.
Four infielders were invited, including Ryan Court, Mike Freeman, Jason Vosler and Chesny Young, who is ranked 16th on MLB Pipeline's Cubs top 30 list. Vosler, 24, played at Double-A Tennessee last season and finished the year in the Arizona Fall League.
Outfielders Jacob Hannemann and Bijan Rademacher also were invited to camp.