Top prospect Gray among LA's 30 NRIs

February 16th, 2021

The Dodgers announced 30 non-roster invitees to Spring Training on Tuesday, featuring plenty of top prospects in the organization and a handful of veteran pieces that should help the team’s depth this spring.

Dodgers top prospects Josiah Gray (No. 1, per MLB Pipeline), Kody Hoese (No. 3) and Michael Busch (No. 4) will headline the group of Minor League players. Bobby Miller (No. 7), the club's first-round Draft pick in 2020, will also be at big league camp.

Other Top 30 Prospects in camp either as members of the 40-man roster or non-roster invitees will include Keibert Ruiz (No. 2), Mitch White (No. 9), DJ Peters (No. 11), Andy Pages (No. 12), Sheldon Neuse (No. 13), Miguel Vargas (No. 14), Landon Knack (No. 16), Gerardo Carrillo (No. 17), Michael Grove (No. 18), Zach McKinstry (No. 19), Devin Mann (No. 20), Edwin Uceta (No. 23), Kendall Williams (No. 24), Ryan Pepiot (No. 25), Andre Jackson (No. 28) and Robinson Ortiz (No. 29).

With the 30 non-roster invitees, the Dodgers will have 70 players on the roster at the start of camp. This spring, teams have room to add up to 75 players, meaning the Dodgers have room for five additional players over the next few weeks. Third baseman Justin Turner, who announced he's returning to the Dodgers, will certainly take one of those spots, but the club has yet to confirm that deal.

Let’s take a look at the Dodgers’ non-roster invitees.

Pitchers (16): Josiah Gray, Michael Grove, Mike Kickham, Landon Knack, Nolan Long, Jose Martinez, Bobby Miller, Brandon Morrow, Jimmy Nelson, Robinson Ortiz, James Pazos, Ryan Pepiot, Nick Robertson, Enny Romero, Gus Varland, Kendall Williams

Out of this group, Gray is the pitching prospect most likely to make his Major League debut this season. After spending last season at the alternate training site, Gray will benefit from some time in the Minors, but he will surely be ready to help the big league club later on in the season. The Dodgers have exceptional starting pitching depth, which could keep Gray in the Minors a little longer.

Morrow and Nelson are both pitchers with plenty of Major League experience and will be two names to watch this spring. Morrow had a career season with the Dodgers in ‘17, posting a 2.06 ERA in 45 appearances. He signed with the Cubs the following offseason, but injuries have derailed his career. He hasn’t pitched in the Majors since ‘18. Nelson was with the Dodgers last year, but he suffered a season-ending lower back injury in July.

With Tommy Kahnle and Caleb Ferguson likely going on the 60-day injured list at the beginning of camp, the Dodgers will have at least one spot open on the 40-man roster. Morrow and Nelson will be among the players vying for that spot.

Catchers (3): Stevie Berman, Tim Federowicz, Hunter Feduccia

The Dodgers should be set at catcher this season with Will Smith, Austin Barnes and Ruiz, but you can never have too much depth at this position. Federowicz spent parts of four seasons with the Dodgers from 2011-14 and will give the Dodgers another veteran catcher this spring. Feduccia was the team’s 12th-round pick in 2018. The 23-year-old catcher hit .275 in 72 Minor League games in ‘19.

Infielders (9): Jacob Amaya, Andy Burns, Michael Busch, Omar Estévez, Kody Hoese, Devin Mann, Rangel Ravelo, Elliot Soto, Miguel Vargas

Amaya, Busch and Hoese are three of the prospects who the Dodgers are very high on. Amaya might be the best defensive infielder in the organization, and Hoese and Busch impressed at the alternate training site last season.

Outfielders (2): James Outman, Andy Pages

Pages was a young infielder in Cuba before he defected and still possesses some of the best tools in the Minor League system. He was on the team’s instructional league roster in October.

Sborz traded to Rangers
Right-hander Josh Sborz, who was designated for assignment last week in order to make room for Trevor Bauer, was traded to the Rangers on Tuesday. The Dodgers acquired Minor League pitcher Jhan Zambrano.

Zambrano is a 19-year-old right-hander from Venezuela. He spent the ‘19 season in the Dominican Summer League, making 12 appearances (11 starts) and going 5-2 with a 2.55 ERA.

Sborz, 27, made four appearances with the Dodgers last season, compiling a 2.08 ERA. In 11 appearances with the Dodgers, the right-hander went 0-1 with a 6.08 ERA in 13 1/3 innings of work.