Prospect Hatch, vet Gimenez among Cubs' NRIs

January 25th, 2018

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 , 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 , Craig Brooks, David Garner, and , and lefties Alberto Baldonado, Daniel Camarena and .

The Cubs have an opening for a backup catcher if they decide 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 , , 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 and Bijan Rademacher also were invited to camp.