The Rangers today announced eight invitations to major league spring training camp for players in the organization who are not on the 40-man roster.
The eight players are right-handed pitchers Myles Jaye, Francisco Mendoza, and Scott Williams, catchers Kellin Deglan and Brett Nicholas, infielder Drew Robinson, and outfielders Lewis Brinson and Ryan Cordell.
Jaye, 24, was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on December 10. The right-hander went 12-9 with a 3.29 ERA (54 ER/147.2 IP) over 26 starts with Double-A Birmingham in 2015. The 28-year-old Mendoza has compiled a 3.00 ERA and averaged 9.1 strikeouts per 9 innings over eight seasons in the Texas farm system. He was 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA (16 ER/66.2 IP) and 6 saves over 44 games/3 starts with Frisco (AA) and Round Rock (AAA) last season. Williams, 22, was 5-0 with a 2.28 ERA (11 ER/43.1 IP) and 10 saves in 29 relief appearances with Low-A Hickory. The former college catcher held opponents to a .188 average (27-144) and recorded 49 strikeouts.
Deglan, 23, reached Double-A for the first time in his career last season. The club's first round selection in the 2010 June draft combined to bat .231 (71-307) with 13 home runs and 42 RBI in 81 games with High-A High Desert and Frisco. Nicholas, 27, spent the entire 2015 campaign with Round Rock, batting .268 (108-403) with 12 home runs and team-high 63 RBI in 109 games.
The 23-year-old Robinson captured the Texas League home run crown with a career-best 21 home runs last season with Frisco. The versatile infielder also finished among league leaders in walks (5th, 83), runs (5th, 78), triples (T5th, 5), OPS (8th, .814), and slugging percentage (10th, .454).
Brinson, 21, was named the organization's 2015 Minor League Defender of the Year. The club's first round selection in the 2012 June draft combined to bat .332 (132-398) with 20 home runs, 69 RBI, and 18 stolen bases over 100 games with High Desert, Frisco, and Round Rock. The 23-year-old Cordell was a mid-season All-Star in the California League, batting .270 (137-507) with 18 home runs and 75 RBI over 124 games with High Desert and Frisco.
The club currently has 14 non-roster invites to major league camp. Previously announced were RHP A.J. Griffin, LHP Cesar Ramos, catchers Michael McKenry and Bobby Wilson, INF Pedro Ciriaco, and OF James Jones.