Boston Red Sox: Breaking down Spring Training 2022 non-roster invitees

Boston Red Sox Spring Training 2022 non-roster invitees

Hey yo! Spring Training is finally back! There was a time we didn’t know if we’d even get baseball this year, so this is pretty exciting. But here were are, and the Boston Red Sox have their 2022 non-roster invitees for Spring.

Let’s take a look at the names and break them down. We’re going to have to sort them out a little bit. So let’s figure out the categories.

Obviously, we can sort by pitchers and hitters. But we can go even deeper than that, because not every non-roster invite is the same.

Some players are there to get a taste of the Majors, but aren’t actually going to make the team. Others are there to fill out spots and get an audience, but again are not realistically going to be in Boston for Opening Day.

Then you can get into the players that could realistically make the roster if they play well enough. And sometimes you even see players in the non-roster group that feel like they have a very strong chance of making the roster. Sure, those are rare – but it’s not impossible.

You also have to remember though, there are only 23 players on this list. So there might not be a lot of people in certain categories, so we’re going to simplify it a little bit.

We’ll split the pitchers and the hitters up into separate spots. And we’ll split those categories up one more time. One will be players with a small-to-no-chance of making the Opening Day roster. The other will be players with a realistic option of making the Opening Day roster.

Now that all the spring cleaning is out of the way (get it, cause it’s Spring Training?) Let’s get into it.

Pitchers who might not make the Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster

Silvino Bracho has 92 career games in the Majors, posting a 4.82 ERA in that time. He pitched solely in the minors last year (Triple-A) where the right-handed pitcher had a 4.14 ERA, .292 BAA, and 1.56 WHIP in 50 innings. Definitely an uphill battle for him to make the roster but maybe a strong showing could have him placed in Triple-A with the idea that he’ll be one of the first called up if needed.

Taylor Cole has a 4.97 ERA in 88 2/3 innings in the Majors and hasn’t pitched there since 2019. In fact, the righty didn’t even pitch in the minors since that year either. He’s on the very outside looking in.

Tyler Danish has a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings in the Majors (last pitched there in 2018). The right-handed pitcher had a 3.84 ERA, .261 BAA, and 1.24 WHIP with 79 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season. Still a major long shot but so far had the best 2021 season of the non-roster invitees.

Darin Gillies is possibly even more interesting than Feltman. He’s definitely not a much smaller chance of making the team, but the 29-year-old has had a wild journey. Gillies has never made the Majors and had a 5.17 ERA in 2018 and a 6.34 ERA in 2019. 2021 saw the righty post a 2.80 ERA, .194 BAA, and 1.18 WHIP over 45 innings in Double-A and Triple-A.

Geoff Hartlieb threw nine innings in the Majors last year, and recorded an 11 ERA in that time. He fared much better in the minors with a 3.76 ERA, .206 BAA, and 1.44 WHIP. It’s really hard to envision the right-handed pitcher making the team out of Spring Training.

Chris Murphy is a fantastic prospect. The left-handed pitcher’s 4.62 ERA between High-A and Double-A last year might not be the best number. However, he has absolutely disgusting strikeout stuff and his .241 BAA and 1.26 WHIP were really solid. That being said, this is more of a showcase. The Red Sox get to see Murph up close a little more and give him some extra experience, he’s not making the team out of Spring Training though.

Pitchers who might make the Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster

Michael Felix had a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings in the Majors last season. However, the right-handed pitcher did have a brief run with the Red Sox, and in that time he allowed just two runs in 5 1/3 innings. The fact that Boston got to see him last year might help him a bit.

Durbin Feltman is an interesting one. The righty hasn’t gotten to the Majors yet and was coming off a very disappointing 2019 season. However, he absolutely dominated last year and only got better when he was moved up to Triple-A (2.59 ERA, .200 BAA, 0.90 WHIP in 24 1/3 innings). This feels like a true audition. If Feltman pitches really well, there’s no reason to believe the Red Sox won’t want him in their bullpen.

Brian Keller is another one that has never been to the Majors. But the right-handed pitcher has two things going for him that make him intriguing. First, he posted phenomenal numbers in Triple-A last year (2.77 ERA, .214 BAA, 1.61 WHIP in 55 1/3 innings). Second, he did that in the New York Yankees organization. That’s always fun, especially considering Garrett Whitlock came from the rivals last year and became an absolute stud. Outside looking in, but not too crazy.

Oh boy was Zack Kelly fantastic for the Red Sox in the minors last year. Between Double-A and Triple-A last year, the righty had a 2.18 ERA to go along with a .194 BAA and 1.08 WHIP in 45 1/3 innings pitched. Not impossible to think he could find a role.

Kaleb Ort worked his way up to Boston last year by posting a 2.98 ERA, .233 BAA, and 1.32 WHIP in 45 1/3 innings in Triple-A. He only pitched 1/3 of an inning for the Red Sox but didn’t allow a run (one hit and one walk). The right-hander has great MiLB numbers (most years with the Yankees), and could be seen as a realistic option this Spring.

John Schreiber threw three innings for the Red Sox last year. The righty allowed one run in that time, striking out five. In the minors, posted a strong 2.71 ERA to go with a .242 BAA and a 1.31 WHIP. Another pitcher that has a decently realistic chance of making it this Spring. But others will have priority over him.

Hitters who might make the Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster

Rob Refsnyder is probably the one in this group that was the closest to “not making it”. He still faces a pretty big uphill battle, but it’s not impossible. The right-handed hitter can play first, second, third, and the outfield. That helps a little bit. So does the fact that he played for the Yankees for a while, giving the Red Sox a chance to see him a lot. He was solid the Minnesota Twins last year too, that also helps.

Franchy Cordero did not impress in the Majors last year with Boston. A .189/.237/.260 slash line in 48 games isn’t going to win many people over. He looked great in Triple-A though, slashing .300/.398/.533 in 78 games. Maybe he fixed his swing a little bit there, and can finally figure out how to strikeout a little bit less and connect for a few more of those absolute moonshots. Not the best odds, but not out of the picture that he makes it.

Yolmer Sanchez didn’t hit good last year, and that was in Triple-A. He’s a career-.245 hitter in the Majors though. It’s not great, but it’s not terrible. Oh, and the infielder won a Gold Glove in 2019. He can play multiple positions and is clearly going to help with the glove. If he puts up some strong offensive numbers in Spring Training the Red Sox might be convinced.

Speaking of defense, Ryan Fitzgerald is an absolute wizard at shortstop. He can handle second and third as well. And he’s even spent time in the outfield and at first base. Fitzgerald is a good bat with solid pop, and elite defense. He’s never been to the Majors before, but something tells me he could really contribute nicely. A strong showing could give him a chance.

Robert Ramos may not have much of a chance according to some people. The 27-year-old has never been to the Majors and wasn’t even in the Red Sox system last year. Even crazier, he hasn’t played since 2019. What did he do that year though? The left-handed hitter slashed .309/.400/.580 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI in Triple-A. Is it the most likely thing? Absolutely not. But Ramos can swing and if that shows in Spring Training, maybe Boston gives him a shot.

Triston Casas is the main attraction here. One of the best prospects in baseball showed out in the Olympics last year. He also slashed .279/.394/.484 in 86 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. Now that being said, the left-handed hitter only spent nine games in Triple-A. So a lot of people might want him to get more time there first. If he puts up big numbers in Spring Training though, there’s no reason for the Red Sox to not give him a roster spot on Opening Day.