Baltimore Orioles Announce Non-Roster Invitees to Spring Training
By Nate Wardle
As Baltimore Orioles news and rumors remain quiet, the team announced the 19 non-roster invitees to Spring Training in Sarasota, Fla.
Super Bowl 52 is just days away and that means Baltimore Orioles spring training is right around the corner.
In fact, the Orioles pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota in less than two weeks, along with the first Orioles spring training game set for Feb. 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
More from Baltimore Orioles
- What other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?
- Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the Stretch
- Baltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent Wins
- The Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September Roster
- Orioles Josh Rogers Expectations in his Major League Debut
Therefore, the Orioles announced Thursday morning their non-roster invitees to Spring Training in Sarasota, Fla. And with that, it means the spring training roster is beginning to take shape as we work our way to Orioles Opening Day 2018.
Furthermore, it means inviting a number of guys who are currently not on the 40-man roster. Most of these players are extra bodies, but sometimes there is intrigue.
Also as you most likely heard, the Orioles roster needs pitching…badly.
So, it makes sense that 11 of the invitees are pitchers. Also included are one of the most decorated minor leaguers in the Orioles’ system, and three prospects the organization is high on.
Let’s dive in and examine the 19 non-roster invitees to Orioles Spring Training 2018.
Baltimore Orioles Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees: Pitchers
Out of those pitchers, any guesses on who may actually make the major leagues? Ideally, the answer would be zero.
However, the Orioles are pretty high on Joely Rodriguez, who they signed as a free agent in late November. Rodriguez pitched in 2016 and 2017 for the Philadelphia Phillies out of the bullpen.
Of course, the Orioles have a bullpen that is pretty full, so it will be a tough task for Rodriguez. Jayson Aquino is probably the name most likely to help the Orioles in 2018 on this list.
The 25-year-old left-hander started two games for the Orioles in 2017. Despite mediocre results, the team hopes he can develop into either a spot starter or a back-of-the-bullpen option.
Several other pitchers on this list have pitched in the major leagues before, including Faulkner and Gamboa. Gamboa, a former Oriole, is back with the club. He had been working as a knuckleballer, so there is some intrigue there.
Faulkner is someone else the Orioles feel good about, but he is more of a reliever, and again the Orioles have a lot of those. With that, let’s look at the infielders, including catcher Audry Perez.