Padres Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees

While pitchers and catchers report tomorrow(!), we still have to wait to see the position players arrive in Peoria.  In the meantime, we can look at the interesting players who have been extended spring training invites while not having a spot on the 40-man roster.  These guys are long shots to see with the big league club in April, but all of them have a chance to contribute this year.  The non-roster invitees are as follows:

Right-Handed Pitchers (8)

• Martires Arias:  Signed as a free agent last November, Arias has spent his entire career in the Mets organization.  Working mostly as a starter, the 6'7", 24-year-old righty has yet to see action above single-A ball.
  
• Luis Diaz:  Also signed as a free agent last november, Diaz comes from the Red Sox organization.  Noted for a solid fastball along with a promising curveball.
  
• Jose Dominguez:  Formerly of the Dodgers and Rays, Dominguez has seen limited MLB time in each of the past three years.  While his fastball can touch triple digits, he struggles with command.
  
• Johnny Hellweg:  A premium fastball with life pairs with decent off-speed stuff from this 6'9" righty.  Command is a concern.
  
• Philip Humber:  Journeyman veteran who notably pitched a no-hitter for the White Sox in 2012.  Spent 2015 in the Korean Baseball Organization
  
• Daniel McCutchen:  Another journeyman, this 33-year-old has seen MLB time with the Pirates and Rangers.  He came to the Padres before the 2015 season as a minor league free agent.
  
• Brandon Morrow:  Rehabbing from a shoulder injury that shortened his 2015 season, Morrow was the best starter for the Padres early last year.  If he is healthy, he has a solid shot at a rotation spot.
  
• Carlos Pimentel:  The 2015 PCL Player of the Year, Pimentel has high WHIP numbers but somehow worked himself out of jams remarkably well last year.

Left-Handed Pitchers (1)

• Frank Garces:  A mainstay of the Padres system since 2011, Garces was good in limited action in 2014 but bad in extended action in 2015.  The additions of 40-man roster players Buddy Baumann, Ryan Buchter, Drew Pomeranz, and Jose Torres leave little room for Garces to make the team in 2016.

Catchers (3)

• Rocky Gale:  A solid defensive catcher with a light bat who got some MLB time in 2015 due to injuries to Tim Federowicz and Derek Norris.
  
• Jason Hagerty: Journeyman minor leaguer was drafted by the Padres in 2009.
  
• Erik Kratz:  Veteran backup backstop, the 35-year-old has six years of MLB experience.
  

Infielders (5)

• Carlos Asuaje:  Came from the Red Sox along with Manuel Margot and Javier Guerra in the Craig Kimbrel trade.  He has experience at 2B, 3B, and LF, but the lefty hitter's ability to get on base with decent power is the tool that makes Asuaje truly valuable. 
  
• Nick Noonan:  Another lefty hitter, the former Giant can play 2B, 3B, and SS.
  
• Adam Rosales:  Glove-first utility infielder.  Decent on-base stats, but not much power. 
  
• Ryan Schimpf:  Bat-first utility player with experience at 2B, 3B, and corner outfield positions.
  
• Jemile Weeks:  Quick, athletic infielder whose performance has never met his promising tools.
  

Outfielders (2)

• Hunter Renfroe:  POWER BAT, BIG ARM.  That's all you need to know about this top-100 corner outfielder prospect.  As soon as he can put together the ability to make consistent contact, there will be a spot for him on the Padres' roster.
  
• Skip Schumaker:  Veteran utility player with MLB experience at 2B and all outfield positions.  Has a three-game scoreless pitching streak, so he has that going for him... which is nice.

The chances of most of these guys to make the MLB team out of camp is pretty slim.  Still, it's neat to watch prospects fighting for a breakthrough or veterans working for another shot.  This group represents much of the organizational depth that will support the Padres through injuries throughout the season.