/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48824497/GettyImages-480513858.0.jpg)
With pitchers and catchers set to report for the start of Spring Training on February 18th, the Washington Nationals today announced their full list of non-roster invitees, which, as usual, includes an interesting mix of prospects and long shot veterans who are hoping to land a spot or make a good impression.
New Nats' skipper Dusty Baker talked this winter, after landing his fourth gig as a major league manager, about being impressed with the depth on the 40-Man roster that existed before the Nationals started building organizational depth, handing out minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training.
"We're trying to get some depth in Triple-A," Baker explained, "because it's going to take... to win this thing, it takes the entire organization.
"It takes more than just the 25 guys that are here. Very rarely have I been on a team where you go start to finish without anybody -- somebody, getting hurt or something and we've been hurt a lot and some key players."
Some of the veterans who received minor league deals and invites to Spring Training: right-handed starter Bronson Arroyo, left-handed reliever Sean Burnett, right-hander Paolo Espino, lefty Aaron Laffey, righty Nick Masset, catcher Jhonatan Solano, who returns to the organization, veteran infielders Brendan Ryan and Scott Sizemore, and outfielders Chris Heisey, Reed Johnson and Logan Schafer.
Additionally, the Nats extended Spring Training invitations to right-hander Michael Brady (who was acquired along with RHP Trevor Gott in the deal that sent Yunel Escobar to the LA Angels), right-hander Erik Davis, top prospect Lucas Giolito, righty Taylor Hill, right-hander Wander Suero, right-hander Austin Voth (who opened some eyes with a big 2015 campaign), infielders Jason Martinson and Matt Skole and outfielder Tony Campana.
Check out the entire list and the write-ups from the Nationals' press release through the link below:
The #Nats formally announced their 2016 non-roster invitees. Details: https://t.co/8bnOghgb6A pic.twitter.com/Li1OfdWnGV
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 15, 2016