Cincinnati Reds: Three non-roster invitees that could make the team

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 20: Matt Davidson #24 of the Chicago White Sox hits a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of the game on August 20, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This is a make up game from the weather postponed game on April 15, 2018. The White Sox defeated the Twins 8-5. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Cincinnati Reds announced the signing several non-roster invitees this past week. Which three have the best chance to make the Opening Day roster?

The Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster is starting to become more clear. The additions of Shogo Akiyama, Mike Moustakas, and Wade Miley certainly are all but assured to be suiting up for the team on March 26th against the St. Louis Cardinals. But which of the several non-roster invitees have the best chance to make the team coming out of spring training?

So, what is a non-roster invite (NRI)? Essentially, a non-roster invitee is invited to major league camp, but is not part of the team’s 40-man roster. The invitees are able to compete for a spot on the major league roster. Last season saw Derek Dietrich and José Iglesias make the squad after receiving a non-roster invite to spring training.

The odds are stacked against such players. Typically, clubs will invite high-level minor league players and veterans signed to minor-league contracts. Jonathan India and Nick Lodolo, the last two first-round picks of the Cincinnati Reds were invited to this year’s spring training in Goodyear, Arizona.

Cincinnati has made several additions already and are looking to be competitive this season, so a spot on the team is going to be harder to come by than it has been the past several years for those players not on the 40-man roster. However, the roster expands to 26 players in 2020. So, who among those non-roster invitees has the best chance to make the Opening Day roster?

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