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

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?

1. R.J. Alaniz, Right-handed pitcher

The Cincinnati Reds can use as many bullpen arms as they can get. I think all of Reds Country feels comfortable including Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett, Robert Stephenson, Raisel Iglesias, and Lucas Sims among those who are locks for the Cincinnati bullpen in 2020. That leaves three spots up for grabs, and R.J. Alaniz could snag one of those last spots on the roster.

Alaniz was originally part of the Seattle Mariners organization to begin the 2019 season. It was an experience he’d like to forget. Alaniz started the season with Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers. Alaniz was called up to the big leagues on April 12th and gave up four runs during his two innings of work.

Alaniz was picked up off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds in May and sent to Triple-A Louisville. In 24 games with the Bats, Alaniz allowed 25 hits over 27.2 innings of work. He struck out 31 batters and allowed just one home run during his time in the Derby City. Alaniz ended his time in Louisville with a 2.93 ERA before being promoted to Cincinnati.

R.J. Alaniz pitched in 12 games for the Reds, going 11.2 innings, allowed 7 runs, walked 4 batters, and struck out 7 as well. The Reds outrighted Alaniz in December, but he signed a minor-league deal with the club and will be in Goodyear for spring training. Alaniz will have an uphill climb to overcome the likes of Matt Bowman, Cody Reed, and Sal Romano, but he’ll be given the chance.

3. Christian Colón, Infielder

Christian Colón spent almost of last year with Triple-A Louisville. A versatile infielder, Colón landed a spot on the Reds roster for the homestretch of the 2019 season. All Colón did in his six at-bats was snag three hits and put up an 1.125 OPS. Okay, okay, small sample size, but all kidding aside, Colón put up great numbers at Triple-A Louisville and could make the team this year.

Colón’s heroics in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series are well-documented. After spending the entire 2015 playoffs on the bench, Colón was called upon in the 12th inning of a tie game. Colón’s go-ahead single to score Jarrod Dyson gave the Kansas City Royals the lead and eventually their first World Series title since 1985.

Christian Colón is a capable fielder, able to play second and third base as well as shortstop. Currently, the Reds are a bit thin at the position, with Freddy Galvis slated to start the 2020 season as the team’s starting shortstop. Backing him up is likely Alex Blandino, who has yet to show that he can hit major league pitching consistently.

Colón never amounted to much more than a utility player for the Kansas City Royals, and it’s unlikely he’d serve a role larger than that for the Cincinnati Reds. However, a veteran presence in the clubhouse with postseason experience who has a career on-base percentage above .320 can offer value to next year’s ball club.

There are a few more players among the non-roster invitees that could break through onto next year’s Reds roster, but it’s unlikely for them to break camp with the big league club. Vladimir Gutierrez, Nick Lodolo, and Alex Powers could sneak onto next year’s roster at some point as well.