Non-roster invitee Henry Ramos could push for spot on Reds Opening Day roster

Finding a spot on the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster will be no easy task for the several players who received a non-roster invite to spring training this year. Cincinnati brought a lot of veterans to Goodyear, but breaking camp with the big league club will be difficult based on how the roster is constructed.

The Reds have undergone a youth movement, and in order to protect several young prospects from last year's Rule 5 Draft, there are a number of young players already on the 40-man roster. While Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte are unlikely to debut on Opening Day, their spot on the roster is all but assured.

This means that unless some of those non-roster invitees play out of the minds during Cactus League games, there hopes of earning a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster will be next to impossible.

Reds non-roster invitee Henry Ramos pushing for spot on Opening Day roster.

But tell Henry Ramos that. The outfielder has played exceedingly well since arriving in camp both in the field and at the dish. After a 2-for-2 performance in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ramos has bolstered his batting average up to .571 and has three RBIs thus far this spring.

Ramos was a late addition to the Cincinnati Reds roster this spring. After spending 18 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021, Ramos played overseas in the KBO last year. However, injuries limited Ramos to just 18 games with the KT Wiz and the 30-year-old finds himself battling for his major league career in Arizona this spring.

Cincinnati's outfield is already crowded, and one would assume that the Reds would show favor to the young group of outfielders currently on the 40-man roster. TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, and Michael Siani will all remain on the roster, as will veterans Nick Senzel and Wil Myers.

Can Henry Ramos outplay others on the Reds 40-man roster?

The two players who may be in a bit more of a precarious position are Nick Solak and Stuart Fairchild. Solak's solo shot in Tuesday's game against the Dodgers will help his cause, and Fairchild played well down the stretch in 2022.

Henry Ramos' biggest competition may come from fellow non-roster invitee Chad Pinder. Not only can Pinder play both corner outfield spots, but the former Oakland Athletics utility player can also man second and third base. Pinder's versatility gives the 30-year-old an advantage over Ramos.

Ramos will have a chance to make an impression next week for more than just the Cincinnati Reds. Ramos will suit up for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. A strong showing in the WBC could help Ramos' chances of breaking camp with the Reds or latching on with another club later this spring.