{"id":95127,"date":"2025-02-05T18:06:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T23:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=95127"},"modified":"2025-02-05T18:08:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T23:08:48","slug":"yankees-announce-non-roster-invitees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/02\/05\/yankees-announce-non-roster-invitees\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Non-Roster Invitees Most Likely to Make the Yankees&#8217; Opening Day Squad"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On Wednesday, the New York Yankees announced their list of 26 non-roster invitees to their 2025 spring training in Tampa. Notably, the list includes veterans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carraca01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carlos Carrasco<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/velazan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Velazquez<\/a>, both of whom signed minor league deals with New York this winter.<\/p>\n<p>The list also includes many of the Yankees&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/01\/14\/yankees-top-prospects-since-2000\/\" target=\"_self\">top prospects<\/a>, including both pitchers and hitters. While the vast majority of them won&#8217;t see much action at the major league level in 2025, there are some who have a chance of making the leap to MLB, even if it&#8217;s later in the season. If any of them have a flawless spring training, it wouldn&#8217;t be a shock to see their names on the Opening Day roster. With that said, here are five non-roster invitees who have the best shot at making the team this spring.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The Yankees have invited 26 non-roster players to 2025 Major League Spring Training: <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/USm8DL0qg3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/USm8DL0qg3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 New York Yankees (@Yankees) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Yankees\/status\/1887184462242586905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>5 Non-Roster Invitees Most Likely to Make Yankees Roster<\/h2>\n<h3>5. Colten Brewer<\/h3>\n<p>Though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/breweco01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colten Brewer<\/a> may be more known for breaking his hand from punching the dugout wall with the Chicago Cubs this past summer, the right-hander was actually already a Yankee back in 2023. He signed a minor league deal with the club back in December. Though his numbers are startling (5.10 career ERA), he does have some pluses to his game that could make him a usable bullpen piece.<\/p>\n<p>His abilities to induce ground balls and to limit hard-hit balls may be why New York was interested in him. The Yankees characteristically like to rotate their bullpen throughout the season, so Brewer may be a part of those plans. But realistically, the most likely reason that he&#8217;ll make the team would be due to an injury (which isn&#8217;t too unlikely).<\/p>\n<h3>4. Chase Hampton<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/02\/02\/one-pitching-prospect-debut\/\" target=\"_self\">prized pitching prospect<\/a> had an unfortunately short 2024 campaign, suffering strains to both his right flexor tendon and groin. Before the injuries, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=hampto000cha&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chase Hampton<\/a> was perhaps the Yankees&#8217; most hyped pitching prospect. In 2023, his first professional season, he won the Yankees&#8217; award for best minor-league pitcher between High-A and Double-A, pitching to a 3.63 ERA and 145 strikeouts over 20 starts.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Yankees top pitching prospect Chase Hampton doing what Chase Hampton does.<\/p>\n<p>5.0 IP | 4 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 6 K <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JVfjpatrjy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/JVfjpatrjy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SOMPatriots\/status\/1694146940034855357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>When he did pitch in 2024, he showed more of the same. Yankees brass has been high on Hampton, with general manager Brian Cashman name-dropping the right-hander as one of their most exciting young pitchers. However, he hasn&#8217;t pitched a single game in Triple-A. Add onto that the fact that the Yankees are loaded with pitching, he isn&#8217;t likely to see the Bronx anytime soon. But, anything can happen, especially if he dazzles this spring.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Spencer Jones<\/h3>\n<p>Perhaps the Yankees&#8217; most unproven top prospect, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=jones-003spe,jones-001spe&amp;search=Spencer+Jones&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spencer Jones<\/a> raised a lot of eyebrows this past season, especially concerning his contact skills. Though the 6&#8217;6&#8243; outfielder has shown incredible power and speed, he also struck out 200 times in Double-A Somerset this past year. At the same time, the lefty also hit 17 homers and drove in 78 runs, including 53 total extra-base hits. Many fans have compared his raw power to that of the Yankees captain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/judgeaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Judge<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Aaron Judge and Spencer Jones&#8217; swings next to each other practically look IDENTICAL?<\/p>\n<p>The Yankees might have the left-handed Judge in their system&#8230;<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Yankees?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Yankees<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ef8Aep0qER\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Ef8Aep0qER<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FiresideYankees\/status\/1882107321897079169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Still, he has a lot to work on with his whiffs and plate discipline. If he can refine his swing, the ceiling is high. And if he does, it likely won&#8217;t be this spring, seeing that he still needs to conquer Triple-A. Then again, though, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=sotoju01,soto--004jua&amp;search=Juan+Soto&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Juan Soto<\/a> never played a single game in Triple-A.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Dominic Smith<\/h3>\n<p>With the Yankees infield looking like a weak spot, it makes sense that they stacked up on backup options this offseason. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=smithdo02,smith-004dom&amp;search=Dominic+Smith&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dominic Smith<\/a> is perhaps the most useful, due to his serviceable bat. Through 93 games last season with the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds, he slashed .233\/.313\/.378 with six home runs and 34 RBI.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, he&#8217;ll occupy a spot on the bench barring injuries, but it never hurts to have a veteran infielder on the roster. His left-handed swing would also diversify the lineup, and his ability to play the outfield is a plus as well. It wouldn&#8217;t be too surprising if the Yankees decide to put him in a bench role to begin the season.<\/p>\n<h3>1. T.J. Rumfield<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=rumfie000tj-&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">T.J. Rumfield<\/a> quietly had an excellent 2024 campaign, batting .294\/.370\/.454 with 15 homers and 73 RBI across Double-A and (mostly) Triple-A. He took over first base for the Scranton\/Wilkes-Barre Railriders after his teammate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/ricebe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ben Rice<\/a>, got called up in June. Some argued that Rumfield should have gotten the call instead, but now he has his shot in spring training as a Yankees non-roster invitee.<\/p>\n<p>With a solid bat and excellent defense, Rumfield could be an everyday starter if he fulfills his potential. If <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/12\/21\/yankees-signs-veteran-first-baseman-paul-goldschmidt\/\" target=\"_self\">new first baseman<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/goldspa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-02-05_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul Goldschmidt<\/a> goes down with an injury, he very well may be summoned to take on the role. If he impresses this spring, he could even take on a bench role in the majors, though sitting most days would arguably spoil his development, much like it did to Ben Rice last season. Regardless, he&#8217;s a solid player who probably has the best shot at making the roster by Opening Day.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: \u00a9 Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Wednesday, the New York Yankees announced their list of 26 non-roster invitees to their 2025 spring training in Tampa. Notably, the list includes veterans Carlos Carrasco and Andrew Velazquez, both of whom signed minor league deals with New York this winter. The list also includes many of the Yankees&#8217; top prospects, including both pitchers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5148,"featured_media":95145,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,1071],"tags":[5658,28591,1562,28692,2829,1518,2599,28884],"class_list":["post-95127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-yankees","category-mlb","tag-andrew-velazquez","tag-ben-rice","tag-carlos-carrasco","tag-chase-hampton","tag-colten-brewer","tag-dominic-smith","tag-spencer-jones","tag-t-j-rumfield"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5148"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95127"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95147,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95127\/revisions\/95147"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}