It’s Getting Closer! List of Braves Spring Training Invitees

Heyward signing autographs last Spring. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

One Month From Today:  Pitchers and Catchers report to Disney!

Here’s the full list of Non-Roster invites issues by the Braves (just announced via twitter) that will be participating in the major league spring training that starts on February 13th.

Right-hand Pitchers:

• Lay Batista (off-season pickup from the Angels/AA; age 24)
• J.R. Graham
• Jason Hursh (The 1st round pick from last June – surprise)
• Mark Lamm
• Cody Martin
• Yunesky Maya (off-season pickup from the Nationals/AAA; age 32)
• Gus Schlosser
• Shae Simmons

Left-hand Pitchers:

• Daniel Rodriguez
• Atahualpa Severino (signed just last week)
• Ian Thomas

Infielders:

• Mat Gamel (bench bat candidate)
• Philip Gosselin
• Tyler Greene
• Mark Hamilton (bench bat candidate)
• Tommy La Stella
• Edward Salcedo

The battle for that last roster spot – the LH bench bat – looks to be between Gamel and Hamilton.  Both have significant power potential.  Gamel was a former top prospect (not just in the Brewers’ system, but overall).  His knees have kept that potential from being realized.  This will be interesting to follow.

Outfielders:

• Matt Lipka

Catchers:

• Matt Kennelly (24 years old; back with Braves after 2012 release)
• Steven Lerud (9 games in 2012-13 as a Phillie; 29 years old)
• Braeden Schlehuber (AA Mississippi in 2013; in system since 2008)
• Jose Yepez (32 years old; started in the Pioneer Lg. in 2001; AAA since 2010 in various places)

Now if you’re looking at this list and thinking “um…. where is _________?” then it’s very likely that you’re thinking of someone who is on the 40-man roster.  Those players will be at the major league camp.

40-man Roster (39 names – as of today):

PITCHERS (20): Luis Avilan, Brandon Beachy, Ryan Buchter, David Carpenter, Gavin Floyd, Cory Gearrin, David Hale, Juan Jaime, Craig Kimbrel, Kris Medlen, Mike Minor, Aaron Northcraft, Wirfin Obispo, Carlos Perez, Julio Teheran, Anthony Varvaro, Luis Vasquez (watch this guy in Spring), Jonny Venters, Jordan Walden, Alex Wood.

CATCHERS (4):  Christian Bethancourt, Ryan Doumit, Gerald Laird, Evan Gattis

INFIELDERS (8):  Freddie Freeman, Chris Johnson, Ernesto Mejia, Tyler Pastornicky, Ramiro Pena, Elmer Reyes, Andrelton Simmons, Dan Uggla

OUTFIELDERS (7):  Jose Constanza, Todd Cunningham, Jason Heyward, Jordan Schafer, Joey Terdoslavich, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton

But Spring is certainly getting close…