Spring Training Preview: Non-Roster Invitations

The 2 biggest name and likely dollar free agents are still on the market, but spring training invitations have gone out and been announced.  The Giants invited 18 non-roster players to camp headed by last years #2 overall draft pick, Joey Bart.  It isn't unusual for teams to invite their previous year's first round draft pick to camp, especially if they are out of a major college program.  It also probably doesn't hurt that Bart is a catcher and catchers are needed early in camp for bullpen sessions.  Other highly ranked Giants prospects getting invitations include RHP Shaun Anderson(DrB's #7), LHP Garrett Williams(DrB's #13) and SS Ryan Howard(DrB's #10), LHP Conner Menez(DrB's HM) and RHP Sam Wolff(DrB's #35).  All of these players have or will receive profiles in DrB's 2019 Giants Top 50 Prospects series so I won't be repetitive here.

The Giants signed several minor league free agents over the winter, several of whom may have a serious shot at making the Opening Day roster:

Jamie Callahan, RHP.  DOB: 8/24/1994.  6'2", 230 lbs.  Drafted 2012, Round 2 #87 overall(Red Sox).

2018 AAA(Mets):  0-1, 9.72 ERA, 8.1 IP, 9.72 K/9, 4.32 BB/9.  Callahan battled a shoulder injury last year and was released by the Mets early in the offseason, but before that was deemed to be ready for a big league trial by multiple analysts.  When healthy, he's a hard thrower with a FB in the mid-90's.  A straight over-the-top delivery gives him a big downward plane.

Enderson Franco, RHP.  DOB:  12/29/1992.  6'2", 180 lbs.

2018 AA(Braves):  6-9, 3.95, 127.2 IP, 9.16 K/9, 2.96 BB/9.  Franco has kicked around with several different organizations since 2010.  He was once a minor league phase Rule 5 draftee.  He put it all together at AA level in 2018 with solid numbers across the board.  He apparently works his mid-90's heater up in the zone.  He has a strong flyball tendency but has consistently kept the ball in the park and maintained a remarkable pop-up rate of at least 18%.

Kieran Lovegrove, RHP.  DOB:  7/28/1994.  6'4", 185 lbs.  Drafted 2012 Round 3, #110 overall(Indians).

2018(3 levels, Indians):  4-0, 2.73, 59.1 IP, 66 K, 31 BB.  Hard throwing righty who has touched triple digits with his FB.  Has battled control issues.

Carlos Navas, RHP.  DOB:  8/13/1992.  6'1", 170 lbs.

2018 AA(Reds):  4-3, 3.19, 73.1 IP, 10.92 K/9, 1.96 BB/9, 4 Saves.  Zaidi knows him from the A's, Navas' original organization.  Scouting reports I could find say he's not a hard thrower but a fierce competitor who challenges hitters and has found success out of the bullpen.

Keyvius Sampson, RHP.  DOB:  1/6/1991.  6'2", 225 lbs.  Drafted 2009, Round 4(Padres)

Sampson was once a highly touted prospect for the Padres but control issues derailed his career.  He returns after a 2-year stint in  Korea.  Maybe he has learned to control the strike zone there?

Hamlet Marte, C.  DOB: 2/3/1994.  B-R, T-R.  5'10", 180 lbs.

2018 A+(Dodgers):  .272/.347/.486, 15 2B, 12 HR, 10.0 BB%, 23.0 K%.  Rattled around the lower levels of the Rockies system for 7 seasons.  Longshot for a MLB job out of spring training but could land as high as AAA to start the season.  Zaidi knows him from a 1 season stint in the Dodgers organization last year.

Cameron Rupp, C.  DOB:  9/28/1988.  B-R, T-R.  6'2", 260 lbs.  Drafted 2010, Round 3(Phillies)

Veteran catcher with MLB experience whose career fell on hard times.  Has some pop in his bat.

Zach Green, 1B/3B.  DOB:  3/7/1994.  B-R, T-R.  6'3", 210 lbs.  Drafted 2012, Round 3(Phillies).

2018 AA(Phillies):  .296/.375/.578, 23 2B, 17 HR, 9.0 BB%, 25.6 K%, 312 PA.
2018 AAA(Phillies):  .248/.312/.432, 12 2B, 3 HR, 7.2 BB%, 35.5 K%, 138 PA.  Power corner IF guy who has enough arm to play 3B.  Strikeouts have been his Achilles Heel.  Likely starts season in AAA.

Levi Michael, 2B.  DOB:  2/9/1991. B-R, T-R.  Drafted 2011 Round 1(Twins).

2018 AA(Mets):  .305/.391/.470, 30 2B, 10 HR, 13 SB, 7.8 BB%, 20.8 K%, 447 PA.  Former first round draft pick fairly well known to most readers here.  Last year's numbers were the best of his pro career after kind of stalling out at AA level.

Donovan Solano, 2B.  DOB:  12/17/1987.  B-R, T-R.  5'10", 165 lbs.

2018 AAA(Dodgers):  .318/.353/.430, 21 2B, 4 HR, 4 SB, 4.7 BB%, 11.8 K%, 340 PA.  MLB experience with the Marlins and Yankees(mostly Marlins) but has not played at the MLB level since 2016.  2014 was his last regular work as a major leaguer.  Not much to get excited about here. Another Dodgers connection.

Anthony Garcia, OF.  DOB: 1/4/1992.  B-R, T-R.  6'0", 180 lbs.  Drafted 2009, Round 18(Cardinals).

2018 AAA(A's):  .254/.357/.479, 31 2B, 25 HR, 11.5 BB%, 18.9 K%, 0.84 GB/FB, 566 PA.

If you are looking for the next Max Muncy in this bunch, you may have found him right here.  Long time minor league masher with solid K and BB ratios whose bat has been comped to none other than Paul Goldschmidt and several other very successful MLB hitters.  As you might guess, defense is an issue.

Henry Ramos, OF.  DOB:  4/15/1992.  B-S, T-R.  6'2", 220 lbs.  Drafted 2010, Round 5(Red Sox).

2018:  .297/.352/.465, 22 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 8 SB, 7.9 BB%, 17.6 K%, 393 PA.  Heliot Ramos' older bro.  Another import from the Dodgers organization where he spent his last 2 seasons.  Switch-hitter with even splits creates added versatility.