While the Major League Baseball owners have locked out the players on the 40-man roster, not allowing them to show up to work, the players that aren’t on the 40-man roster can and now have begun spring training. Well, some of them at the very least. Last week there were some pitchers and catchers that arrived in Goodyear for “early” minor league camp. This week they will be joined by some position players, too. They are scheduled to show up today and get their physicals and will hit the field on Monday for their first workouts.
This is not to be confused with actual minor league spring training, which will begin on March 4th when everyone else shows up. Games are set to begin on March 17th for the minor leaguers.
The Reds invited out 32 pitchers and another 28 position players. Let’s take a look at the guys who are showing up early
The Pitchers
Players listed in red are also invited to big league spring training whenever it opens.
*Nick Green has been added to the list*
*Zack Godley has been added to the list*
| Player | Position | Player | Position |
| Kevin Abel | RHP | Ben Lively | RHP |
| Graham Ashcraft | RHP | Diomar Lopez | RHP |
| Brandon Bailey | RHP | Ryan Olson | RHP |
| Donovan Benoit | RHP | Connor Overton | RHP |
| Joe Boyle | RHP | Pedro Payano | RHP |
| Stevie Branche | RHP | Matt Pidich | RHP |
| Fernando Cruz | RHP | James Proctor | RHP |
| Eddy Demurias | RHP | Eduardo Salazar | RHP |
| Kyle Dowdy | RHP | Ricky Salinas | RHP |
| Jose Franco | RHP | Carson Spiers | RHP |
| Pedro Garcia | RHP | Vin Timpanelli | RHP |
| Zack Godley | RHP | Trey Wingenter | RHP |
| Nick Green | RHP | Randy Wynne | RHP |
| Nick Hanson | RHP | Phillip Diehl | LHP |
| Nick Howard | RHP | Andy Fisher | LHP |
| Joel Kuhnel | RHP | Nick Lodolo | LHP |
What you may see with this list is that almost all of the pitchers here are older guys, and many of whom have pitched in the upper levels of the system. That’s not the case with the position guys, but it’s designed that way, too. After how the last two years have played out, Shawn Pender told Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer that the Reds are trying to build guys up a bit more slow than in the past with the hopes to avoid injuries.
The Position Players
Players listed in red are also invited to big league spring training whenever it opens.
| Player | Position | Player | Position |
| Aramis Garcia | C | Jake Bauers | 1B |
| Andrew Knapp | C | Allen Córdoba | INF/OF |
| Matheu Nelson | C | Elly De La Cruz | INF |
| Chris Okey | C | Michael De Leon | INF |
| Chuckie Robinson | C | Isiah Gilliam | INF |
| Daniel Vellojin | C | Miguel Hernandez | INF |
| Eric Yang | C | Rece Hinds | INF |
| Jay Allen | OF | Matt McLain | INF |
| Trey Amburgey | OF | Juniel Querecuto | INF |
| Lorenzo Cedrola | OF | Leonardo Rivas | INF |
| Ronnie Dawson | OF | Alfredo Rodriguez | INF |
| Austin Hendrick | OF | Cristian Santana | INF |
| Drew Mount | OF | Robbie Tenerowicz | INF |
| Michael Siani | OF | Jose Torres | INF |
Unlike the pitchers, this group isn’t almost exclusively older guys. There are certainly some guys that skew a bit older here, but there are some young players here, too. The only top 20 prospects that are eligible to be invited among the position player group that aren’t here are Tyler Callihan, who is coming off of Tommy John surgery, and infielder Ivan Johnson.
Only three LH pitchers out of 30.
Only 3 others on 40-man
It’s good for Alfrod to get a head start. He’s running out of time to reach his potential and show he can play (hit) with the big guys eventually.
Pasta has been passed over. I was always pulling for him, but his bat has kept him back. He didn’t get a shot a the 26 man last year when the Reds had zero viable SS. I’d love to see him get a chance at catching on with a club, but I don’t think it will be with the Reds.
The MLB experience in the pitching list is interesting, and a bit more encouraging than in years past. If they can find another Art Warren or Matt Bowman amongst this group that would be impressive. Still, need to find LHPs.
Why didn’t Bonnin get an invite?