The New York Yankees didn't reveal any surprise additions when they dropped this year's list of non-roster invitees to spring training on Wednesday. Rather, the story was the star power, as the vast majority of the team's top prospects will be included in the action, ready to take over in the sixth inning and shine (earlier if it's a road game).
In addition to previously announced minor-league deals like Pablo Reyes, Dom Smith, Carlos Carrasco, and Andrew Velazquez, the Yankees have elevated several potential key names from their farm system, inviting 26 players from below the 40-man roster in all.
Joining the big club this spring will be Spencer Jones, Roderick Arias, George Lombard Jr., and slugging catcher Rafael Flores on the offensive side of the ball. Flores, a helium alert candidate behind the plate, slammed 21 homers in 434 at-bats last season, and will certainly be given a chance to make noise, with the backup catcher portion of the depth chart significantly thinned out at the moment.
On the mound will be notables like Chase Hampton, the Yankees' top pitching prospect who missed nearly all of last season, but is purportedly fully healthy this time around, and could make an impact akin to Will Warren's last year (though hopefully he's a bit more ready for primetime). Fans will also get a chance to become acquainted with Eric Reyzelman, 2022's fifth-rounder out of LSU, who whiffed 63 men in 38 2/3 minor-league innings last season, carrying a 1.16 ERA. "Sparkling" doesn't do it justice.
The Yankees have invited 26 non-roster players to 2025 Major League Spring Training: pic.twitter.com/USm8DL0qg3
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 5, 2025
Yankees top prospects Chase Hampton, Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr. have chance to shine as spring training non-roster invitees
Last year's camp narratives were dominated by the larger-than-life Jones; after all, who wouldn't want to watch a left-handed Aaron Judge make baseballs disappear? Unfortunately, his spring hype didn't entirely carry over into the regular season, though his swing-and-miss tendencies did.
This spring, expect Lombard Jr. to get a longer leash after going through a full year of regular-season ball last year. All eyes will likely be on Hampton as well, who's looking to find the footing he lost in a difficult 2024 campaign. Spring training's all about fresh starts, though, right?