The Dodgers have announced their roster of 32 non-roster invitees for Spring Training. This list includes familiar faces from the farm system, as well as a few newcomers who recently signed minor league contracts. Among them are catcher Seby Zavala and reliever Jordan Weems.
Jordan Weems, now 33, is a right-handed pitcher who has played in the MLB for six straight seasons. His last year with the Astros saw him make just four appearances, during which he gave up seven runs in 4.1 innings. This brings his lifetime earned run average to 5.51 over 160 innings. Most of last season, he pitched at the Triple-A level for the Astros and Braves, ending with a 4.44 ERA in nearly 47 innings while striking out around 24% of batters faced.
Seby Zavala, also 32, swings right-handed and adds depth behind the plate. He joins Chuckie Robinson as a catcher with MLB experience. However, Zavala’s offensive stats tell a different story: in 194 games, he has hit just .205, with a .271 on-base percentage. Last season, he played in Triple-A for the Red Sox but struggled, posting a .164 batting average and striking out 36% of the time.
On the team’s radar is Ben Rortvedt, reclaimed from Cincinnati, who aims to win the backup catcher position behind Will Smith. Dalton Rushing, a second-year player, is currently favored for that spot. If Rortvedt doesn’t perform, he could find himself on waivers again, which would leave Zavala and Robinson as the most experienced backup options.
Additional invitees include relievers Wyatt Mills, Carlos Duran, and Antoine Kelly. Mills has had a rough couple of years, posting a 6.21 ERA across 38 games with the Mariners and Royals in 2021-22. He signed a minor league deal last August but hasn’t pitched in an affiliated game yet. Nick Senzel, a former second overall pick, also signed a minor league deal and had a decent performance at Triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .252.
Duran and Kelly bring some power to the bullpen. Duran, who was traded to the A’s last April, made his MLB debut last year but struggled to find his footing, giving up runs in his brief outing. Kelly, a tall lefty with a strong fastball, showed promise but struggled with his command, registering a 5.63 ERA in 34 games last season.
According to a recent survey by ESPN, the importance of strong bullpen performance has surged over the years. Teams with effective bullpens have been shown to have a significantly higher win percentage. This highlights how critical these invitees might be to the Dodgers’ success this season.
The dynamic between experienced players and new talent can shape the team’s strategy moving forward. As Spring Training unfolds, all eyes will be on who steps up and secures a place on the roster.
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