Baltimore Orioles: Updating The Non-Roster Invitees After First Cuts

The Baltimore Orioles made their first round of spring training cuts on Sunday.  Most of the players cut were non-roster invitees.  With more than a week’s worth of games in the books, it’s worth taking a look at who is standing out among the remaining invitees.

The Baltimore Orioles announced the first round of spring training cuts prior to Sunday’s Grapefruit League game with the Detroit Tigers.  Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reported on the moves.  The most significant move was the assignment of 2013 first round draft pick, Hunter Harvey, to Norfolk (AAA) in an attempt to have him on a regular throwing program.

Six Orioles non-roster invitees, pitchers Dean Kremer, Chris Lee, and Zach Pop, infielder Zach Vincej, and outfielders Ryan McKenna and Mike Yastrzemski were reassigned to the team’s minor league camp.

The final player reassigned was catcher Cael Brockmeyer who was signed as a free agent in January to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

Previously, I broke down the non-roster invitees and what I thought their presence meant to both the team and the player, at the time.  In light of Sunday’s move, it is worth a revisit while highlighting the standouts of those who remain.

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Most disappointing is that Kremer and Pop were sent down before fans could see them; both suffered spring injuries and would not have come north in any event.  I felt that Lee and Yastrzemski were being given one last chance to prove themselves so their reassignment is no surprise.

Vincej, who was signed by general manager Mike Elias, will provide organizational depth at either Norfolk or Bowie (AA).  Ryan McKenna, the Orioles #7 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was able to make an impression on the new regime during his five game appearances.

The early standouts among the remaining non-roster invitees are Yusniel Diaz and Ryan Mountcastle.  Mountcastle, who has played in a spring-leading nine games, is currently hitting .235/ .316/ .294 with six runs scored.  He has spent the majority of his time at first base and has not committed a single error so far this spring.  I expect, in the end, that Mountcastle will continue his development at first base for the Tides in 2019.  We may not see him in Baltimore, however, until the rosters expand in September.

Yusniel Diaz is having a hot spring so far and his performance certainly has been worthy of stand out status.

Through seven games (20 at-bats), the Cuban native is hitting .450/ .450/ .700 with one home run and three RBI.  The centerpiece of the Manny Machado trade is certainly showing why the organization wanted him.  I see him patrolling the Norfolk outfield in 2019 as he awaits the call to Baltimore.

As far as the pitchers are concerned, Ynoa has gotten the most innings so far (4.0 innings pitched, five strikeouts, no walks, 2.25 ERA) as I am sure the organization is trying to ascertain his health before making any decisions.  Frankly, I would be surprised if he started the 2019 season anywhere other than Norfolk.

While I do not think any of these early spring performance will change much, it is good to see some of our prospects performing well.  At the very least they are making a positive impression in the eyes of who will determine their baseball future.

Tell me Orioles fans, are there any other non-roster invitees who have impressed you so far?