Blue Jays: Pentecost, Reid-Foley among non-roster spring training invitees
Thirteen non-roster players within the Blue Jays’ system earned invitations to spring training on Wednesday.
Pitchers Andrew Case, Jose Fernandez, Chad Girodo, Jon Harris, Sean Reid-Foley, Jordan Romano, Chris Rowley and Justin Shafer; catcher Max Pentecost; infielders Jason Leblebijian and Tim Lopes; and out- fielders J.D. Davis and Roemon Fields will all join Toronto’s big league team in Dunedin, Fla., when pre-season preparations get underway.
While fans on social media were quick to point out that the Blue Jays’ top prospects Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, who many hope will make the jump to the big leagues in 2018, were not among the invitees, the list isn’t devoid of exciting upand-comers. Four players were on MLB Pipeline’s list of top 30 Blue Jays prospects in 2017: Reid-Foley (No. 6), Pentecost (No. 8), Davis (No. 17), Romano (No. 18) and Harris (No. 19).
Girodo, 26, and Rowley, 27, are the only invitees to have spent time in the majors. Girodo pitched 10 1⁄ innings 3 out of the Blue Jays’ bullpen between April and June of 2016 for a 4.35 ERA. He allowed five earned runs on 11 hits.
Rowley made his big league debut in August, when the former military man was called up as a starter for Toronto amid the rotation’s injury crisis. He managed three outings before returning to the minors, re- joining the team as a September call-up.
One familiar face that will not be joining those players in Florida is Ryan Goins, who was non-tendered by Toronto in December after almost a decade with the organization. The utility infielder will instead report to Surprise, Ariz., after signing a minorleague contract with the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday and earning an invite to spring training.