Non-Roster Invitees - The First 9

2012 Grandstand Reading Phillies #18, 2012 Topps #64,
2012 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs Update #15 and 2012 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #2

Much like the Rule 5 draft, the first announcement of non-roster invitees to Spring Training always excites me a little.  Slowly but surely, we're marching towards a new spring and a new season.  Last year, Kevin Frandsen and Raul Valdes were in the first batch of invitees, and they both ended up playing key roles on the 2012 Phillies.  Which of the following nine players will earn a roster spot in 2013?

Here are the first nine, with their 2012 organization and their last major cardboard appearance listed:

Player (position) - 2012 Organization - Last Major Cardboard Appearance
1.  Steven Lerud (c) - Phillies - 2004 Bowman #160 (Pirates)
2.  Michael Martinez (inf) - Phillies - 2012 Topps #64 (Phillies)
3.  Pete Orr (inf) - Phillies - 2008 Topps Update #UH72 (Nationals)

2012 Topps #590

These three players each spent time with the Phillies in 2012.  They've been removed from the 40-man roster and they'll try once against to make it back to the bigs.  This is Orr's third straight invitation to Spring Training as a non-roster player.  Lerud is the early favorite for the non-roster invitee with the longest time since his last major baseball card release.

4.  Cesar Jimenez (lhp) - Mariners - 2009 Upper Deck #857 (Mariners)
5.  Zach Miner (rhp) - Tigers - 2009 O-Pee-Chee #314 (Tigers)
6.  Humberto Quintero (c) - Royals/Marlins/Brewers - 2012 Topps #590 (Astros)
7.  Andres Blanco (inf) - Phillies - 2007 Topps #659 (Royals)
8.  Josh Fields (3b) - Dodgers - 2010 Topps #387 (Royals)
9.  Jermaine Mitchell (of) - Athletics - 2012 Bowman Platinum Prospects Autographs #JM (Athletics)

Of the nine players listed, Quintero has the best chance of making the opening day roster in light of the 50-game suspension being served by Carlos Ruiz in April and May.

* * *

I composed this post with a heavy heart after the horrific news that came out of Connecticut yesterday.  I gave my boys an extra hug before they went to bed last night.  My prayers and thoughts are with the families of the victims.