2010 Bowman Prospects #BP53 Leandro Castro

It's only a few weeks removed from the end of the World Series, but we've already reached an important off-season milestone.  The first fringe minor league players have received their official invitations to Phillies Spring Training.  Looking back at the list I compiled last year, 9 of the 21 invitees eventually spent some time with the big club.  Nothing against any of these guys, but that's more an indication of the team's struggles in 2013 than anything else.

Here are the first four players who will be wearing numbers in 70s this coming February in Clearwater.

Player (position) - 2013 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
1.  Shawn Camp (rhp) - Cubs/Diamondbacks - 2012 Topps Update #US238 (Cubs)
2.  Leandro Castro (of) - Phillies - 2010 Topps Pro Debut #84 (Phillies)
3.  Cesar Jimenez (lhp) - Phillies - 2009 Upper Deck #857 (Mariners)
4.  Clete Thomas (of) - Twins - 2010 Topps #441 (Tigers)

Outfielder Castro is the most intriguing name to me on the list.  (And that's not really saying much.)  Signed in 2007, Castro has slowly made his way through the Phillies minor league system.  He spent 2013 with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, hitting .256 in 117 games with 8 home runs and 20 stolen bases.

Memory Lane
2013 Non-Roster Invitees