Yankees announce spring training non-roster invitees

We’re inching closer to baseball.

On Tuesday, the Yankees announced their non-roster invitees to spring training that includes prominent prospects and hungry veterans looking to stay in the show.

Some will have a legitimate opportunity to break camp with the Bombers with two positions being up for grabs with expected battles for shortstop and left field at George M Steinbrenner Field this spring.

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Here are the invitees:

OF Willie Calhoun, RHP Tyler Danish, INF Wilmer Difo, RHP Demarcus Evans, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Michael Hermosillo, OF Billy McKinney, RHP James Norwood, OF Rafael Ortega, LHP Nick Ramirez, LHP Lisandro Santos, LHP Tanner Tully and INF Jamie Westbrook.

INF Anthony Volpe, OF Jasson Dominguez, RHP Sean Boyle, C Josh Breaux, OF Elijah Dunham, C Anthony Seigler, LHP D.J. Snelten, RHP Mitch Spence and C Austin Wells.

Volpe and Dominguez are the Yankees’ No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, according to MLB pipeline and both will be on display this Spring. However, we will likely see more of the 21-year-old shortstop as he is in the middle of the shortstop competition with the Bombers’ No. 3 prospect Oswald Peraza and veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Rafael Ortega may be the name to watch amongst the veteran invitees. The left-handed hitting outfielder struggled for the Cubs in 2022 posting a .688 OPS in 118 games. However, in 2021, the Venezuelan native slashed .291/.360/.463 with 11 homers and 33 RBI in 103 games. With left field open, Ortega may be worth keeping an eye on this spring.

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Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 16 for the Bombers and Spring training games kick off on Feb 25 as they will take on the Phillies to open the Grapefruit league.