Rays Spring Training roster guide

Below is a list and (super) short description of every player in the Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training camp for the 2016 season, to include the 40 man roster and all Non-Roster Invitees, in alphabetical order by last name.

Almost all of the 40 man roster players will see big league action at some point in the season. The Non-Roster Invitees are the long shots, but usually one or two end up contributing.

40 man roster - Pitchers:

RHP Matt Andriese - Long man out of the bullpen.

RHP Chris Archer - Incumbent ace, Cy Young candidate.

RHP Andrew Bellatti - Killer slider. Another option year means he'll ride the shuttle between AAA and MLB.

RHP Brad Boxberger - The Rays Closer is coming off 41 saves in 2015... and 10 losses.

LHP Xavier Cedeno - Automatic vs. lefties. Is he ready to increase his bullpen role?

RHP Alex Cobb - Should return from TJS around August to add an all-star caliber arm to an already stacked starting rotation.

RHP Alex Colome - Stuff played up in the pen so that's where he will probably stay. High leverage.

RHP Jacob Faria - Dominant minor league starter. Could push for a September call up.

RHP Danny Farquhar - Low risk, high reward reclamation project for Hickey's bullpen. So far so good.

RHP Steve Geltz - 70 appearances last season. Likely 6th/7th inning reliever.

RHP Taylor Guerrieri - Starting prospect, groundball machine, high ceiling. Should push for September call up.

LHP Matt Moore - After TJS recovery, reports mention how good Moore looks in camp.

RHP Jake Odorizzi - Workhorse who could see his first 200 inning season.

RHP Erasmo Ramirez - Proven major league starter after a breakout 2015 season.

LHP Enny Romero - 95 from the left side is rare but may be too wild to rely on at the end of games.

LHP Drew Smyly - Above average starter when healthy.

LHP Blake Snell - Top prospect, not much left to prove in minors. Ace potential.

RHP Ryan Webb - Experienced above average groundball reliever. Should be in opening day bullpen.

RHP Chase Whitley - May not factor into 2016 while recovering from TJS.

40 man roster - Hitters:

INF Tim Beckham - Above average bat vs lefties. Might be an average defender at SS.

2B Ryan Brett - Can hit and run, but depth will keep him in Durham. Here to try all defensive positions.

C Curt Casali - Probably deserves an opening day job, but still has an option so AAA likely.

C Hank Conger - Probable starter. Excellent framing. Above average bat vs. RHP.

LF Corey Dickerson - Acquired for Jake McGee, elite offense potential vs righties. All range, no arm in field.

2B Logan Forsythe - Breakout 2015 earned him the team MVP. Everyday 2B needs to prove he's the real deal.

OF Brandon Guyer - Can start vs lefties and does well off bench too.

INF Nick Franklin - Fighting for the 25th opening day spot, needs bat to come alive.

OF Desmond Jennings - Elite left field defense when healthy. Might only play vs LHP though.

CF Kevin Kiermaier - Platinum glove defense in center field earns him all the playing time he can handle.

1B James Loney - Likely opening day starter at 1B for his fourth and final season, much to prove after injured 2015. Line drive hitter, dropped 15 lbs heading into camp.

3B Evan Longoria - The former superstar was still good for 4 fWAR last season.

OF Mikie Mahtook - Potential for slugging, above average defender, but 100 PA is not enough to know for sure.

C Luke Maile - All around good defender. Bat holds him back from majors.

SS Brad Miller - Solid shortstop acquired in the Karns trade that should start vs every righty. Arm is wild.

1B/OF Logan Morrison - Also acquired for Karns, doesn't defend much but should hit righties well.

UTIL Taylor Motter - Can defend any position and swipe bags, but will the bat play?

C Justin O'Conner - Early injury will keep JOC out of camp. Another stumble for a former 1st round pick.

UTIL Steve Pearce - Another new piece brought in to boost the offense. Mean, can mash.

C Rene Rivera - Great all around defense, must re-work swing. Likely opening day backup.

3B Richie Shaffer - Probably starts the year in Durham, but can slug with the best and might defend all four corners.

RF Steven Souza Jr. - Low average, huge power, lots of walks, lots of strikeouts. Probable RF most days.

Non-Roster Invitees - Pitchers:

LHP Dana Eveland - Veteran starter-turned-reliever has a sinker / slider combo with crazy movement.

RHP Eddie Gamboa - Knuckleballer with a 90 mph fastball to boot.

RHP Ryan Garton - Older relief prospect enjoyed success at AA last year. Needs to find the zone.

RHP Jhan Marinez - 1.92 ERA in AAA last year, looking for a shot in the 'pen.

RHP Parker Markel - 95mph fastball with inconsistent mechanics.

LHP Justin Marks - Emergency lefty starter depth at AAA.

RHP Kyle McPherson - Relief prospect with excellent run on his pitches. Recovering from TJS.

RHP Adam Reifer - The 29yo hopes his dominant 2015 as a closer in the Mexican League will translate.

RHP Mark Sappington - 95+ mph fastball could play if mechanics are fixed, recently added cutter.

RHP Jaime Schultz - Huge fastball, huge control issues, developing a change.

RHP Tyler Sturdevant - 30yo career minor league reliever.

LHP Jonny Venters - Returning from third TJS. Was once quite dominant reliever.

RHP Neil Wagner - Also missed 2015 due to TJS. Threw 95 before the surgery.

LHP Adam Wilk - Made it to AAA in 2011 but hasn't been able to find success in the majors. Still only 28.

Non-Roster Invitees - Hitters:

OF Jaff Decker - Cannon arm,, but the high OBP profile is unproven at the major league level. It's pronounced Jeff.

C Jake DePew - Organization soldier. Doesn't have the bat to contribute to a major league team.

CF Johnny Field - Grinder. Hits for more power than his body would suggest. Might be average in CF.

1B Casey Gillaspie - Switch hitting slugger could move through system fast if he mashes A+ Charlotte.

OF Granden Goetzman - No standout tools, but you never know.

OF Braxton Lee - Low minors prospect can get on base and run, but has zero power to date.

3B Patrick Leonard - Seeing time in the OF will only increase his chances of seeing big league action one day.

OF Thomas Milone - Low minors prospect with speed and defense but not much else.

UTIL Juniel Querecuto - Switch hitter doesn't have many tools, but he's made it to AA Montgomery.

SS Daniel Robertson - The top prospect's defense looks good in camp. Long shot for a September call up.

1B Kyle Roller - Slugger probably strikes out too much for a major league audition, but the power is intriguing.

SS Alec Sole - Depth in camp. Should start year in A+ Charlotte.

CF Dayron Varona - Older but legit prospect. Only Cuban in camp will likely see playing time when team travels to Havana.

(Well, it took 1100 words but we got there. Close enough!)