Rays Announce 25 Non-Roster Spring Invitees, 65-Player Roster

The Rays opened the door for a deep pitching audition when they released their non-roster invitee list on Jan. 30, naming 25 players who will join the club’s 40-man contingent to create a 65-player spring roster. The announcement makes clear the organization is leaning on pitching depth and low-cost veteran depth as it prepares for the season and Spring Training battles.

The roster breakdown is explicit: 34 pitchers, seven catchers, 15 infielders and nine outfielders on the spring roster. The non-roster group comprises eight players signed to Minor League contracts and 17 internal system invitees. The team’s announcement noted, “In a few weeks, some of the Rays’ top pitching prospects will get a chance to show their strikeout stuff in Spring Training.” It also stated, “The Rays announced their non‑roster invitees to Major League camp on Friday, including eight players who were signed to Minor League contracts and 17 players from their system,” and confirmed, “The Rays’ spring roster includes 65 players: 34 pitchers, seven catchers, 15 infielders and nine outfielders.”

Headlining the list are three young arms who promise to dominate attention: Brody Hopkins, Ty Johnson and T.J. Nichols. Hopkins is being touted as the organization’s top pitching prospect after a Double-A campaign that produced a 2.72 ERA, 3.33 FIP, a 28.7 percent strikeout rate and 116 innings. Scouts praise his athleticism and a curveball that Baseball America called among the best in the game. Ty Johnson, acquired in a deadline trade, and T.J. Nichols bring swing-and-miss stuff of their own; Nichols posted a Whiff% north of 31 percent in the South Atlantic League and figures to be a focal point for starter depth conversations.

Triple-A arms and depth options round out the invitees. Logan Workman enters camp after leading the International League with 152 strikeouts and posting a 29 percent Whiff% in Triple-A; his low-to-mid-90s fastball, slider and changeup profile as a potential swing starter or high-leverage reliever. The Rays also invited veteran signees and reclamation candidates such as Andrew Wantz, Kodi Whitley, Jake Woodford, Cam Booser and Blake Sabol for catching depth. Catcher depth also includes Logan Driscoll, who was sidelined all last season, and Tatem Levins, who posted a .405 on-base percentage in Double-A last year.

The call-ups and arrivals will be staggered. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for first workouts on Feb. 12, the rest of the roster on Feb. 17, and the Grapefruit League slate opens Feb. 21 at 1:05 p.m. against the Atlanta Braves. A handful of players headed to the World Baseball Classic, including Junior Caminero, Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger, are expected to arrive later.

Beyond on-field evaluation, the non-roster strategy speaks to roster economics and continuity. By combining former first-round picks and reclamation projects with low-cost veteran signings, the Rays preserve payroll flexibility while creating internal trade value and depth for a long season. Human stories are woven through the list as well; Xavier Isaac, a former first-round pick who underwent surgery in July to remove a brain tumor, returns to camp off a limited but powerful showing in Double-A.

What to watch: Brody Hopkins’ curveball and strikeout ceiling, the health and timing of the WBC participants, and whether any non-roster invitees force a role in Tampa Bay this spring. Fans should mark February workouts and the Feb. 21 opener to see which of these pitchers and hitters convert spring opportunity into regular-season access.