Nicky Lopez's MLB experience, versatility make him Rockies' top non-roster invitee

ThePicks singled out Nicky Lopez as the Rockies’ most likely non‑roster invitee to crack the Opening Day roster, saying “Nicky Lopez stands out thanks to his MLB experience and defensive versatility.” The organization’s need for multi‑positional athletes makes Lopez an immediate roster candidate rather than a long‑shot prospect, and his recent big‑league work provides a known quantity for managers deciding late‑March bench construction.

President of baseball operations Paul DePodesta’s stated roster priorities frame that judgment. “President of baseball operations Paul DePodesta has been clear that the Rockies are looking for athleticism and versatility in position players and a developed arsenal in pitchers,” a line repeated in coverage and fan forums as the template for evaluating non‑roster invites. Lopez’s versatility checks that box; a Getty photo caption shows Lopez wearing #12 for the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on May 1, 2025, documenting his recent MLB activity.

The actual head count on non‑roster invitees varies across reports, complicating depth projections. ThePicks’ FAQ lists 19 non‑roster invitees, Sports Illustrated/OnSI references 20 invitees with 11 coming from other organizations, and a January tweet cited 23 invites. One outlet’s breakdown also contains an arithmetic mismatch, saying 10 pitchers and 15 position players, so the roster math in public reports is inconsistent.

Several other invitees present concrete competition or organizational depth value. OnSI highlighted T.J. Rumsfield as a trade acquisition intended to get a real shot at first base: “When the Rockies traded pitcher Angel Chivilli to the New York Yankees for Rumfield, they did so with the intent of giving him a real shot to win the first base job in spring training.” OnSI also reports Rumsfield’s Triple‑A line as .285/.378/.447 with 16 home runs and 87 RBI, and notes it was “the second straight season he batted at least .280 with at least 15 home runs and at least 78 RBI.” OnSI calls the former 12th round pick a challenger to Blaine Crim for an opening‑day role.

Veteran bullpen help and fringe major leaguers show up on multiple lists. Sports Illustrated names John Brebbia among the invites likely to have a shot, and left‑handed and right‑handed pitching depth appears in ThePicks groupings: Konner Eaton, Adam Laskey, Parker Mushinski, Sean Sullivan, Valente Bellozo, Eiberson Castellano and Brayan Castillo. Catchers on the NRI lists include Bryant Betancourt, Cole Messina, Kyle McCann and Brett Sullivan.

Offensive depth beyond Lopez includes long‑time major‑leaguer Nick Martini. Reports list Martini as 34 years old and note he “signed a minor league deal with Colorado on January 15.” In 52 games in 2024 with the Cincinnati Reds, Martini hit .212/.272/.370 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 163 PA, and he was credited with -24 Defensive Runs Saved while playing right field in 2024, making him a low‑probability roster candidate if the club prioritizes defense.

ThePicks presents a consolidated positional roster that reads like spring training platoon fodder: left‑handed pitchers Konner Eaton, Adam Laskey, Parker Mushinski, Sean Sullivan; right‑handed pitchers Valente Bellozo, John Brebbia, Eiberson Castellano, Brayan Castillo; catchers Bryant Betancourt, Cole Messina, Kyle McCann, Brett Sullivan; infielders Nicky Lopez and T.J. Rumsfield (name spelled variously in coverage); outfielders Drew Avans, Cole Carigg, Jared Thomas; and infield/outfield depth Charlie Condon, Vimael Machin, Chad Stevens.

ThePicks’ framing captures the competitive reality: “When the Rockies released their spring training invite list, it was long, 19 names deep, all hoping to stick with the club. But just getting an invite doesn’t mean you’re headed for Coors Field. You’ve got to fit the team’s needs and outplay the guys already pencilled in.” With Colorado scheduled to head to Miami to face the Marlins on Opening Day in late March, the battle for the final bench spots will hinge on defensive versatility and immediate, proven minor‑league production, the exact traits that put Nicky Lopez at the top of the non‑roster pecking order.