The Atlanta Braves have officially dropped their list of non-roster invitees for spring training, and while this might not be the kind of headline that stops the sports world in its tracks, it’s a critical piece of the offseason puzzle. These are the names that don’t show up on the 40-man roster but could end up playing key roles-either as depth pieces, surprise contributors, or future building blocks. This is where the grind starts for a lot of guys trying to crack the big league roster.
Let’s take a closer look at the 24 players invited to camp without a roster spot-broken down by position:
Pitchers (10):
- Garrett Baumann (RHP)
- Carlos Carrasco (RHP)
- Javy Guerra (RHP)
- Elieser Hernández (RHP)
- James Karinchak (RHP)
- Owen Murphy (RHP)
- Martín Pérez (LHP)
- Austin Pope (RHP)
- JR Ritchie (RHP)
- Tayler Scott (RHP)
Catchers (3):
- Jair Camargo
- Sandy León
- Chadwick Tromp
Infielders (7):
- Tristin English
- John Gil
- Jim Jarvis
- Alex Lodise
- Aaron Schunk
- Luke Waddell
- Luke Williams
Outfielders (4):
- José Azócar
- Ben Gamel
- Brewer Hicklen
- DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
Now, let’s talk about what this list really means.
The Pitching Picture
The Braves have built a reputation for developing arms, and this group gives us a good look at who might be next in line-or who might be ready to bounce back. JR Ritchie is the headliner here in terms of prospect pedigree. He’s one of the more exciting young arms in the system and could be a name we hear a lot more about in the next year or two.
Then there’s Martín Pérez, who brings veteran left-handed depth. He’s not just an NRI to fill innings-he’s got a legitimate shot to carve out a role if things break right.
James Karinchak is another intriguing name. Just a couple of seasons ago, he was a high-leverage reliever in Cleveland, known for his electric fastball and strikeout stuff.
If he can rediscover that form, he could be a sneaky bullpen addition.
Carlos Carrasco is also in camp. The veteran righty has seen just about everything in his career. He’s here to show he’s still got something left in the tank-and maybe mentor a few of the younger arms along the way.
Catching Up Behind the Plate
With Travis d’Arnaud and Sean Murphy holding down the top two spots, backup catcher might not sound like a high-stakes battle-but it is. Injuries happen, and depth at this position is crucial.
Jair Camargo, Sandy León, and Chadwick Tromp will all get their shot to make an impression. León brings the veteran savvy, Tromp has been in the Braves’ system, and Camargo is the younger option with some pop.
Infield Intrigue
The infield group is a mix of utility types and young prospects. Luke Williams stands out as a guy who could compete for a bench role. He’s bounced around the league a bit and brings versatility, which is always a plus when you’re trying to grab that 26th roster spot.
Luke Waddell and Aaron Schunk are names Braves fans might recognize from the farm system, and while they’re long shots to make the Opening Day roster, spring training is all about opportunity. Don’t be surprised if one of them forces their way into the conversation with a strong camp.
Outfield Depth Battle
The outfielders invited to camp are all guys who’ve tasted the big leagues or are trying to break through. José Azócar and Ben Gamel are the most experienced, and they’ll be battling for that extra outfield spot or positioning themselves as the next man up if injuries strike. Brewer Hicklen and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. bring some athleticism and upside, and they’ll be looking to make a name for themselves under the Florida sun.
What to Watch
This isn’t just a list-it’s a window into the Braves’ depth chart, their development pipeline, and their contingency plans. Every spring, a few NRIs end up turning heads and sticking around longer than expected.
Some even make the team outright. Others lay the groundwork for a midseason call-up.
For fans, it’s a chance to get familiar with names that could matter later. For the front office, it’s about evaluating who’s ready to contribute and who might need more seasoning.
And for the players? This is their shot-whether it’s proving they’ve still got it, like Carrasco and Karinchak, or showing they’re ready to take the next step, like Ritchie and Murphy.
Spring training is right around the corner. The sun will be shining, the cleats will be crunching into the dirt, and for these 24 non-roster invitees, the work begins now.