Blue Jays Spring Training Preview: Three Non-Roster Invites to Watch Closely
Spring is nearly here, and with it comes the return of baseball. The Toronto Blue Jays will report to Dunedin, Florida, in just a few weeks-pitchers and catchers on February 11, the rest of the roster on February 16. Their first Spring Training game is set for February 21 against the Phillies, but the buzz around this team is already building.
After falling just short in the World Series last season, expectations are sky-high for the defending American League champions. And while the front office made some key moves on the pitching side-adding Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers-the offense didn’t get the same level of attention.
Kazuma Okamoto was the lone notable addition, and once again, the Blue Jays came up short in landing the top free agent, this time Kyle Tucker. They also couldn’t close the door on re-signing Bo Bichette or bringing in Cody Bellinger.
That means the Blue Jays will be leaning heavily on internal options to fill the gaps. The roster is mostly set, but there’s still room for a few players to make a name for themselves in camp.
On Wednesday, the team announced 20 non-roster invites to Spring Training: eight pitchers, four catchers, seven infielders, and just one outfielder. Among them, three names stand out as intriguing storylines to follow over the next few weeks.
Arjun Nimmala - SS
With Bo Bichette no longer in the picture, all eyes turn to Arjun Nimmala. The 20-year-old shortstop is the Blue Jays’ No. 3 prospect and ranks 68th overall in MLB’s pipeline. Drafted 20th overall in 2023, Nimmala isn’t expected to make his big-league debut until 2028, but this Spring Training invite is a chance for the organization to see how he stacks up against MLB-level competition.
Last season, Nimmala spent the year at High-A, where he posted a .224/.313/.381 slash line with 13 home runs, 70 runs scored, and 61 RBIs. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but there’s clear raw talent here, especially with his power and athleticism. With Andrés Giménez penciled in as the everyday shortstop-bringing elite defense but inconsistent offense-there’s a scenario where Nimmala’s timeline could accelerate if he impresses and the need arises.
The Blue Jays do have Ernie Clement as a stopgap option, but if Nimmala shows he can handle big-league pitching, the front office may have a decision to make sooner than expected.
Greg Stanifer - RHP
Greg Stanifer’s path hasn’t been the smoothest, but his arm talent is undeniable. Drafted in the 19th round in 2022, Stanifer features a 94-97 mph fastball, a sharp low-80s breaking ball, and a mid-80s changeup. Early in his pro career, he struggled with consistency-posting ERAs north of 6.00 in both 2023 and 2024-but last season, he turned a corner.
In 26 relief innings at Single-A, Stanifer posted a sparkling 0.69 ERA. He then logged 76 innings between starting and relief roles at High-A, finishing with a solid 3.20 ERA. A late-season promotion to Double-A Vancouver didn’t go as well-he gave up runs in bunches over eight innings-but the flashes of dominance are there.
Stanifer has racked up 272 strikeouts over 212.1 minor-league innings, which speaks to his swing-and-miss stuff. But the flip side is his control-131 walks over that same span is a red flag.
If he can tighten up his command, he could be a late-season bullpen weapon, much like Trey Yesavage was last year. Right now, Stanifer is the Blue Jays’ highest-rated right-handed pitching prospect behind Yesavage, and this spring could be a big step in his development.
RJ Schreck - OF
RJ Schreck is a name to remember, especially given the Blue Jays’ outfield depth chart. Drafted by the Mariners in the ninth round in 2023, Schreck came over in the 2024 trade that sent veteran Justin Turner to Seattle. Since then, he’s quietly put together a solid minor-league resume.
Last year, Schreck played across all four minor league levels, slashing .249/.395/.459 with 18 home runs, 62 runs scored, and 53 RBIs. He’s currently the No. 10 prospect in the Blue Jays' system, and what stands out most is his plate discipline-70 walks to just 91 strikeouts. That kind of approach plays, especially for a left-handed hitter.
The challenge? The outfield is crowded.
George Springer, Addison Barger, Anthony Santander, Daulton Varsho, Davis Schneider, Nathan Lukes, and Myles Straw are all in line for roster spots. Schreck is also behind fellow prospects Yohendrick Pinango and Victor Arias.
But at 25 years old, he’s older and more polished than those two, and he’s the only outfielder to receive a non-roster invite to camp.
That gives him a real shot to be the next man up if injuries hit-which, given the histories of Santander and Varsho, is a very real possibility. If Schreck can keep showing that advanced approach at the plate, his big-league debut may not be far off.
Opening Day is circled on every calendar in Toronto-March 27 at Rogers Centre against the Oakland Athletics. After that, the Blue Jays host the Rockies before heading to Chicago for a three-game set with the White Sox. It’s a schedule that sets up nicely for a fast start-potentially 9-0-before a marquee early-season showdown with the reigning World Series champion Dodgers.
But before any of that happens, Spring Training will offer a first look at what’s brewing beneath the surface. And for Nimmala, Stanifer, and Schreck, it’s a golden opportunity to show they belong in the conversation.