Contrary to belief, non-roster players:
*Don’t eat separately from the players on the 40-man roster.
*Are not initiated in a Rush Week.
*Are not forced to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” in front of the veterans at dinner.
For a team supposedly on a bee line to a top 5 pick in the 2011 amateur draft, the Padres don’t have an abundance of non-roster players, thus eliminating the scenario similar to the first “Major League” movie.
San Diego has only 12 non-roster invitees in camp:
P: Simon Castro, Cory Luebke, Wynn Pelzer, Mark Worrell.
C: Mitch Canham, Michael Collins, Chris Stewart.
INF: James Darnell, Logan Forsythe, Lance Zawadzki.
OF: Chris Denorfia, Matt Stairs.
Of the not-so Dirty Dozen, only three stand a legitimate chance to making the Opening Day roster.
*Zawadzki: Mentioned in a Feb. 10 blog, Zawadzki is a versatile player who will make a run at winning the utility infielder role. Zawadzki has an intriguing power-speed combination (.285-15-77-17 in the minors last season) and has more upside than challengers Jerry Hairston, Jr. and Oscar Salazar.
Chances of making the Opening Day Roster: 30%. Zawadzki will likely head to Class AAA for seasoning, but will make his big league debut at some point this season.
*Denorfria: The one-time Cincinnati Reds prospect spent 2009 in the Oakland organization. This may be Denorfria’s last chance at an extended stay in the majors. He’s long teased his employers with his potential, but Denorfria faces an uphill climb.
Chances of making the Opening Day Roster: 15% at best.Donorfria is just one of nine outfielders competing for a roster spot. It also doesn’t bode well when you’re rocking the No. 77, which screams “longshot.”
Stairs: The native Canadian has to be feeling good about his country’s performance in the Winter Olympics, and has to be feeling good about his chances. The 40-year-old provides a needed power source off the bench, can play both outfield corners, fill in for Adrian Gonzalez on occasion and is a veteran presence that would be welcome on a team such as the Pads.
Having played with nine teams during his career, Stairs would also be a much-needed tour guide for the youngsters. Samantha Brown he’s not, but he scores points for being well-traveled.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 60%. Combined with his aforementioned attributes, Stairs — who’d make a good manager someday — is an extra coach.
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Tags: Adrian Gonzalez, Chris Donorfria, Lance Zawadzki, Matt Stairs