By Scott Barancik, Editor

As MLB clubs begin Spring Training this month, at least 18 Jews will be playing.

Players attending Spring Training due to roster spots include:

  1. Ryan Braun (LF/1B), Milwaukee Brewers
  2. Craig Breslow (P), Boston Red Sox
  3. Ike Davis (1B), Oakland Athletics
  4. Scott Feldman (P), Houston Astros
  5. Nate Freiman (1B), Oakland Athletics
  6. Sam Fuld (CF/LF), Oakland Athletics
  7. Ian Kinsler (2B), Detroit Tigers
  8. Joc Pederson (CF/LF), Los Angeles Dodgers
  9. Kevin Pillar (LF/CF), Toronto Blue Jays
  10. Danny Valencia (3B), Toronto Blue Jays
  11. Josh Zeid (P), Detroit Tigers

Non-roster invitees include:

  1. Jeremy Bleich (P), Pittsburgh Pirates
  2. Charlie Cutler (C), Los Angeles Angels
  3. Cody Decker (1B/OF), San Diego Padres
  4. Ryan Lavarnway (C), Baltimore Orioles
  5. Jason Marquis (P), Cincinnati Reds
  6. Jon Moscot (P), Cincinnati Reds
  7. Josh Satin (3B/2B/1B), Cincinnati Reds

The A’s lead all teams with three roster players, and the Reds with three non-roster invitees.

Reds prospect Jon Moscot is the only one among the 18 who hasn’t played in an MLB Spring Training game. Padres prospect Cody Decker is a Spring Training killer, having gone a combined 6-for-17 (.353) across three seasons with 1 HR, 2 doubles, 4 RBI and 2 walks.

Seven of the 18 players will be playing for new franchises. They include ex-Pirate Ike Davis, ex-Red Sox Ryan Lavarnway, ex-Met Josh Satin, ex-Padre Jason Marquis,  ex-Astro Josh Zeid, ex-Yankee prospect Jeremy Bleich, and ex-Cubs prospect Charlie Cutler.

Players notable for not being invited this year include Diamondbacks prospect Zach Borenstein, who made brief appearances at the Angels spring training in 2013 and 2014; Red Sox prospect Danny Rosenbaum, who went a combined 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA in the Spring of 2013 (Rockies) and 2014 (Nationals); Oakland prospect Jeff Urlaub, who got knocked around a bit in the Spring of 2014; and Brewers prospect Ben Guez. During five Spring Trainings with the Tigers, the 28-year-old OF was phenomenal, going 9-for-17 (.529) with 3 doubles, 2 RBI, and nine walks for a .692 on-base percentage.

# # #

Share