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:
- Ryan Braun (LF/1B), Milwaukee Brewers
- Craig Breslow (P), Boston Red Sox
- Ike Davis (1B), Oakland Athletics
- Scott Feldman (P), Houston Astros
- Nate Freiman (1B), Oakland Athletics
- Sam Fuld (CF/LF), Oakland Athletics
- Ian Kinsler (2B), Detroit Tigers
- Joc Pederson (CF/LF), Los Angeles Dodgers
- Kevin Pillar (LF/CF), Toronto Blue Jays
- Danny Valencia (3B), Toronto Blue Jays
- Josh Zeid (P), Detroit Tigers
Non-roster invitees include:
- Jeremy Bleich (P), Pittsburgh Pirates
- Charlie Cutler (C), Los Angeles Angels
- Cody Decker (1B/OF), San Diego Padres
- Ryan Lavarnway (C), Baltimore Orioles
- Jason Marquis (P), Cincinnati Reds
- Jon Moscot (P), Cincinnati Reds
- 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.
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