Six-Non Roster Invitees So Far For Dodgers

The Dodgers have invited six non-roster players so far to Spring Training. Usually none of the non-roster invites make it on the Major League roster, but you never know. Sometimes there is a diamond in the rough.

Josh Bell (IF) is a switch-hitting third baseman. The 27-year old was actually originally selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2005 draft. The Dodgers traded Bell along with Steve Johnson to the Baltimore Orioles back in July of 2009 for George Sherrill. I think you all know what I think of George Sherrill, and I’d rather not even mention his awfulness with the Dodgers. Bell spent two seasons with Baltimore where he posted abysmal batting averages of .214 and .164 in 2010 and 2011 in a combined 79 games. He then was traded to Arizona where he played 21 games and once again wasn’t able to hit at the Major League level. Last season he played for the triple-A RailRiders in the Yankees organization where he hit .205 with 25 hits in 122 at-bats. After spending parts of nine seasons in the Majors, Bell finds himself back with the Dodgers where he began his career. I don’t see Bell making the Major League team, but he could find himself in Albuquerque.

J.C. Boscan (C) is a an almost 34-year old backstop from Venezuela. He’s only appeared in 17 Major League games since being signed by the Atlanta Braves as an amateur free agent back in 1996. Last season he mostly played for the Triple-A Cubs. During Spring Training there is always a need for extra catchers since there are numerous pitchers to be caught. The Dodgers do lack depth at catcher, so he may land a spot in the minors.

Sam Demel (RHP) is a 28-year old who has pitched in 72 games for the D-backs. He has a career record of 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA over 63 2/3 Major League innings pitched. His hits/9 is 10.6, and he only appeared in 1 game last season for Arizona when he allowed an earned run on two hits in the lone inning. Last season for the Triple-A RailRiders, Demel pitched well going 1-1 with a 1.72 ERA over 52 1/3 innings. His SO/BB was 2.83 after fanning 65 batters.

Brendan Harris (IF) may be the NRI most likely to land a spot on the Dodgers bench out of Spring Training if the team is still short around the infield. The 33-year old has played all around the infield in the minors (mostly shortstop, second base, and third base), and he even has played some outfield and one game at catcher. Last season with the Angels, Harris played in 44 games while hitting .206 with 4 homeruns and 22 total hits in 107 at-bats. He has also played at the Major League level with the Cubs, the Expos/Nats, Cincinnati, Devil Rays, and the Twins. In 2011 and 2012 he played exclusively in the minors. After losing utility guys like Nick Punto, Skip Schumaker, and Jerry Hairston Jr., I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers gave Harris a spot off the bench. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

Daniel Moskos (LHP) has pitched in 31 Major League games all in 2011 for Pittsburgh. He actually posted a decent 2.96 ERA in those 24 1/3 innings. Last season for the AAA-Charlotte Knights, Moskos had a 4.97 ERA in 22 games. He struck out 28 batters in 29 innings pitched. The southpaw finished the 2013 season with the EDA Rhinos in the Chinese Professional League after being released by the White Sox.

Clint Robinson (IF) is a left-hand hitting first baseman. The 28-year old appeared in 4 Major League games with Kansas City in 2012. He wasn’t able to collect his first Major League hit during that short stint, and struck out twice in his 4 at-bats. Last season for Toronto’s AA and AAA teams, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Buffalo Bisons, Robinson hit a combined .254 with 13 homeruns and 55 RBIs in 111 games.