Drew Waters, Kyle Muller among Braves’ 2020 spring training non-roster invites

The Braves announced they invited 26 non-roster players to spring training, 17 position players and nine pitchers.

Non-roster invitees join big-league camp to compete for roles and/or simply garner experience around solidified major leaguers. The Braves’ list includes a well-rounded mix of veterans vying for rebirths and youth hoping to make lasting impressions.

The pitching group is headlined by top prospect Ian Anderson, who's expected to make his major-league debut this season, and recent signee Felix Hernandez, a former Cy Young winner who's competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Other pitchers are Thomas Burrows (LH), Kurt Hoekstra, Connor Johnstone, Kyle Muller (LH), Chris Nunn (LH), Ben Rowen and Chris Rusin (LH). The most intriguing name on that list is Muller, an ascending prospect who could also find his way to the majors soon.

The catchers are 2019 first-round pick Shea Langeliers, Carlos Martinez and Jonathan Morales. The franchise hopes Langeliers is its future at the position, and while he won't break camp with the club, his working closely with catching coach Sal Fasano and major-league veterans Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud is invaluable.

As for the nine infielders, Bryce Ball, Charlie Culberson, Sean Kazmar, Pete Kozma, Jack Lopez, Peter O’Brien, Braden Shewmake, Yangervis Solarte and Riley Unroe comprise the invitees.

Culberson, who's spent the past two seasons with the Braves, was non-tendered but re-signed on a non-guaranteed deal. He'll compete to earn his utility role back. Solarte is another versatile veteran who's vying for the last spot on the bench.

Shewmake was one of the team’s two first-round picks last summer. The team viewed him as a well-rounded utility player with potential to grow into a top-of-the-order bat. He impressed in his first 65 games in the minors, hitting .318/.389/.473 in 51 games for Single-A Rome, earning a promotion to Double-A.

Ball is another intriguing name after impressing in his first taste of the minors. The lumbering first baseman produced a .913 OPS in 21 games at Rome and has teased legitimate power potential over the past year-plus, including 17 homers in 62 games across two levels last season.

The outfield collection is headlined by Drew Waters, a consensus top-three prospect in the system and arguably the most talented outfielder in the minors. Waters, a switch-hitter, is expected to debut this season. Note that his running mate, fellow star prospect Cristian Pache, isn’t a non-roster invitee because he was added to the 40-man roster in November. Both players will open the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, barring a drastic change.

Trey Harris, Greyson Jenista, Rafael Ortega and Shane Robinson round out the outfield ensemble. Ortega likely is the only one who might play in the majors this season. He was signed as depth after splitting time last season between Gwinnett and the majors.