The Mets invited XX players to Spring Training last season. Thanks to injuries the Mets had to dip into their Non-Roster invitees a bit more than originally thought. Some of the players we previewed last year are with different teams now, some are still in the Mets system, some are on the Mets and some could potentially be starting for the 2018 Mets. Before we do a review, here’s a list of the non-roster invitees from last year.
- Chasen “Chase” Bradford
- P.J. Conlon
- Kevin McGowan
- David Roseboom
- Ben Rowen
- Paul Sewald
- Corey Taylor
- Logan Taylor
- Adam Wilk
- Xorge Carrillo
- Phillip Evans
- Luis Guillorme
- Dominic Smith
- Champ Stuart
- Travis Taijeron
- Ty Kelly
Chasen “Chase” Bradford
Chase ended up being an active piece of the Mets bullpen as the injuries started to pile up. He logged 33.2 innings over 28 games with a 3.74 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.277 WHIP, walking 13 and striking out 27. The Mets DFA’d him earlier this week to make room for Gonzalez on the 40-man but he didn’t make it through waivers as the Mariners put a claim on the reliever.
P.J. Conlon
PJ earned another non-roster invite for this upcoming season. he posted insane numbers in 2015-16 with non-over powering stuff. Last year his numbers returned to Earth as he put up a full season in Binghamton pitching 136.0 innings over 28 games and 22 starts with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.235 WHIP while walking 38 and striking out 108.
Kevin McGowan
As of writing this article, it is unclear if Kevin McGowan has cleared waivers as he was DFA’d to make room for Jay Bruce. In limited major league action last year he pitched 8 games and logged 8.2 innings posting a 5.19 ERA, 6.39 FIP and 1.615 WHIP. Not the best numbers but not a lot of numbers.
David Roseboom
David struggled in limited work (18 games, 17.1 innings) last season posting a 8.31 ERA, 9.87 RAvg, 1.788 WHIP. He was knocked out of Triple A thanks to a foot injury.
Ben Rowen
I was intrigued by Rowen last year only because he’s a submarine pitcher. In the minors he pitched 54 games and 63.1 innings with a 4.41 ERA and 1.468 WHIP walking 13 and striking out 52. He became a free agent in November.
Paul Sewald
We knew Sewald would make the majors last year and he ended up getting a lot of work, a lot more than we thought back in the spring. He’s 0-6 over 57 games and 65.1 innings with a 4.55 ERA, 3.74 FIP, and 1.209 WHIP. He will be competing (and probably getting) a bullpen spot in 2018.
Corey Taylor
Taylor pitched well in Binghamton this year and probably will figure into the Mets plans at a higher level in 2018. He pitched in 42 games and 62.1 innings last year posting a 3.61 ERA, 4.04 RAvg and a 1.332 WHIP.
Logan Taylor
Logan Taylor was attacked in Vegas last year after a game and needed staples and was left with a concussion. Over 28 games and 4 starts he logged 47.0 innings last year with a 4.98 ERA and a 5.55 RAvg. He is still with the Mets system.
Adam Wilk
Adam Wilk made it to the Mets last year to address the Mets pitching depth during the run of injuries. When the Mets DFA’d him in May and he was selected by the Twins who released him near the end of June. He’s been a free agent since then. He made one start for the Mets where he allowed 6 runs, 5 earned over 3.2 innings from 8 hits.
Xorge Carrillo
Carrillo is now a free agent after a long time with the Mets organization. The catcher played in 70 games with 272 PAs slashing a .270/.320/.425. He is currently playing in the Mexican League. As of writing this article he has a .266/.329/.342 line.
Phillip Evans
Evans managed 33 ABs towards the end of the season and made the best of swatting a .303/.395/.364. His line has lead to another Non Roster Invite for the upcoming season.
Luis Guillorme
Luis made the most of his NRI last season as he famously caught a bat in the dugout with one hand like it was no big deal. He has the best hands in the Mets system and found his way to the 40 man roster for the upcoming season. In 558 PA’s last year in Binghamton, the shortstop slashed .283/.376/.331.
Dominic Smith
Dom Smith had a NRI into camp last year. Seriously. Being drafted out of high school, it’s easy to forget how young Dom Smith actually is, especially with all of the pressure and hate he has received this off season. His strength is his defense and he didn’t show that last season in the majors. Now he has competition from the top with Gonzalez, an additional back up plan in Bruce and heat below him from Pete Alonso.
Champ Stuart
Stuart, the speedy outfielder from the Bahamas has not received an NRI for 2018 yet. Last year in Binghamton he posted 372 PAs hitting .222/.310/.331, so not great but he did log 35 stolen bases.
Travis Taijeron
After years of playing in the Mets season, Travis Taijeron finally got a chance at the major league level. Known as all of nothing guy in the minors, hitting homers and not much else, he struggled in the majors over 59 PAs hitting .173/.271/.269 with only homer and two doubles in 9 hits. He was granted free agency in November and signed with the Dodgers.
Ty Kelly
After being a critical player for team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, Kelly got a NRI back to Mets camp. He was DFA’d from the Mets in early April and selected by the Blue Jays and then purchased by the Phillies 12 days later. He became a free agent at the end of the season. Kelly had one PA as a Met last year and struck out (previous year hit .241/.352/.345). With the Phillies this year he slashed .193/.260/.341 over 104 PAs.
