Nationals announce 2021 non-roster invites

The Washington Nationals announced their 32 non-roster invites for 2021 Spring Training on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Avilán, 31, enters 2021 with a .203/.279/.280 slash line against left-handed batters across parts of nine Major League seasons. Since 2018, he's held opposing left-handed batters to a .176/.256/.270 slash line with just two home runs allowed along the way. Avilán spent the 2020 season with the New York Yankees, posting a 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings across 10 appearances.

Barrett, 33, returns to the Nationals for his 12th professional season. He has appeared in 95 Major League games, including five over the last two seasons, as he works his way back from notable arm injuries in 2015 and 2016. Barrett spent the majority of the 2020 season at Washington's Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) before returning to the big leagues on Sept. 15 at Tampa Bay.

Bonnell, 27, enters his third season in Washington's organization after originally signing as a Minor League free agent in May of 2019. He took part in Major League Spring Training and Summer Camp before spending the 2020 season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg). In 2019, he posted a 3.20 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 50.2 innings across 32 Minor League outings after joining the organization.

Castillo, 33, returns to the Nationals after joining the organization as a non-roster invite to 2020 Spring Training. He eventually opted out of the 2020 season. A veteran of 10 Major League seasons, Castillo has clubbed 84 home runs since the start of the 2014 season.

Cate, 23, was Washington's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2019 after leading the system in strikeouts (139) and wins (11). Washington's No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America, Cate will take part in his first Major League Spring Training in 2021. He was a member of Washington's 60-Player Pool in 2020. Cate spent the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) and participated in Instructional League following the season.

Cavalli, 22, is Washington's No. 1 prospect according to Baseball America. The tall, powerful right-hander will take part in his first Major League Spring Training after being selected No. 22 overall in the 2020 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Oklahoma. He was a member of Washington's 60-Player Pool in 2020. Cavalli spent the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) and participated in Instructional League following the season.

Cluff, 24, is entering his third professional season after being selected in the sixth round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Brigham Young University. He was a member of Washington's 60-Player Pool in 2020. Cluff spent the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) and participated in Instructional League following the season. Cluff is the "Best Defensive Infielder" and has the "Best Infield Arm" in Washington's system according to Baseball America.

Cronin, 23, is Washington's No. 9 prospect according to Baseball America. A fourth-round pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arkansas, Cronin posted a 0.82 ERA (2 ER/22.0 IP) with 41 strikeouts and a .153 opponent's batting average in 17 games for Single-A Hagerstown in 2019. He allowed just one hit (1-for-15) to a left-handed batter in 21 plate appearances in his first professional season. Cronin was a member of Washington's 60-Player Pool in 2020. He spent the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) and participated in Instructional League following the season.

Condra-Bogan, 26, will take part in his first Major League Spring Training after not pitching during the 2020 season. In 2019, he went 7-4 with a 3.61 ERA with 50 strikeouts against 11 walks in 38 appearances (one start) for Double-A Harrisburg.

Dyson, 23, was Washington's fifth round pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Florida. In his first professional season in 2019, he went 2-1 with a 1.07 ERA in nine games between the GCL Nationals and short-season Single-A Auburn.

Eppler, 28, joined the Nationals for the 2020 season and re-signed for 2021. He spent the 2019 season with the Orix Buffaloes of the Japan Professional League, going 6-10 with a 4.83 ERA in 41 games. Eppler spent the entire 2020 season at Washington's Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg).

Espino, 34, returns for his sixth season in Washington's organization (2014-16, 2019-21). He spent the majority of the 2020 season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) before having his contract selected on Sept. 21. He posted a 4.50 ERA (3 ER/6.0 IP) across two outings (one start) over the final week of the season. Following the season, he went 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA and a .208 opponents' batting average in six starts for Toros Del Este of the Dominican Winter League.

Guerra, 35, enters his third season with the Nationals after originally joining the organization during the 2019 season. Guerra appeared in 14 games for Washington in 2020, posting a 4.02 ERA. He opened the season with a 1.17 ERA (1 ER/7.2 IP), six strikeouts and a .214 opponent's average (3-for-14) through his first seven outings.

Henry, 21, is the No. 3 prospect in Washington's Minor League system according to Baseball America. He was selected in the second round of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of Louisiana State University. He went 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA (4 ER/19.0 IP) and 23 strikeouts in four starts for the Tigers in his sophomore season prior to being selected. Henry participated in Washington's Instructional League following the 2020 season.

Klobosits, 25, is entering his fifth professional season after being selected in the 36th round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Auburn University. He participated in Instructional League following the 2020 season. In 2019, he returned from Tommy John surgery (May 2018), pitching in 11 games between the GCL Nationals, Single-A Hagerstown and Single-A Potomac.

McFarland, 31, ranks second among active relievers in ground ball percentage since 2013 (63.5%) behind only Zack Britton (76.9%). In 2020, he posted a 0.68 ERA (1 ER/13.1 IP) with just two walks across his first 15 games of the season from July 25 to Aug. 29. Left-handed batters were 4-for-21 (.190) over this stretch. He finished his only season in Oakland 2-0 with a 4.35 ERA in 23 games.

Mendoza, 23, is the No. 10 prospect in Washington's Minor League system according to Baseball America. In his first professional season in 2019, he hit .264 with 12 doubles, four homers 25 RBI, 34 walks and 23 runs scored in 55 games for the Hagerstown Suns. He was selected in the third round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida State University. Mendoza was a member of Washington's 60-Player Pool in 2020. He spent the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg) and participated in Instructional League following the season.

Mercer, 34, signed a Minor League contract with an invite to 2021 Major League Spring Training. Entering 2021, he ranks fifth among active shortstops in career fielding percentage (.980). Mercer has appeared in 904 games in parts of nine Major League seasons with New York (2020), Detroit (2019-20) and Pittsburgh (2012-18).

Parra, 33, returns to the Nationals after spending the 2020 season with the Yomiuri Giants of the Japan Professional League. He hit .272 with four doubles, one triple, four homers, 14 RBI and 17 runs scored in 55 games last season. Parra was a key member of Washington's 2019 World Series Championship after joining the club in early May.

Pérez, 30, is a veteran of nine Major League seasons in which he has proved to be a valuable, versatile defender. During his Major League career, he's seen action at third base (211 G), outfield (189 G), second base (175 G), shortstop (60 G) and first base (28 G). Pérez appeared in three games for the Chicago Cubs in 2020 and in 2019, he hit .228 with 11 doubles, eight homers, 18 RBI, 11 walks and 29 runs scored in 91 games with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Peterson, 23, was Washington's seventh-round pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Louisiana State University. He participated in Instructional League following the 2020 season. In 2019, he went 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 10 games (five starts) between the GCL Nationals and short-season Single-A Auburn.

Pineda, 21, is Washington's top catching prospect according to Baseball America. He was a member of the 60-Player Pool in 2020, spending the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg). He participated in Instructional League following the season. In three professional seasons, Pineda has hit .239 with 24 doubles, two triples, 11 homers, 71 RBI, 46 walks and 83 runs scored in 164 games.

Read, 27, returns to the Nationals after spending the majority of the 2020 season at Washington's Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg). In 2019, he ranked third among Nationals Minor Leaguers with a career-high 20 home runs.

Reetz, 25, was a member of Washington's 60-Player Pool in 2020, spending the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg). He participated in Instructional League following the season. In 2019, he was the recipient of Washington's Bob Boone Award after posting career-highs in RBI (55), hits (82), runs scored (54) and walks (46).

Rodriguez, 27, returns to the Nationals organization after spending the last two seasons (2019-20) with the Cleveland Indians. Washington traded him to Cleveland as a part of the deal that brought Yan Gomes to the Nationals. Rodriguez has appeared in 24 Major League games (16 starts) across two seasons (2018-19), going 4-8 with a 5.20 ERA along the way.

Rutledge, 22, is Washington's No. 2 prospect according to Baseball America and the organization's top prospect according to MLBPipeline.com. He was a member of the 60-Player Pool in 2020, spending the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg). Rutledge participated in Instructional League following the season. In 2019, he went 2-0 with a 3.13 ERA in 10 games (10 starts) after being selected No. 17 overall in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of San Jacinto (TX) College.

Sanchez, 30, returns to action after suffering a torn right Achilles in June 2020. The versatile infielder has appeared in 90 games across three Major League seasons (2017-19), hitting .263 with nine doubles, one triple, 15 RBI and 17 runs scored. He originally signed with the Nationals as a non-drafted free agent on Jan. 21, 2007.

Snyder, 34, returns to the Nationals for his fourth Major League Spring Training (2017, 2019-21). He was a member of the 60-Player Pool in 2020, spending the entire season at the Alternate Training Site (Fredericksburg). In 2019, he clubbed a career-high 31 home runs in 117 games with Triple-A Fresno. Snyder ranked among Nationals Minor Leaguers in home runs (2nd, 31), extra-base hits (2nd, 55), RBI (3rd, 80), slugging percentage (3rd, .537), runs scored (4th, 75) and OPS (8th, .852).

Swihart, 29, joins the Nationals after spending parts of five Major League seasons with the Texas Rangers (2020), Arizona Diamondbacks (2019) and Boston Red Sox (2015-19). He was a member of Boston's 2018 World Series Championship team, appearing in 82 regular season games and three Postseason games. During his Major League career, Swihart has appeared at catcher (129 G), left field (33 G), right field (23 G), first base (12 G), third base (3 G) and second base (1 G).

Tocci, 25, returns to the Nationals organization after originally signing prior to 2020 Spring Training. He is a former top prospect in Philadelphia's Minor League system (No. 5 in 2014-15) and in 2018, he appeared in 66 games for the Texas Rangers as a Rule 5 Draft pick.

Tomás, 30, appeared in 309 Major League games across four seasons (2015-17, 2019) with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's posted a .459 slugging percentage - including a career-high 31 home runs in 2016 - during his Major League career. He did not play in 2020 and in 2019, he spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Reno, hitting .301 with 24 doubles, 29 home runs, 82 RBI and 63 runs scored in 102 games.

Wilson, 24, has been cited by Baseball America as the "Best Defensive Outfielder" in Washington's Minor League system for two consecutive seasons (2020, 2021). The former 13th-round pick also enters 2021 as the "Fastest Baserunner" and "Best Athlete" in Washington's system, according to Baseball America. Wilson participated in Instructional League following the 2020 season. In 2019, he ranked among Nationals Minor Leaguers in steals (3rd, 23) and triples (T3rd, 6) in 86 games between Single-A Hagerstown, the GCL Nationals and Short-season Single-A Auburn.