3 takeaways from Padres' non-roster invites

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres’ spring roster is set.

On Wednesday, San Diego announced its full list of non-roster invites to Spring Training, a group of 30 players who will join the players already on the team’s 40-man roster in Peoria, Ariz.

Here's the list in full:

Right-handers (14): Aaron Brooks, Drew Carlton, Efrain Contreras, Anderson Espinoza, Wilmer Font, Jordan Guerrero, Eric Hanhold, Moises Lugo, Sean Poppen, Angel Sánchez, Craig Stammen, Domingo Tapia, Julio Teheran, Matt Waldron

Left-handers (2): Daniel Camarena, Aaron Leasher

Catchers (3): Juan Fernandez, Chandler Seagle, Pedro Severino

Infielders (6): Tim Lopes, Jackson Merrill, Rangel Ravelo, Alfonso Rivas, Max Schrock, Jantzen Witte

Outfielders (5): David Dahl, Taylor Kohlwey, Luis Liberato, Tirso Ornelas, Preston Tucker

A few quick takeaways from the announcement:

1. There are roster spots to be won, particularly in the outfield

If you’re counting, that’s five left-handed-hitting outfielders on this list. Coincidence? Maybe not.

With Fernando Tatis Jr. out for the season's first 20 games, there are two roster spots available on San Diego's bench, rather than one. The outfield mix is suddenly thin, and there’s a dearth of left-handed weapons on the bench.

As such, keep an eye on the group of non-roster outfielders this spring. Someone like Dahl would have to overtake a roster player like, say, Brandon Dixon or José Azocar. But his skill set is enticing if he can put together an impressive camp.

2. There might be a rotation place up for grabs, too

The Padres' preference is to open the season with a six-man rotation, considering the success they had employing such a strategy last year. But as things stand, they only have five starters.

Manager Bob Melvin implied Saturday that the team wouldn't force a six-man rotation if no other starter earned that No. 6 spot. At the very least, that portends an interesting spring battle.

Among the 40-man roster options for that spot are: Reiss Knehr, Jay Groome, Ryan Weathers, Brent Honeywell Jr. and Adrian Morejon. Joining that group from Wednesday's list of NRIs: Veteran right-handers Teheran and Font.

3. The Jackson Merrill show

The Padres’ starting shortstop (Xander Bogaerts), second baseman (Ha-Seong Kim) and third baseman (Manny Machado) will be off to the World Baseball Classic next month. So who will fill the void in Cactus League play?

"We'll probably be using some guys in development, guys in the Minor Leagues more so," Melvin said. "Which is a good thing for them. It gives them an opportunity for a big league staff to see them. ... It gives some kids in the Minor Leagues an opportunity to play some big league Spring Training games."

Most notable among that group is Merrill, the Padres’ top prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 overall. The 19-year-old shortstop is coming off a season in which he slashed .339/.395/.511 between Rookie ball and Single-A. He’ll likely get an extended run in big league camp -- playing shortstop primarily, with Bogaerts playing for Team Netherlands. But Merrill might see some time at second and third as well.