Padres Extend Non-Roster Invites to 32 Players for Spring Training

It will be a crowded spring training for San Diego.

The San Diego Padres have extended non-roster invites to 32 players for Major League spring training for the 2024 season.

Here's the full list of players, broken out by position:

Right-Handed Pitchers (12): Lake Bachar, Ryan Bergert, Drew Carlton, Yovanny Cruz, Matt Festa, Nick Hernandez, Kevin Kopps, Moises Lugo, Adam Mazur, Tommy Nance, Drew Thorpe, Nolan Watson

Left-Handed Pitchers (5): Daniel Camarena, Ryan Carpenter, Austin Krob, Jayvien Sandridge, Robby Snelling

Catchers (3): Kevin Plawecki, Ethan Salas, Chandler Seagle

Infielders (6): Marcos Castañon, Mason McCoy, Jackson Merrill, Nate Mondou, Graham Pauley, Tyler Wade

Outfielders (6): Bryce Johnson, Jakob Marsee, Óscar Mercado, Calvin Mitchell, Tirso Ornelas, Robert Perez Jr.

We have extended Major League Spring Training invitations to 32 players.

Details: https://t.co/g3LCg66c92 pic.twitter.com/dRr9XjlfLR

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) January 26, 2024

The most enticing name on the list is 17-year-old catcher, Ethan Salas. He's risen the ranks of the Padres' minor league system, and will get an opportunity to showcase his skills among tons of big-league talent.

Another top prospect, Jackson Merrill, will get that same opportunity. He's the team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and is expected to make his MLB debut in 2024. He's just 20 years old.

Robby Snelling, the team's No. 3 prospect, is also 20 years old, and expected to make his debut in 2025. He's the highest-ranked pitching prospect in the San Diego organization.

Of the 32 players invited to spring training, 15 of them are minor league free agents who are new to the organization.