Major League Baseball

Royals invite 16 to spring training

Published Jan. 25, 2012 11:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Kansas City Royals have invited 16 players to spring training, including highly touted prospects Mike Montgomery and Wil Myers and veterans Kevin Kouzmanoff and Zach Miner.

The team announced the invites in a statement Wednesday.

Montgomery is considered the organization's top prospect. The left-hander attended spring training last season before going 5-11 with a 5.32 ERA in 28 games with Triple-A Omaha.

Myers, the franchise's best hitting prospect, batted .360 during the Arizona Fall League.

Kouzmanoff will have a chance to earn a utility job after spending last season with Colorado and Oakland, while Miner, a former Tigers pitcher, is trying to come back from Tommy John surgery.

Also invited were pitchers Francisley Bueno, Chris Dwyer, Tommy Hottovy, Will Smith and Jake Odorizzi; catchers Cody Clark, Max Ramirez and Julio Rodriguez; infielders Tony Abreu and Irving Falu; and outfielders Greg Golson and Paulo Orlando.