Zimmer, Bonifacio top list of Royals' non-roster spring training invitees
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- This will warm you up: Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Surprise, Ariz., in 36 days.
And with that in mind, the Royals officially released their list of non-roster spring training invitees Thursday, a list that includes top prospects Kyle Zimmer, a right-hander, and Jorge Bonifacio, an outfielder.
Of the 16 invitees, 10 played in the Royals' system in 2013. Right-hander Jason Adam (fifth round, 2010), left-hander Scott Alexander (sixth round, 2010), right-hander Aaron Brooks (ninth round, 2011) and Zimmer (first round/fifth overall, 2012) were all drafted by the Royals; right-hander Sugar Ray Marimon, catcher Juan Graterol and Bonifacio all signed as non-drafted free agents; and catcher Adam Moore and outfielders Gorkys Hernandez and Paulo Orlando were acquired previously from other organizations but played in the Royals' system in 2013.
Other non-roster invitees, each of whom has previous major league experience, are right-handers Cory Wade and P.J. Walters, recently signed catcher Ramon Hernandez, infielders Jason Donald and Brandon Laird, and outfielder Melky Mesa.
Pitchers and catchers will report to Surprise on Friday, Feb. 14.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter @jflanagankc or email jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
