Make no mistake about it, receiving an invitation to major league spring training camp is a very big deal. It is an opportunity for veteran fringe players and untested minor league prospects their one – and often times only – opportunity to show off their wares, so to speak.

For those veteran fringe players, it may very well be their last opportunity to make it to the Show before deciding to hang up their spikes for good. But for those prospects and even for those relative-unknowns who the front office brought on board for one reason or another – often times merely by word of mouth from scouts – it could be just the break they needed.

Case in point: Current Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Dodgers on February 5, 2014 after the New York Mets had non-tendered him following the 2013 season, was given an invitation to spring training … and the rest, as they say, is history. So, too, with right-hander Brandon Morrow last spring; the result of which resurrected his career to the tune of a guaranteed 2-year / $21 million contract (with a $3 million buyout or a $12 million vesting option for 2020) to be the Chicago Cubs closer (ouch, by the way).

There is zero doubt that Mets GM Sandy Alderson is kicking himself for letting Justin Turner get away. Turner would go on to receive a minor league invitation to Dodgers major league spring training camp in 2014 … and the rest is history. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

And then there’s that Bellinger kid.

For the most part, no one expected Cody Bellinger to make the Dodgers opening day roster out of spring training – and he did not. But while many of the so-called baseball experts predicted that the (then) 21-year-old Scottsdale, Arizona native might be a September 1 call-up, those of us who had followed the 6′-4″ / 210-pound first baseman / outfielder closely throughout his five-year minor league career were not the least bit surprised when he made his MLB debut on April 25, 2017; or even that he was named to the 2017 All-Star Game and later named the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, this in spite of spotting the league 21 games into the 2017 season.

And then there’s (now) 21-year-old left-hander Julio Urias who, but for a shoulder injury during the 2017 season, probably would be in the Dodgers 2018 starting rotation. The Culiacan, Mexico native – who was discovered by popular baseball scout Mike Brito of Fernando Valenzuela fame – made his MLB debut on May 27, 2016 against the New York Mets at Citi Field. And even though the 6′-0″ / 215-pound hard-throwing lefty made only 18 starts in 2016, he had been a non-roster invitee earlier that spring. (Note: Urias is expected to return to action in May).

Left-handed phenom Julio Urias became the second youngest Dodger in franchise history to make his major league debut as a 19-year-old. He did so on May 27, 2016 against the Mets at Citi Field. Who was the first? Why fellow Mexican left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, of course. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

When you look at the non-roster invitees who will be in major league camp this spring (as announced by the Dodgers this past Tuesday), you immediately notice a couple of things. First and foremost, there are an abundance of catchers on the list, this in addition to current Dodgers catchers Yasmani Grandal, Austin Barnes and Kyle Farmer who are all currently on both the Dodgers 25-man and 40-man rosters. The obvious reason for this is because of the large number of pitchers who will report for major league camp on February 13. Secondly, and more to the point, among those 22 NRIs are several of the Dodgers top prospects, including catcher Keibert Ruiz, right-hander Yaisel Sierra and most notably – at least in my opinion – outfielder DJ Peters.

Although it is very unlikely that the 22-year-old Peters, who was born and raised in nearby Glendora, California and grew up a die-hard Dodger fan, will make the team out of spring training due to the large number of Dodgers outfielders vying for three starting spots and perhaps two back-up (bench) spots, he – like Ruiz – is one to keep a very close eye on this spring. I say this because the 6′-6″ / 225-pound outfielder slugged 27 home runs and posted an impressive slash line of .276 / .372 / .514 for an excellent .886 OPS with the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2017, which earned him an invitation to the prestigious Arizona Fall League.

But perhaps of greater interest is that DJ has bulked up considerably this past off-season to closely resemble (dare I say it) fellow Southern California native Giancarlo Stanton, who is listed at 6′-6″ and 245 pounds … and we all know what Stanton did last season.

Peters spent much of the off-season working out at Dodger Stadium with several other Dodger players. He has also grown into his 6′-6″ frame … very much so. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Other Dodgers minor leaguers that Dodger fans may want to pay close attention to this spring are infielders Edwin Rios and Matt Beaty, and outfielder Yusniel Diaz. Also of interest is MLB veteran switch-pitcher Pat Venditte, who will be fun to watch in action out of the Dodgers Camelback Ranch bullpen this spring.

Whether any of these guys make the 25-man cut out of spring training or not is anyone’s guess. But one thing is for certain, Justin Turner, Brandon Morrow and (eventually) Cody Bellinger did.

Stay tuned…