Which 5 St. Louis Cardinals Non-Roster Invitees Have the Best Chance to Play in the Majors in 2015?

Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week, the St. Louis Cardinals announced 18 players who will join the team for spring training as non-roster invitees, meaning that they’ll have a chance to gain experience with the big-league club and make their case for roster spots despite the fact that they’re not on the 40-man roster.

The Cardinals have frequently given chances to non-roster invitees to establish themselves during spring training and have ended up carrying a few of them on their Opening Day rosters in recent years. Notable players who have recently risen to the challenge and won spots as NRIs include relievers Pat Neshek and Miguel Batista.

With the Cardinals having changed their player procurements strategies a bit recently and relying less than ever on established veterans from other clubs to fill holes, there will be a decent amount of competition for roster spots this spring, and the non-roster guys could definitely factor in.

Here are a few players who come into camp as non-roster invitees but could have a chance to see action with the major-league club this year:

Next: 5. Miguel Socolovich