10 NRIs to Clearwater

For most of them, it's probably a chance to meet and bond with future triple-A teammates before reaching the glittering lights and nonstop hot action of the Allentown area. But in any case, ten lucky non-roster invitees will join the Phillies major leaguers and prospects this coming February for spring training as the world champions begin their title defense. 

They are: 

Pitchers Dave Borkowski, Mike Koplove, Justin Lehr, and Blaine Neal

Infielders Mike Cervenak, Ozzie Chavez, J.J. Furmaniak, Terry Tiffee, and Andy Tracy

Outfielder Chris Walker. 

Koplove and Neal are both relatively good bets to appear with the Phillies at some point in 2009, though they're likely to come north with the team only in the event of injuries. Cervenak and Tracy got sips (probably not full cups) of coffee last season. Tiffee was once something of a prospect with the Twins, and has a .226 average in 243 major league at-bats over parts of four seasons. At the least, he might help the IronPigs be somewhat more competitive in their second season.

Usually the team invites one or two top prospects not yet on the 40-man roster to camp, from motivations of contractual obligation, courtesy, or learning experience; pitcher Kyle Drabek joined in 2007, for instance, and I think Lou Marson did as well last February. Pretty much all the Phillies' prospects of note, though, are either on the 40-man roster (Marson, Carlos Carrasco) or so far from the majors (Zack Collier, Jason Knapp, et al) that there's little point in inviting them. A few who are in between--Jason Donald, Michael Taylor and Joe Savery, to name three--might get invites later in the winter; Donald in particular seems like a possibility to break camp with the Phils if Chase Utley isn't ready for Opening Day.