2017 Chachi Almost #3 Sean Burnett

Phillies 6, Pirates 3
Spring Training Game 30 - Sunday Afternoon, March 26th in Clearwater
Record - 11-15-4

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies rode a five-run first inning to a 6-3 win over the Pirates.

What It Means:  There are six more spring training games remaining before the season opener in Cincinnati on April 3rd.

What Happened:  Maikel Franco (5) and Andrew Knapp (2) both hit two-run home runs in the first inning.  Knapp has struggled this spring and his average is now at .184 (7 for 38).  But this was a big game for him as he looked good at the plate and threw out two baserunners.  He's competing with non-roster invitees Ryan Hanigan and Bryan Holaday for the back-up catcher's job.

Featured Card/Camp Head Count:  40 - 1 = 39.  Prior to the game, left-handed pitcher Sean Burnett requested and was granted his release.  Burnett had a decent spring, appearing in seven games and pitching to a 2.00 ERA (2 earned runs in 9 innings).  He had an out clause in his contract that kicked in on Sunday, meaning he had to be placed on the active roster or released.

Burnett's 9 innings in a Phillies uniform will be commemorated with his very own Chachi Almost card.

Non-Roster Invitees! NON-ROSTER INVITEES!!

2014 Topps #68

2014 Topps #568

2016 Topps Now #293

2015 Topps Update #US229

I get irrationally excited every offseason at the first announcement of the Phillies non-roster invitees to spring training.  First, let's take a look back at last year's non-roster invitee list, and I've put a ** next to each player who actually spent time with the Phillies in 2016.

Player (position) - 2015 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
**1.  James Russell (lhp) - Cubs - 2015 Topps #255 (Braves)
**2.  Emmanuel Burriss (inf) - Nationals - 2010 Topps Update #US-82 (Giants)
3.  Ryan Jackson (inf) - Royals/Angels - 2013 Panini Prizm #238 (Cardinals)
**4.  Frank Herrmann (rhp) - Angels/Pirates - 2010 Topps Update #US-89 (Indians)
5.  Chris Leroux (rhp) - Brewers/Phillies - 2013 Panini Select #205 (Pirates)
6.  Reinier Roibal (rhp) - Phillies - N/A
7.  J.P. Arencibia (c) - Orioles/Rays - 2014 Topps #627 (Rangers)
8.  Greg Burke (rhp) - Blue Jays - 2009 Bowman Chrome #103 (Padres)
9.  Ernesto Frieri (rhp) - Rays - 2014 Topps #240 (Angels)
10.  Gregory Infante (rhp) - Blue Jays - 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter #84 (White Sox)
11.  Angelys Nina (inf) - Rockies - 2012 Bowman Prospects #BP45 (Rockies)
**12.  Andrew Bailey (rhp) - Yankees - 2013 Topps Heritage #344 (Red Sox)
13.  Edward Mujica (rhp) - Red Sox/Athletics - 2015 Topps #131 (Red Sox)
**14.  Cedric Hunter (of) - Braves - 2011 Topps #554 (Padres)
15.  Mark Appel (rhp) - Astros - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #219 (Astros)
16.  J.P. Crawford (ss) - Phillies - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #208 (Phillies)
**17.  Zach Eflin (rhp) - Phillies - 2014 Topps Pro Debut #184 (Padres)
18.  Andrew Knapp (c) - Phillies - 2014 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #146 (Phillies)
19.  Gabriel Lino (c) - Phillies - 2012 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP199 (Phillies)
20.  Logan Moore (c) - Phillies - 2011 Bowman Draft Chrome Prospects #BDPP44 (Phillies)
21.  Brock Stassi (1b) - Phillies - N/A
**22.  Jake Thompson (rhp) - Rangers/Phillies - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #129 (Rangers)
23.  Nick Williams (of) - Rangers/Phillies - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #175 (Rangers)
**24.  David Lough (of) - Orioles - 2015 Topps #290 (Orioles)
25.  Yoervis Medina (rhp) - Mariners/Cubs - 2014 Topps Update #US265 (Mariners)

8 of the 25 non-roster invitees from last year saw some playing time with the Phillies last season. None of these guys were difference-makers, but it bodes well for the incoming crop of non-roster invitees that they have a fairly solid chance of getting Major League playing time in 2017.

Here are the first four of what will probably be a few dozen non-roster invitees to Clearwater beginning in February.

Player (position) - 2016 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
1.  Sean Burnett (lhp) - Nationals/Dodgers/Braves/Twins/Nationals - 2014 Topps #68 (Angels)
2.  Pedro Florimon (inf) - Pirates - 2014 Topps #568 (Twins)
3.  Hector Gomez (inf) - Korea - 2015 Topps Update #US229 (Brewers)
4.  Daniel Nava (of) - Angels/Royals - 2016 Topps Now #293 (Angels)

One step closer to spring training!