These 4 non-roster invitees could make the Rangers' Opening Day roster

The pool of non-roster invitees is already quite the treat to watch throughout the spring. It usually consists of minor leaguers and veterans looking to get back on the right track.

They usually get demoted to the minors or granted their release prior to the start of the regular season. However, some non-roster guys do occasionally make the Opening Day roster.

Wyatt Langford was technically a non-roster invitee who got to Arlington on Opening Day last season. Jared Walsh was another spring invitee class of 2024 to not only make the roster but start on Game One due to Nathaniel Lowe's injury.

This spring, the Texas Rangers non-roster list is nearing 20, ranging from 18-year-old star Sebastian Walcott and 41-year-old journeyman reliever Jesse Chavez.

Regardless, the Rangers will likely need the services of an invitee or two this season. Here are four likely picks.

Nick Ahmed

Ahmed is one of the most recent veteran position players to receive an invite to spring training, alongside Sam Haggerty.

The infield is stacked so his chances are slim but Ahmed is still an intriguing player. His defense is among the reasoning to support him.

There's very little argument for someone trying to argue he's not a valuable defensive weapon. Even in limited opportunities last year, Ahmed was a plus defender providing 7 fielding run value and 9 outs above average, both among the top 15% in the league.

I understand his offense has been a non-factor throughout his whole career. In 11 seasons he has a career average of .234 and the Diamondbacks released him back in 2023 when Geraldo Perdomo was coming into this own and providing results on both sides of the ball at a cheaper price.

Not saying he will 100% be on the roster but he will be an intriguing candidate to watch this spring.

Jesse Chavez

I'm betting a solid reunion could be happening in Arlington come late March.

Chavez previously pitched for the Rangers for two seasons back in 2019 and 2020, where he pitched in 66 games. It wasn't the smoothest experience as in his last 18 games with Texas he recorded a 6.88 ERA while batters hit .303 against him.

Despite a tough few seasons, his 2024 season with Atlanta provided the team with 63.1 innings out of the bullpen and finished the year with a 3.13 ERA with 55 strikeouts.

But the team needs some relief help and I bet they are putting a lot of weight into the fact that Chavez is a 17-year vet with experience in big moments.

Adrian Houser

Houser is a good pitcher to have on your side because he provides a lot of versatility for your staff.

Throughout his career, he's appeared in 152 games with 107 of those being starts. He still doesn't have numbers that stand out, recording a career 4.21 ERA, close to 500 strikeouts and 1.52 WHIP in 69 innings.

Texas's bullpen makeup is still up in the air and won't likely be solved until days before the regular season kicks off on March 28 in Arlington. Some names are pretty locked in to a spot in the bullpen but because of the hole free agent departures left, some decisions are still left to be determined.

Houser has the opportunity to perform well in spring training and prove his value to Bruce Bochy and Mike Maddux, which may as well end on the 26-man active roster.

Matt Festa

"I thought Matt Festa wasn't on the team anymore?" If this was last week you'd be correct but he's back! The 31-year-old returned earlier this week on a minor league deal after being released from the Chicago Cubs.

What is keeping Festa in consideration to make the roster is his most recent track recoed with the organization. The catchers, coaches and pitching staff are familiar with him and understand how he goes about his business.

He was also among the team's most used arms down the stretch, appearing in 18 games since joining the team on June 30.

While he doesn't throw particulary hard he's one of the better pitchers when it comes to average exit velocity, chase percentage and hard-hit percentage. As a reliever he shows promise and confidence that he will pick up innings and record outs.