The Diamondbacks announced their list of 2025 Spring Training non-roster invitees on January 31. Arizona will bring several former Major Leaguers to camp, including infielder Ildemaro Vargas and a standout performer from the 2024 MLB Postseason.
The most notable name on the list is Garrett Hampson, the veteran utilityman who signed a Minor League deal with Arizona on January 31. Hampson hit .230/.275/.300 (.576 OPS) with 14 extra-base hits over 113 games with the Royals last season.
Hampson hasn’t been an above-average hitter throughout his career. However, the 30-year-old possesses plus-plus speed, very versatile defensively, & was a surprise star for the Royals during the ALDS last October. Hampson hit 3-3 with three RBI during the series against the Yankees.
Additionally, the D-Backs signed former National Ildemaro Vargas and ex-Padre reliever Jose Castillo to Minor League deals. Those two will also be in Spring Training, as well as Thyago Vieira, who made 11 appearances with Arizona last season.
As for the prospects, the D-Backs will bring infielder Gino Groover and catcher Christian Cerda. Arizona will additionally bring A.J. Vukovich, Christian Montes De Oca, Kyle Backhus, Kyle Amendt, Tristin English, Kristian Robinson, and Listher Sosa.
The 23-year-old Vukovich went undrafted in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft after a solid season with Amarillo (AA) and Reno (AAA). Vukovich hit .270 with a .794 OPS, 17 home runs, and 49 extra-base hits last season.
The former fourth-round pick has fallen from his lofty status as a high-ranking prospect but still holds value as a potential piece for Arizona’s future.
Robinson, meanwhile, will get a look at camp in 2025. The 24-year-old was one of the top prospects in baseball before the pandemic but his status took a steep hit in 2020. Robinson was arrested in 2020 for assaulting a police officer. Since he’s a native of the Bahamas, he was unable to get a work visa afterwards and didn’t play in the Minors until 2023.
His numbers in 2023 (.283 AVG, .914 OPS over 65 GP) were impressive. However, Robinson only hit .214/.337/.350 with 11 home runs and 25 extra-base hits with Amarillo last year.
The Diamondbacks joined the likes of the Mariners and Rays, teams that announced their non-roster invitee list on January 30.