The Toronto Blue Jays have invited 20 non-roster players to spring training this year.

Some are hopeful of earning a spot on the Opening Day roster, while others are looking to impress against big leaguers on their way to a future promotion.

Here are three non-roster invitees (NRIs) to keep an eye on this spring in Dunedin.

The 2023 first-round draft pick has generated plenty of buzz over the two full seasons of his professional career and will be looking to take another step forward in 2026.

The 20-year-old spent the entire 2025 season with the High-A Vancouver Canadians, and while he didn’t look overwhelmed, he didn’t put up the same kind of numbers he put forward in the lower levels.

Last season, Nimmala amassed a .224/.313/.381 slash line with 29 doubles, 13 home runs, and 61 RBIs while spending the entire campaign at the shortstop position.

The Tampa, Florida product has the kind of power scouts swoon over, and he’s mashed 30 homers in 220 games in the minors. This is an important year of development for Nimmala, and finding some contact to go with that sneaky pop will go a long way for the Jays’ prospect.

The Jays likely aren’t in any rush to get Nimmala to the big leagues, considering he’s entering this season at 20 years old, but the infielder will likely see some time in Double-A this season with Buffalo in the crosshairs by the end of the season if all goes well.

Acquired at the 2024 trade deadline in the Justin Turner deal to the Seattle Mariners, R.J. Schreck is one of the few outfielders among the 20 non-roster players invited to big league camp. He also got kudos from general manager Ross Atkins during the early spring presser, the same honour that Alan Roden earned last year before he bullrushed his way to an Opening Day roster spot.

The 25-year-old reached the highest level of the minor leagues in 2025 and seems poised for a big-league promotion at some point this season.

The left-handed hitter batted .242 with nine home runs, 33 RBI, and an .828 OPS in 58 games with the Buffalo Bisons and will be motivated to show what he can do against MLB pitching.

He joins a crowded group of depth outfielders, including Davis Schneider, Addison Barger, Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Joey Loperfido, but Schreck’s first step to the majors begins with a strong camp showing.

Unlike Nimmala and Schreck, Rodriguez will be entering this year’s camp looking to play his way back onto the major league roster.

Despite settling into a full-time relief role and being one of the more reliable arms out of the bullpen in 2025, Rodriguez was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Bisons this past winter.

The 28-year-old struggled over his last two postseason appearances in the ALCS, which combined with his shaky command, may have led to him having to earn his spot on the squad this year.

In 66 appearances last season, the Cuban native went 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 73 innings. He’ll need to work on his control, as his 11.4% walk rate was one of the highest in the big leagues, and will also be repping his home nation at the World Baseball Classic come March.

The Blue Jays bullpen doesn’t have the most wiggle room for additions with the current roster outlook, but a strong spring will bode well for Rodriguez and his quest to rejoin the active roster.

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