Which NRI's Have The Best Chance To Make The A's Opening Day Roster?

Krook, 30, signed a minor-league contract with the A's this off-season. Matt Krook was originally selected in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins, but didn't sign. He then got drafted three years later in the 2016 MLB Draft in the fourth round by the San Francisco Giants.

In 2017, just a year after being drafted, Krook was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays, in the trade that made Evan Longoria a San Francisco Giant. Krook spent time in the minor leagues with the Rays, before eventually being waived and claimed by the New York Yankees.

Krook would make his MLB Debut with the Yankees in 2023, where he appeared in just 4 games with the club, and gave up 11 earned runs, giving him a 24.75 ERA. That off-season, the Yankees sent him to the Baltimore Orioles for cash.

Krook only played one game with the Orioles in the big leagues, where he allowed two earned runs. Although his numbers in the big leagues aren't enticing at all, his numbers in the minor leagues as well as his potential make him a good player to have in the Spring Training camp for the A's.

With T.J. McFarland serving as the only left-handed reliever in the A's bullpen, it's possible that if Matt Krook can pitch well in Spring Training, he could earn himself a spot in the A's Opening Day bullpen.

Willie MacIver

MacIver, 28, also agreed to a minor-league pact with the Athletics this off-season. MacIver was a 9th-round pick back in 2018 to the Colorado Rockies. He has spent his entire six-year professional career in the Rockies' organization.

The catcher has a lot going for him to have a shot at making the A's Opening Day roster. Throughout his time in the Rockies' organization, he's shown that he can be a good hitter at every level, but hasn't made it to the big leagues yet.

In 2024 with the Rockies' Triple-A team, MacIver batted .297 with a .917 OPS and 15 home runs. That's a very impressive line for a catcher at any level, let alone the toughest level in Minor League Baseball.

His push to make his MLB debut is looking better than ever this year. The A's elected to designate their 2024 backup catcher, Kyle McCann, for assignment. This means the club is looking to replace McCann likely with someone else behind Shea Langeliers.

The A's traded for Jhonny Pereda, and he is currently the A's only backup catcher option on the 40-man roster besides Tyler Soderstrom, who will likely get a lot of playing time at first base.

If Willie MacIver can prove his bat is just as good as it was last year with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, he could give himself a very good chance at backing up Shea Langeliers for the A's this upcoming season.

Alejo López

López, 28, like the other two players on this list, also signed a minor-league contract with the A's this off-season. López was drafted out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds in the 27th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He spent nine years in the Reds' organization and made his MLB debut with the club in 2021.

López is certainly an option to fight with Max Schuemann in Spring Training for a utility spot on the Opening Day roster. Schuemann will have an edge on López for spending a large chunk of 2024 with the A's major league roster, and performing especially well in a pinch when the team needed a shortstop.

López is a switch-hitting utility man who has played second base, third base, left field, center field, right field, and has even pitched in the big leagues. Granted he only pitched as a position player in blowouts, but his ability to play all around the diamond as a switch-hitter makes him an attractive option out of Spring Training.

Unlike the other two players on this list, López has actually had some success at the big league level. In all three seasons that López has played in the big leagues, he's batted at least .261 or better. He only has 181 plate appearances in the big leagues, but the switch-hitter has had some success in the time he's been up in the majors.

None of these three players have a clear path to making the Opening Day roster, but certainly have a chance to due to some spots being up for grabs in camp, whether those are solved by players currently on the 40-man roster, or a non-roster invitee.