Leo De Vries was a name that easily caught everyone’s attention when Athletics announced their non-roster invitees for Spring Training 2026. Top prospect. Center of the Mason Miller deal. Symbol of the future. But focusing solely on De Vries might have overlooked something more important happening at Athletics’ spring training camp.
Because this year’s list of 31 non-roster invitees isn’t just about prospects — it’s about a quiet gamble.
With a total of 71 players in camp, Athletics is creating a more intensely competitive environment than necessary for a team “under construction.” 18 names are former players from the end of the 2025 season. 13 others are free agents signed in the winter. That number isn’t random. It shows Athletics isn’t just observing — they’re pushing for a decision to happen soon.
De Vries, of course, is the center of attention. A 19-year-old has already reached Double-A status, with a profile that makes predictions about when he’ll reach MLB uncertain. If he performs well in Spring Training, Triple-A Las Vegas is almost certain. And if the A’s remain close to the race, De Vries’ name can’t be ignored for long.
But what’s noteworthy is that De Vries isn’t alone.
Right behind him are Jamie Arnold and Gage Jump — two Top 100 ranked left-handers, each representing a different timeframe. Jump is closer to MLB, Arnold is a strategic building block for the future. Their appearance at the camp is a clear signal: the A’s are testing who’s ready to take on the pressure sooner than expected.
The list of 10 prospect players over 40 invited to the camp further clarifies this message. Henry Bolte, Tommy White, Kuroda-Grauer, Lasko, Lin… not all have immediate standing. But they’re all placed in the same competitive space—where every bullpen, every BP could be an unofficial trial.
Conversely, the veteran non-roster group tells a different story. Nick Anderson, Wander Suero, Joey Meneses… none of these were brought in for their potential. They were brought in for their replacement potential. In an inexperienced and volatile bullpen, A’s are preparing “patchwork” options—not flashy, but ready to fill in if there’s a gap.
And then there’s Gustavo Rodriguez—a name easily overlooked but the most dangerous. A reliever who hasn’t debuted in MLB, but dominates the minors with an ERA of 1.64, a high strikeout rate, a ground-ball rate of nearly 56%, and closing experience. In an unstable bullpen, Rodriguez is like a card that can be flipped at any moment if someone else falters.
The common thread among all these names is: nothing is guaranteed for anyone.
To bring any non-roster invitee to Sacramento, the Athletics will have to spend 40 man. That means someone has to leave. DFA. 60-day IL. A quiet decision, but one that always leaves a lasting impact on the clubhouse.
And that’s the real gamble.
The Athletics are using Spring Training not just to prepare for the season—but to reshape their internal structure. Who is the near future? Who is the backup option? Who is just a temporary bridge? Those answers may be revealed much sooner than in previous years.
Leo De Vries is the tip of the iceberg. But beneath the surface is a system forcing itself to choose a direction. And sometimes, it is these silent choices that determine where the season will go.
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