13 Dash alums earn non-roster invites

The White Sox begin spring training next month, and many Winston-Salem Dash alums will be on hand to prepare for the 2013 season.

The White Sox announced their non-roster invitees to spring training, and 13 former Dash players will suit up in Glendale, Ariz. This group includes nine players who contributed to the Dash's 2012 season, during which Winston-Salem posted the best record in full-season minor league baseball and reached the Mills Cup Finals.

The following Winston-Salem alums have earned a non-roster invite to spring training:

Pitchers (3): Erik Johnson, Jake Petricka and Scott Snodgress
Catchers (2): Mike Blanke and Kevan Smith
Infielders (5): Seth Loman, Tyler Saladino, Carlos Sanchez, Marcus Semien and Andy Wilkins
Outfielders (3): Stefan Gartrell, Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker

According to Baseball America, five of the top six prospects in the White Sox minor league system are among these 13 players. Thompson is the second-best prospect in the organization after leading the Carolina League with 90 RBI and finishing tied for first with 22 home runs. The former second-round pick finished the season with Triple-A Charlotte.

Sanchez checks in at third on the annual prospect list. He paced all CL qualifiers with a .315 batting average before reaching Charlotte to end the season. Johnson, Chicago's fourth-ranked prospect, wrapped up his 2012 campaign by posting a 2.74 earned run average in eight starts with Winston-Salem.

Walker is the fifth-best White Sox farmhand per Baseball America, and he finished the season with 56 stolen bases, which was good for the highest number by a Sox minor leaguer since 2003. Snodgress immediately followed Walker on the countdown and went 4-0 with a 1.50 earned run average in his eight High-A starts.

White Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training February 12, while position players will report February 17, which is also the date for the first full-squad workout.