2014 spring training: Byron Buxton, Kyle Zimmer lead AL Central NRIs

Familiar Face: Alex Liddi. The first player born and raised in Italy to make the major leagues, Liddi spent his entire previous career playing for the Seattle Mariners organization before the Orioles acquired him for an international bonus slot last season. Liddi has seen parts of three seasons in the major leagues, recording a .208/.266/.370 slash line in the process. It's not an exciting track record but the White Sox's third base competition is wide open, and Liddi has some prospect pedigree, ranking as high as fifth on the Mariners' top-10 prospect list in 2009 per Baseball America.

Keep an Eye On: Chris Beck. It's not a sexy profile, but Beck has a four-pitch mix and has already reached the Double-A level. He's likely to return there despite the invitation to big league camp, but the back end of the White Sox rotation is relatively weak, and Felipe Paulino is injury prone. This means there's opportunity for Beck to see major league action despite his lack of upper minors experience. He does well to keep the ball on the ground even if he doesn't miss a ton of bats. He should fit well into the back of the White Sox rotation should the need arise.

Familiar Face: Jason Giambi. The Giambino just keeps on pushing that Hall of Fame eligibility back. He squeaked out 71 games of putrid .183/.282/.371 production in 2013 and was bad in 2012 as well. If we stretch back to 2011 he was terrific (.260/.355/.603) in 64 games in Colorado, but his best value is likely that of a player/coach. He might not be mayor of Brohio, but he's likely a contributor to his campaign. Other names you'll know and remember fondly: David Aardsma, Shaun Marcum, Elliot Johnson, Jeff Francouer, Nyjer Morgan.

Keep an Eye On: Francisco Lindor. The precocious prospect has already reached Double-A at the age of 19. He recorded a .303/.380/.407 slash line between two levels, swiping 25 bases along the way. Lindor is deft with the glove, and shows incredible makeup. The Indians won't be afraid to push him and he's the future of the shortstop position in Cleveland, but he shouldn't arrive until next year at the earliest, so get your looks in now.

Familiar Face: Duane Below. Below put up serviceable numbers with the Tigers from 2011-12 before being claimed off waivers by the Marlins in April of last year. He performed poorly for them, throwing only 2-2/3 innings, giving up three runs in the process. He's going to battle trade acquisition Ian Krol for the role of second lefty in the Tigers bullpen. If he manages to make the team, he will resume holding his title as the only active major leaguer named Duane.

Keep an Eye On: Robbie Ray. Acquired along with the aforementioned Krol, Ray was the headliner in the trade that sent Doug Fister to Washington. He notched 58 innings at the Double-A level last season, part of the 142 he threw on the season. He suffered through a rough 2012 season that included a decline in velocity, which returned -- as did the good results -- in 2013. He attacks hitters with a low-to-mid 90s fastball with late movement. That movement allows him to rack up the ground balls, but he can still miss bats. His secondaries aren't quite as refined but the change up has projected as plus and is developing. It will be an important weapon when he does reach the majors, as he'll need something to combat right-handed hitters. He could arrive as soon as this year and should be a mid-rotation option in due time.

Familiar Face: Guillermo Mota. It's not a great situation for Mota, as Kansas City sported one of the best bullpens in the league last year. Still, something about spring training turns GMs into hoarders and causes them to send young players with options down enabling them to hold on to veterans they'd otherwise release. Mota was out of baseball last year, but he was able to sit at 91 MPH during his last stint in the majors in 2012, and it was only in 2011 that he logged 80-1/3 frames for the Giants. They Royals have added depth to their rotation, but are still intent on stretching out reliever Luke Hochevar, so there could be room in the bullpen for Mota.

Keep an Eye On: Kyle Zimmer. As previously mentioned, the Royals have done well to add to their rotation, signing Jason Vargas and Bruce Chen to supplement James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie and Danny Duffy in the starting five. This bumps diminutive flamethrower Yordano Ventura from the rotation, at least for the time being, and adds considerable depth for Kansas City. Zimmer is part of that depth, as the former first round pick has burned through the minors, reaching Double-A in just two seasons. He's likely to return there to start 2014, but could see major league action depending on the confluence of Kansas City's needs and Zimmer's own development. He attacks hitters with a lively fastball and a knee-buckling curveball as part of a four-pitch mix. The Royals expect both he and Ventura to front their major league rotation for years to come, and his first action could be as soon as 2014.

Familiar Face: Matt Guerrier. The 10-year veteran returns to the organization that gave him his first shot. Guerrier left Minnesota for a lucrative contract in Los Angeles, but returns by way of Chicago. While he never registered an ERA under 3.86 in LA, he was good for a 2.13 ERA in a small sample (12-2/3 innings) with the Cubs. Guerrier is vying for a spot in the Minnesota bullpen with the likes of Michael Tonkin and Caleb Thielbar.

Keep an Eye On: Byron Buxton. As if there were anyone else. All eyes should and will be on Buxton as he has a chance to compete against and learn from major league talent. The uber-prospect hit a combined .334/.424/.520 across two levels in 2013, stealing 55 bases and cranking 12 home runs. Recently ranked as the top prospect in baseball by anyone with a pulse, Buxton brings top of the scale speed and impact defense to the table immediately, and projects to hit for average and power as well.