Will anyone surprise us?

Going into spring training Yankee management pretty much knows who will make the 25-man roster with the exception of maybe a couple spots or so. Even then, it's basically down to a few known candidates with the survivors being either someone who outplays the competition or someone who performs themselves off the roster with a lackluster showing.

But every now and then someone comes out of nowhere and surprises everyone. It could be a veteran on a minor league deal who puts it all together to snare a roster spot, or an under-the-radar minor league prospect who harnesses their potential all at once to turn heads and make management revaluate their plans and timetables. One of the axioms of baseball is to not put to much faith in spring training showings. What happens in Florida won't necessary continue in New York, but if someone has made you take notice, it's hard to turn it aside as just some spring mirage.

It's spring and even the hopeless have high hopes. Let's dare to imagine the unimaginable. Who could the surprise of camp be?

First, let's eliminate some players not because they couldn't be the choice but because it really wouldn't surprise me. For example, Jesus Montero. It would be great if he had a tremendous spring and ripped the cover off the ball, but that wouldn't surprise me. Juan Miranda wouldn't surprise me either. He's been knocking on the door for a couple of years now. Ivan Nova or Zach McAllister won't surprise me because I already feel they are on the verge of being big league pitchers. I think Kevin Russo will battle Ramiro Pena for the backup infield job, and that Romulo Sanchez will contend for a bullpen role. I'm going for the long shots or the ones who supposedly have no shots. Here are my darkest of darkhorses:

Jorge Vazquez - A former Mexican Leaguer who hit .321 over his career there with 151 home runs. He hit .329 with 13 homers for Trenton last year. He'll be 28 and plays first-base, but projects as a DH if he makes the majors.

Eduardo Nunez - A freeseinger who hit .322 with 9 homers and 55 rbis, but walked only 22 times in 497 at-bats last year at Trenton. A shortstop with a strong arm but a guy who makes a lot of errors (33).

Brandon Laird -Brandon hit 13 homers with 75 rbis at Tampa last year, and then followed that up a .333 batting average in the Arizona Fall League. He can play first or third base, but needs work on his defensive skills.

David Winfree - A 23-year old signed as a minor league free agent from the Twins organization. Winfree is an outfielder with some power and has a strong arm. However, he's slow and lacks on-base skills.

Greg Golson - Selected by the Phillies in the first round (#21) in the 2004 Draft; he has never lived up to expectations. Greg is very fast and a good defensive outfielder, but hasn't hit and strikes out a lot.

Jason Hirsch -Big at 6'8"/260; he was once the top prospect in the Astros organization in 2005. He also was the Texas League Pitcher of the Year and the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year before injuries (rotator cuff) derailed his career. The 28-year old righthander went 4-0 with a 1.35 era at Scranton last year.

Grant Duff - The 6'6 right-handed pitcher is 27 years old and had 4-2 record at Trenton with a 3.22 era. He's one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the organization with a fastball that has allegedly touched 99 mph.

Kevin Whelan - A hard-throwing right-handed pitcher with a good splitter, Whelan is now 26 years old. His fastball has been clocked in the 95-96 mph range. His biggest problems have been control and injuries. He came to the Yankees in the Gary Sheffield trade from Detroit.

Wilkin Arias - A lefty pitching reliever, Arias is 29 years old. He was 5-4 with a 3.65 era for Trenton last year and struck out 9.6 batters per 9 innings. His control was a problem, but the Yankees need some left-handed throwing relief pitchers.

Kei Igawa - Nah!

Do I think any of these guys will make the team? No. But then you never know when lighning will strike.