2023 Phillies Minor League Spring Training/Opening Roster Assignments

andyb 2023-03-28 20:23:39 UTC #41

Note this is the minor league thread.

Figured this is as good a place as any to talk about minor league assignments over the next week or so before we get daily threads.

BTW, the AAA schedule this year starts a week before everything else. LHV plays Friday (3/31). The other 3 affiliates open up a week later on 4/7. I think this is new. Probably explains why we have only seen the AAA roster today as some decisions below that may not quite have been made. Reading and Jersey Shore play an exhibition Tuesday (4/4) so imagine we will hear those rosters before the weekend.

andyb 2023-03-28 20:29:47 UTC #42

Here is Steve Potter's LHV roster summary. Adds a little on likely rotations:

BaseballCat 2023-03-28 22:48:02 UTC #43

Hope to see LV in Durham in a few weeks. Just depends if teaching schedule allows. Unfortunately Reading comes into Richmond to start the season and never return. I hate six game home stands (start of season is three). Reading used to come in 2x per year. We have more time once classes end, but the Phils teams are coming in in April. Gggrrr. Have not checked Greensboro, but JS is not in April I am pretty sure. Hope all gets a good dose of minors this season ️️

andyb 2023-03-29 12:51:34 UTC #44

Part 1 was mostly on the major league roster. Part 2 here is pitchers that have had good camps.

Squire 2023-03-29 13:10:41 UTC #45

Good stuff in there.

gmwannabe 2023-03-29 13:31:02 UTC #46

yes it is good stuff. Sounds like they are building an arsenal of high octane stuff. Nothing about McGarry? Poor spring training for him?
gm

phillychuck 2023-03-29 13:37:30 UTC #47

It is disappointing McGarry is initially in AA rather than AAA...if he had pitched well this spring I suspect he'd be in LV.

Rojas reacted to his AA assignment by tripling and homering in the intra-squad game yesterday. Should be good for him to start there for a couple of months.

It's always interesting in March/April to see how the players react to the cold weather--adaptation is required of players who intend to play outdoors in the northeast.

Austinfan 2023-03-29 15:25:46 UTC #48

Not with global warming.

zambonir 2023-03-29 15:41:54 UTC #49

Unfortunately the more germane part of that thread title, "climate change," still means worse weather early and late. It's not like October games are now in nicer/hotter weather.

julio 2023-03-29 15:44:35 UTC #50

I responded to Austinfan's "humor" in the climate thread. Let's leave it there, OK?

zambonir 2023-03-29 15:51:05 UTC #51

Ah, I wasn't sure what was going on there, logistically.

To keep it on topic I think the idea that players "heat up" as the weather does and players from warmer climates struggle in the cold is probably bogus too, so long as they are properly prepared by the training and equipment staff. And it's also an "affects both teams" situation.

Connor Brogdon pitched in Idaho so that logic would also make him the Phillies' best reliever on a cold night. Mick Abel doesn't see much winter but he's used to rain and 40 degrees.

julio 2023-03-29 16:03:02 UTC #52

There certainly are weather effects. Right off, a team that builds its offense around the long ball (which is arguably the Phillies) is going to take a hit to offense in cold weather (cold air is denser, balls don't carry as far). If its really cold, it can affect pitchers' ability to grip the ball, which can hurt some pitchers more than others. As you said, these things impact both teams - but if your team is built in certain ways, it can be challenging.

As it happens, the Phils shouldn't have weather issues (apart from possible rain) early - they open in Texas, where it's forecast to be warm; then go to NYC, where the forecast is pretty balmy for early April (lows around 50ºF), then afternoon games at home vs the Reds. FIrst home night game is 4/10; I don't have a weather forecast for that far out (and it wouldn't be too reliable if I did!).

Matt_Winkelman 2023-03-29 16:22:34 UTC #53

On the McGarry starting level and a grouping of the top pitching prospects in AA, it is important to remember that AAA has largely become a waiting area for AAAA guys. The AA guys also get another week of dedicated instruction in Florida and I am pretty sure the Phillies sent their best pitching coach and dev resources to AA because of the density of pitching prospects there. Additionally AAA in April is especially stocked with players who can immediately step into a major league roster and you aren't 100% worried if you mess with their schedule because you need them ready to get in a car or on a place. These things have a tendency to work themselves out quickly as we get into the swing of the season.

allentown 2023-03-29 18:49:38 UTC #54

I think all players suffer increased injury risk playing in cold weather, such as April nights at Reading. HRs definitely pick up in Reading and Allentown when the warm weather arrives. Spring in the north favors pitchers, as long as they can throw strikes in that weather. Both teams really should play far more day games in April.

andyb 2023-03-30 17:54:39 UTC #55

Yesterday's action. Jordan Viars 4-4.

Plus part 3 on hitting standouts in camp:

Squire 2023-03-30 17:57:09 UTC #56

I swear...if Vairs starts off the season in a slump, I may lose it.

andyb 2023-03-30 18:12:46 UTC #57

He is 12-20 with 2 HRs this Spring. Bryan Rincon looks to be another early performer.

andyb 2023-03-31 17:24:36 UTC #58

Last report from yesterday:

Lehigh Valley opens today (need a minor league game day thread!). Reading, Jersey Shore, and Clearwater open a week from today with Jersey Shore and Reading playing a Tuesday exhibition in Jersey Shore.

Now we just need rosters for the last 3 teams though they should be coming soon.

allentown 2023-03-31 19:40:54 UTC #59

A total wipe-out day.

andyb 2023-04-04 14:45:29 UTC #60

Roster day for the rest of the system. Reading here:

We present to you the 2023 Reading Fightin Phils!

Read more on an exciting group heading to Reading to start this season: https://t.co/Z82Vp0MSuC pic.twitter.com/WdKIqoT130
— Reading Fightin Phils ( @ReadingFightins ) April 4, 2023

McGarry starts on the IL unfortunately. More including Jersey Shore here:

Still need Clearwater. They could have the best defensive outfield in the minors with Crawford, Boyd, and Yhoswar Garcia (with a little Jordan Viars hitting home runs too).

And now we have Clearwater"