Phillies 2025 Minor League Spring Training

Andy, who do youthiink gets the last spot in Philly? Clemens? Kennedy? Mercado? Disregarding handedness, Clemens is probably deserving.

It feels like they are leaning to Arroyo if Rojas can play defense. Otherwise Mercado. Both of those guys could also be in the AAA mix too depending on their opt outs and the Phillies' need to keep AAAA players over prospects on their 165 person domestic roster.

Things will clarify shortly. I think they break minor league camp on Monday according to Steve Potter and players will get their assignments over the weekend. AAA starts the 28th and the other leagues a week or two later.

Especially since Burkholder isn’t even showing up in spring games.

Crawford will start in AAA. Aggressive, but obviously a pretty polished prospect. II think they definitely want a hedge against injuries in the outfield, especially in CF.

Stevenson was optioned today, I'm sure he's safe. If memory serves it was an extra option year situation?

Source?

It was on his Fangraphs page

https://www.rotowire.com/baseball/player/cal-stevenson-157542

(He may have just had an option year left in any case, might be thinking of someone else. Or no one at all. Though I guess I assumed PC thought he didn't since he was thinking release.)

Thanks, z.

Actually, I just found it - and a bit more - from a bot that mirrors the Phils' Twitter feed (I do not use Twitter any more):

Prior to today’s game, the Phillies optioned OF Cal Stevenson and RHP Kyle Tyler to Lehigh Valley (AAA). Additionally, the following players were reassigned to minor league camp: INF Christian Arroyo, C Josh Breaux, RHP Nabil Crismatt and OF Oscar Mercado.

https://bsky.app/profile/notphillies.bsky.social/post/3lkxunpeltn2e6

Assuming Clemens gets the last MLB spot, who is starting where for the IPs this spring:

C - Stubbs/Breaux
1B - Carson Taylor/Otto Kemp
2B - Christian Arroyo
SS - Robert Moore
3B - Buddy Kennedy

LF - Oscar Mercado
CF - Justin Crawford
RF - Marcus Lee Sang
DH - Cal Stevenson

Others - Matt Kroon, Gabriel Rincones (maybe AA), Weston Wilson (injured), Luis Verdugo

Seems like a very good defensive team for AAA, lots of OF who have seen time in CF, but no AAAA mashers to anchor the lineup. Solid defensive IF, too. The rotation is going to get hammered, though. Mick Abel is the #1 starter according to the reporters.

The Gelb article does allude (without stating as a fact) that Rincones will be in AAA too..

Too many position players for AAA -- Phils are gonna release some or send them to AA. Castro and Lantigua should be there, too, based on their priors. I'd like to see Rincones at LV, he's an older prospect who has lost time to injury, needs high-level ABs.

Noticed Andrew Bechtold was 97-99 cleaning up in the exhibition game today. He is the 3B that just started pitching last year in the Twins and Blue Jays organization. Turns 29 next month so he has a pretty short window to show he is a prospect, but the arm is good. Results last year were bad with lots of walks, but curious if this organization can find something in him.

Local Delco kid.

Also signed this kid today. Another upper 90s arm that topped out in AA.

That was kind of weird, 3 years at Arkansas, pretty decent stats, hits the high 90s and they never give him a look in AAA?
Sounds like someone decided he was too short and just gave up on him.

Lehigh Valley starts first (Friday).

Rincones does make it along with Crawford. Abel, Seth Johnson and Kemp round out the prospects.

Will have a larger IronPigs preview later in the week, but beyond the notable announced moves (Crawford and Rincones), it is surprising to see Erick Brito start there and McGarry and Garnett start in AA.

— Matt Winkelman ( @mattwinkelman.bsky.social ) March 25, 2025 at 12:39 PM

I think Brito is more about plugging in solid defensive SS onto the roster in the same way we often move catchers around when needed. Moore looks to be in AA and he is more of a 2B anyway. Maybe Miller takes the spot shortly (June?).