Just a small percentage of the players who put on a uniform in minor league baseball will make it to the major leagues but everyone who does dreams of doing so and plays with that goal in mind. With the MLB imposed roster limits it’s not up to each organization as to how many players they employ, prior to that limit being introduced the number of employed players varied as some organizations chose to invest more than others. There were still cut down days but not to the deadline forced extent that there is now.
With that being said this past Friday was the first voluminous release day for the Phillies 2025 minor league camp - eight players were released (RHP Konnor Ash, RHP Noah Skirrow, RHP Chase Hopewell, RHP Jonah Dipoto, RHP Cody Stashak, OF Jerffson Pena, OF Ricardo Rosario and OF Ethan Wilson). OF Troy Schreffler was traded that afternoon to the New York Mets for cash considerations. Yesterday four more pitchers (RH Carlos Francisco, RH Josh Bortka, LH Matt Osterberg and RH Trey Dillard) were released.
With the MLB mandated roster limit of 165 active positions to be reached by April 4th there will be more transactions coming. It’s an unfortunate ending for some players as their dream concludes or is at least detoured - some will continue the pursuit perhaps in independent professional leagues else catch on with another major league organization. Cut down days are solemn ones for those involved or cover the teams and get to know the players as people but also days that are expected. This season in particular the Phillies have made some very tough decisions with a few more to make in the near future, the fact that they are difficult decisions is a testament to the talent level the system has developed, there have been multiple talented players this year who have incurred a life altering morning discussion and then left the complex thereafter with an uncertain pro baseball future.
On the flip side there’s been quite a few players who’ve had strong camps and have put themselves in good positions for the coming season. The fact that the Lehigh Valley roster has at least four home grown players (Mick Abel, Justin Crawford, Otto Kemp and Gabriel Rincones Jr) on what has been traditionally a veteran “ready to fill” in type roster is again a testament to the lower level development process. Others who’ve had strong camps in my opinion include pitchers Casey Steward, Daniel Harper, Pedro Reyes, Titan Hayes, Zack Tukis, Braeden Fausnaught, Gabe Mosser, Andrew Bechtold, Aaron Combs, Alex McFarlane, Luis Avila, Marcus Morgan and Ryan Dromboski. Infielders Aroon Escobar, Carson DeMartini, Keaton Anthony, Bryan Rincon, Aidan Miller, Devin Saltiban, Bryson Ware, Felix Reyes, Nolan Beltran have had great camps as have catchers Alirio Ferrebus, Eduardo Tait and Josh Breaux. Outfielders Dylan Campbell, Carter Mathison, Dante Nori, Hendry Mendez, Leandro Pineda and Jaeden Calderon have also had strong camps in my view.
Others have incurred some injury setbacks, whether they be slight or more significant, and might require a few more days at the complex beyond the scheduled camp break date of 3/29. While the major league camp breaks today it’s not the end of spring training games as the Phillies minor leaguers will play the Tigers and Blue Jays the next three days after a camp off day today. I hope to be there to report on those games and as camp concludes - player development is about chasing the dream - still plenty of dreams being pursued. Just sayin.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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