The second annual MLB sponsored Spring Breakout games will take place next week, the Phillies will host the Pirates in their version of the event on 3/14/25. Yesterday rosters were announced (see Phillies roster below) for each of the teams.
Plenty of folks will dissect the roster over the next few days and I think that’s great to generate interest in the player development process. As one who covers Phillies player development on a daily basis it makes me very happy to see the spotlight shine on these fellas on a broader scale. I’ve written, at some point, about each and every player on this year’s roster so won’t go into great detail on anyone here as I do that pretty much as a routine. I will, however, offer some thoughts that perhaps those less familiar won’t have.
Pitchers :
Both Andrew Painter and Mick Abel are on the roster but neither will pitch in the game. Andy is on a planned slow ramp up to his season and will stay back in extended spring training. Mick threw very well in yesterday’s intra-squad scrimmage and seems on target to appear in a Grapefruit League game soon else when minor league spring training games begin next week (Phillies & Blue Jays will play against each other on the 11th and 13th). Moises Chace has also been in a slow ramp-up due to a lack of off-season opportunity to build his arm back up - he may pitch in the game, if so would likely be only for an inning. Both Aaron Combs and Casey Steward have had very solid camps (Winter HP, Mini Camp and Minor League ST) and would seem likely to pitch. Jean Cabrera pitched yesterday in the Grapefruit League game, his second appearance to date - he’s ready to throw a couple innings. I’m excited for Alex McFarlane who’s back to competing after a year of work with the rehab team returning from TJ surgery, the ball has been coming out of his hand really well in the live BP’s I’ve watched and in his last outing I noted the velocity seemed to pick up as well. Luis Avila and Daniel Harper are back end relievers who’ve also been in all of the camps held to date - both have big arm capabilities that would be fun to see in the contest. Gunner Mayer also earned a spot in the game with his camp performances to date, is throwing with a lot of confidence. Mavis Graves and Micah Ottenbreit are both starters - they spent the entire 2024 season in Clearwater, have also been in all the camps and are built up for game action, both are young arms that could make waves this summer with Jersey Shore. Griff McGarry has the tools to be a big leaguer but consistency in both command and control have hindered his path, can’t teach the big arm talent he has though so am hopeful he can get on track. The hidden gem on the roster just may be 19 year old Brad Pacheco who’s been limited by injuries to date to just five games (17 IP) last summer in the Dominican Summer League - the young man has electric stuff with high octane - am eager to see him this summer in his first time stateside.
Catchers :
I recently wrote a spot light article (https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/2-27-25-four-catchers-framing-upwards ) on both Eduardo Tait and Alirio Ferrebus - teenagers with a very bright future. Eduardo is on the bus today to Bradenton for his first Grapefruit League exposure of the spring (he’s not slated to play). The young man is a legit prospect at the very young age of eighteen. Ferrebus is a name folks will come to know more as well this summer, the nineteen year old has excellent tools in his own right. Caleb Ricketts is a left handed hitter who battled the injury bug a bit last season, good solid performer both offensively and defensively when he’s out there.
Infielders :
Aidan Miller is a shortstop, plain and simple - he’s continually proven that in his brief career, fresh off his first big league camp invitation the twenty year old has the all around goods to be an impact player in the show at the premium position, just a matter of patience, development and time. Bryan Rincon is a slick glove at shortstop but also has some pop, he showed that in a recent Grapefruit League game in which he tripled. From my observations I categorize Otto Kemp, Keaton Anthony and Carson DeMartini as “professional hitters” - they each have great approaches, quick hands, solid mechanics and the ability to drive the baseball. Anthony was a gold glove winner last summer at first base in the minors, Kemp is rock solid at third base and DeMartini can handle three infield spots, he may just be having the best minor league camp of anyone to date including hitting a dinger in a Grapefruit League game. Aroon Escobar and Devin Saltiban are both twenty year old second basemen with big thunder in their bats, each can turn on pitches and hit them a very long way.
Outfielders :
Justin Crawford is coming off a very solid first appearance in big league camp, he played right field for the first time, saw action in left for just the second time (the only other occasion was in last spring’s Breakout game against the Tigers) and made an outstanding diving catch as a center fielder - Justin also went 3 for 10 with two walks and two stolen bases posting a .417 OBP. The kid can play, is noticeably bigger than when we first met him as was expected as he grows into his frame - also works his tail off with a smart and dedicated plan. Folks can worry all they want about him lifting the ball as a hitter, I’m not one of them - with his speed and capabilities and further development including swing adjustments he’s on target to be a big leaguer who can impact games. Just sayin. We’ve also touted Gabriel Rincones Jr in the past, he’s shown this spring the power impact he can deliver - very confident and capable player. Both Dante Nori and Griffin Burkholder impress each day I watch them progress, Dante has adjusted his hitting approach via the tutelage of Phillies coaches in camps this past fall and winter - he’s impacting the baseball with even more authority - hit a dinger in yesterday’s intra-squad scrimmage. Burkholder has all the tools to excel, his BP sessions are really cool to see, well schooled and very talented, it’s gonna be fun to see them both in the Clearwater Thresher’s outfield this summer. Hendry Mendez has had outstanding camps to date this winter/spring - the twenty-one year old is hammering the baseball with power that some had previously had concerns was there - I can attest that it’s there as I’ve witnessed each day I’ve seen him hit this year - the young man has already shown very strong bat to ball skills - another “professional hitter” type - from what I’ve seen I think there’s also double digit home run capacity, that makes him very interesting indeed - another just sayin 🤓.
Should be a fun game to watch, especially for folks not so familiar with these players on the rise.
By the way there are five former Phillies minor leaguers on Spring Breakout rosters of other organizations - Starlyn Caba (Miami), Hao-Yu Lee (Detroit), TJ Rumfield (NY Yankees), George Klassen (LA Angels) and William Bergolla (Chicago White Sox).
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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