Today marks the deadline for teams to submit their initial spring training player pools, which can comprise up to 60 players. Players are not eligible to participate in either a spring training or regular season game until they are included in the pool. Teams are free to change the makeup of the pools as they see fit. However, players removed from a team’s 60-man (for reasons unrelated to injury, suspension, etc.) must be exposed to other organizations via trade or waivers.
Not all players within a team’s pool are ticketed for MLB playing time, of course. Most teams will include well-regarded but still far-off prospects as a means of getting them training reps with no intention of running them onto a major league diamond this season. A comprehensive review of 2020’s unique set of rules can be found here.
The Phillies’ initial 53-player pool consists of the following…
Right-handed pitchers
- Victor Arano
- Jake Arrieta
- Connor Brogdon
- Enyel De Los Santos
- Zach Eflin
- Edgar Garcia
- Deolis Guerra
- Spencer Howard
- Tommy Hunter
- Trevor Kelley
- Mauricio Llovera
- Reggie McClain
- Hector Neris
- Aaron Nola
- Bud Norris
- Blake Parker
- Nick Pivetta
- Ramon Rosso
- Addison Russ
- Connor Seabold
- Robert Stock
- Vince Velasquez
- Zack Wheeler
Left-handed pitchers
- Jose Alvarez
- Garrett Cleavinger
- Cole Irvin
- Damon Jones
- Francisco Liriano
- Adam Morgan
- JoJo Romero
- Ranger Suarez
Catchers
Infielders
- Alec Bohm
- Logan Forsythe
- Phil Gosselin
- Didi Gregorius
- Josh Harrison
- Rhys Hoskins
- Scott Kingery
- Jean Segura
- Ronald Torreyes
- Neil Walker
Outfielders
i like these choices. no Hammer, but otherwise solid.
also still 7 spots but happy to see no Sanchez or Medina yet, which is good because neither are ready yet.
What happened to Betancourt? I wanted him over Knapp.
Only 3 Catchers.
and this team likes Knapp too much to have him replaced. id prefer Betancourt as well, but it wasnt going to happen. chances are he’s the next man up if they need to add a catcher though – not really anyone else in the Majors who the team can feel good about playing in the Majors this year
I thought Knapp was going to be a player but I’ve just about given up on him.
Yes, the Phils have only 3 catchers, but Braves have 7, Marlins, Nats have 6, Mets have 5, so they can have more.
Also, in terms of who was left off, some may have been the individuals diagnosed with Covid, and they are waiting on their progress.
Where the hell is Moniak??
+1
Moniak wasn’t very good in AA last season. He fell out of favor with some in the organization. I’m guessing that’s why he wasn’t included on the 60-man.
i wouldnt really suggest they’ve given up on him yet. he’s still young and looked good in 2018. last year wasnt great but overall numbers of all Reading hitters looked low last year for some reason. Very possible they add him later, but he probably was going to spend most of the year in the minors anyway so there is no rush.
No David Robertson? Maybe because he’s hurt. If the Phils have 7 spots remaining I’d go with Drob, Medina Hammer, Bettancourt, Gamboa, Stott and I would have kept Storen.
I would guess that the Phillies would use at least one of their open spots on a catcher. Also, I would expect them to add some of their prospects to get them reps. Mick Abel, Bryson Stott, Francisco Morales & Adonis Medina are some of their prospects that could be added
Might be keeping seven spots open to have room for players released/waived by other team prior to Opening Day. There are gonna be some talented veterans released early by the non-contenders, especially those on minor league contracts.
Unlike past years, when a non-contender could play a veteran in hopes he puts up numbers and can be flipped to a contender, that window is really narrowed this year. To wit, best to the non-contenders to just cut these guys now and move forward. Like what Seattle did with Cargo.
Finally, I hope this is Klentak’s final season as our GM. Other than spend Cigar Guy’s money (Harper and Wheeler), I am not overly impressed with his performance.
also no Darick Hall
Not one 2019 draftee? No Stott? Miller went up four levels in his draft year and he’s left off the 60-man for guys who can barely break 90 mph? So the 2019 players and 2020 just sit? Idiot move by the Phillies front office…
hardly. i think its the right move. players dont need to be on the 60 to train. its likely guys like Miller, Stott, Abel, Martin and others will be given workout and throwing plans to complete at home if they arent eventually added.
If I had to guess that’s what they’ve already been doing since mid-March… It’s not the same as live AB’s and innings on the mound throwing to hitters. Since 29 of 30 teams have now announced their player pools the Phillies are the far-far outliers for a vet/prospect mix.. BA which criticizes no team just came out and said the Phillies are only focused on 2020 and not on their minor league prospects… For an organization that doesn’t have the strongest minor league development this is a really dumb move..
well BA doesnt run the team. the Phillies are using spring training 2 for what spring training is mainly for – sorting out veterans. this team has a huge veteran NRI group and they need to know who to keep and who to get rid of. for them to say the Phillies are sacking the future because they arent giving their prospects three extra weeks of in person development is insane. a lot of pitchers have friends who can catch for them and the hitters probably can have guys throw to them. sure it isnt the same as the real thing but its 3 weeks less of practice for guys who are pretty far off and need much more than that to get to the Majors. chances are they add some of them later and they get live reps with the taxi squad.
What happened to Cornelius Randolph, 1st round pick from a few years ago?
Well he’s been below average to say the least. MLB pipeline has him pegged as a 45 overall potential. The Phils had not drafted well a few years ago. Randolph and Moniak come to mind.