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Phillies: Options for Three-Player Permissible Taxi Squad

By Bryce Turner

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: Deivy Grullon #73 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during game one of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: Deivy Grullon #73 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during game one of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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FORT MYERS, FL- FEBRUARY 26: Alec Bohm #80 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 26, 2020 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL- FEBRUARY 26: Alec Bohm #80 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 26, 2020 at the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

The Phillies have several top prospects who could make a splash this year

Infielder and Phillies’ top prospect Alec Bohm is expected to spend time on the team this season, but a good first step to introduce him to the majors could be a spot on the taxi squad. Bohm moved from low-A Lakewood, through high-A Clearwater to AA Reading in the first two and a half months of last season. With Reading, he hit 14 HR, 42 RBI and .269/.344/.500 in 63 games.

Bohm had an impressive run in spring training 1.0, with nine hits in 22 at-bats (.409 BA), while recording three RBIs. He’s the top prospect for a reason and time on the taxi squad may be short-lived in his quick journey to the majors.

Since a full taxi squad requires a catcher, Deivy Grullon would be a good option, with Andrew Knapp currently the backup catcher on the active roster. Grullon made his major league debut last season, where his one hit in nine at-bats was an RBI double.

His minor league stats are impressive, hitting 21 HR, 59 RBI and .273/.310/.515 in 2018 with AA Reading before hitting 21 HR, 77 RBI and .283/.354/.496 in 2019 with AAA Lehigh Valley. Not only does he have good hitting potential, but extra time as a bullpen catcher can help him learn from the Phillies’ top pitchers.

Right-handed pitcher and Phillies’ second-best prospect Spencer Howard spent most of last season with high-A Clearwater before finishing the year with AA Reading. With Clearwater, he had a 2-1 record, 1.29 ERA and 0.686 WHIP in seven starts. With Reading, he had a 1-0 record, 2.35 ERA and 0.946 WHIP in six starts.

Howard impressed in the minors and can find himself quickly joining the majors. He gave up two hits and no walks in a shutout inning with the Phillies in spring training 1.0. While the majors would be a big step, he could at least get a feel for the big leagues as part of the taxi squad.

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