Will the Philadelphia Phillies trade this “hidden gem” pitching prospect?

MLB teams asked the Phillies about trading for pitching prospect Griff McGarry before the lockout

Over the last five years, the Philadelphia Phillies have become known for their barren farm system, which dropped lower and lower in the organizational rankings each year from 2017-21.

However, they are not so devoid of talent that other teams aren’t looking to trade with them. According to The Athletic‘s Matt Gelb (subscription required), pitching prospect Griff McGarry’s name “surfaced in cursory trade talks” before the MLB lockout began on December 2.

For the Phillies, it’s validation and vindication. As new farm director, Preston Mattingly put it last week,

“I think the (system) is deeper than people think.I’ve had the pleasure of seeing a bunch of other teams’ top guys and I think the guys in our system stack up with those guys. They don’t get the recognition that others do.”

And if teams want to acquire their prospects, he’s correct.

McGarry was a star for the University of Virginia, with pitching coach Drew Dickinson saying he has “some of the best raw stuff he’s ever seen.” In the NCAA Super Regional, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning; during the 2021 College World Series, he carried one into the eighth.

“The best arm talent I’ve ever been around and coached… how his arm works, how the ball explodes out of his hand, and the athleticism that he possesses. Exactly what you dream on.”Drew Dickinson

The Phillies drafted McGarry in the fifth round of the 2021 June draft. His debut professional season included a 2.96 ERA over 24 1/3 innings; he struck out 43 of 100 batters faced. His 14% walk rate leaves a lot to be desired, but there’s far more upside to the hard-throwing righty than downside.

McGarry is now represented by super-agent Scott Boras, who also reps Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins, as well as other superstars around the league. Being a Boras client is a pedigree in itself. He’s gotten his clients some of the richest contracts not only in MLB history, but in all of pro sports; Harper’s 13-year deal was the richest in North American pro sports history at the time.

If all goes according to plan, the Phillies will have a dominant rotation in the next few years. Mick Abel, Andrew Painter, and McGarry are three top pitching prospects set to debut in 2024-25. Teams’ pursuit of McGarry is confirmation that the Phillies are building towards something big.