Spring training games are underway in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. As with all clubs, the Philadelphia Phillies have multiple players known as non-roster invitees looking to make a positive impression before the start of the regular season.
Will a non-roster invitee consistently do well and earn a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster? The team has several possibilities from the first week of spring training contests. Who has made a strong impression early on in the spring?
4 most surprising first impressions from Phillies spring training
Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF
Gabriel Rincones Jr.'s power through the first week of spring training games has been imposing. He has two home runs and four RBI in nine at-bats in five Grapefruit League games. He has an eye-catching 1.400 OPS and a slash line of .333/.400/1.000 with just one strikeout.
Rincones missed two months last season with a torn ligament in his right thumb. According to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies' third-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft had a .600 slugging percentage through his first 13 games before the injury (subscription required).
He finished 2024 with a .252/.347./.453 line and an .800 OPS in 68 games, 59 in Double-A with the Reading Fightin Phils. Despite his power, he has demonstrated a surprising running ability, with 32 stolen bases in 120 games in 2023. The outfielder finished with 23 in 68 contests last year. The native of Boynton Beach, Florida, could have a future in the majors with his home run-hitting capabilities.
Nabil Crismatt, RHP
Nabil Crismatt's most time spent with an MLB team was with the San Diego Padres during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He has made one start and one relief appearance with the Phillies this spring. The 30-year-old started the first spring training game on Feb. 22 versus the Detroit Tigers, pitching two innings and allowing one hit with one strikeout. The right-hander pitched one inning in relief versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, allowing one hit with one strikeout.
Reliever José Ruiz was a non-roster invitee by the Phillies a year ago. Like Crismatt, he also had previous time in the majors and, after performing well in Clearwater, is still with the team. Crismatt could remain with Philly if he continues to excel. If he doesn't make the Opening Day roster out of spring training, he could start the regular season in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and find himself called upon as depth during the season.
Otto Kemp, INF
Another Phillies prospect, Otto Kemp, has done well through the first week of spring training. The infielder is 4-for-8 with a pair of doubles in five games, with a .500/.600/.750 slash line and an OPS of 1.350.
Kemp split last season between Single-A with the Clearwater Threshers, High-A with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, as well as 64 games in Double-A with the Reading Fightin Phils where he had 12 doubles, 11 home runs and 39 RBI in 64 games. He finished the season with 13 games in Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Overall, he finished with a slash line of .285/.392/.489, along with a .881 OPS last year.
Kemp has two runs, two doubles and one RBI this spring. If he continues to have offensive success, he will be worth keeping an eye on this year in the minors.
Christian Arroyo, INF
Christian Arroyo has played previously with the San Francisco Giants (2017), Tampa Bay Rays (2018-19), Cleveland Guardians (2020) and Boston Red Sox (2020-23). He spent last season in the minors with two of the Milwaukee Brewers' affiliates, briefly in Rookie ball and then in Triple-A, where he had a .222/.301/.326 line with a .627 OPS in 37 contests. He had eight doubles, 14 RBI and 11 walks.
The former 25th overall selection by the Giants in the 2013 MLB Draft has done well early on with the Phillies, who signed him at the beginning of training camp. He is 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBI in four games. He has a 1.375 OPS and a .500/.500/.875 slash line so far.
The 29-year-old could battle for the final bench spot following the injury to utility player Weston Wilson, with experience all over the infield. He has played 177 of his 295 MLB games at second base but has also played 17 games in right field. He could see time in the infield, particularly if Edmundo Sosa receives playing time in the outfield this year.