Many MLB players competing for bench spots showcase their skills during spring training to make Opening Day rosters. Prospects do the same, but many are viewed as long shots to make their major league debuts following the end of spring training. The Philadelphia Phillies have young players aiming to make good impressions to be called up if needed later in the season.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. is one prospect who has made the club notice him this spring. The outfielder has demonstrated his power at the plate for the Phillies. However, with the position players ahead of him, he is unlikely to make his major league debut with the organization on Opening Day.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. is not expected to debut with the Phillies on Opening Day
Rincones Jr. has an excellent 1.438 OPS and a slugging percentage of 1.000 in 13 at-bats across eight Grapefruit League games. The 24-year-old has an impressive three home runs and seven RBI in the short span and has been one of the most surprising players for the organization this spring.
However, Philadelphia has several more experienced outfielders ahead of him on their depth chart. Due to this and the Phillies not being in a rebuild, Rincones Jr. will not make the Opening Day roster.
While the club's 10th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, will continue to develop in the minors, an opportunity could arise for him to debut with the Phillies later in the year (subscription required), according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's David Murphy. He could be playing well enough that the team wants to see how he does against major league pitching.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. mashes his third home run of the spring 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/kWiYB5ShIy
— Phillies Player Development (@PhilsPlayerDev) March 2, 2025
The franchise's outfield depth is not particularly strong. Nick Castellanos represents Philly's best option as a full-time player in the position group. Brandon Marsh seems more suited for a platoon role. New addition Max Kepler is coming off an injury-plagued 2024 and may be better suited to share playing time with another outfielder. Johan Rojas needs to make more progress on offense to be considered for more than a part-time role.
Even if he makes the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Rincones Jr. would not receive much playing time and will benefit from more playing time in Double-A with the Reading Fightin Phils. He may not spend much time there and could get an early promotion to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Triple-A. The outfielder needs to stay healthy as he missed three months with a torn ligament in his right thumb last year.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the following about the native of Boynton Beach, Florida, after he hit his first home run of the spring against the Baltimore Orioles on Feb. 23: "He's a really impressive guy. Very strong. Can hit [the ball] out of any part of the ballpark. Plays solid defense. He's a gamer ... He can hit. He's got some pop."
The organization will keep an eye on his development early on this season. The Phillies may struggle with injuries or a lack of consistent offensive production among their outfielders. If that is the case, Rincones Jr. may be on the shortlist to be promoted to the big league club during the regular season.