Once a highly touted arm in the Philadelphia Phillies' minor league system, Griff McGarry encountered some major command and injury issues in 2024. So much so that he fell out of the organization's MLB Pipeline Top 30 prospects rankings.
Fast forward just one year, and the former No. 3 prospect in the organization has shown some promise once again.
On Thursday night, McGarry made his first start at Triple-A in this 2025 campaign. At a level that has given him fits, his solid outing inspired confidence in the 26-year-old's ability to bounce back as a promising pitching prospect in the Phillies' system.
Phillies prospect Griff McGarry impresses in long-awaited return to Triple-A
McGarry had garnered some attention early this summer as he was carving up hitters at Double-A Reading. In 72 innings over 17 starts with the Fightin Phils, the hard-throwing right-hander pitched to a 3.25 ERA. More impressively, he retired 103 batters on strikes in that span while also lowering his walk rate.
This week, McGarry made his season debut with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The level of minor league ball that has haunted the prospect. This time, however, he showed command and poise.
McGarry pitched a solid five innings surrendering just one earned run, on a solo home run, and two walks, all while striking out eight opposing hitters.
Griff McGarry finished with 8 strikeouts and allowed just one hit in his first start with the @IronPigs this season! pic.twitter.com/KnHWpqONRi
— Phillies Player Development (@PhilsPlayerDev) September 19, 2025
This was an important appearance for McGarry. For his career, he has posted an ERA of 8.44 over 48 Triple-A innings. The inflated stat undoubtedly comes from a staggering 11.4 BB/9 rate. In those innings logged at this level, the Virginia product walked 61 hitters. Yes, you read that correctly, 61 walks in 48 frames.
At that point, it seemed that McGarry was all but finished as a potential prospect for the Phillies. He knew that command was the main detriment to his game. He was even moved to the bullpen to try to figure things out.
That is something McGarry has been working on this season and he is seeing the results, per Reading Fightin Phils beat writer Aiden Stepansky.
“I'm happy with the way I've done that this year, especially from last year, not having my best year," McGarry said, per Stepansky. "But I’m bouncing back. (Command) is something I continuously work on.”
His walk rate has been cut almost in half since last season. In 2024, McGarry walked 10.2 batters per nine innings at two minor league levels and the Arizona Fall League. This year, he has a 5.3 BB/9 at three minor league levels.
The Phillies' 2021 fifth-round pick has always had great stuff. He pumps a hard fastball with plus breaking pitches (a curveball and slider) and an above-average changeup. Controlling the baseball has held him back.
If he can rein in his command issues on a consistent level, there is a real shot that McGarry could make his long-awaited MLB debut in 2026. He can be a genuine depth piece as a starter or reliever. After the adversity he has endured, it would be a good comeback story if he can pitch on a big-league mound in the near future.