The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for the 2025 regular season, and difficult decisions have to be made. With spring training in full swing, it becomes necessary to trim the fat from the roster, and while the Philly faithful would love to see more of their beloved prospects this spring, two of the Phillies' top young talents are no longer part of the team's major-league camp.
On Tuesday, the Phillies reassigned several prospects to minor-league camp. Among those sent down were top Phillies prospect Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford. The Phils also reassigned Carson Taylor, Caleb Ricketts, and Tristan Garnett.
Pair of popular Phillies top prospects in first wave of training camp cuts
The quintet were all non-roster invites to Phillies spring training this year, and while Philadelphia has high hopes for all five players, none of them had a realistic shot at making the Opening Day roster. It should be mentioned, however, that just because these players were sent back to minor-league camp, nothing is preventing the Phillies from bringing them back if needed.
Prior to today’s game, the Phillies made the following roster moves:
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 4, 2025
INF Aidan Miller & Carson Taylor, C Caleb Ricketts, OF Justin Crawford and LHP Tristan Garnett were reassigned to minor league camp.
Miller, the Phillies first-round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, is likely to begin the 2025 season at Double-A. The Phillies top infield prospect hit .261/.366/.446 split between two levels of minor league ball last season. Though he hasn't made the move just yet, a lot of onlookers assume that Miller will eventually move to third base.
Crawford, another one of Philadelphia's former first-rounders, is tracking to make an impact this season. The Phillies are hopeful that Crawford is able to cover enough ground to remain in center field, and this season will be an opportunity for the 21-year-old to show the Phillies' brass that he can do just that.
None of Taylor, Ricketts, or Garnett even crack the Phillies top-25 prospects (according MLB Pipeline), but all three could eventually make an impact at the major league level. The Phillies still have a ways to go to trim the roster down to 26 by Opening Day, but there's plenty of time left in spring training for Rob Thomson and Co. to make those decisions.