The Philadelphia Phillies front office got down to business as soon as free agency began, starting the offseason off by allowing some notable minor league players to walk in free agency, adding a player to the 40-man roster, making a trade with the Detroit Tigers, and eventually claiming another off waivers via the Miami Marlins.
Right-hander Yuinor Marte, left-hander Kolby Allard and infielder Rodolfo Castro headlined the names exiting the organization via minor league free agency. With the Phillies certain to add additional pieces this offseason to replenish organizational depth at the upper minor league level, they wasted little time getting that process started by acquiring right-handed pitcher Devin Sweet for cash considerations from the Detroit Tigers and claiming right-hander John McMillon off waivers from the Miami Marlins.
Sweet and McMillion will both be interesting names to follow in spring training, especially if the bullpen remains unsettled after this offseason. With crucial bullpen pieces like Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez now free agents, the Phillies' engagement with this winter's free agent class of relief pitchers is sure to come under intense scrutiny by fans and media alike. With that said, let's take a look at McMillon, the newest Phillies bullpen arm.
Who is John McMillon, the newest member of the Phillies?
McMillion enters the Phillies organization with an interesting back story. Despite being drafted twice, once by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of high school and again by the Detroit Tigers in 2019 out of Texas Tech, McMillion opted not to sign on either occasion. McMillion found himself going unselected when the 2020 MLB Draft was shortened to five rounds during the peak of the pandemic, ultimately signing with the Kansas City Royals as a free agent.
After entering the Royals minor league system in 2021, McMillion made quick work of climbing up the organizational ladder, making his MLB debut at age 25 in four appearances in 2023. After spending the majority of 2024 at the Royals' Triple-A affiliate, McMillon was claimed off waiver by the Marlins in August, quickly establishing himself as a late-inning option for a talent-depleted Miami bullpen.
In 10 games for the Marlins, McMillion went 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA while striking out 13 batters in 12 innings of work. McMillion's 85 mph slider is his biggest weapon, holding opponents to a .100 batting average and only three hits in 30 at-bats this season. His other main offering is a four-seam fastball that touches 95 mph but registered a less impressive opponent batting average of .364 in 11 at-bats.
A September elbow injury brought McMillon's season to an abrupt end, but according to quotes from Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski from a recent article written by Matt Gelb of the Athletic, the Phillies don't seem too concerned with McMillon's health status for next season (subscription required).
"We took a gamble in the sense that we do like his abilities,” said Dombrowski, per Gelb, “but I can’t tell you that for sure (whether he’ll be healthy).”
McMillion was starting to carve a role out for himself before getting shut down this past season. Could the Phillies give him a bullpen role in 2025? With the recent subtraction of Marte, an obvious need was born in terms of adding an experienced right-handed bullpen arm to stash in Triple-A next season.
Could McMillon be the first man called up from Lehigh Valley whenever needs arise in 2025? The pieces seem to fit.