The Philadelphia Phillies announced their latest round of spring training roster cuts on Tuesday, sending down some familiar names. The news came after a wild affair at Fenway South that saw the Phils clobber the Boston Red Sox 18-8. Phillies batters picked up 13 hits and 16(!) walks in the lopsided contest that saw them improve to 8-8-1 in Grapefruit League action.
The biggest name included in the roster cuts is right-hander Mick Abel, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley where he will begin the year. The roster announcement also included some players who have made a name for themself this spring. The Phillies reassigned catcher Paul McIntosh, infielder Otto Kemp and outfielders Matt Kroon and Gabriel Rincones Jr. to minor league camp.
Following today’s game, the Phillies optioned RHP Mick Abel to Lehigh Valley (AAA) and reassigned C Paul McIntosh, INF Otto Kemp and OF’s Matt Kroon & Gabriel Rincones Jr. to minor league camp.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 11, 2025
Phillies fans will be disappointed to see some prospects leave camp in latest spring training roster cuts
Abel is the name that Phillies fans have been watching for, not just this spring but for the last couple of camps. The 2020 first-round draft pick has struggled to take the next step in his development. The 23-year-old got the start on Tuesday — his first and only appearance this spring — and it went about as well as you'd think it would up against a Red Sox lineup that featured a handful of Boston's presumed Opening Day starters.
Abel went 1 2/3 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits with a walk and strikeout. He got through the first inning unscathed, allowing just a walk, but things fell apart in his second frame.
He could have been, and likely was, destined for minor league camp regardless of Tuesday's outcome. The Phillies already knew Abel wouldn't be a factor in the Opening Day roster. However, they still believe in him, and when you take into consideration that he was one of the youngest pitchers in the International League in 2024 (he was five years younger than the league-average age), he still has time to figure things out after posting a 6.46 ERA in 24 starts there last year.
Otto Kemp and Gabriel Rincones Jr. made names for themselves this spring
A couple of the other names sent down to minor league camp will be more disappointing to Phillies fans. Kemp and Rincones Jr. made some this spring, and we were hoping to see more of them before their inevitable reassignment. There's still a chance both players could be minor league call-ups in the Phillies' remaining games, however.
Kemp, 25, is listed as the team's No. 23 prospect and made people take notice with his dynamic Grapefruit League play. He continued that trend on Tuesday, hitting a two-run triple and finishing his spring with a .350 batting average and 1.058 OPS.
Rincones, 24, started the spring hot, launching some big home runs as the Phillies' No. 10 prospect. He had a 1.438 OPS on March 5, but had a bit of a slide over the last week, collecting just one hit in his final nine at-bats. He finishes his spring with a .227 average and a 1.029 OPS, with three homers, six strikeouts and six walks.
Kroon, 28, hit .263 with an .865 OPS and one home run in 19 Grapefruit League at-bats. McIntosh, 27, came over in the Jesús Luzardo trade this offseason as catching depth. He had eight at-bats this spring but didn't collect a hit in his limited action.