3 Phillies non-roster invitees who could sneak on the 2024 Opening Day roster
The Phillies invited 15 non-roster players to participate in major league spring training this year. Which invitees could make the Phillies' 2024 Opening Day roster?
Spring training is just under one month away, with Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers scheduled for their first workout on Feb. 14 in Clearwater. The Phillies announced on Jan. 18 that they have invited 15 non-roster players to participate in the major league camp next month.
The list of players invited to spring training includes some younger players looking to continue their progression to the majors like Mick Abel and Griff McGarry. The pitchers rank second and fifth, respectively, in the MLB Pipeline's last Phillies prospect rankings update in 2023. Considering both are highly valued young players, they'l likely begin 2024 with either the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Triple-A or the Reading Fightin Phils in Double-A.
The Phillies have invited the following 15 players to attend major league spring training as non-roster invitees: pic.twitter.com/aQPdVauwsY
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) January 18, 2024
Some players with big-league experience on the list include José Ruiz, Ryan Burr, and Scott Kingery. Previous experience on a major league roster may give a player an advantage over someone younger with no prior experience above Triple-A.
So who has a shot at heading north with the big club this year? We've picked three players from the 15 invitees who could possibly sneak onto the Phillies' 2024 Opening Day roster.
Cal Stevenson, OF
Cal Stevenson has played briefly in the majors in each of the previous two seasons. He played in 23 games for the Oakland Athletics in 2023 and had a .167/.261/.217 stat line. He struggled to limit his strikeouts, finishing with 23.
The Athletics traded Stevenson to the San Francisco Giants in April. He was sent to their Triple-A club, the Sacramento River Cats. Following a 0-for-9 stint in the majors with San Francisco, the organization designated the outfielder for assignment on May 19. Philadelphia claimed him off of waivers on May 26 and optioned him to the IronPigs.
Cal cuts the deficit in half pic.twitter.com/B5og59g8qO
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) August 29, 2023
Stevenson had a .271/.437/.472 line including a .909 OPS in 56 contests with Lehigh Valley. He had 39 hits, 30 RBI, and 46 walks in 144 at-bats. If the Phillies don't sign another outfielder this offseason, the 27-year-old may make Philadelphia's Opening Day roster as a depth player at the position with a good spring training.
José Ruiz, RP
José Ruiz's experience in the majors spans as a member of three teams — the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, and Arizona Diamondbacks — since his debut in 2017. He would be seen as a depth reliever considering that he has struggled to have a consistent prominent role in a big league bullpen.
For his career, the 29-year-old reliever has a 4.51 ERA in 212 appearances over 219 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander has had trouble with his command, with a career 1.49 WHIP.
Considering his flaws, Ruiz does have a good amount of experience throwing in the major leagues. He also pitched with Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. If the Phillies don't want to promote a young pitcher with no previous time in the majors at the beginning of the season, the Guacara native may begin the year with the big league club.
Ruiz could also earn a spot over Dylan Covey, Yunior Marte, or Andrew Bellatti if he were to outperform one of them during spring training. All of the three have struggled during their respective times with Philadelphia. Marte and Bellatti have each been sent down to the minors following appearances with the Phillies during their careers.
Tyler McKay, RP
Tyler McKay struggled after his promotion from the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in High-A to the Fightin Phils during the 2022 season. In 25 appearances at Double-A, he had a 6.47 ERA in 40 1/3 innings that included 28 strikeouts and a 1.51 WHIP.
The Philadelphia Phillies are promoting Tyler McKay to the Reading Fightin Phils. Congratulations Tyler! pic.twitter.com/urjvCHvBSi
— Milb Central (@milb_central) June 5, 2022
However, he improved last year beginning the season in Reading. McKay had a 2.54 ERA, 10 walks, 32 strikeouts, and a 1.02 WHIP in 25 contests. He also converted six saves in eight opportunities. The 26-year-old received a promotion to Lehigh Valley where he continued his success. He finished with a 2.67 ERA, 19 walks, 24 strikeouts, and a 1.48 WHIP after appearing in 23 games. He had two saves in four save opportunities with the IronPigs.
The improvement he made from 2022 to 2023 was encouraging. Despite not having experience in the majors, McKay could be a candidate to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster if he impresses during spring training.
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