Promising Phillies pitcher sinks in new MLB Pipeline Top 30 prospects update

MLB Pipeline recently released its 2024 update of the Philadelphia Phillies Top 30 prospects, and a number of familiar names are present on the list. Andrew Painter was ranked the number one prospect, with Mick Abel, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and Starlyn Caba rounding out the top five.

With the exception of Abel, it will be a while before Phillies fans get to see most of these players, but their inclusion on the list points to a farm system that is starting to get it right through the MLB Draft and international signing periods. While the Phillies' minor league system has a long way to go to be ranked among the best in the game, it's a promising development that a crop of dynamic young players are in the Phillies' future.

Unfortunately, that's not the case for one of the Phillies' most notable pitching prospects. Griff McGarry, a right-handed pitcher who was previously ranked No. 5 by MLB Pipeline in 2023, fell to No. 11 on the list after another tough stint in Triple-A last season. This season may prove to be a make-or-break year for McGarry as he works to figure out hitters at the upper minor league level.

McGarry's 2023 struggles have continued during spring training

After a failed stint at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2022 that saw the former fifth-round pick go 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in eight innings, McGarry spent most of 2023 back at Double-A pitching for Reading. McGarry got a second shot at Triple-A late in the season when he was called up to Lehigh Valley for three starts. The results were less than encouraging. He was again rocked by Triple-A hitters and was shut down for the remainder of the season by the Phillies after going 0-2 with a 41.54 ERA.

McGarry has appeared in two games so far during spring training. His first game was a strong outing in which he struck out three Miami Marlins. Unfortunately, his second appearance wasn't pretty. He gave up three runs on three hits with a walk and a hit batter. Overall, the 24-year-old is 0-1 in his 1 2/3 innings with a 16.20 ERA and 2.40 WHIP.

Obviously still young, McGarry will be given more time to figure it out on the mound. According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the Phillies reworked McGarry's delivery mechanics (subscription required) this winter, hoping he would gain better command over his stuff. Hopefully, it works for the once-promising pitcher.

With Andrew Painter still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and fellow pitching prospect Mick Abel continuing to impress, McGarry seems more of a project than a prospect at the moment.