Phillies Leave Former Top 5 Prospect Griff McGarry Off 40-Man Roster

The Phillies made some roster moves on Tuesday, adding a few players to their 40 man roster, protecting them from the Rule 5 Draft.

The team selected the contracts of right-handed pitchers Mick Abel, Jean Cabrera and Moisés Chace to the 40-man roster.

The Phillies 40-man roster currently stands at 39 players.

In addition to those moves, right-handed pitcher John McMillon, who was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Nov 4, cleared waivers and was outrighted to triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 2024, McMillon, 26, made 10 relief appearances, going 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA (2 ER, 12.0 IP), 13 strikeouts, a 1.00 WHIP and limited opponents to a .171 batting average.

One name that was not protected was pitcher Griff McGarry, the right handed pitcher was once viewed as one of the Phillies’ best prospects, but struggled in 2024. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League, posting a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings, he walked 11 batters, which has been an issue for McGarry.

I saw McGarry pitch in a Double-A game in 2023 in Altoona against the Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate. In that game, you could see why he was such a highly thought of prospect, dealing seven innings, with 10 strikeouts, allowing no runs and just three hits and did not issue any walks.

It is likely the fomrer No. 4 prospect in the Phillies system will be selected in Decembers Rule 5 Draft.