The Philadelphia Phillies revealed their 60-player pool that will start off spring training 2.0 later this week.

Among those players selected were a number of Phillies prospects, including Alec Bohm, their 2018 first-round pick and Spencer Howard, their second round pick in 2017.

"This year, with COVID being what's its been here the last few months, he has obviously had a chance to rest," Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said about Spencer Howard today during a zoom call.  "The fact that he part of this 53 player group, should reflect that he is a candidate to compete for us in our 60 game season.

"The fact that Bohm is on this roster is reflective of the fact that we are hopeful that he is able to contribute for us this year,"

One of the players omitted from the group of 53 was Odubell Herrera, the former All-Star, who was suspended last season for violating MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.

He was later designated for assignment and then invited to spring training, but did not appear in a Grapefruit League game.

After making the All-Star team back in 2016, Herrera a signed a 5-year, $30.5 million contract extension, but hasn't come close to duplicating that All-Star campaign.

Last year, Herrera's played only 39 games batting a career-low .222 with a home run and 16 RBIs in 126 at bats.

It seemed to be a long-shot for him to make the team, especially with a crowded outfielder, but even with expanded active rosters to start the season and the introduction of a DH in the National League, Herrera still didn't make the initial player-pool, but that doesn't mean he still can't be brought on board.

"He'll continue to get consideration," Klentak admitted. "The 53 that we named isn't going to be the only 53 that we see all year. Obviously, we have seven (open spots) to work with right now."

When asked, Klentak also confirmed that Andrew McCutchen was ready to play when the season begins, something he wasn't ready to do back in April.

"He completed his rehab and went back to Pittsburgh, so that is reflected that he is feeling good and ready to go," Klentak said. "He is feeling as good as we could have hoped, so that's great."

He did mentioned that they could use McCutchen in a DH role to help give him a little rest.

Phillies First-Round Picks Since 2000

 

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