The Philadelphia Phillies have multiple players that are out of minor league options competing for roster spots. Seven Phillies players currently on the 40-man roster are out of options. Additionally, players with more than five years of major league service time cannot be optioned unless they have options remaining and agree to it. Players without a minor league option available must clear waivers before being able to be sent down to the minor leagues. A player designated for assignment could also be traded before going through waivers. Weston Wilson being out with an oblique injury has changed the equation for some Phillies, with no remaining options.
Kody Clemens
Kody Clemens is the most notable Phillies player without a minor-league option. As a result, Clemens has a lot at stake in spring training. Wilson being injured opens the door for Clemens to get the available bench spot. Clemens has a .308/.308/.615 line with one home run and three RBI in five spring training games. Furthermore, Clemens has a 133 wRC+ and a .391 wOBA in spring training. Clemens is a left-handed batter, which puts him at a disadvantage in terms of bench spot. The Phillies already have a lot of left-handed batters on their roster. Clemens has 72 1/3 innings of outfield experience in the major leagues, which will help his case. In addition, unlike other competitors, Clemens has played both corner outfield positions.
Buddy Kennedy
Buddy Kennedy has a real chance to make the opening day roster after the injury to Wilson. Since the Wilson injury, Kennedy has played in the outfield during spring training games. This is a way for the Phillies to improve their outfield depth internally. Kennedy has a .077/.200/.308 line with one home run and two RBI in six spring training games. In addition to that, Kennedy has a 32 wRC+ and a .230 wOBA in spring training. Kennedy has limited experience in left field and has not played right field in the minor leagues or the major leagues. However, Kennedy is a right-handed batter, which might give him the edge over Clemens if it comes down to those two.
Rafael Marchán
Rafael Marchán will be the Phillies opening day backup catcher unless he is injured. Marchán does not have any options, while Garrett Stubbs does. In four spring training games, Marchán has a .333/.400/.444 line with no home runs and one RBI. Marchán has a 129 wRC+ and a .384 wOBA in spring training. The main concern for Marchán is durability. Marchán has been limited because of injuries to 55 games in both 2023 and 2024. 17 of the 55 appearances in 2024 came in the major leagues. Meanwhile, in 2022, Marchán played in 70 minor league games. Marchán played 88 games between the minor and major leagues in 2021. The lone season besides 2021, where Marchán appeared in more than 80 games, was in 2019 when he played 85.
Tyler Phillips
Tyler Phillips is one of the many pitchers, including some non-roster invitees, competing to be the eighth pitcher in the bullpen. Phillips has a 0-2 record with a 9.00 ERA in two spring training outings. To add Phillips has a 6.96 FIP this spring. Phillips has a 2.00 strikeout-to-walk rate in spring training. One of those two appearances was a start, while the other was a relief appearance. Phillips made eight appearances for the Phillies last season, including seven starts. Last season, Phillips had a 6.87 ERA and a 5.57 FIP in the majors. Phillips had a 166 ERA- and a 4.00 strikeout-to-walk rate in the majors in 2024. Right now, Phillips is not in a position to make the Phillies opening day roster. If Phillips makes the team having no options probably played a role.
Main Photo Credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The post Notable Phillies Out Of Minor League Options appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.