The Phillies issued their spring training non-roster invitees (NRI) list on January 14th - it included multiple Phillies minor league players who received the formal invitation for the first time in their careers - pitcher Tristan Garnett, infielder Aidan Miller as well as outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr among them. That’s not to say that these players haven’t played in big league spring training games or been in uniform at the least before for Grapefruit League contests as they each have previously done so as game day “call-ups” which are invitations extended on a daily per diem basis depending upon roster needs to cover later innings and fill in situations. That differs however from a non-roster invitation (NRI) in that the call-ups return to minor league camp after the game whereas NRI’s are assigned full time to major league camp. They train daily with the major league staff and players on the 40 man roster and also receive major league spring training cash allowances for meals and housing as opposed to the minor league allotments. First baseman Carson Taylor will be making his first appearance as a Phillies NRI and RHP Jean Cabrera will be in his first big league spring camp as he was added to the 40 man roster in November. I had a chance recently to interact with these fellas about what they are looking forward to in upcoming big league spring camp.
LHP Tristan Garnett was an un-drafted free agent signing in 2021 from Cal State Dominguez Hills. He’s made steady progression thru the minors since signing and finished last season at the AAA level after spending the majority of the year at AA Reading. He’s got a high over the top delivery and release which coming from his 6’6” frame is a much different look to hitters especially when his best delivery is a very good change up that comes out of the hand looking like a fast ball. It’s a delivery and pitch that doesn’t give hitters much time for recognition and often results in missed swings. Tristan has consistently put up strong numbers throughout his minor league career as a reliever who’s capable of pitching in two inning stints. Last spring he appeared in six major league spring training games as a call-up and in two the prior spring. I asked him what impressions he hoped to make this year as an NRI and which big leaguers he would like to chat with about their craft. “I’d love to make the impression that I’m ready whenever they need a guy. I’m excited to talk more with guys like Matt Strahm as well as new guys like Jordan Romano. He’s had a not entirely linear path and I love picking guys brains who’ve had to do it different ways. They are both guys that are extremely pleasant and easy going off the field but turn into complete animals when they go between the lines. I got to be around the team enough last year I feel like I have rapport with most of them, and I’d like to show all the staff how I’ve tried to use the last year to hone and sharpen my craft.”
Outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr is a player I’m excited for more folks to see play - in my humble opinion he’s very under-rated in his abilities both offensively and defensively. I re-tell the story over and again how I first saw him in BP at the complex shortly after he signed and how impressed I was with his ability to drive the ball to all fields along with his strength and hand quickness as a hitter. He’s a current participant in High Performance Camp and I can attest he’s even bigger and stronger than when I first saw him back in 2022 after being selected in the third round of the draft from Florida Atlantic University. Gabriel has also shown he’s a much better fielder than initially speculated by some and has both smarts and wheels as a base-runner as well - he’s stolen 79 bases in his two seasons to date which also includes two trips to the Arizona Fall League - 24 stolen bases there - 15 in 2023 and 9 in 2024. Gabriel’s previous spring training game day call-up experience includes four AB’s in 2023 and one last spring. I asked him what he looked forward this year as a first time NRI - “Topper came out to Arizona to see us and it was great talking to him, I’m just looking forward to learning more about how to be a better and more disciplined player. Excited to compete and intently watch the established guys do their thing so I can pick up on anything to improve my game.”
Shortstop Aidan Miller played at three levels in 2024 beginning at Low A Clearwater and finishing with AA Reading. It’s well documented that he’s got big league baseball talent however folks will come to find out as well that he’s a genuinely good person who is a dedicated worker and team player. He’s a young man that is very coachable from my observations who is excellent in absorbing and then applying what he’s taught. Aidan has all the tools and capabilities to be an everyday major league shortstop but is one who’s also willing to play any position that helps the team succeed. He’s a twenty year old with the great energy of youth yet also possesses the approach of a savvy veteran and has skills that afford a very bright future. Just a young man that is immediately likable when ya meet him and one ya want to see succeed. He appeared in one Grapefruit League game last spring and had two ABs’ - here’s what he told me he’s looking forward to as a first time NRI - “I’m really excited to get there and soak up as much as a I can. Learn from all the guys and see how they go about their business. I’m looking forward to meeting the whole team but I would say Trea Turner is someone I’d like to talk with in particular because he’s a shortstop as well.“
First baseman Carson Taylor was drafted by the Phillies on 12/6/23 in the minor league portion of the Rule five draft from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He had a very successful first season with the Phillies playing the majority of the year at AA level Reading before being promoted to AAA level Lehigh Valley. Carson converted to becoming a full time first baseman after spending the majority of his time in both college (Virginia Tech) and with the Dodgers as a catcher and did so seamlessly. It allowed him to focus more on his hitting and he excelled by posting a .396 OBP in 477 total plate appearances. While this isn’t Carson’s first NRI experience (he did so with the Dodgers in 2022) nor will it be his first Grapefruit League play (he got seven AB’s’ in four game appearances as a call-up last spring) he wants to make further impact and told me “The impression I want to make is that I’m ready to be a key contributor and help the team win at the next level. I’m just excited to be around all the guys and get to learn from them day in and day out. It’s a great chance to get to learn what they do that helps them prepare and perform at a high level. Yes I’ve had some previous interactions as I backed up a few games last year, everyone on the staff there was awesome! I’m so excited to get more time to work with them this year.”
RHP Jean Cabrera was added to the 40 man roster this off-season for the first time in his career, he was signed by the Phillies on 7/2/19 from Venezuela and has climbed the organizational ladder. The 23 year old has not pitched in a Grapefruit League game as of yet - he did however pitch in the Spring Breakout Game last year in Lakeland and has been around the big leaguers in past springs at the complex. Last season he pitched at both the High A and AA levels and had a very good year as a starter - he’s a true pitcher and battler on the mound that Phillies Minor League Pitching Director Travis Hergert said this past fall about him “Jean is a fighter on the mound and embodies the mentality we preach to pitchers in our organization. He’s earned his promotion through working hard in our offseason camps and perfecting his craft. His change-up and sweeper are good offerings and he’s developed a really good two seamer.” When you watch him pitch you see all of that - Jean told me about upcoming spring training - “This is my first major league spring training - I am excited to be with experienced players from the big leagues who can help me. I know I can learn a lot from them. So far every year I have talked to Zack Wheeler and I listen to Ranger Suarez a lot.”
Good stuff! We look forward to seeing them all in big league camp and wish them success!
Today at the Complex :
Day eight of High Performance Camp was worked under cloudy, cold and damp conditions. Didn’t stop the folks from getting the work done however as fielding, throwing, hitting and strength and conditioning efforts continued. It was an off-day for side bullpens - they resume tomorrow.
Baseball America Top 100 :
I dislike any “top xx” lists but a lot of fans take them as the end all, know all. With that being said Baseball America issued it’s latest “top 100” prospects list today and the Phillies had four players included - RHP Andrew Painter (9th), Shortstop Aidan Miller (36th), Catcher Eduardo Tait (93rd) and Outfielder Justin Crawford (96th). In addition one player that the Phillies recently traded were also included on the list - Shortstop Starlyn Caba (72nd) who is now with the Miami Marlins.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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