The Philadelphia Phillies will have to make decisions about who to protect ahead of the Rule 5 Draft on December 11. Eligible players must be added to the 40-man roster by November 19 to be protected. The Phillies have 37 players on their 40-man roster, leaving three available spots. Additional spots could be cleared as needed. Some of the players the Phillies have to make decisions regarding have been participating in the Arizona Fall League this offseason. There is a chance the Phillies could trade some of the players before the deadline. Last year, the team traded Oliver Dunn to the Milwaukee Brewers because there was no room to protect him.
Phillies Key Rule 5 Draft Decisions
Should Protect
One player the Phillies should protect is Moisés Chace. The Phillies acquired Chace from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline in the Gregory Soto deal. Chace had a 2-1 record with a 3.66 ERA and a 2.87 FIP in four starts with Double-A Reading in 2024. Additionally, Chace had a 45.5% strikeout rate and a 9.1% walk rate. While Chace did have a 1.37 HR/9 allowed with Reading it is a four-start sample size. Chace does allow a high BABIP, which is a concern. At the same time, Chace will be entering his age 22 season and has yet to pitch in Triple-A, so there is room for development. When Chace starts the 2025 season, if he remains in the organization, he will be telling of plans for him.
Should Not Protect
One player the Phillies should not protect is Griff McGarry. If possible, trading McGarry would not be the worst move. McGarry has been pitching in the Arizona Fall League. With Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, McGarry had a 2-1 record and a 4.70 ERA with a 5.85 FIP in 29 outings. McGarry moved to the bullpen this season after previously being a starting pitcher. In that role, McGarry recorded one save. McGarry had a 27.2% strikeout rate and a 24.5% walk rate. The main concern with McGarry is he is entering his age 26 season. This leaves no room for development. McGarry has a walk rate issue which is also part of why he should not be protected. At one point, McGarry was viewed as a top prospect for the Phillies.
Should Trade
One player the Phillies should trade before the Rule 5 Draft deadline is Mick Abel. Once a top prospect, Abel regressed significantly. Abel had a 3-12 record with a 6.46 ERA and a 5.47 FIP in 24 starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season. Furthermore, Abel had a career-worst 22.7% strikeout rate and a career-worst 15.1% walk rate. Abel also recorded an abysmal 62.8% left-on-base percentage in 2024. The Phillies should sell Abel as low as they can. Being Rule 5 Draft eligible, Abel forces the Phillies hand when deciding his future. Trading Abel is the right thing to do for both him and the franchise. Unfortunately, it did not work out, but it is time to part ways.
Other Decisions
Three other names to watch are Jean Cabrera, Eiberson Castellano, and Christian McGowan. Cabrera and Castellano are rising prospects in the Phillies farm system entering their age 24 seasons. McGowan has been participating in the Arizona Fall League and is entering his age-25 season. It is unlikely that all three are protected. However, at least one of them will probably be protected. Cabrera and Castellano started the 2024 season at High-A Jersey Shore before receiving mid-season promotions to Double-A, putting up respectable numbers. Meanwhile, McGowan had a 0-4 record with a 6.29 ERA and a 5.65 FIP in 11 outings in Double-A last season.
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