Multiple Philadelphia Phillies prospects are excelling in Arizona Fall League play. Each of the Phillies prospects participating is on the Glendale Desert Dogs. Currently, the Desert Dogs have a 10-7 record. The Desert Dogs are third in the AFL standings at the moment out of the six teams. Furthermore, the Desert Dogs are 1 1/2 games back of the league-leading Surprise Saguaros. The Desert Dogs have nine games remaining. The Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and St. Louis Cardinals also have prospects and other players on the Desert Dogs.
Phillies Prospects Arizona Fall League Performances
Otto Kemp
Otto Kemp has emerged during the AFL. Kemp has a .310/.488/.759 line with four home runs and 16 RBI. Additionally, Kemp has a 1.247 OPS, which ranks second in the AFL. Kemp also ranks second in the AFL in RBI and third in slugging percentage. In the minor leagues, Kemp has played first, second, third, short, and right field. Kemp brings enough defensive versatility to potentially compete for a 26-man roster spot in spring training. It is worth noting that Kemp has played 13 games in Triple-A and is not Rule 5 Draft eligible until next offseason. Kemp has been one of the best hitters in the AFL so far. This season, Kemp had a .881 OPS and 20 stolen bases in the minor leagues. Kemp has one stolen base in the AFL. Do not be surprised if the play from Kemp in the AFL leads to a major league opportunity with the Phillies in 2025.
Griff McGarry
Griff McGarry is a prospect to watch. McGarry is Rule 5 Draft eligible this offseason. This means the Phillies will have to add McGarry to the 40-man roster or leave him unprotected. McGarry has a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in three AFL outings. Of those three outings, two of them started. McGarry has a 1.20 WHIP and a 0.95 batting average against. One concern with McGarry is his 1.50 strikeout-to-walk rate in the AFL. However, McGarry is one of the two pitchers on the Desert Dogs who has not allowed an earned run. McGarry improved to a 4.55 ERA in the minor leagues after being moved to the bullpen this season. In 2023 McGarry had a 6.00 ERA in the minors. A continuation of these AFL performances may lead to McGarry being added to the Phillies 40-man roster before the Rule 5 Draft deadline.
Andrew Painter
Andrew Painter participating in the Arizona Fall League is important. Painter has a 1-0 record with a 3.86 ERA and seven strikeouts in three outings. Additionally, Painter has a 1.00 WHIP and a .240 batting average against. Painter is expected to play a role in the Phillies starting rotation next season. While it will not be until later in the season, expect Painter to emerge as the Phillies fifth starter by the end of the 2025 season. Painter has a 7.00 strikeout-to-walk rate in the AFL. The three starts Painter has made are the most on the Desert Dogs. These appearances were the first time Painter had faced opposing hitters in a game setting since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. So far everything is going well for Painter as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.
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