2025 IronPigs Roster Projection 1.0

Let’s take a preview-level look at what the 2025 IronPigs roster might look like.  This version of this post is mostly just a list all the possible players that could arrive in Allentown in late March.  Certainly, some might be added between now and then–in fact, I think almost certainly there will be additions at Starting Pitcher, First Base, and Outfield.  From the Phillies side, their roster might be just about set, but I do think they have some depth problems at some positions that they’d like to address with minor league deals for the Triple A team.

But, these are the names to know right now.  With so much yet to be decided, there aren’t player capsules or stats for any of them just yet; let’s fine tune the list a bit before all that.  Some will disappear, either to the MLB team, or lower levels or Extended Spring Training (XST) or to other organizations.

Team Outlook:  This might be a tough year in East Allentown.  There will be some bright spots with some prospects arriving later on:  Painter in May perhaps, Cabrera and Chace in June maybe, and Miller and Crawford in the July neighborhood–pending performance and health for all of them, of course.  Those things can change as well, but I don’t think there’s consistent enough pitching or hitting to grab a top spot in the first half or second half or maybe even post a winning record.  Things change, though, and I hope I’m wrong.  Think about the ’08 to ’12 Phillies pushing for the World Series and how that impacted the AAA team.  It can work (see: 2011) but it’s a lot about supporting the big team around here these days.

** = 40-Man Roster.   ^^ = Maybe out of options

Starting Pitchers

RHP Mick Abel**

RHP Seth Johnson**

RHP Tyler Phillips**^^

RHP Alan Rangel**  Released by AA-Angels; Phillies protected on 40-man; Could be at AA perhaps

RHP Kyle Tyler**  Waivers from Miami; Should still have an option year

RHP Nabil Crismatt  Started 16G in 27 appearances in AAA last season

RHP Matt Osterberg  Could be back at AA

RHP Noah Skirrow  Could be back at AA

RHP Andrew Painter  Won’t start until later, and then time with Pigs will be limited in both service time and workload.

Discussion:  If the Phillies need a #6 early in the season it likely comes from the MLB team initially, like Walker or Strahm.  Seth Johnson is probably #7 and then Abel #8 depending on how things are going coming out of Spring Training.  That’s not a lot of MLB-ready depth until Painter is ready.  I expect Dombrowski to add one or two MLB-experienced starters to this group as Spring Training rolls on or near the end when cuts and opt-outs start to happen. Moises Chace and Jean Cabrera are the prospects you’ve seen on the lists; they’ll likely start back with Reading.

Relief Pitchers

LHP Tanner Banks**  Likely MLB

RHP Max Lazar**

RHP Michael Mercado**  He’s a reliever now

RHP Jordan Romano**  Likely MLB

RHP Devin Sweet**  Possible MLB

RHP Nelson Alvarez  Likely AA

RHP Koyo Aoyagi  Could be XST

RHP Jose Cuas

RHP Jonah DiPoto

LHP Tristan Garnett  Could start at AA

RHP Joel Kuhnel

RHP Griff McGarry

RHP John McMillon

RHP Emmanuel Mejia

RHP Nicholas Padilla

RHP Austin Schulfer

RHP Andrew Schultz

LHP Nick Vespi

RHP Guillo Zuñiga

RHP Konnor Ash Likely AA

RHP Carlos Francisco Likely AA

RHP Daniel Harper Likely AA

RHP Tommy McCollum Likely AA

RHP Gabe Mosser Likely AA

Discussion: Of course all these guys can’t make the Pigs.  Some might be with the Phillies, or injured or cut or on ice in XST or at AA Reading.  The Dombrowski strategy here is to take the high-variance position of relief pitcher and try to catch some lightning.  He’s done it a couple times recently and it does make the relief innings at AAA at least somewhat interesting.  If anyone is signed it would be more likely to be at the MLB level I would think.

Infield

INF Kody Clemens**^^  Out of options but it’s not impossible that he finds his way back to Coca Cola Park

INF Buddy Kennedy**^^  Same, as far as I can tell

INF/OF Weston Wilson**  It is good for the fans to have a guy you recognize as the season starts.

INF Rodolfo Castro

INF Otto Kemp

INF Rafael Lantigua  Listed as 2B

3B Luis Verdugo  Could be AA

3B/OF Matt Kroon  Didn’t play 3B for IronPigs but did get some time there at AA and AFL

2B Robert Moore  Likely AA

C/INF/DH Carson Taylor  Still listed with the catchers–I’m not sure he has a position.  He can hit, though, maybe the 1B thing needs to keep going.  He could be the next Brock Stassi maybe if he learns how to pick it.  Or, Austin Listi.

INF/OF Cole Roberts  Likely headed for A+ Jersey Shore or AA Reading

Discussion: Still could use a 1B-type, so don’t be surprised by a minor-league addition.  Look for big prospect Aidan Miller later in the summer.  It will be interesting to se if he plays SS or 3B when he starts AAA.

Outfield

CF Cal Stevenson**^^  See also, Clemens and Kennedy above.  I think he’s out of options but we’ll keep his name on the list for now.

OF Gabriel Rincones Jr  Unless he’s hurt, or just bad in Spring Training, I think they start him here in AAA.

OF Marcus Lee Sang  Could be back in AA again

OF Ethan Wilson  Sink or swim?  I’m not sure he’s earned AAA.

OF Dylan Campbell  Likely headed for AA Reading

CF Elio Prado  Likely headed for AA Reading or A+ Jersey Shore

OF Eduardo Lopez  Likely headed for AA Reading or A+ Jersey Shore

Discussion:  I’m expecting an addition or two here, as well.  Prospect Justin Crawford should arrive later in the season unless he rakes in Spring Training.

Catcher

C Garrett Stubbs**  Look, everyone loves Stubby but with Marchan out of options (for real this time, right?) who knows?  Stubbs has options and I’m not sure if he has the service time to block an assignment.

C/1B Josh Breaux  Played some 1B with Reading last season.  AAA with Scranton before that.

C Payton Henry  .274 with Buffalo last season, coffee with Miami before that

C Paul McIntosh   Likely headed to AA Reading

C Jared Thomas  Likely A or AA

C Caleb Ricketts  Could be back at AA

…

So that’s what I’ve got to open February.  As mentioned above, a lot can change.  Look up stats for some of those names above if you’re looking for something to do while we wait for baseball.  Also, let me know if I missed anyone–because I almost always do.

See you at the park–one of them–hopefully soon,

@Kram207

Featured Image by Jack Mitroka