The Folks who pour over the big league Phillies roster have begun to make their 26-man MLB opening day roster projections, so it’s a good time to take a more refined peak at what the 2025 Triple-A IronPigs Roster might look like. The minor league camps are open now, and several players who had MLB non-roster invites have already been sent across the complex in Clearwater to train with their minors teammates.
Other 2025 IronPigs Resources:
2025 Promotional Schedule, Day By Day
Preliminary
The Triple-A roster in 2025 is 28 active players. This does not include players on the Injured List or the Development list. Since the MLB takeover in 2020 I feel like teams play fast and loose with those roster limits and that players placed on the Development List get moved around with exceptions to the rules. So, I don’t follow the numbers like I used to, in the days when you could really predict the next roster move by knowing the first one.
Under Dombrowski, the IronPigs have been really, really pitcher heavy. This design is in to maintain enough arms to support the MLB team and in case they have to move them off the roster, they won’t lose depth if they leave and go elsewhere. Below I’ve predicted a six-man rotation in line with our six-game series schedules. But, they could use a 5-man with the Tuesday starter flipping around to start Sunday’s game. Or, they could just use some of the glut of relievers to pitch a bullpen game every Sunday or Tuesday or whenever.
Players who made the Phillies:
Under this exercise it’s important to first decide who made the Phillies. I used a roster prediction from another site, which I largely agree with. So, on the Phillies for today: C Rafael Marchan, OF Johan Rojas, INF Buddy Kennedy, RHP Joe Ross, RHP Tyler Phillips.
Catcher (1)
Garrett Stubbs
Marchan makes the MLB roster assuming health. He’s played well this Spring and does not have an option. Stubbs, does. This time of year depth is so very important and needs to be preserved despite this being a tough pill to swallow for Stubby.
Infield (4)
Carson Taylor, Rodolfo Castro, Rafael Lantigua, Christian Arroyo
Taylor moves to first base semi-permanently with days at DH as well. Think Brock Stassi Lite.
Outfield (3)
Matt Kroon, Oscar Mercado, Cal Stevenson
I’ve got Rincones on the bench, which means little with the DH and the six-game series. I do think he starts with Lehigh Valley though, rather than return to Reading. But, anything is possible.
Bench/DH (5)
C Josh Breaux, C Payton Henry, INF Otto Kemp, OF Gabriel Rincones, Jr, INF Robert Moore
I think they keep three catchers at Triple-A, and Breaux can take a turn or two at first base. McIntosh heads to Reading with Ricketts.
Starting Rotation (6)
RHP Mick Abel, RHP Alan Rangel, RHP Seth Johnson, RHP Kyle Tyler, RHP Noah Skirrow, RHP Matt Osterberg
A player could get added here as other teams make cuts and such. Also, one day in every six-game series could be a bullpen game because Dombrowski likes to have plenty of relief arms available at Triple-A and everyone needs work. Andrew Painter will be here. I’d predict May 1 or so to make one start in Reading at home versus Harrisburg, then here the next week for the home series with Worcester.
Relievers (9)
RHP Max Lazar*, RHP Michael Mercado*, RHP Devin Sweet*, RHP Koyo Aoyagi*, RHP Jose Cuas*, RHP Jonah DiPoto, RHP Joel Kuhnel*, RHP Griff McGarry*, RHP John McMillon, RHP Nabil Crismatt*, RHP Nicholas Padilla, RHP Austin Schulfer, LHP Nick Vespi*, RHP Guillo Zuñiga
OK, I cheated. That’s 14. It still might be more than 9 though, if they leave Skirrow and/or Osterberg in Reading and/or leave the bench lighter. They could also have some Dev List guys as well as Injured List guys. The guys with *- are the ones I feel most confident in seeing on the IronPigs opening day roster.
Where Are They?
Extended Spring: RHP Andrew Painter
Injured: INF/OF Weston Wilson
Traded/Released: RHP Taijuan Walker, INF/OF Kody Clemens
Clemens could find his way back here; I just think he gets claimed on waivers and takes an MLB job right away rather than wait for his chance with the Phillies.
Reading: INF Aidan Miller, OF Justin Crawford, RHP Jean Cabrera, RHP Moises Chace
Additions and Subtractions
The Phillies are likely still on the look-out for right-handed outfield help. That could drive a guy like Rojas down to the IronPigs or it could simply be a bat for the Pigs like Jordan Luplow was last season. I think they could also add a triple-A veteran starter-type for depth in the rotation and for eating innings. Some guys might get injured as well which would challenge the depth in whatever position that might be.
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image of a Kemp HR, by Steven Kiebach