UPDATED: 4/3/2025
RHP Brett de Geus claimed on waivers from Miami, optioned to IronPigs
RHP Kyle Tyler activated from Reading Roster
INF Buddy Kennedy DFA’d from Philadelphia, signed to a new Minor League contract and assigned to IronPigs
RHP John McMillon and RHP Austin Schulfer to the Development List
RHP Enmanuel Mejia released
UPDATED: 4/4/2025
INF Buddy Kennedy activated
INF Carson Taylor to Injured List: Shoulder Impingement
UPDATED: 4/8/2025
INF Erick Brito activated from Development List
OF Matt Kroon to Injured List, Oblique
UPDATED: 4/9/25
INF Christian Arroyo to the Injured List (Hamstring Strain)
RHP John McMillon activated from the Development List
UPDATED 4/12/25
C Payton Henry to the Injured List (Hand Contusion)
1B Carson Taylor to the 60-Day Injured List (Labrum Tear)
RHP Austin Schulfer activated from the Development List
UPDATED 4/15 TO 4/20
INF/OF Weston Wilson added for rehab assignment
C Lou Albrecht added from Clearwater
C Lou Albrecht added to Injured List, hamate
C Colton Bender signed, sent to IronPigs
OF Cal Stevenson recalled by Philadelphia Phillies
UPDATED 4/22/25
OF Cade Fergus added from Reading
C Colton Bender sent to Reading
Capsules have been updated below.
This will be a living document as we move through the first weeks of the season. After that it will remain updated and pinned to the first page for reference through the end of April to so that you can access it as a reference. Check back frequently. A printable roster will be posted at the bottom when available and updated as necessary.
YOUR 2025 Iron Pigs!
Catchers
#2 Garrett Stubbs
2015 8th round pick out of USC, by Houston. Parts of three seasons in the big leagues with Houston. The last three seasons in the Majors with the Phillies. AAA experience with Sugar Land, Round Rock and Fresno. Most recently, 2021 37 games with Sugar Land in the PCL: .266/.418/.363
What To Watch: Watch how he handles the pitchers. Do pitchers throw better when they’re throwing to him? How many games is he starting? How long will he be here until Marchan gets injured?
#24 Payton Henry **Injured List**
2016 6th round pick out of high school in Utah, by Milwaukee. A couple cups of coffee in the big leagues with Miami in 2021 and 2022. 2023 65 games with AAA Nashville. 2024 27 games with AAA Buffalo due to injury. Signed as a minor league free agent. Cumulative AAA batting: 154G, .266/.332/.414 with 18HR and 149K and 49BB.
What To Watch: Watch to see how much playing time he gets while Stubbs is here and active. Watch his play behind the plate: He does have a minor league gold glove on his resume.
#13 Josh Breaux
2018 second round pick of the Yankees out of community college in Texas. Started last season with 11 games at AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Was released. Signed by the Phillies and spent most of the season with AA Reading. 13G at Catcher, 6G DH, 6G 1B. Including Scranton, Reading and a short time with the IronPigs he slashed .200/.257/.370 over 40G with 6HR.
What To Watch: Watch to see how much playing time he gets as perhaps the third catcher. How much does he rotate in at 1B or DH? Does he find time on the Development List? Does he find his way back to Reading if they need him?
#7 Lou Albrecht **Injured List: Hamate**
Signed as a minor league free agent after the draft in 2023, Albrecht has played in 18 games between the complex league and Single-A Clearwater. With catcher injuries at both Lehigh Valley and Reading we assumed that Albrecht was “catching a ride” with the IronPigs from Gwinnett, GA up north where he was likely headed to High-A Jersey Shore. But, he got injured along the way.
What To Watch: Watch for Albrecht to start back in Clearwater later this summer if he gets healthy.
#57 Colton Bender **Sent To Reading**
Signed to a minor league deal as a free agent. Originally the 10th round pick of the Padres out of Quinnipiac. He is RHB and stands 5’7″. Last season he played in 45 games for A+ Fort Wayne TinCaps hitting .167/.235/.233. He was released by the Padres organization in March.
What To Watch: Watch for Colton to head to Reading or Jersey Shore at some point.
First Base
#5 Carson Taylor **60-Day Injured List: Labrum Tear**
2020 Los Angeles Dodgers 2nd Round Pick out of Virginia Tech. Drafted as a catcher. That didn’t take. Came to the Phillies as a minor league Rule 5 pick last season and spent all but 6 games with Reading; those six were with the IronPigs. He’s listed as a shortstop but he does not play there. He’s been learning first base and doing a bunch of DH. Bats Left / Throws Right. He can really hit:
2025 MLB Spring Training: 13G: .385/.556/.615
2024 AA Reading: 109G: .277/.389/.465, 16HR/96K/67BB
2024 AAA IronPigs: 6G: .316/.519/.316, 0HR/2K/6BB
What To Watch: Watch to see where he plays, and how much? Is he selling out for power? How is his plate discipline? Do you think he’s a career AAA player? 4A? MLB potential? Is his play at 1B good enough? Do we need to try LF?
Second Base
#21 Christian Arroyo **Injured List – Hamstring**
29yo, former first round pick of the San Francisco Giants in 2013. Came to the Phillies as a minor league free agent late in the offseason. Has played 3B and SS as well. He is a veteran of 295 MLB games. His best season was 2022 in Boston: .286/.322/.414, 6HR, 16 2B over 87 games. Had some injury difficulty last season in the Milwaukee system and never made it out of AAA Nashville playing 30 games with rather pedestrian numbers.
What To Watch: Arroyo was in consideration for the Phillies out of Spring Training as a right-handed bench bat. He had a great Spring. Watch for his approach, where they play him, and how often. Watch to see if he can exceed the numbers he put up in Boston and become an option for the Phillies. He’ll require a 40-man spot, and he may have a June 1 opt-out.
#0 Rafael Lantigua
The 26yo 5’7″ RHB did play a plurality of his games last season at 2B; however, he does play shortstop, third base and left field as well. He was signed as a minor league free agent by the Phillies in December. He was originally signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016 as a free agent from the Dominican Republic. He spent all of last season with AAA Buffalo slashing .265/.367/.336 over 130 games with 4 HR.
What To Watch: As a core infielder for the IronPigs this season, watch to see if Lantigua can get on base will singles and walks and steal bases. He’s been able to do that in the past but fell off a bit last season. Watch for him to be solid in the field at whatever position he plays.
#8 Erick Brito
70 games in Jersey Shore last season and 40 in Reading he combined to hit .243/.319/.326 over two levels. He held his own in his opportunities with the big club during Spring Training games.
What To Watch: Somewhat of a surprise to be here, watch to see if he can stick or if he ultimately ends up in Reading.
Shortstop
#29 Rodolfo Castro
The hero of opening day last season at Coca Cola Park by hitting a walk-off, his season was limited to 19 games at Triple-A by injury. He’s listed as a switch-hitting shortstop, but look for him at a variety of positions. Castro came to the Phillies organization in 2023 at the trading deadline for LHP Bailey Falter, from the Pirates. He’s 25yo and was originally signed by the Pirates out of the Dominican Republic.
What To Watch: Watch for Castro to start at a variety of positions, and while listed as a switch hitter, watch for him to hit exclusively right-handed this season. Look for him to return to form as his best season in the upper minors was 2022 with AAA Indianapolis where he slashed: .246/.334/.441
Third Base
#4 Otto Kemp
The Phillies signed Kemp as a post-draft free agent in 2022 out of a small college in California. He played at four levels last season, ending here with the IronPigs. He brings with him a solid RHB that mashed: .333/.440/.533 over 41 games at A+ Jersey Shore last season which led to his promotion to Reading culminated in few games with the IronPigs. He will show up at 2B some, but is primarily a third baseman. The ball eludes him at third base sometimes.
What To Watch: Watch to see if that bat continues to develop and play at Triple-A. Watch to see if he can clean up his fielding. If the fielding continues to be an issue, but the bat still plays, watch to see if they try him at first base despite his 5’11” RHT.
#9 Buddy Kennedy
Listed as a second baseman, Kennedy has played primarily third base in the minor leagues. He has 54 games of MLB experience with Arizona, Detroit, and the Phillies. He was the last player cut from the Phillies this Spring, in favor of Kody Clemens, and passed through waivers because he’s out of options. He came over to the Phillies organization from Detroit last season in a cash trade. With the IronPigs last season he slashed: .294/.400/.500 over 67 games.
What To Watch: The Phillies are chronically in need of outfielders–especially the right handed variety. Watch to see if Buddy gets any play in left field at Coca Cola Park.
Outfield
#3 Justin Crawford
At just 21 years old Crawford gets the push to Triple-A following just 40 games at Double-A last season. He’s one of the top prospects in the system, a first round pick, and the son of Carl Crawford. Perhaps it’s the numbers though: .333/.380/.455 at Reading last season and: .364/.462/.826 in Major League Spring Training this season.
It could be just that they think he’s ready, but the secondary signals we get from this somewhat aggressive promotion are that the Phillies think Crawford might be ready to contribute to the big club this season. And, that he’s not a trade chip–and that maybe Rojas and/or Marsh are.
What To Watch: Enjoy watching one of the top prospects in all of baseball play in Allentown this summer. He’s super young for this level, so there could be some growing pains. From the baseball side, watch for Crawford to try to maintain a line-drive swing and not just hit all grounders. Watch for him to use his speed on the base paths. Watch to see if the Phillies have him working on bunting.
#11 Gabriel Rincones Jr
The big LHB out of Florida Atlantic was the third round pick of the Phillies in 2022. Last season in Reading he hit .263/.357/.487 over 59 games with 11 HR. His injury-shortened season then continued in the Arizona Fall League where he slashed .273/.367/.403 with 2 HR in 22 games. In Major League Spring Training he put up .217/.379/.609 this season. Last season vs. Left-Handed Pitching: .189/.250/.243
What To Watch: Watch to see if “Outfield Darick Hall” can hit left-handed pitching. Enjoy the big power display when you can.
#7 Matt Kroon **Injured List: Oblique**
Kroon returns after a July injury shortened his 2024 campaign. He’s a right-handed center field bat, so he could be relevant to the big club if he plays well. Last year in 80 games with the ‘Pigs he hit: .251/.325/.441.
What To Watch: Watch to see if Kroon can make the most of his opportunities with Crawford taking center field most days. Kroon will have to hit, get on base, and make some steals, which is his game.
#6 Cal Stevenson **Recalled to MLB Phillies**
Cal returns after a very successful 2024 season where he put up .302/.421/.486 over 101 games and found himself on the 40-man roster and in the big leagues once again. He’s another center field type who will jostle with Crawford and Kroon (and Mercado) for outfield time and DH time probably. Last season he struck out 66 times but walked 68 times–good stuff for a speed player who had 29 swipes and only 5 CS.
What To Watch: Watch to see if the LHB can perform versus lefty pitching and stay in the lineup with competition for playing time. He’ll need that in order to maintain his 40-man spot.
#39 Óscar Mercado
Added late along with Arroyo, the Colombian went to high school in Florida and was drafted in the second round by St. Louis in 2013. He’s listed as right field, but can also play center. He is a right-handed bat, but probably just didn’t hit quite enough for a guy without a 40-man spot to get serious consideration for the MLB opening roster, but he’s important depth as a guy with some MLB experience–298 games with Cleveland and St. Louis. It is no known if he has an opt-out and when that might be. If so, perhaps June 1.
What To Watch: As with the other outfielders, watch for pecking order, who gets playing time and at-bats, and if anyone has to spend time on the Dev List. This might be a delicate balance for manager A.C.
#5 Weston Wilson **On MLB Rehab Assignment**
Well-known to IronPigs fans Wilson made his MLB debut with the Phillies after many seasons in the minors. His right-handed bat and positional flexibility are important to the big league club.
What To Watch: With Brandon Marsh on the shelf and the need for a right-handed bat, watch for Weston to head back to the Phillies when he’s eligible and physically ready.
#7 Cade Fergus
He had a cup of coffee here last season. He’s a speedy centerfield type who is big enough to get some leverage at the plate at times. He was a 13th round pick by the Phillies in 2022 out of college at George Washington.
What To Watch: The bat hasn’t really come along like you’d like, at any level. Watch to see if he can get on base and steal some bags and do enough to stick at Triple-A for a while.
Starting Pitchers
#25 RHP Mick Abel
Former top prospect Abel returns for 2025. He was added to the 40-man roster over the off-season and could enter the Phillies plans with some good outings. The former first-round pick of the Phillies was 3-12, 6.46 in 24 starts for the ‘Pigs last season. To his credit, he never shut it down when they gave him that opportunity, and he didn’t blame an undisclosed injury or anything of the sort–at least that we’ve heard.
What To Watch: If you’re at the game, certainly monitor his velocity and see how he’s chucking it. It could tell you something about what he’s working on or how he’s feeling. If you’re looking at the box score, look at BB first. If he can’t hit the strike zone it won’t matter what his velocity was. He had problems with both last season.
#50 RHP Seth Johnson
Overall pick #40 by Tampa Bay in 2019 out of Campbell, Johnson went to the Orioles as part of a three-way trade involving the Astros. Last season, he came to the Phillies along with Moises Chace in exchange for LHP Gregory Soto. On the IronPigs he was 2-1, 2.64 over 5 starts, which earned him a chance in the Majors with the Phillies. That didn’t go well, but Johnson’s back for another go at it as starting pitching depth.
What To Watch: Watch for Johnson to try to avoid giving up too much contact while also remaining around the strike zone. A good mix is key for him and the pairing with Stubbs may be good for him here to start the season.
#33 RHP Kyle Tyler
Late last season, the Phillies claimed Tyler off waivers from the Marlins. He has a bit of MLB time with the Angels and the Padres as well as the Marlins. After he came to the IronPigs he was 1-2, 5.82 over seven starts down the stretch. Originally, he was a 20th round pick of the Angels out of Oklahoma. Tyler stands just six feet, which is not terribly tall for a professional pitcher. He’s a cutter pitcher and a bit of a junk-baller.
What To Watch: The Phillies saw something they liked about Tyler and grabbed him from the wire. He’s maintained his 40-man spot so far and could play a role for the Phillies–although that may be as a “long man” or extra arm in the pen. Watch for him to solidify his role and as the Phillies staff coaches him up, watch how his game might evolve.
#55 RHP Alan Rangel
Rangel was another mid- to late-season addition to the thin starting ranks of the Phillies upper minors last season. He had been released by the Angels having made it only as far as AA Rocket City (Hi Lindsey!). He pitched for the IronPigs in AAA with 10 outings and 5 starts. His 1-2, 4.30 numbers are not bad. He had a decent Spring in MLB camp and looks to continue making strides with the IronPigs taking the ball every 5 to 7 days. He was originally signed as an international free by the Braves, out of Mexico.
What To Watch: At one point, Rangel was considered one of the Braves top prospects, who could sit mid-90s as a starter and have good results with his two-pitch mix. Watch for what that looks like in 2025 in the International League.
Relief Pitchers
#54 RHP Michael Mercado
Mercado came to the Phillies from Tampa in exchange for Adam Leverett and cash. He was mostly a reliever, but last season they stretched him out into a starting role both out of necessity as well as to maybe help his mind set and such. He’s now back to being a full-time reliever, although that progression is not really seen as a failure, more like an experiment. He’s 25 years old and was originally a 2nd round pick by Tampa, out of high school in San Diego.
What To Watch: Mercado did not have a strong Spring, but remains on the 40-man roster and could be a nice piece for the Phillies if he can regain his electric stuff.
#45 RHP Devin Sweet
It appears he was signed as a post-draft free agent out of college in North Carolina, by the Mariners. He eventually made his MLB debut with the Mariners as well as a handful of appearances for Oakland. The Phillies picked him up in a cash trade with Detroit in the offseason. He pitched all of last season with AAA Toledo putting up 9-6, 3.91 over 52 (!) appearances including 4 starts. He is on the 40-man roster and is another candidate to be an up-and-down arm to support the Phillies.
What To Watch: Watch for fastball, curveball, change with good control and willing to take on a large work load. Watch for what situations he appears in, leverage-wise to see what the Phillies are currently thinking.
#12 RHP Koyo Aoyagi
31yo Japanese pitcher who signed with the Phillies in the offseason. He has a history in Japan as both a starter and a reliever, but looks to be only in relief for the Phillies organization. He has a funky submarine delivery which can throw hitters off balance. He did give up some contact in Spring Training. He is not on the 40-man roster, but may not desire to be in the minors for a long time.
What To Watch: Watch for Aoyagi to try to finish off hitters quickly so they don’t get too many looks at his pitches and delivery. Watch for Japanese press around the park because they cover their players very well. Watch for plenty of kind words from the Phillies as they try to make inroads into the Japanese baseball player market.
#46 RHP Jose Cuas
The reliever has 132 MLB appearances over the past three seasons with Kansas City, the Cubs and Toronto. He was claimed off waivers by the Phillies from Toronto last September and appeared in 4 games for the IronPigs down the stretch. Over the holidays he was DFA’d and sent outright to the IronPigs. The 30-year old was originally an 11th round pick by the Brewers, out of the University of Maryland. He’s a converted infielder who sometimes runs a high walk rate. He has a bit of a side-arm delivery.
What To Watch: Watch for Cuas to try to regain his MLB form and put himself in position to get his 40-man spot back and another shot in the Majors. He’ll need to minimize the walks.
#22 RHP Joel Kuhnel
The Phillies signed Kuhnel to a minor league contract in December. He has 82 games of MLB experience with Cincinnati, Houston and Tampa. While he pitched in six games in the Majors last season, he also pitched in 35 games in AAA for 7-1, 3.00. For four different AAA teams! He was originally an 11th round pick out of the University of Texas, by the Reds.
What To Watch: Just as with the other veteran relievers, look for them to try to make the most of their opportunities and get back to the big leagues.
#43 RHP John McMillon
The hard-throwing McMillon was claimed off waivers from the Marlins post-season and eventually DFA’d and sent outright to the IronPigs. He has tremendous stuff but not always under control. He has 14 games of MLB experience with Detroit and Miami. He was originally an 11th round pick by the Tigers, out of Texas Tech.
What To Watch: Watch the radar gun and the movement on the pitches. Also watch to see if any of them are strikes. MicMillon might be the highest variance pitcher in this veteran group, where he could flame out but could also be a high-leverage piece with the right outcome. If you think it’s his turn to pitch, it might be worth it to hang out for the late innings in the game.
#23 LHP Nick Vespi
Don’t look for manager A.C. to play much with splits because this is our only lefty to open the season! He’s another minor league free agent signing, and veteran of 45 MLB games with Baltimore. Last season at AAA Norfolk he was 2-2, 7.23 in 29 games. His brother Ben is a pitcher in the Orioles system.
What To Watch: Watch for usage and effectiveness, as with the other veteran relievers, divided between those on the 40-man and those who are not. As the only lefty option right now, Vespi has some advantage.
#18 RHP Guillo Zuñiga
Veteran of 17 MLB games with the Angels and St Louis, the big righty from Colombia was originally signed by the Braves. He is another veteran reliever signed to a minors deal in the offseason by the Phillies. Last season in AAA, 1-4, 5.19 in 25 games.
What To Watch: Along with the other veteran relievers, watch for usage and effectiveness. Watch for velocity on the fastball and a nasty slider.
#19 RHP Max Lazar
One of the stories of last season, Lazar was a minor league free agent who was signed away from the Brewers organization where he had been an 11th round pick. He was lights-out in AA Reading and then 4-3, 2.45 over 29 games with the IronPigs. He made his MLB debut and pitched in 11 games for the Phillies late in the season.
What To Watch: Lazar is on the 40-man roster but did not pitch well in Spring Training games. He’s not an over-powering pitcher, so watch for location and command. He can’t give up walks or come over the meat of the plate without bad results.
#61 RHP Nabil Crismatt
114 games of MLB experience with San Diego, Arizona, St. Louis and the Dodgers. Another of the veteran free agent signings, he pitched well enough through Spring to be considered for a bullpen spot in Philadelphia and was perhaps edged out when Strahm was cleared to pitch.
What To Watch: Likely the first reliever called up if there’s a 40-man spot available. He will probably start in the IronPigs rotation.
#48 RHP Nicholas Padilla
Among the first minor league free agents the Phillies signed last fall. He’s had a cup of coffee in the Majors. Last season 25 games with AAA Charlotte: 0-3, 3.23. 37K/16BB in 30 innings. He was originally a 13th round pick of the Rays in 2015.
What To Watch: Watch to see what the Phillies saw in Padilla. His numbers are decent. Do you think it’s MLB stuff?
#69 Austin Schulfer
Another minor leaguer the Phillies signed early in the offseason process. Last season 34 games in AAA with St Paul and Toledo. With Toledo: 3-1, 5.14 over 24 games. Originally a 19th-round pick of the Twins in 2018.
What To Watch: Another of the minor league pool of relievers to go with the veteran pool and the 40-man pool. Watch to see if you think there’s major league stuff here.
#67 RHP Brett de Geus
With the DFA of Buddy Kennedy, the Phillies had an opening on their 40-man roster and used it to claim de Gaus on waivers from Miami. He has options, so he was immediately optioned to the IronPigs. Originally he was a 33rd round pick out of community college by the Dodgers. He has MLB time with Texas and Arizona in 2021 and Seattle, Miami, Toronto in 2024. Last season with three different Triple-A teams he was 0-4, 5.31, 39G as a reliever. He had started this season with AAA Jacksonville.
What To Watch: Watch for a fastball that averages 96.4 to go along with a curveball and a slider.
Official Rosters
3/25/25 “Break Camp” Roster has 31 players. This roster was not officially updated and distributed, so this is still the most current printable version:
Updated 3/29:
Updated 4/3/25:
Updated 4/9/25:
Updated 4/12/25
Updated 4/20/25
Updated 4/22/25
Featured Image by Steven Kiebach