Happy Holidays! We hope Santa brought you lots of cool IronPigs gear, ticket packages and the suite rental you wanted! This is the annual Juxta-Christmas IronPigs Roster check-in.
It goes without saying, many of the moves that will eventually result in the IronPigs 2026 opening-day roster, 92 or so days from now, are yet to happen. However, we do have a glimpse of some players that may be key components of that group. Here are the names that you should know as the off-season rolls on.
Starting Pitching
RHP Andrew Painter: It sure seems like the Phillies are expecting Painter to come in and grab a spot in the Philadelphia rotation during Spring Training. However, there will almost certainly be depth in place so that it’s not required, should they want or need him to return to the IronPigs to fine tune things before making his debut.
LHP Adam Seminaris was signed as a minor league free agent. He pitched all of last season with the Brewers affiliate in the AA Texas League. He had been a draftee of the Angels who advanced to Triple-A Salt Lake pretty quickly back in 2022. His 3.02 ERA over 24 games last season, and pedigree, suggest he’s in line to start the season in Allentown.
RHP Yoniel Curet comes via trade. He made several appearances with AAA-Durham last season and could slot in as part of the IronPigs rotation.
RHP Mitch Neunborn is a holdover from last season.
RHP Jean Cabrera should be ready for the promotion from Double-A Reading.
Relief Pitching
RHP Alex McFarlane has but four games of experience at Double-A, so it’s certainly likely that he starts back at Reading. However, he’s probably looked at more as a reliever now and has been added to the 40-man. He’s a candidate for fast-moving and helping the Phillies at some point in 2025 if needed.
RHP Colin Peluse made 47 appearances in the Texas league last season as well. His 2.64 ERA places him in Triple-A to start the season if things go right.
RHP Michael Mercado was re-signed to a minors deal after reaching free agency. He may have been awarded an extra option year, as well. He should remain as a reliever, although he did start for us a couple seasons ago. That option becomes important for the Phillies to have an “up-and-down” arm ready to go.
RHP Zach McCambley was selected by the Phillies in the MLB Rule 5. He’ll need to remain in Philadelphia or be offered back to the Marlins. Likely not an IronPig but a name to know.
RHP Evan Gates comes over via the minor league Rule 5. He made significant appearances with AA Richmond last season and could be ready for Triple-A, if not right away then at some point. He did spend part of 2024 with AAA Sacramento.
LHP Kyle Backhus comes over from Arizona in the Owusu-Asiedu trade. It appears that he may have an option available. He has already made his MLB debut.
RHP Zach Pop has 163 games of MLB experience with Miami, Toronto, Seattle and the Mets. He’s on a Majors deal and it seems he has not options. But you never know how things might work out, or what the details of his contract might portend.
Others: Listed holdovers may include: RHP Andrew Bechtold, RHP Ryan Cusick, LHP Tristan Garnett, RHP Daniel Harper, and LHP Andrew Walling.
Catchers
C Garrett Stubbs re-signed with the Phillies. He still has an option available and his new contract will pay him very nicely (compared with other minors contracts and other work you might find in East Allentown) should he return to the ‘Pigs. As of this writing, the Phillies have not been able to re-sign JT Reamuto, so things remain in flux.
C Paul McIntosh still remains on our roster. C Yhoan Escalona is likely destined for Clearwater or Jersey Shore. C Caleb Ricketts could be a candidate for promotion from Reading.
Infielders
2B Rafael Lantigua looks to return to the fold. He was a great glue-guy last season, even though .230/.356/.330 doesn’t look like much on paper.
SS Liover Peguero was signed as a minors free agent. “Peggy” came up through the Pittsburgh system as an international signee from the Dominican. He has 96 games of MLB service time. He hit .247/.313/.375 over 75 games last season with AAA Indy.
SS Aidan Miller. The top prospect should return. Look for him to get some time at third base sooner rather than later, and depending on the needs of the Phillies.
SS Erick Brito is likely to return.
Others: INF Robert Moore remains a possibility. As does SS Jose Rodriguez who had a gambling-shortened season last year.
1B Keaton Anthony is a candidate to return. Cade Fergus and Felix Reyes are still around, it seems.
Outfielders
OF Bryan De La Cruz was signed to a minors deal in November. He has 491 games of MLB service time with Miami and Atlanta. He had some time with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season.
RF Pedro León was claimed off waivers from Baltimore. While we can’t be certain at this juncture, it does appear that he has options available to be sent to the IronPigs.
LF, LHB Austin Murr was selected in the minors phase of the Rule 5. He’s already made his Triple-A debut, but may be destined for depth at Reading to start the season. Nevertheless, a name to know.
RF Gabriel Rincones was added to the 40-man and will return
CF Johan Rojas could be a candidate to return, assuming the ascendance of Justin Crawford to Philadelphia.
CF Dylan Campbell had a nice showing in the Arizona Fall League and may be ready for Triple-A.
Saying Good-Bye (Maybe?)
C/INF Carson Taylor was selected in the minors of the Rule 5. Look for him in the Mariners system this season. We wish him well as a former “Top Level” favorite.
RHP Griff McGarry was selected in the MLB phase of the Rule 5, by Washington. He’ll need to stick with the Nationals, or be offered back to the Phillies where he may land in the IronPigs’ rotation.
RHP Tommy McCollum was traded to Tampa in the Yoniel Curet deal.
CF Avery Owusu-Asiedu heads to the Arizona organization in the Kyle Backhus deal
See you at the park–before you know it,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Jack Mitroka. It has been cropped to fit the space.