Monday, February 17, 2025

Spring Training 2025: Non-Roster Invitees

2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #29
2022 Topps Heritage #656
 
2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #11
2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #33
2024 Choice Buffalo Bisons #8
 

In years' past, news of Phillies' non-roster invitees trickled in over the weeks and months leading to the opening of spring training.  This year, the Phillies gave us one big press release on January 14th announcing 23 non-roster invitees, and they's added three more names to the list since then.

Here's a look at the 26 non-roster invitees opening camp with the Phillies, their 2024 organizations and one of the more recently available baseball cards.
  1. Josh Breaux (c) - Yankees / Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #29
  2. Payton Henry (c) - Blue Jays - 2024 Choice Buffalo Bisons #5
  3. Paul McIntosh (c) - Marlins - 2024 Choice Pensacola Blue Wahoos #17
  4. Caleb Ricketts (c) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #11
  5. Rodolfo Castro (inf) - Phillies - 2023 Topps Heritage #453
  6. Otto Kemp (inf) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #33
  7. Rafael Lantigua (inf) - Blue Jays - 2024 Choice Buffalo Bisons #8
  8. Aidan Miller (inf) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-31
  9. Carson Taylor (inf) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #7
  10. Justin Crawford (of) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-124
  11. Gabriel Rincones Jr. (of) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-54
  12. Matt Kroon (util) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #14
  13. Nabil Crismatt (rhp) - Dodgers / Rangers / Padres - 2023 Topps World Baseball Classic #17
  14. Jose Cuas (rhp) - Cubs / Blue Jays / Phillies - 2024 Topps Heritage #151
  15. Joel Kuhnel (rhp) - Astros / Blue Jays / Brewers / Rays - 2020 Topps Update #U-281
  16. Griff McGarry (rhp) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-16
  17. John McMillon (rhp) - Royals / Marlins - 2024 Topps #571
  18. Nicholas Padilla (rhp) - White Sox - 2024 Choice Charlotte Knights #16
  19. Andrew Painter (rhp) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #37
  20. Austin Schulfer (rhp) - Twins / Tigers - 2023 Choice St. Paul Saints SGA
  21. Guillo Zuniga (rhp) - Angels - 2023 Topps Now World Baseball Classic #WBC-22
  22. Tristan Garnett (lhp) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #20
  23. Nick Vespi (lhp) - Orioles - 2024 Choice Norfolk Tides #39
  24. Koyo Aoyagi (rhp) - Hanshin Tigers - 2024 Topps NPB #78
  25. Christian Arroyo (inf) - Brewers - 2023 Topps #352
  26. Oscar Mercado (of) - Padres / Tigers - 2024 Choice El Paso Chihuahuas #17
Aoyagi signed a minor league deal with the Phillies on January 17th, and he's a veteran of nine seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.  Aoyagi was a an All-Star in Japan in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

On Valentine's Day, the Phillies officially signed Christian Arroyo (inf) and Oscar Mercado (of) to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.  Arroyo has spent seven seasons in the majors as a back-up infielder with the Giants, Rays, Indians and Red Sox.  Mercado, who played in one game for the Phillies in 2022, was most recently in the majors with the Cardinals in 2023.

2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #7
2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-54
 
2024 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #14
2024 Topps Heritage #151
 
2020 Topps Update #U-281
 
2024 Topps #571
 
2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #20
2023 Topps Chrome
Platinum Anniversary #91
2023 Topps NPB #105
 
2023 Topps #352
 

Sunday, February 16, 2025

2024 Chachi Leftovers

2024 Chachi Almost #2
2024 Chachi Almost #3
2024 Chachi Almost #4
2024 Chachi Friendly Encounters #3

With pitchers and catchers having reported to Clearwater and only a matter of weeks to go before spring training games start, I wanted to clear out my draft folder and post a few lingering 2024 Chachi cards.  Before Christmas, I began posting cards from the 2024 Chachi set on a daily basis, wrapping up with card #64, Seth Johnson, on February 6th.  I start the process of creating Chachi cards this time each year, and as was the case with the players featured here, they did not actually suit up with the Phillies in 2024 and therefore weren't part of the official 2024 Chachi set.

Darick Hall (1b) - Hall played in 59 games with the Phillies between 2022 and 2023, and spent all of last season with the Triple-A IronPigs.  In December, he signed as a minor league free agent with the Pirates.

Rodolfo Castro (inf) - Castro lost the 2024 season to injuries, and he's back in camp with the Phillies in 2025 as a non-roster invitee.

Dylan Covey (rhp) - Covey and his beard made 28 appearances for the Phillies in 2023, making one start.  He too was hit by the injury bug in 2024, pitching in 18 games with three of the Phillies' minor league teams.  He was signed by the Mets on Halloween, placed on waivers on February 6th, and signed by the Braves on February 11th.

And finally, we met Jose Alvarado at an autograph signing at the Deptford Mall back in July.  Kody Clemens was also there and I briefly wrote about this poorly organized event here.

And with those three cards out of the way, and cleared from my draft folder, it's time to turn the page to the 2025 Chachi set!

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Hall of Fame Class of 2025: Phillies Cards

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #15
2004 Topps Pristine #7

As is usually the case each January, I let this blog go mostly dormant with the exception of posting a daily 2024 Chachi card.  Before spring training starts in earnest, I wanted to revisit something I used to do annually whenever a new class of Hall of Famers was announced.  For each new class of Hall of Fame inductees, I go through my Phillies Collection and see how many cards of each I have.  This would mean the new Hall of Famer is typically featured on a multi-player card with a Phillies player, or in the case of Dick Allen and Billy Wagner, the new Hall of Famer actually spent time with the Phillies.

This exercise is a little easier this year as I'm proud to report my entire Phillies Collection is now tracked in a massive Excel schedule, AND also available for me to browse and search on the Trading Card Database.  I started updating my collection at TCDB a few years ago, and with the Phillies and Complete Sets collections now updated, I'll turn my attention to the "Everything Else" catch-all category.

Here's a look at Cooperstown's 2025 class, and the baseball cards I have of them in my Phillies Collection.

Dick Allen - I have 55 cards of Allen in my Phillies Collection, and 65 cards of the slugger overall.  Back in December, I posted a gallery of his Topps flagship cards here, and I've also liked this 2009 Upper Deck card of his.

Dave Parker - Parker shows up twice in my Phillies Collection.  He's on a strange 1982 Fleer Stamps issue, pointing at the camera and putting his arm around a hesitant Steve Carlton.  He also shares space with Pete Rose and Bill Madlock on a 1984 Topps Active Career Leaders subset card.

CC Sabathia - Sabathia shows up twice on 2011 Topps Diamond Duos insert cards with Carlton and Cliff Lee.  My all-time favorite memory involving Sabathia can be found here.

Ichiro Suzuki - Ichiro shares a card with Richie Ashburn in the 2007 Topps Heritage Then and Now insert set, and he's on an incredibly random "Classic Combo" card with Chase Utley in the 2007 Topps Update set.

Billy Wagner - And finally, I have 40 cards of closer Wagner in my Phillies Collection, given he appeared in 120 games with the club in 2004 and 2005.  59 of Wagner's 422 career saves came while wearing a Phillies uniform, which is his third most by franchise behind the Astros and Mets.  Browsing a gallery of Wagner's Phillies cards, this 2004 Topps Pristine card is my favorite, non-team issue card of his.  His 2005 Topps flagship card is a close second.

1982 Fleer
Stamps #241
2011 Topps Diamond Duos #DD-23
2007 Topps Heritage Then and Now #TN7
2007 Topps Update #UH279

Friday, February 14, 2025

2025 Topps - The First Phillie!


I didn't hesitate earlier this year when the e-mail from Topps arrived in my inbox alerting me that boxes of 2025 Topps Series One were on sale from their website.  I've missed out in the past, having to go to the secondary market (eBay) and paying an upcharge when the need to open new baseball cards inevitably overpowered me in prior Februarys.  I didn't go crazy, adding just a hobby box and a blaster to my cart, and then waiting patiently for the February 12th release date.

The box was waiting for me when I arrived home on Wednesday, but sports practices required us to wait until Thursday to open the first packs of 2025 Topps as a family.  The first Phillie, this Alec Bohm card, came quickly within the first pack I opened.

Topps has been on a roll over the past several years, and with the exception of the misfire with 2020's design, the 2025 Topps design adds to four solid set designs in the past five years.  Updating my top ten gallery below, the 2025 set takes the place of the 2015 set in the #2 spot, with 2015 leaving the list after 10 years (!).  I've used this summary in the past to describe the new Topps flagship design, but this is what a baseball card in the year 2025 should look like - crisp, great photo, modern graphics, some non-intrusive glittery effects and a little bit of silver foil with the Topps logo.  I really like that we get the team's logo and name going up the side of a card, and the curved lines along the left border are a nice modern update to the 1982 Topps design.


We were particularly impressed with how Topps found a new way to display the player's position.  The diamond in the bottom right indicates where the player would stand on the field, and it's one of those things I can't believe we've not seen on a baseball card before.  The backs are nice and clean too, as has been the case in recent years, and kudos to Topps for once again making the card number easy to find and easy to read.  My only very minor complaint is that some of the teams have player's last names in black (not white) making those harder to read.  I would have preferred Topps go with all white for every last name for each team.

Revisiting my top ten ranking below, I might move 2022 and 2019 ahead of 2023.  I still don't like the bottom three, but 2021 may eventually take over the worst design spot in my mind.

Best - 2024 Topps #194
#2 - 2025 Topps #7
#3 - 2023 Topps #278
#4 - 2022 Topps #249
#5 - 2019 Topps #303
#6 - 2016 Topps #15
#7 - 2018 Topps #26
#8 - 2021 Topps #79
#9 - 2017 Topps #247
Worst - 2020 Topps #221

2025 Topps #7 Alec Bohm

Thursday, February 6, 2025

2024 Chachi #64 Seth Johnson


#51 / Seth William Johnson / Starting Pitcher
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  205
Opening Day Age:  25
Born:  September 19, 1998, Concord, NC
Acquired:  Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Moises Chace to the Phillies for Gregory Soto, July 30, 2024
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2028
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2024

Pitching prospect Seth Johnson came over to the Phillies in July as part of the return from the Orioles for beleaguered reliever Gregory Soto.  He pitched well in his seven minor league starts, earning a call-up to the Phillies on September 8th to make his big league debut against the Marlins.  It did go well.  Johnson was in trouble from the outset, and he'd depart the game in the middle of the third inning.  His final line for the day - nine runs on eight hits, including a home run, three walks and a 34.71 ERA.  He'll hopefully get a chance to bring that ERA down a bit with the Phillies in 2025.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2019 Bowman Draft #BD-90
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Favorite 2024 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  None as of 12/24/24, none added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #64

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

2024 Chachi #63 Aramis Garcia


#41 / Aramis Michael Garcia / Catcher
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  228
Opening Day Age:  31
Born:  January 12, 1993, Hialeah, FL
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, February 16, 2023
Major League Teams:  San Francisco Giants 2018-19; Oakland Athletics 2021; Cincinnati Reds 2022; Philadelphia Phillies 2024

2024 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #4
With catcher J.T. Realmuto banged up and third string catcher Rafael Marchan also battling injuries, Aramis Garcia got the call to the Phillies on September 7th.  The veteran catcher would appear in three games, making two starts behind the plate on September 8th and 11th.  In his short time with the Phillies, he went hitless in seven at-bats, with three strikeouts.  Garcia became a minor league free agent following the season, and signed with the Diamondbacks on November 19th.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2014 Bowman Draft #DP50
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2019
Favorite/Only 2024 Card:  2024 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #4
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  2 as of 12/24/24, 1 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #63

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

2024 Chachi #62 Buddy Kennedy


#19 / Clifton Lewis Kennedy / Infield
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  190
Opening Day Age:  25
Born:  October 5, 1998, Millville, NJ
Acquired:  Purchased by the Phillies from the Detroit Tigers, June 7, 2024
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2028
Major League Teams:  Arizona Diamondbacks 2022-23; Detroit Tigers 2024; Philadelphia Phillies 2024

Millville's own Buddy Kennedy, grandson of former Phillies' third baseman Don Money, joined the Phillies organization in early June.  He was active for a pair of games August 26th and 27th, but didn't get any game action before being sent back down to Lehigh Valley.  Recalled again on September 6th, Kennedy would make his Phillies debut as a late inning defensive replacement at third base in a 16-2 win over the Marlins.  He'd start a game each at third base and second base over the final month of the season, contributing a clutch game-tying double against the Mets on September 15th in a game the Phillies would ultimately win.  In eight games with the Phillies, Kennedy batted .182 (2 for 11) with his one big double. 

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2022 Topps Now #375
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2023
Favorite 2024 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  None as of 12/24/24, none added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #62

Monday, February 3, 2025

2024 Chachi #61 Tyler Gilbert


#40 / Tyler Gregory Gilbert / Relief Pitcher
Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  223
Opening Day Age:  30
Born:  December 22, 1993, Santa Cruz, CA
Acquired:  Purchased by the Phillies from the Cincinnati Reds, May 7, 2024
Major League Teams:  Arizona Diamondbacks 2021-23; Philadelphia Phillies 2024

Originally drafted by the Phillies in 2015, Tyler Gilbert was dealt to the Dodgers on February 15, 2020 for Kyle Garlick.  In December 2020, he was selected by the Diamondbacks in the annual rule 5 draft, and he'd throw a no-hitter in his first major league start on August 14, 2021.  Gilbert came back to the Phillies in May, purchased from the Reds, and he'd spend most of the season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  He was recalled on August 17th, taking the roster spot of Tyler Phillips, and Gilbert would have six relief appearances throughout August and September.  He had no record and a 3.24 ERA in 8 1/3 innings pitched.  Gilbert was designated for assignment on December 22nd to make room on the 40-man roster for new addition Jesus Luzardo.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2021 Topps Now #661
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2022
Favorite 2024 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  6 as of 12/24/24, none added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #61

Sunday, February 2, 2025

2024 Chachi #59 Max Lazar


#60 / Max Lazar / Relief Pitcher
Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'1"  Weight:  200
Opening Day Age:  24
Born:  June 3, 1999, Coral Springs, FL
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, December 8, 2023
Contract Status:  Arbitration eligible 2028
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2024

2024 Choice Reading
Fightin Phils (1st Edition) #22
Max Lazar had his contract purchased from Lehigh Valley in early August, taking Kolby Allard's roster spot.  Lazar would make his big league debut the following night, retiring all four Diamondbacks' batters he faced on August 10th.  He'd pitch well throughout most of August, not allowing a run over his first seven appearances before giving up runs in his final four appearances of the season.  In those 11 games in August and September, Lazar had no record with a 4.61 ERA in 13 2/3 innings pitched.  He struck out nine and allowed a pair of walks.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2020 Topps Heritage Minor League #52
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Favorite/Only 2024 Card:  2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (1st Edition) #22
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  1 as of 12/24/24, 1 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist
2024 Chachi #59