2015 Topps Update #US258 Vincent Velasquez

Blue Jays 2, Phillies 1
Spring Training Game 27 - Monday Afternoon, March 28th in Dunedin
Record - 14-10-3

One Sentence Summary:  A flurry of roster moves was way more exciting than the 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

What It Means:  After a hot start to their spring, the Phillies are coming back down to Earth. They're 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.

What Happened:  Vince Velasquez had an impressive outing, allowing just two hits and striking out eight over six innings.  Dalier Hinojosa entered the eighth with a one-run lead and allowed a two-run home run to Darrell Ceciliani.  The Phillies only run came courtesy of Darin Ruf's seventh home run of the spring.

Featured Cards:  Velasquez cards are scarce in my collection, and I had to borrow this card from my son Doug's 2015 Topps Update set.  This is the young right-hander's first flagship Topps card.

Camp Head Count:  47 - 9 + 1 = 39 - The hammer dropped on nine players prior to this game and then a new name was added to the outfield mix.  Pitchers Adam Morgan, Elvis Araujo and Luis Garcia along with outfielder Darnell Sweeney were all optioned to Lehigh Valley.  All had spent time with the Phillies in 2015, and the demotion of Morgan was perhaps the biggest shock.  By many accounts, Morgan had been one of the club's most effective pitchers this spring but ultimately the fifth starter's job went to newcomer Velasquez.

Non-roster invitees Logan Moore (c), Angelys Nina (inf), Reinier Roibal (rhp), Chris Leroux (rhp) and Bobby LaFromboise (lhp) were all reassigned to minor league camp.

2015 Topps Heritage #546

Following the game, the Phillies announced the signing of outfielder Will Venable to a minor league contract.  Venable had been recently released by the Indians, and he split 2015 between the Padres and the Rangers.  One of the Padres primary outfielders since 2008, Venable's best season came in 2013 when he hit .268 with 22 home runs and 53 RBIs.

Here's the (most likely) final listing of the team's 2016 non-roster invitees.

Player (position) - 2015 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
1.  James Russell (lhp) - Cubs - 2015 Topps #255 (Braves)
2.  Emmanuel Burriss (inf) - Nationals - 2010 Topps Update #US-82 (Giants)
3.  Ryan Jackson (inf) - Royals/Angels - 2013 Panini Prizm #238 (Cardinals)
4.  Frank Herrmann (rhp) - Angels/Pirates - 2010 Topps Update #US-89 (Indians)
5.  Chris Leroux (rhp) - Brewers/Phillies - 2013 Panini Select #205 (Pirates)
6.  Reinier Roibal (rhp) - Phillies - N/A
7.  J.P. Arencibia (c) - Orioles/Rays - 2014 Topps #627 (Rangers)
8.  Greg Burke (rhp) - Blue Jays - 2009 Bowman Chrome #103 (Padres)
9.  Ernesto Frieri (rhp) - Rays - 2014 Topps #240 (Angels)
10.  Gregory Infante (rhp) - Blue Jays - 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter #84 (White Sox)
11.  Angelys Nina (inf) - Rockies - 2012 Bowman Prospects #BP45 (Rockies)
12.  Andrew Bailey (rhp) - Yankees - 2013 Topps Heritage #344 (Red Sox)
13.  Edward Mujica (rhp) - Red Sox/Athletics - 2015 Topps #131 (Red Sox)
14.  Cedric Hunter (of) - Braves - 2011 Topps #554 (Padres)
15.  Mark Appel (rhp) - Astros - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #219 (Astros)
16.  J.P. Crawford (ss) - Phillies - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #208 (Phillies)
17.  Zach Eflin (rhp) - Phillies - 2014 Topps Pro Debut #184 (Padres)
18.  Andrew Knapp (c) - Phillies - 2014 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #146 (Phillies)
19.  Gabriel Lino (c) - Phillies - 2012 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP199 (Phillies)
20.  Logan Moore (c) - Phillies - 2011 Bowman Draft Chrome Prospects #BDPP44 (Phillies)
21.  Brock Stassi (1b) - Phillies - N/A
22.  Jake Thompson (rhp) - Rangers/Phillies - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #129 (Rangers)
23.  Nick Williams (of) - Rangers/Phillies - 2015 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues #175 (Rangers)
24.  David Lough (of) - Orioles - 2015 Topps #290 (Orioles)
25.  Yoervis Medina (rhp) - Mariners/Cubs - 2014 Topps Update #US265 (Mariners)
26.  Bobby LaFromboise (lhp) - Pirates - N/A
27.  Will Venable (of) - Padres/Rangers - 2015 Topps Heritage #546 (Padres)