Phils Sign Merrifield / Games Start Tomorrow!

2023 Topps Update #US291

2023 Topps Heritage #524

2023 Topps Big League #136

2023 Topps Heritage #668

2017 Chachi Photo Night #14

The Phillies spent most of the offseason with little to no roster movement, but once camp started in Clearwater there was a sudden flurry of moves.  By my unofficial tally, 65 days passed between the Phillies re-signing Aaron Nola on November 19th and the signing of Kolby Allard on January 23rd.  As we look forward to the first Grapefruit League action tomorrow afternoon, here's a look at the latest comings and goings over the past week.

• On February 14th, the signing of Spencer Turnbull (rhp) was announced, and McKinley Moore (rhp) was designated for assignment.  Turnbull is 12-29 over parts of five seasons with the Tigers.  In 2023, he was 1-4 with a 7.26 ERA in seven starts and I'm assuming he'll provide some starting pitching depth at Triple-A.

• On February 16th, Moore and Diego Castillo (inf) were both claimed off waivers.  Moore went to the Yankees with Castillo going to the Orioles.  It's surprising to me Moore would be let go, given he had been identified as one of the organization's top pitching prospects.

• There were a flurry of moves on Monday, with the biggest being the signing of Whit Merrifield (inf) to a one-year deal to provide a solid infield or outfield bench option.  Merrifield has long been a Phillies Room favorite, as he's one of our son Doug's favorite non-Phillies players.  Like Merrifield, Doug prides himself in being able to play all over the diamond, wherever the team needs him to play.  And I'm excited to add some Merrifield baseball cards to my 2024 Phillies binder

• To make room for Merrifield, Kaleb Ort was designated for assignment and later traded to the Orioles for cash considerations.  Ort had been on the 40-man roster for six days.

• Finally, three more non-roster invitees were added, bringing the total spring head count to 61.  Austin Brice (rhp) last pitched in the majors in 2022 with the Pirates, and he's a veteran of seven big league seasons having spent time with the Marlins, Reds, Marlins again, Red Sox and Pirates.  David Dahl (of) was an All-Star with the Rockies in 2019, and he's spent most of the past two seasons bouncing around the minor league systems of the Brewers, Nationals, Dodgers and Padres.  And Ricardo Pinto (rhp) returns to the Phillies, having last pitched in 25 games for the team in 2017.  He's been all over the place since then, having last pitched in the Mexican League in 2023.

Player (position) - 2023 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card

19.  Austin Brice (rhp) - Diamondbacks/Twins - 2023 Topps Pro Debut #PD-86

20.  David Dahl (of) - Padres/Dodgers - 2019 Topps Total (White Sox)

21.  Ricardo Pinto (rhp) - Mexico - 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-GM

2023 Chachi #32 McKinley Moore

#79

McKinley David Moore
Relief Pitcher

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'6"  Weight:  225
Opening Day Age:  24

Born:  August 24, 1998, Houston, TX
Acquired:  Traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Phillies for Adam Haseley, March 29, 2022

Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023

McKinley Moore joined the Phillies organization prior to the 2022 season as the return from the White Sox for former top draft pick Adam Haseley.  He had a strong showing in spring training in 2023, making him the first arm recalled from Lehigh Valley on the fifth day of the season when Yunior Marte faltered early.  Moore had a rough go of it in his three games with the Phillies in April, allowing seven earned runs over 3 1/3 innings pitched (18.90 ERA).  He's currently on the IronPigs' Injured List, and hasn't pitched since mid-May.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  N/A
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2023 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #31
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  4 as of 6/25/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi #32

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist

2023 Chachi #31 Cristian Pache / 2023 Chachi #33 Kody Clemens

Game 15 - Maybe This is the Low Point of the Season?

2022 Reading Fightin Phils
Holiday Top 10

Reds 13, Phillies 0
Game 15 - Saturday Afternoon, April 15th in Cincinnati
Record - 5-10, 4th Place, 6 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Nothing went right for the Phillies in this 13-0 thrashing by the Reds.

What It Means:  I didn't see a lot of this game, but what I did see included Phillies pitchers getting hit around, more questionable defense and more bad decisions on the base paths.

What Happened:  The only bright spot of this game was Bryson Stott extending his hitting streak to 15 games with a lead-off double.  It was downhill from there.  The Phillies offense managed four more hits, two from Edmundo Sosa.  (Sosa would later leave the game with a back injury.)  Matt Strahm started and went only 2 2/3 innings, departing after throwing 67 pitches and allowing three runs.  Andrew Bellatti and McKinley Moore couldn't stop the Reds, as those two relievers combined to give up five more runs in 2 1/3 innings.  Josh Harrison was called on to pitch the final inning, and the Reds tacked on five more runs off the veteran utility player.

Featured Card:  Moore looked great in spring training, but he's struggled mightily in his three appearances since getting recalled.  He's allowed at least a run each time, and after allowing three runs in today's game, his ERA shot up to 18.90.  The Reading Fightin Phils produced three cards for Moore last season, including this unnumbered card from what the team website called the Holiday Top Ten set.

Transaction:  And following the game, Moore was optioned down to Lehigh Valley.

2023 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2023 Season Summary Index / 2023 Chachi Set Checklist