Spring Training Game 28 - Spring Schedule Creeps to a Close

Philadelphia Phillies	8
Baltimore Orioles	10

2025 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards

Spring Training Game 28

Saturday Afternoon, March 21st

Ed Smith Stadium - Sarasota, FL

Record - 10-16-2

One Sentence Summary:  Old friend Weston Wilson helped the Orioles defeat the Phillies in this 10-8 loss in Sarasota.

What It Means:  Two more scrimmages to go after this before the games start to actually mean something.

What Happened:  I guess manager Rob Thomson didn't want to use any of his regular pitchers in this away game, as most of the pitchers seeing action were minor league call-ups.  Jonathan Hernandez (not a minor league call-up) got hit the hardest, allowing five runs on three hits and a pair of walks while only retiring one batter in the sixth.  Bryson Stott and Bryan De La Cruz both had a pair of hits, while Otto Kemp and Liover Peguero both had a pair of RBIs.  Garrett Stubbs, again playing third base, had two stolen bases.

Featured Card:  Wilson tied the game up at 4-4 in the sixth with an RBI double, before Jhonkensy Noel hit a grand slam off reliever Hernandez.  Wilson is batting just .250 this spring with a home run for the Orioles.

Camp Head Count:  39 - 1 = 38

Prior to the game, Trevor Richards (rhp) was reassigned to minor league camp.

2025 Chachi #32 Weston Wilson

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  2155
Opening Day 2025 Age:  30

Born:  September 11, 1994, High Point, NC
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, January 11, 2023

Contract Status:  Signed through 2031
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023-25

Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2024-25

2025 Topps #ALT-1

Weston Wilson had a tough year all around, starting off on the injured list and getting sent back down to the IronPigs for about a month, beginning in late June.  He still found his way all over the field, playing all infield positions, some left field and pitching two scoreless innings of mop-up relief.  In 52 games with the Phillies, Wilson batted .198 with five home runs and 17 RBIs.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2023 Topps Now #686
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (2):  2024-25
Favorite 2025 Card:  2025 Topps #ALT-1
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  10 as of 12/30/25, 2 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  256 total as of 12/30/25, my 11 cards overall are ranked 9th, 1st is TCP Sports Cards with 88

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi #51

2023 Chachi #52 - HR in 1st PA HL

2024 Chachi #38

2024 Chachi #60 - Cycle HL

2025 Chachi #32

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #31 Cal Stevenson 

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2025 Chachi #33 Ranger Suarez

The Phillies Room: January Notes

1984 Donruss #248

2025 Topps Update #US47

2025 Topps Holiday #H33

2024 Topps Now Road to Opening Day Bonus #ODB30

Stay on target . . . getting closer . . .

January 5 - Donny Baseball Joins Phils:  It's fascinating to me when an iconic player known for his time with another organization is suddenly wearing the Phillies' red pinstripes.  After weeks of rumors, the Phillies made it official and named Don Mattingly their next bench coach.  Mike Calitri, who had been the bench coach for Rob Thomson since June 2022, has been moved into a new position as Major League field coordinator.

Mattingly had previously been the bench coach for the Blue Jays (2023-25).  He says he has no plans to manage again, and if that's the case, he'll retire with a 885-941 lifetime managerial record while leading the Yankees on an interim basis (2007), Dodgers (2010-15) and Marlins (2016-22).  Along with his recent stint with the Blue Jays, Mattingly coached with the Yankees (2004-07) and Dodgers (2008-10).  His son, Preston Mattingly, is the Phillies' current GM.

Mattingly spent 14 seasons with the Yankees (1982-95), winning a batting title in 1984 and MVP honors in 1985.  He was a nine-time Gold Glove winner, a three-time Silver Slugger winner and a six-time All-Star during a playing career that never saw the Yankees reach the postseason.

January 13 - Trade with Bucs Nets Shugart:  The Phillies acquired Chase Shugart (rhp), whose name will likely auto-correct to Sugar all season, from the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league prospect Francisco Loreto (inf).  In 35 games last season, Shugart was 4-3 with a 3.40 ERA in 45 innings pitched.  Loreto, just 18 years old, played in 47 games for the FCL Phillies last summer, batting .237 with 10 doubles.

January 16 - Bichette to Mets / J.T. Returns:  Neither signing had been officially announced on this day, but it was widely reported that Bo Bichette was poised to sign a three-year deal with the rival Mets, while J.T. Realmuto (c) would return to the Phillies on a three-year contract.  The Bichette signing was a shock, as the Phillies had seemed destined to sign the infielder, and in fact had offered him a seven-year deal worth $200 million.  The Mets swooped in after losing the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes and offered Bichette three years at $126 million.  A few hours later, it was announced Realmuto was returning to the club on a three-year, $45 million deal.

January 20 - J.T. Officially Returns / Wilson Departs:  The Realmuto signing was made official and surprisingly, Weston Wilson (inf) was designated for assignment to open up a 40-man roster spot.  Two days later, Wilson was claimed off waivers by the Orioles.  In parts of three seasons with the Phillies, Wilson batted .242 in 100 games, with nine home runs and 29 RBIs.  He memorably hit a home run in his first at-bat on the same night Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter, back on August 9, 2023.  And on August 15, 2024, Wilson hit for the 10th cycle in Phillies history.

Game 118 - Late Inning Surge Gives Phils the Win

Philadelphia Phillies	4
Cincinnati Reds	1

2025 Topps #ALT-1

Monday Night, August 11th

Great American Ball Park - Cincinnati, OH
69-49, 1st Place, 6 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Edmundo Sosa and Weston Wilson at the bottom of the line-up came through and Taijuan Walker gave the Phillies another solid outing in this 4-1 win over the Reds.

What It Means:  This was a good series opening win, but the lack of offense at the top and middle of the line-up would continue to be a concern over the final two games against the Reds.

What Happened:  Walker allowed a run on six hits in six innings of work and departed with the Reds holding a 1-0 lead.  Shut out through seven innings by Reds' pitcher Andrew Abbott, the Phillies finally broke through with four runs in the eighth, all with two outs.  Sosa singled and Wilson doubled him home to tie the game.  Trea Turner then singled Wilson home to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead.  Providing some insurance, Kyle Schwarber then blasted a two-run home run to right, his 42nd of the season.  Orion Kerkering pitched a perfect ninth for his third save of the season.

Featured Card:  Wilson doesn't get featured enough on the blog, and I'll give him the card since he drove in the tying run.  This is the error version of his flagship card from Topps Series Two, corrected to card #498 in the factory set.

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #38 Weston Wilson

#37 / Weston Graham Wilson / Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  215
Opening Day Age:  29

Born:  September 11, 1994, High Point, NC
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, January 11, 2023

Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023-24

Postseason Appearances:  Philadelphia Phillies 2024

2024 Topps Now #557

Weston Wilson played in 40 games for the Phillies in 2024, appearing at every position except catcher and shortstop.  He batted .284 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his limited playing time as a super utility option.  One of those three home runs came on August 15th, when Wilson collected the 10th cycle in Phillies' history and became the first Phillies rookie to accomplish the feat.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2023 Topps Now #686
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2024
Favorite 2024 Card:  2024 Topps Now #557
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  9 as of 12/23/24, 6 added in 2024

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi #51

2023 Chachi #52 - HR in 1st PA HL

2024 Chachi #38

2024 Chachi #60 - Cycle HL

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #37 David Dahl / 2024 Chachi #39 Rafael Marchan

Game 146 - Wheeler and Wilson Lead Phils to Win, Series Sweep

2024 Topps #658

Phillies 3, Rays 2
Game 146 - Wednesday Night, September 11th in Philadelphia
Record - 88-58, 1st Place, 8 games ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler won his 15th game and Weston Wilson delivered a tie-breaking RBI single in the sixth as the Phillies beat the Rays, 3-2, completing the three-game series sweep.

What It Means:  The Mets come to town next for a big three-game series beginning on Friday night.

What Happened:  Wheeler went six strong innings, allowing a pair of runs on four hits, while striking out nine.  Matt Strahm, a revitalized Jose Alvarado and Carlos Estevez took it from there, with Estevez recording his fifth save with the Phillies.  Nick Castellanos got some revenge, after being hit in Tuesday night's game, with a two-run home in the first.  With the score tied 2-2, Wilson singled home Castellanos with the go-ahed and eventual winning run.

Featured Card:  Here's Wilson's rookie card from Topps Series Two.

Transaction:  Nick Nelson (rhp) cleared waivers and was outrighted to the IronPigs.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 126 - Like Remy, Phils Squeak By Braves

2024 Topps Heritage #105

Phillies 3, Braves 2
Game 126 - Wednesday Night, August 21st in Atlanta
Record - 74-52, 1st Place, 7 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  With the offense still scuffling, the Phillies manufactured a trio of runs in this much-needed 3-2 win over the Braves.

What It Means:  They'd go for the series win on Thursday night but (spoiler alert) fall short.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola battled through 5 1/3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on eight hits, including a two-run home run to Orlando Arcia in the fourth inning.  The Phillies tied it up in the sixth, when Edmundo Sosa led off with a single, went to third on Johan Rojas' double and scored on a Kyle Schwarber groundout.  Rojas would cross the plate on a Trea Turner sacrifice fly.  In the eighth, Weston Wilson led off with a double and advanced twice on sacrifice flies from Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh.  Carlos Estevez made it interesting in the ninth, but induced a game-inning ground out to first from Whit Merrifield with the tying run on third, to end the game.

Featured Card:  Wilson has been one of the lone bright spots in the Phillies line-up the last few weeks, and he was 2 for 3 while scoring the winning run in this game.  He was batting .362 following this game and up to this point was batting .579 (11 for 19) with three doubles, a triple and a home run in August.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 121 - Offense Comes Alive, Backed by Wilson's Cycle

2024 Chachi #60

Phillies 13, Nationals 3
Game 121 - Thursday Night, August 15th in Philadelphia
Record - 71-50, 1st Place, 7 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Highlighted by Weston Wilson's cycle, the Phillies banged out 17 hits en route to a 13-3 win over the Nationals.

What It Means:  All is right with the world?

What Happened:  The Phillies jumped on the Nationals quickly, scoring four first inning runs.  Alec Bohm got the party started with a three-run home run, followed by a Nick Castellanos solo homer.  They plated five more runs in the fourth.  Weston Wilson led off with a triple and came home on a Johan Rojas single to left.  Kyle Schwarber singled, Trea Turner doubled him home and Bryce Harper singled Turner home to make it 8-0, Phillies.  Castellanos capped the inning's activity with an RBI single to bring home Harper.  Four more runs would score by the end of the night, with Wilson hitting a solo home run and Johan Rojas contributing a two-run single in the eighth.

Featured Card:  Wilson had a memorable night, collecting the 10th cycle in Phillies' history and becoming the first Phillies rookie to accomplish the feat.  Following his triple to start the fourth, he singled before the inning ended.  In the seventh, he hit a solo home run to right center, his third of the season.  And in the eighth, he lofted a fly ball that just eluded right fielder Alex Call diving attempt, dropping in for a double. 

Field Report:  And we were there!  Jenna and I enjoyed our now traditional pre-game meal at Pass and Stowe before walking the concourse and taking in the game from various vantage points.  It was a little over a year ago we witnessed Michael Lorenzen's no-hitter.

2024 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2024 Season Summary Index / 2024 Chachi Set Checklist

2024 Chachi #59 Max Lazar / 2024 Chachi #61 Tyler Gilbert

2023 Chachi #51 Weston Wilson

#37

Weston Graham Wilson
Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  215
Opening Day Age:  28

Born:  September 11, 1994, High Point, NC
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, January 11, 2023

Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2023

Weston Wilson toiled in the minor league system of the Milwaukee Brewers for six seasons, missing all of the pandemic season of 2020, without getting a call to the majors.  The Phillies made the call on August 6th, and Wilson immediately rewarded them with a home run in his first big league plate appearance a few days later.  His big blast was overshadowed somewhat, as it came in the game Michael Lorenzen made his first home start with the Phillies and threw a no-hitter.  Wilson had been playing as the regular shortstop for the Triple-A IronPigs, but he's also seen time this season at first base, third base and both corner outfield spots.  With the Phillies so far, through Saturday, he's appeared in four games, going 2 for 5 with one memorable home run.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2023 Topps Now #686
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Newest Card Added to My Phillies Collection:  2023 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #2
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  1 as of 8/19/23.

Complete Chachi Checklist

2023 Chachi #51

2023 Chachi #52 - HR in 1st PA HL

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

2023 Chachi #50 Rodolfo Castro / 2023 Chachi #52 Weston Wilson HL

Game 115 - LORENZEN THROWS NO-HITTER!

Phillies 7, Nationals 0
Game 115 - Wednesday Night, August 9th in Philadelphia
Record - 63-52, 2nd Place, 10 1/2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  On an absolutely unforgettable night of baseball, Michael Lorenzen pitched a no-hitter against the Nationals in his home Phillies debut.

What It Means:  Lorenzen threw the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history, the first Phillies no-hitter at Citizens Bank Park since Roy Halladay did in Game 1 of the NLDS on October 6, 2010, and the third Phillies no-hitter overall in the ballpark's history.  Kevin Millwood threw the first no-hitter at the ballpark back on April 27, 2003, a game I attended with my Dad.

What Happened:  Amazingly enough, the no-hitter wasn't the only storyline.  The Phillies took an early 3-0 lead following Bryce Harper's RBI double in the first and Nick Castellanos' 199th career home run a batter later.  Weston Wilson was making his big league debut following seven seasons in the minor leagues, starting in left field.  In the second inning, Wilson connected for a long home run off Nationals' starter MacKenzie Gore in a fairly emotional moment.  We thought that would easily be the game highlight, but we were wrong.  Wilson ended the night with his home run, a pair of walks, a stolen base and three runs scored.

In the third, Castellanos launched his second home run, and the 200th of his career, to make it 5-0, Phillies.  A few more runs would score while the ballpark crowd, 30,406 of us, began to realize the Nationals had a big zero under the H on the scoreboard.  Lorenzen went to work, efficiently getting through the seventh and eighth, and then emerging to a loud standing ovation in the top of the ninth.  Lane Thomas grounded out, Joey Meneses struck out looking and Dominic Smith lofted a fly ball to rookie center fielder Johan Rojas, who easily tracked and caught it for the final out of the game.  What an incredible night!

Featured Cards:  It was going to be Wilson, without a doubt, until Lorenzen made history.  I decided to create Highlight cards for both.

Field Report:  By happenstance and pure luck, my wife Jenna and I were there.  We had had tickets for an early season game that had been delayed for several hours by rain.  The Phillies offered all fans with tickets to that game two free tickets to an upcoming game as a goodwill gesture and I randomly picked this early August contest against the Nationals.  Up until a day ago, I was supposed to be on a Wednesday night flight for an impromptu work trip.  With too many conflicts to make the work trip feasible, I canceled that flight and left it up to Jenna if she wanted to go to the Wednesday night Phillies game instead.  We already knew we wouldn't actually be sitting in our seats in Section 419, and we'd likely leave after five or six innings.  Jenna said she wouldn't mind going, so we went.

We leisurely spent the first four-plus innings watching the game on overhead TVs inside Pass and Stow, cheering with the waning bar crowd after Wilson hit his first big league home run and following both of Castellanos' home runs.  Somewhere around the fifth inning, we made our way over to the Yuengling Beer Garden in Section 107, where we had planned to watch an inning or two more before heading home.  Looking at the scoreboard in the sixth inning, I told Jenna we weren't going anywhere just yet.  We counted down the remaining outs needed, with Jenna capturing the video above of the final out.

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

2023 Chachi #51 Weston Wilson / 2023 Chachi #54 Trea Turner HL

Spring Training Games 1 & 2 - Phils Split First Games of '23

2022 Choice
Nashville Sounds #32

Phillies 7, Yankees 4
Spring Training Game 1 - Saturday Afternoon, February 25th in Clearwater

Tigers 4, Phillies 2
Spring Training Game 2 - Tuesday Afternoon, February 25th in Lakeland
Record - 1-1

One Sentence Summary:  The reigning National League Champion Phillies split their squad for the spring lid lifter, winning at home against the Yankees and losing on the road to the Tigers.

What It Means:  With no owner's lock-out this year, and an earlier spring schedule due to the World Baseball Classic, baseball is back a little early in 2023.  The first spring game last year wasn't until March 19th.  It's such a great feeling to have baseball back, even though the offseason wasn't as long as usual thanks to an unexpected trip to the World Series.  We watched most of the Yankees game with snow flurries coming down outside, and I found myself wishing several times throughout the game we were in Florida.

What Happened:  In Clearwater, non-roster invitee Weston Wilson hit the first home run of the spring for the Phillies.  He'd  add a two-run double in the fifth to tie the game at 4-4, and he'd make a nice catch in right field.  Jake Cave and Brandon Marsh also had a pair of hits for the Phillies.  First baseman and minor league call-up Carlos De La Cruz hit a moonshot home run in the eighth, and pitching prospect Andrew Baker earned the win following a scoreless seventh inning in which he struck out a pair.

In Lakeland, all the offense came from minor league addition Nick Podkul, who had a two-run double to center in the seventh.  Michael Plassmeyer got the start and threw two scoreless innings.

Featured Card:  Wilson's baseball card appearances have been slim to date, and the TCDB shows him with six minor league cards to his name.  This is his most recent card, and the watermark across it gives away I snagged the image from the Go Sports Cards minor league baseball card online store.

Camp Head Count:  65

The Phils break camp with 65 players on their roster - 40 on the 40-man roster, 24 non-roster invitees and one player on the restricted list - Noah Song (rhp).  Song was recently discharged from active military duty, and there are a bunch of complex roster rules around him given his military service and the fact he was a rule 5 pick from the Red Sox.  He's the one addition to the list of 64 players I posted here last week.  The Phillies could add him to the 40-man roster as a corresponding move whenever Bryce Harper (dh), recovering from Tommy John surgery, is placed on the 60-day Injured List.  From pictures I've seen, it looks as if Song is wearing #52, which was one of four numbers under 60 still available.