The Phillies made a pivotal roster decision Tuesday, adding right-handed pitchers Mick Abel, Jean Cabrera, and Moisés Chace to their 40-man roster to shield them from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, scheduled for Dec. 11 at the Winter Meetings in Dallas, Texas. The move underscores the organization's commitment to safeguarding some of its most promising arms while bracing for the potential risks of the draft.
The Rule 5 draft offers teams with open spots on their 40-man roster the opportunity to select eligible players from other organizations. Prospects signed at 18 or younger become eligible after five seasons, while those signed at 19 or older are eligible after four. With Tuesday marking the deadline to protect players, the Phillies acted decisively.
Mick Abel, 23, headlines the group. Ranked as the club’s No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the former first-round pick (2020) experienced growing pains in Triple-A this season, posting a 6.46 ERA while struggling with command (a career-high 15.1% walk rate). Despite the setbacks, Abel's high ceiling and pedigree made him an obvious candidate for protection.
Jean Cabrera, also 23, impressed across two levels in 2024. Beginning the year at High-A Jersey Shore and earning a midseason promotion to Double-A Reading, the Venezuelan right-hander posted a 3.80 ERA over 106⅔ innings. His 24.7% strikeout rate ranked fifth among Phillies minor leaguers, helping solidify his place as the organization’s No. 13 prospect.
Moisés Chace, acquired at the trade deadline from Baltimore in the Gregory Soto deal, is the youngest of the trio at 21. The hard-throwing right-hander pitched to a combined 3.59 ERA over 80⅓ innings between High-A and Double-A, racking up 124 strikeouts against 40 walks. Chace, ranked No. 26 in the Phillies' system, represents a potential power arm for the future.
However, the Phillies made tough calls elsewhere. Right-handers Griff McGarry (No. 21) and Christian McGowan (No. 22), as well as Paul Owens Award winner Eiberson Castellano, were left unprotected. McGarry, 25, and McGowan, 24, showed flashes of potential but struggled with injuries and consistency. Castellano, 23, shone with a breakout campaign in 2024, but the Phillies opted to gamble on his remaining unselected.
The Phillies’ 40-man roster now stands at 39, with one open slot providing flexibility ahead of the Winter Meetings. In a related move, John McMillon, recently claimed off waivers from Miami, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
