The Phillies took their first step toward shaping their Opening Day roster on Tuesday, sending five players to minor-league camp in the initial wave of spring training cuts.
Among those reassigned were two of the organization’s top prospects—infielder Aidan Miller and outfielder Justin Crawford—along with infielder Carson Taylor, catcher Caleb Ricketts, and left-handed pitcher Tristan Garnett.
Miller, a first-round pick in 2023, went hitless in nine at-bats but showed patience at the plate, drawing three walks. Crawford, the son of former All-Star Carl Crawford, impressed in limited action, going 3-for-10 with two stolen bases and showing his ability to drive the ball the other way.
Taylor, Ricketts, and Garnett are viewed as organizational depth at this point and are likely to begin the season at either Double-A Reading or Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
On the Field
A seven-run third inning lifted the Yankees to a 12-3 win over the Phillies on Tuesday afternoon in Clearwater. Zack Wheeler surrendered six runs (five earned) on eight hits over two frames - he threw 50 pitches, 34 for strikes. At the plate, Max Kepler hit a solo blast in the second inning, his first of the spring.
