Three Phillies who have caught my eye during spring training
These guys have kept spring training interesting.
I am back from my winter hibernation as the first warm days of the year are here, and the Phillies’ home opener is less than three weeks away. I’m more than ready since it has been a quiet spring for the Phils.
There are no real position battles, and no young prospect is likely to break camp. But these three players have drawn some attention with their bats.
Christian Arroyo, 2B
The former Red Sox infielder signed with the Phillies in February and has slashed .368/.400/.684 with two homers across 10 Grapefruit League games. He’s tallied five RBI and a walk and struck out six times in 20 plate appearances.
Arroyo was a first-round selection of the San Francisco Giants in 2013. He has since spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians, and, most notably, the Boston Red Sox, where he appeared in 224 games. In 2024, he was with the Milwaukee Brewers but didn’t see major league playing time.
His best season came in 2022 when he posted a .736 OPS with 16 doubles, six home runs, and 36 RBI across 87 games with Boston. Entering his age-30 season in 2025, Arroyo doesn’t have much left to prove, but if his spring numbers are any indication, he could be a significant upgrade to a weak Phillies’ bench.
Gabriel Rincones Jr., RF
The outfielder from Florida turned 24 on March 3 and has slugged .700 with three homers across 11 spring games. He’s added seven RBI and three walks and struck out six times in 23 plate appearances.
Rincones was initially selected in the 19th round of the 2021 San Diego Padres draft out of St. Petersburg College but chose not to sign. The Phillies then selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft, and he has been with the organization since.
Between two levels in 2024, Rincones posted a .800 OPS with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, 23 stolen bases and 34 walks.
His teammates also seem to be taking notice of his power. Per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Kyle Schwarber said of Rincones: “The first time I saw him take BP, I was like, ‘This guy is taking freaking massive hacks and hitting the [stuff] over the mountains.’”
Otto Kemp, 3B
It’s a bit surprising more people don’t know about Kemp, considering he climbed FOUR levels in the minors in 2024. I mean, come on, that’s pretty impressive.
He began the season in Single-A Clearwater and ended the year in Triple-A with Lehigh Valley. Between all four, he batted .285/.392/.489 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 52 walks and 20 stolen bases.
The 25-year-old signed with the Phillies to a minor league deal in August 2022 and has made waves during spring training. He’s put up a .955 OPS with three doubles and two RBI in 12 games. If Kemp keeps hitting, he could be a name to watch this season.