The Phillies announced that right-hander McKinley Moore has had his contract selected. To make room on the active roster, righty Yunior Marté was optioned following last night’s game. To open a spot on the 40-man, outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz was designated for assignment.
Moore, 24, has made a major league roster for the first time in his career and will be making his MLB debut as soon as he gets into a game. A 14th round selection of the White Sox in 2019, he came over to the Phillies in exchange for outfielder Adam Haseley just over a year ago. At the time of that deal, Moore was coming off a season where he racked up strikeouts but also walked a lot of hitters. Splitting his time between Class-A and Class-A Advanced, he tossed 40 2/3 innings with a 4.20 ERA, 32.6% strikeout rate and 11.6% walk rate.
That profile seems to have followed Moore to his new organization. He tossed 49 2/3 Double-A innings last year with a 4.35 ERA, striking out 31.3% of batters faced and getting grounders at a healthy 48.3% clip, but he walked 11.5% of opponents he faced. He had a nice showing in spring last month, not allowing an unearned run over 9 1/3 innings with 11 Ks and just one walk, though he did walk two of the eight hitters he faced in Triple-A recently.
The Phillies probably weren’t expecting or hoping to make a move like this so early in the season but their pitching staff has been stretched by various factors. Ranger Suárez, Andrew Painter, Cristopher Sánchez and Nick Nelson all dealt with various injuries in spring, pushing Matt Strahm from the bullpen to the rotation. Then they were hit around in their first four games, allowing 37 runs while each of Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler and Taijuan Walker failed to go five innings in their respective starts. Only Bailey Falter, who went 5 1/3, managed to get over that line. Strahm is starting tonight but only expected to throw around 65 pitches, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, given that he wasn’t fully stretched out in spring. With the bullpen already getting heavy work and Strahm’s limited capacity tonight, a fresh arm was needed. Michael Plassmeyer, Erich Uelmen and Luis Ortiz are on the 40-man but were just optioned at the end of camp and can’t be recalled until 15 days have elapsed unless someone goes on the injured list.
All of those circumstances led to Moore’s selection and the designation of Ortiz, a 24-year-old outfielder. Once a high-profile international signing, the Phillies gave him a $4MM bonus when he was first signed in 2015. He’s been considered one of the club’s top prospects since then, with Baseball America ranking him on their top 30 in each season since 2016. As he’s moved up the minor league ladder, he’s continued to show the power that made him so intriguing as an amateur, but with mounting strikeout rates to go with. He was added to the club’s 40-man roster in November 2021 to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft, then spent all of last year in Double-A. He hit 17 home runs in 119 games but also was punched out in 32.7% of his plate appearances. His .237/.319/.415 batting line amounted to a wRC+ of 101.
The Phillies will now have one week to trade Ortiz or pass him through waivers. It’s possible that one of the 29 other clubs is intrigued by his power and prospect pedigree. The strikeouts will obviously raise some concerns, but he still has a couple of option years and could be kept in the minors for the rest of this year and the next by any club willing to give him a 40-man roster spot.
Good, what did he record 3 outs in 2 games and let up 6 runs? Thank god he’s sent down
There’s a lot wrong with the Phillies right now, and I know it’s only 4 games, but I was baffled by the decision to use Marte in that spot last night.
Not only to use him but then to leave him in for 7 batters, ugh !
Once he gave up the homer, I think they just waived the white flag.
Once he gave up the HR, they were just leaving him out there to get whatever they could out of him- knowing he was getting shipped out after the game. Moore should have made the club out of spring training.
Me too. Had 5 or 6 available arms and the score was only 3-1 at the time. I’d have left Walker in before turning to Marte.
Phillies have stunk all around so far.
Yeah, the Phillies f’n suck this year
Next year wont be any better.
The Phillies should just keep a taxi squad of bullpen arms that travel with the team. Instead of last season’s “Daycare”, we can just call them the “Rounders” as in Merry-go-round”.
It really has been a looooong 4 games so far.
Best of luck to another failed OF pick. Hope someone can sort Ortiz out if he’s picked up?
Please let’s never see Marte here again unless the Phillies are batting against him.
Somebody has to play the Familia role…no?
Phillies have a lot of talent, and let’s face it, only two teams above .500 last year missed the playoffs, the Brewers and Orioles. Phillies only need 87 or so wins just like last year and to be hot in October.
Can they stay close enough in the standings when everyone is back to full health and make another run? Role players like Bohm and Stott have to play major roles this year if they are going to go back to the playoffs. Probably need over 90 wins WC birth this year.
Bohm and Stott are role players right now but are capable to be key pieces.
I think the ship has about sailed in Bohm being anything but a role player.
I disagree with the over 90s wins for a WC birth this year. In fact, I think the NLE division winner may be in the low 90s. No one in the NLE is winning 100+ this year. The Phillies historically start off slow. They look awful now, but they’ll pick it up. Other teams will slump at some point. These things go in waves. I’m definitely a bit concerned about the Phillies, but honestly, if the Mets or Braves were 0 and 4, I’d be telling myself it’s only 4 games and I wouldn’t get excited.
They should keep Martè around for bp
Upvote for your handle!
Saw it in the theatre again w/ my teen daughter precovid. We had a movie theatre that would play off/classic/anime movies and classic christmas movies during the season. The place was never remodeled, had the red curtains on the walls, old school snack area etc….Miss that place.
Inconceivable!
I know he strikes out a lot of guys, but a career 1.55 WHIP in the minors so far isn’t exactly encouraging. I’m sure he’ll just get low leverage spots to get worked in, but I’d be shocked if he’s up the whole year. Seems like there’s still work to be done in the minors.
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD.
McKinley Moore … This will be interesting!!!! He is a “WALK” machine! LOOK OUT!!!!
“Jhailyn Ortiz was designated for assignment.”
Why not cut bait with Noah Song, is the Phillies depth that bad?
Jimmy, I’m hoping you are a Clash fan, although by the name I’m certain are.
You caught me, Jimmy Jazz, Train In Vain, Guns of Brixton. Love that album. You are exceptional.
Noah Song is not on the 40 man and this dude can’t throw enough strikes to pitch BP
“Noah Song is not on the 40 man”
Yes he is, where else would he be?
mlb.com/phillies/roster/40-man
He doesnt count until they activate him
Song does count against the 40-man unless, hes placed on the 60-day disabled list. Also, why would you have an OFer pitching Batting Practice?
thatballsouttahere.com/2022/11/23/phillies-dave-do…
Believe whatever you want, but at some point, its inevitable Song is waived with all these injuries occurring to the roster.
Correct. Song is on the 40 man. He is on the 15 day IL now. When he comes off that he needs to be added to the 26 man, DFA’d or added to the 60 day IL. He might still get a 15 day trial period that is supposed to be allowed when coming off the Military List. He threw a bullpen on Saturday and the only word was that he emerged “fine” per Rob Thomson. So, if he is fine and can’t pitch well, I expect him to be DFA’d.
I was incorrect about this as well. Song is indeed on the 40-man, as silly as that is.
Yes, Song has to be on the 40 man as he is a Rule 5 pick. If he is not on the IL, he needs to be on the 26 man or DFA’d.
Noah Song. Gordon Lightfoot’s answer to the question: Did you just write a book”?
Should’ve DFA’d Marte
Thie Phillies wish they hadn’t traded Erik Miller now
Miller pitched like garbo in ST for SF after going the same last season. He’s got great stuff but I doubt he amounts to much of anything in the Majors.
Good luck Philly dudes.
Not with tonight’s game… hope the Yanks smash the Phillies.
But good luck with all your other pursuits.
The Phillies are going to regret trading Maton anD Vierling for a guy that couldn’t clean Hector Neros’s cleats. Plus O’Hoppe looks like a player. I know Syndegard contributed as well as Marsh. Thor is gone and not sold on Marsh.