Eight 2023 Fightin Phils Invited to Phillies Spring Training

(Reading, PA) - The Philadelphia Phillies today announced 15 players invited to major league spring training as non-roster invitees. Of those 15, eight played for the Reading Fightin Phils in 2023, with nine having prior playing experience for Reading.

Headlining that group is Phillies No. 2 prospect Mick Abel. Abel started 22 games for the Fightin Phils in 2023, posting a 5-5 record with a 4.14 ERA. Abel finished his campaign on a strong note, posting a 3-1 record and 3.29 ERA over his final seven starts in Double-A. He was called up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley at the conclusion of Reading's season and made one start with the IronPigs.

Joining Abel are pitchers Griff McGarry, Tyler McKay and Tyler Phillips. McGarry started 2023 with Reading after missing the first month of the season with an injury. He had a strong 2023 campaign, which featured a stellar July that saw him win Eastern League Pitcher of the Month. McKay proved to be a valuable bullpen arm for Reading and eventually saw himself in the closer role. He earned a promotion to Lehigh Valley last July. Phillips, a south Jersey native, joined the Phillies organization in 2021 and missed all of 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Phillips had a strong finish in Double-A and was called up to Lehigh Valley in July.

Cody Roberts is the lone catcher from last year's Reading team to earn an invite. 2023 was Roberts' first season with the Phillies organization, after spending time in the Baltimore Orioles system, and he proved to be a reliable backstop for the Fightin Phils. He earned a call-up to Lehigh Valley at the conclusion of the Double-A season.

Nick Podkul will join the Phillies in big league camp as an infielder. He had a breakout 2023 season with Reading in his first season in the organization. Podkul hit .285 with 12 home runs with the Fightin Phils and was called up to Lehigh Valley in July. He previously spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays organization before signing with the Phillies.

Outfielders Carlos De La Cruz and Matt Kroon also earned invitations to big league camp. De La Cruz showcased his power while spending all of 2023 in Reading. He launched 24 home runs, knocked 25 doubles and drove in 67 RBI last season. Kroon broke out in 2023 after missing most of 2022 with an injury. He was a reliable piece of Reading's lineup, hitting .319 over 79 games in 2023. Kroon earned a call-up to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in August. He was also selected to participate in the Arizona Fall League.

Joining the group will also be Scott Kingery. Kingery spent time with Reading in 2016 and 17, and made a rehab appearance in 2019. He slashed .313 with 18 home runs over an impressive 2017 campaign for the Fightin Phils.

All individual game tickets will go on sale at a later date. Additionally, fans can purchase a General Admission 10 Pack, which includes TWO FREE General Admission tickets for Opening Night as well as 10 undated General Admission tickets for the 2024 Season; all for just $70.

Fans can also get discounted priority seat placement for this game by purchasing a Mini Plan or Flex Bank for the 2024 season. Mini Plans start with as few as four games, and flex banks as little as 12 tickets. Seating assignments for full and half-season ticket plans are taking place now! More info on season ticket packages can be found HERE or by calling 610-370-BALL.

The Reading Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium to open the 2024 season on April 9, 2024, against the Portland Sea Dogs. Season tickets, mini plans, and group outings for 2024 are now available. For more details, go to rphils.com, call 610-370-BALL, or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2024 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.