PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Wednesday morning that they have invited nine players as non-roster invitees to major league spring training, which begins next month in Clearwater, Florida.
RHP: Mark Appel, Zach Eflin, Jake Thompson C: Andrew Knapp, Gabriel Lino, Logan Moore 1B: Brock Stassi SS: J.P. Crawford OF: Nick Williams
— Phillies (@Phillies) January 6, 2016
Appel, 24, was acquired in the Dec. 12 trade that sent closer Ken Giles to the Houston Astros in a six-player transaction. Thompson, 21, and Williams, 22, were among the players acquired from the Texas Rangers in exchange for 2008 World Series champion Cole Hamels on July 31.
Appel combined to go 10-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 25 starts last season among the Double and Triple-A levels. Williams hit .320/.340/.536 with 11 extra-base hits and 10 runs-batted-in over the 22 games and 100 plate appearances he logged with the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.
Eflin, 21, was acquired in the three-player deal that sent perennial Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Dec. 19, 2014. Over 23 starts this past season, the right hander went 8-6 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.208 WHIP ratio with the Fightin Phils.
Stassi, 26, who was named the 2015 Eastern League MVP, will likely compete with Darin Ruf for a spot in the platoon role with 12-year veteran and three-time All-Star first baseman Ryan Howard. In 133 games in 2015 with Reading, Stassi hit .300/.394/.470 with 32 doubles, 15 home runs and 90 runs-batted-in.
Perhaps the most intriguing invite is Crawford, who turns 21 on Monday. Rated as the 21st-best prospect by MLB.com prior to the 2015 season, Crawford is believed to be the ultimate successor to Rollins at the shortstop position. Last season, however, he struggled both offensively and defensively, but a strong showing in camp could expedite his inevitable promotion.
The three catchers in Knapp, Lino and Moore will be invited to provide additional competition among Carlos Ruiz, Cameron Rupp and Jorge Alfaro.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
