Brock Stassi will make his Major League debut in 2017 (Frank Klose/Sports Talk Philly)
The Phillies roster is finally set, as the Phillies prepare to leave Clearwater and head north for Summer. As of earlier Thursday morning, we knew just two roster spots remained: two bench spots. Despite a strong showing from infielder Jesmuel Valentin, the final two spots will go to Brock Stassi and Daniel Nava, CSN Philly reports.
Ben Harris of MLB.com reported that Stassi learned of the news when Phillies manager Pete Mackanin asked him what uniform number he wanted to wear. Ryan Lawrence of Philly Voice reported that Stassi emerged from the meeting to applause and hugs from his teammates. Stassi led Phillies hitters with six home runs this Spring, batting .339.
The veteran Nava likely will be a regular pinch-hitter for the Phillies. Batting .386 in Grapefruit League action, Mackanin regularly praised Nava's professional at bats. Nava hits from both sides of the plate and can help the Phillies in the corner outfield spots and at first base in a pinch.
Outfielder Tyler Goeddel, who spent all of 2016 on the Major League roster, was designated for assignment to make room for the final player. The Phillies may be trying to slip Goeddel through waivers while every team sets their final roster, but he very well could be claimed.
Here is the Final Phillies 25-man Roster:
Starting Pitchers:
Jeremy Hellickson
Clay Buchholz
Jerad Eickhoff
Aaron Nola
Vince Velasquez
Bullpen:
Jeanmar Gomez (CL)
Hector Neris
Joaquin Benoit
Pat Neshek
Edubray Ramos
Adam Morgan
Joely Rodriguez
Infield:
Tommy Joseph
Cesar Hernandez
Freddy Galvis
Maikel Franco
Andres Blanco
Brock Stassi
Outfield:
Michael Saunders
Odubel Herrera
Howie Kendrick
Aaron Altherr
Daniel Nava
Catchers:
Cameron Rupp
Andrew Knapp
