The Philadelphia Phillies haven't yet released their full major league Opening Day roster, but they may have finalized their minor league roster today, which gives you an idea of some of the directions that the team is leaning in.
Baseball Betsy says she obtained the Phillies' full minor-league rosters this afternoon.
Phillies Minor League Team 2016 Rosters Released! https://t.co/MVAePJDn2R pic.twitter.com/4yZkTvu4o8
— BaseballBetsy⚾ (@BaseballBetsy) April 1, 201
It should be noted that the Phillies have not confirmed the validity of this. It should also be noted that the depth chart on the team's website, which technically the team doesn't control, was updated today and reflects her report.
Operating on the assumption that this report is correct, J.P. Arencibia, Will Venable, Darnell Sweeney, Andrew Bailey and Edward Mujica are among some of the higher profile names that will begin the season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. Relievers Bobby LaFromboise, Elvis Araujo, Luis Garcia and Ernesto Frierio are also starting the season with the Ironpigs, and given some of the uncertainties about the Phillies bullpen entering the season, all of them have a chance to pitch at the major league level this year.
Daniel Stumpf, Emmanuel Burris, Cedric Hunter and James Russell all seem to have made the Phillies Opening Day roster, though until the team announces anything official, it's entirely possible that another trade of free-agent signing happens.
Top pitching prospects Mark Appel and Jake Thompson will begin the season at Triple-A as well. Other top prospects, including J.P. Crawford, Jorge Alfaro and Roman Quinn, will begin the season with Double-A Reading.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
