The Philadelphia Phillies are continuing to streamline their roster as Opening Day approaches, making their fourth round of cuts. Seven players were sent to minor league camp, reducing the major league camp to 43 players.
Among the cuts were two of the team’s Top 30 prospects, Carlos De La Cruz (ranked No. 13) and SÃmon Muzziotti (ranked No. 19) by MLB Pipeline. De La Cruz, a 24-year-old outfielder/first baseman standing at 6-foot-8, struggled to showcase his power during spring training, batting .214 with a .481 OPS and 12 strikeouts in 30 plate appearances. After a strong Double-A season in 2023 with 24 home runs, he may start the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Muzziotti, also 24, was removed from the 40-man roster during the offseason. The right-handed hitting outfielder had a quiet spring, slashing .125/.300/.125 in 20 plate appearances, with four walks and one strikeout.
Pitcher Nick Nelson, the only 40-man player among the cuts, was optioned to Triple-A after appearing in five Grapefruit League games. He pitched 8 2/3 innings with a 2-0 record, but struggled with a 6.23 ERA and 7.65 FIP, along with a 1.27 WHIP. His strikeout numbers were disappointing, with a 2.08 K/9 and a 5.7 percent strikeout rate this spring, compared to a 7.20 K/9 in the minors last season. Nelson had a solid showing in his brief MLB stint last year, allowing only a solo home run in 5 1/3 innings against the Mets.
