Due to injuries and slumping players, the Philadelphia Phillies have been making frequent roster changes. However, the major league club has not been the only one making changes in recent weeks. Their Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, has joined the fray.
On Monday, the IronPigs performed a mass evacuation of players, including former Phillies bullpen hero Ricardo Pinto. Pinto was joined in the announced releases by right-handed pitcher Max Castillo, left-handed pitcher Taylor Lehman, and infielder Nick Podkul.
One-time Phillies bullpen hero Ricardo Pinto becomes a casualty of mass Triple-A roster cuts
Pinto was signed to a minor league contract by the Phillies in February to add pitching depth to their roster. He unexpectedly got his chance early in the 2024 MLB season when the Phillies designated Connor Brogdon for assignment following a few disappointing performances.
Pinto’s debut was memorable for its chaotic start. On the day he was called up, he had to navigate through a traffic jam and arrived at the Phillies’ game by the fourth inning. Despite the rush, he was thrown into action shortly after arriving, pitching in the sixth inning. He went on to throw four innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four batters. Remarkably, Pinto ended his eventful day by earning his first career save.
Unfortunately, Pinto’s story didn’t have a long-lasting happy ending. By the end of the month, he was designated for assignment after struggling in his subsequent appearances, posting a 10.97 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in six games. After clearing waivers, Pinto chose to become a free agent but later rejoined the Phillies with hopes for another opportunity, which ultimately did not materialize.
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Phillies release three other underperforming minor leaguers
In February, the Phillies acquired Max Castillo off waivers from the Boston Red Sox to bolster their pitching depth, thanks to his experience as both a starter and reliever. However, the 25-year-old struggled, going 0-6 with a 7.62 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP in 14 minor league games.
Taylor Lehman, who had been with the Phillies’ minor league system for the past six seasons mainly as a reliever, faced difficulties this year with the IronPigs. He posted a 5.73 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP, along with 29 walks and 37 strikeouts in 33 innings across 38 appearances.
Nick Podkul joined the Phillies organization during the 2022-23 offseason on a minor league contract. In 2024, he recorded a .231 batting average and a .781 OPS, with 35 runs, seven doubles, nine home runs, and 34 RBI in 60 games.
The IronPigs are currently in the hunt for a potential playoff spot in the second half of the season. While these roster changes reflect the Phillies’ moves at the major league level, they also aim to optimize the Lehigh Valley roster, potentially adding key players to boost their performance in the stretch run.
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