A Phillies Roster Update

The Phillies made some of the tough decisions that mark an off-season last week when they chose who to protect from the Rule 5 Draft, and who not to. Jimmy Cordero, Edubray Ramos, and Roman Quinn were added to the 40 man roster, and will be protected. Carlos Tocci and Alberto Tirado, both widely considered top 30 prospects for the team, were not. Eastern League MVP Brock Stassi, AAA catcher Gabriel Lino, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, and former top prospect Tommy Joseph were amongst the players not protected, and all could be picked in this draft.

With the additions of Ramos, Cordero, Quinn, waiver pick-ups A.J. Achter and Danny Otero, and the trade for Jeremy Hellickson, the Phillies have added six players to their 40 man roster since the end of the season, and now have 37 players on the 40 man roster. By my estimation, they still have a need for at least one reliever and an outfielder or two. They must have an open spot to make their first overall selection in the Rule 5 Draft in December. They currently have the room to make the moves they need.

My current roster outlook-

• Starting Pitchers (5)- Hellickson, Matt Harrison, Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, and Adam Morgan are the current front-runners. Alec Asher, David Buchanan, Severino Gonzalez, and Joely Rodriguez are all likely headed for AAA, as is non-roster invitee Chris Leroux. Jesse Biddle is headed to the 60-Day DL, which will free up a roster spot. LeRoux and Rodriguez are likely to be considered relievers.
• Relievers (7)- For the time being, Ken Giles has a grip on the closer role. After that, Luis Garcia, Jeanmar Gomez, and Elvis Araujo enter as solid favorites, while Achter, Otero, Dalier Hinojosa, Hector Neris, and Mario Hollands make up the leaders of the pack hunting for the last three spots, while non-roster invitees James Russell, Frank Herrmann, Leroux, and Reinier Roibal also will contend. Nefi Ogando, Colton Murray, Cordero, Ramos, and Rodriguez will all likely be assigned to the minors to start.
• Catchers (2)- Cameron Rupp and Carlos Ruiz will make the team. Jorge Alfaro will start out in AA. 
• Infielders (6)- Maikel Franco at third, Freddy Galvis at short, Cesar Hernandez at second, and the Ryan Howard and Darin Ruf platoon at first are all solid, while Andres Blanco is likely to be the utility man. Expect Darnell Sweeney to go to AAA. Emmanuel Burriss and Ryan Jackson are long-shots to make the team, going in.
• Outfielders (5)- Right now, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr, and Cody Asche would all make the team, and there are two spots open. Expect Roman Quinn to start in the minors.