With just six days remaining until Opening Day, the Philadelphia Phillies have reached the point in Spring Training where roster cuts need to be made. Prior to the scheduled start of Friday’s contest with the Detroit Tigers, the Phillies announced that utility man Weston Wilson was optioned down to Lehigh Valley (AAA). In addition, former big-leaguer David Buchanan, catchers Cam Gallagher and Aramis Garcia, and recently acquired outfielder Jordan Luplow have all been reassigned to the minor league camp.
Wilson, 29, started off Spring Training 2024 in a very similar way to 2023: with a bang. The right-handed bat slugged the Phillies’ first in-game home run in both camps. Overall, in 29 at bats at the big league camp this season, Wilson batted .241 with a .792 OPS, scoring six runs and notching six RBI.
In 2023, Wilson made his MLB debut on August 9th against the Washington Nationals, turning in his first major league hit, a home run, while going 1-for-3 with two walks on the day. Any work from Wilson, however, was overshadowed by the fact that starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, in his first start in Philadelphia, pitched a no-hitter. Tough luck, rookie!
On the season, Wilson went 5-for-16, walking six times, striking out five, and scoring five runs. He made appearances just about everyone across the diamond as a utility man for the Phillies.
Wilson’s Role With the Phillies Moving Forward
Unfortunately for Wilson, that utility role seems to have been taken up by veteran Whit Merrifield. Merrifield has an MLB career’s worth of experience behind him and has had one of the best turnouts this Spring with strong .371 average and 1.085 OPS.
It is a long season, however, and the Phillies will almost certainly be calling upon Wilson to join the fray in the Big Leagues at some point. In a 162-game season, injuries happen, players underperform, and you need players that you can call upon to step up and get the job done when needed. Wilson just may be one of those players for the Phillies.
There is still a lot of roster trimming to take place, including some big decisions that need to be made both in the bullpen and in the outfield for the Phillies. Only time will tell who comes out on top before they open up the season against the Atlanta Braves on March 28th.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
