3 Phillies non-roster invitees who could sneak on the 2025 Opening Day roster.
Spring training has started, and the Phillies will begin deciding who the final roster pieces will be to open up the 2025 season.
The 2025 Major League Baseball season is right around the corner, and the Philadelphia Phillies will look to avenge their late-season collapse from a season ago. As spring training begins, players on the roster bubble will try to compete for one of the remaining spots.
Candidates such as Kody Clemens and Weston Wilson will likely be at the top of the list, but a few non-roster invitees could sneak onto the Phillies’ 2025 Opening Day roster with a good spring.
3 Phillies non-roster invitees who could sneak on the 2025 Opening Day roster
Top prospects Andrew Painter, Aiden Miller and Justin Crawford will all be at major league camp during spring training; however, it will likely be a little longer until they make their major league debuts in a Phillies uniform. Here are three non-roster invitees who could make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster:
John McMillon, RHP
John McMillon began his professional career in the Kansas City Royals organization after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The right-hander climbed the ladder in the Royals’ minor league system during the 2023 season, starting in Single-A and making it to Double-A. He had a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings in High-A and posted an impressive 0.87 ERA with five saves across 20 2/3 innings in Double-A.
McMillon made his major league debut with the Royals on Aug. 17, 2023. He allowed one hit, a solo home run, and struck out two batters in his one inning of work. He pitched three scoreless innings and recorded six strikeouts in his next and final appearance of that season.
McMillon began the 2024 season in Triple-A and struggled, leading to the Royals designating him for assignment. The Miami Marlins claimed him off waivers, where he remained for the rest of the season. He made one scoreless appearance in Triple-A and was promoted to the big league roster. McMillon was 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA, 13 strikeouts and two holds across 12 innings pitched with the Marlins.
The Phillies claimed McMillon off waivers in November and invited him to spring training. The 27-year-old relies heavily on his slider and four-seam fastball. He sits in the mid-90s with his fastball but can reach close to 100 mph. McMillon could give the Phillies middle-reliever innings with potential late-inning stuff.
Nabil Crismatt, RHP
Nabil Crismatt is another right-handed reliever with major league experience. The 30-year-old made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020 and posted a 3.24 ERA across 8 1/3 innings pitched.
Crismatt put together two solid seasons with the San Diego Padres from 2021 to 2022. He was 3-1 with a 3.76 ERA and three holds across 81 1/3 innings in 2021 and was 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA and 65 strikeouts across 67 1/3 innings in 2022
Crismatt struggled in 2023, posting a 9.82 ERA in 11 innings pitched with the Padres. He was designated for assignment and signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks after electing free agency. He spent most of his time in Triple-A, only making one major league appearance with the Diamondbacks.
Crismatt signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2023 season and made five major league appearances with the team in 2024. He posted a 2.57 ERA with six strikeouts in seven innings pitched. The Dodgers designated Crismatt for assignment in May and he spent time with both the Texas Rangers and Padres organizations to close out the season.
The Phillies signed Crismatt to a minor league contract in December and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The spring training invitee has a five-pitch arsenal. He relies mostly on his changeup and four-seam fastball but mixes in curveballs, sliders and sinkers. Crismatt isn’t an overpowering reliever, sitting in the high-80s and low-90s.
Matt Kroon, OF
Assuming there’s one roster spot available and it goes to a position player, it will likely be Clemens or Wilson. However, Matt Kroon could be another outfield option who can also play infield positions.
The Phillies selected Kroon in the 18th round during the 2018 MLB Draft. He’s a career .277 hitter through the first six years of his minor league career and offers some speed on the base paths.
Kroon’s best season came in 2023. He began the season in High-A and was promoted to Double-A after three games. He slashed .319/.387/.493 with a .880 OPS, 24 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 44 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 79 games with Reading. Kroon was promoted to Triple-A, where he hit .381 in 15 games.
His 2024 season wasn’t as successful. Kroon slashed .251/.325/.441 with a .766 OPS, 14 doubles, 11 home runs, 38 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 80 with Lehigh Valley. He dealt with some injuries throughout the season.
Kroon played all three outfield positions in 2024. Most of his appearances came in left field, but he had below-average fielding percentages in both corner outfield spots. Kroon played 18 games in center field for the IronPigs and posted a perfect fielding percentage. He offers versatility as he has experience at all four infield positions during his minor league career, but he’s had the most success fielding-wise in center field and first base.
This is the third time the Phillies have invited Kroon as a non-roster invitee to spring training. The 28-year-old will try to make the most of his opportunities in the Phillies’ outfield, which isn’t set in stone heading into the new season. Kroon would give the Phillies another right-handed bat in an outfield that features two left-handed hitters, Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler, not including Kyle Schwarber.
