Griff McGarry excited to be back in minors with Phillies after Rule 5 letdown: ‘I was able to flip the script pretty quick’

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Griff McGarry hoped he’d join the Washington Nationals on their trip from spring training to Chicago for Opening Day. Instead, he headed back to the Lehigh Valley this week for another minor-league season in the Phillies organization.

The Nationals selected McGarry in the Rule 5 draft in December and carried him in big-league camp. But as the rebuilding team prepared to finalize its young roster for the regular season, McGarry did not make the cut. Since he did not stick in the major leagues with Washington and was not claimed after he was designated for assignment, he was returned to the Phillies and reported to Triple-A.

“Pretty quick turnaround,” McGarry said at Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday, “but I was excited to get back up here and get back with the guys.”

McGarry, 26, was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round in 2021 and quickly became a notable prospect due to his hard-throwing arsenal. However, he struggled as he reached Triple-A, both as a starter and a reliever. McGarry did have a resurgence last year in Double-A, winning the Paul Owens Award with a strong season back in the rotation.

Coming off his successful campaign, the Nationals gave McGarry an opportunity after the Phillies did not add him to their 40-man roster, leaving him exposed to the Rule 5 draft. Washington had McGarry working as a reliever, and he believed his work with the club taught him a reliable bullpen routine. He had a 3.18 ERA in six Grapefruit League outings, but he walked five batters and hit another. In the end, the Nationals didn’t see enough to roster him.

“I had a great experience,” McGarry said. “A bunch of great guys in that locker room, and I really enjoyed my time there. Obviously, it was a tough one to get told that, but my mindset flipped. I’m big on being where your feet are. That’s here in the eye, so I’m going to enjoy it. It’s good to be back with so many people that I know pretty well.”

When the Phillies decided not to protect McGarry from the Rule 5 draft this past offseason, they were essentially banking on the pitcher not being able to stick with a big-league club for a full year. Ultimately, they were right, and McGarry was sent back to the organization and now remains on a minor-league contract.

The Rule 5 draft is a fun wrinkle during the winter, but the process can be a bit awkward. So has this situation created any hard feelings or mixed emotions toward the Phillies for McGarry? He said that’s not the case whatsoever.

“This is a business when it comes down to it,” McGarry said. “I understand that. The Phillies made a decision last November. It is what it is. I’m back here now. Since I’ve been notified I’m coming back, it’s been nothing but positive calls and people excited that I’m coming back. So I’m feeling the support.”

Because McGarry did not build up a starter’s workload in Nationals camp, he’ll be in the bullpen when Lehigh Valley opens its season against Toledo on Friday night. That will likely be where he stays, but he’s probably pitched his best as a starter. McGarry said he’s comfortable in either role. He’ll continue to work with the Phillies to create the best possible plan.

“We have history with him,” IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras said. “I don’t know exactly how it went over with the Nats, but he’s healthy. We’re going to kind of see where he’s at right now physically.”

It’s not the way McGarry envisioned he’d break camp. He’s still in search of that first taste of the big leagues. But he’s happy to be back in a familiar place and ready for the year ahead.

“It’s an adjustment,” McGarry said. “You accept it, and you move on. It’s not something you can dwell on. It’s not something I’m going to carry into the season. I’m here now, and I was able to flip the script pretty quick.”