Phillies invite 15 non-roster players to Spring Training, Scott Kingery and the return of Jetpax SZN is back on the table

The Philadelphia Phillies announced that they would be inviting 15 players to attend Spring Training as non-roster invitees and yet again, Scott Kingery highlights the list of players joining the major league ball club in Clearwater, Florida this February.

Phillies Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees

• RHP: Mick Abel, Ryan Burr, Griff McGarry, Tyler McKay, Tyler Phillips, Jose Ruiz, Nick Snyder 
• C: Aramis Garcia, Cody Roberts, William Simoneit 
• INF: Scott Kingery, Nick Podkul 
• OF: Carlos De La Cruz, Matt Kroon, Cal Stevenson 

Obviously, the name that sticks out on this list is Scott Kingery

Back in November, the Phillies declined Scotty Jetpax club option, but retained team control for one more season. 

Kingery earned $8.25 million last season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He was set to make $13 million in 2024 if the Phillies exercised their team option.

Instead, Kingery will get a $1 million buyout from the Phillies, while still remaining with the organization in 2024 now that his contract reverts to the seven-year deal he signed after getting drafted in 2015.

It was a big pay cut for Scott Kingery, but now, the door is open for the return of Jetpax SZN one final time. Think of it like Brandon Graham’s requested farewell tour with the Eagles next season. 

Kingery slashed .244/.325/.400 with 13 home runs, 47 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases over 117 games last season in Triple A Lehigh Valley. While the average wasn’t impressive, Kingery did go on an absolute warpath in the month of June last season. 

June 2023 (21 Games): .343 AVG with a .754 OPS. 24 Hits, 7 Doubles, 3 Home Runs, and 9 RBI.

Through the first seven games of July, Kingery hit .292 with a 1.083 OPS. He notched seven hits in 24 at-bats with three doubles, two triples, and three home runs, totaling 8 RBI over that span. 

Jetpax SZN was alive and well in Lehigh Valley

Jetpax strikes again pic.twitter.com/tvPoPgKIxS

— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) July 8, 2023

August 2023: Scott Kingery destroys go-ahead grand slam to lead IronPigs to victory >>

Last year in Spring Training, Kingery slashed .340/.415/.447 with an .862 OPS. He notched 16 hits and touched base 21 times, with two doubles, a home run, five walks, and four RBI. 

I mean seriously, if Kingery comes out and has another stellar Spring Training with the Phillies, adding him to the 40-man major league roster makes perfect sense.

Throughout points of last season, we witnessed Josh Harrison, Kody Clemens, Darick Hall, and Rodolfo fucking Castro get roster spots while Jetpax was rotting away in Lehigh Valley. Do we really want to see Castro, Hall, Wilson, or Clemons again? I personally have seen enough. None of those players are viable utility players at the major league level. 

Scott Kingery and Jetpax SZN is upon us. A solid Spring Training should force the Phillies hand. Ring it.

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