A few days after returning their Rule 5 draft pick to Miami, the Phillies got back a player they had lost earlier that same day.
Right-hander Griff McGarry was returned to Philadelphia by the Nationals, who had taken a chance on him following his encouraging Double-A performance last season.
Now 26, McGarry has long been an intriguing arm in the Phillies’ system, bouncing between starting and relieving roles.
He showed flashes of success in the minors until 2023, when persistent control issues—especially walks—began to derail his progress as he neared the big leagues.
That year proved disastrous at Triple-A, where he surrendered 20 runs in just over four innings while issuing 14 walks, forcing a reset.
His move to the bullpen in 2024 didn’t solve the problem, as he still walked 36 batters in just over 30 innings, highlighting ongoing command struggles.
The Phillies shifted him back to a starting role in 2025, and while not perfect, he showed improvement. Across three levels—mostly Double-A—he posted a 3.44 ERA with 124 strikeouts in 83⅔ innings.
Though his walk rate remained high, it was a noticeable improvement from the year before.
Despite that progress, Philadelphia left him off its 40-man roster, making him eligible for the Rule 5 draft, where Washington selected him third overall.
Meanwhile, the Phillies’ own Rule 5 pick, reliever Zach McCambley, failed to make the roster and was returned to Miami, as rules require players to stay on the active roster all season or be offered back.
McGarry made six spring appearances for Washington, allowing two runs with five walks in 5⅔ innings before being designated for assignment to clear space for infielder Jorbit Vivas.
He is now expected to return to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, joining a rotation that includes prospects and veteran depth arms, with Zack Wheeler also scheduled to make a rehab start there.
Once considered part of a future pitching trio alongside Andrew Painter and Mick Abel, McGarry’s path has been far less straightforward.
While the others have taken different routes—Painter battling injury and Abel emerging as a trade piece—McGarry still has an opportunity to contribute if he can finally improve his control.
