Griff McGarry strikes out 5 in Arizona Fall League appearance

Griff McGarry was a fifth-round pick by the Phillies in 2021. (Cheryl Pursell)

Andrew Painter isn’t the only Phillies pitching prospect getting work in the Arizona Fall League. Griff McGarry, a former top prospect within the organization, is also out West getting some innings in.

McGarry was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2021 draft out of the University of Virginia. The now 25-year-old was a hard thrower with command issues coming out of school — a pitcher’s profile the Phillies have been attracted to in recent years. McGarry’s command issues have remained in pro ball. It’s one of the reasons the Phillies moved the right-hander into a full-time reliever role at the beginning of this year. McGarry spent his first two full seasons in Philadelphia’s minor-league system as a starting pitcher.

McGarry missed time in 2024 with a lower back injury. He dealt with an oblique injury that delayed his start to the 2023 season. He hasn’t always been healthy.

The former fifth-round pick appeared in 29 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this past season. Out of the IronPigs’ bullpen, McGarry pitched 30 2/3 innings, finished nine games and recorded one save. He struck out 40 batters but walked 36. He finished the Triple-A season with a 4.70 ERA.

The right-hander’s numbers pre- and post-injury were opposites. Before landing on the injured list in late May, McGarry had pitched 17 2/3 innings with a 3.57 ERA. Of the hitters he faced, McGarry struck out 31.3% while walking 18.8%. After returning in late July, McGarry pitched 13 innings to the tune of a 6.23 ERA. His walk rate jumped to an even more alarming rate of 31.3%. In his final appearance of the year on Sept. 17, McGarry issued three consecutive four-pitch walks before being removed the game. He was charged with three earned runs.

McGarry was always profiled as someone who would likely find himself in a big-league bullpen one day, even after early minor-league success as a starter. It feels more certain now than ever that if McGarry finds himself in the majors in the future, it will be as a reliever. He’ll have to find command first.

So far, McGarry has appeared in two games for the Glendale Desert Dogs of the AFL. He started a game on Oct. 11, pitching two innings without allowing a run on one hit with two walks, earning a win. In his most recent appearance last Friday, McGarry was the first arm out of Glendale’s ‘pen. He followed Painter, who allowed one run in two innings. McGarry pitched two frames again, striking out five hitters and walking one. He earned another win, improving his record to 2-0.

McGarry has thrown two pitches — a four-seamer and cutter — in the AFL. His fastball has sat 93-96 mph while his cutter has been in the mid-80s. His fastball velocity has been better in his first innings of work than in his second.

McGarry isn’t on the Phillies’ 40-man roster heading into the offseason, and his future within the organization is more of a question mark than ever before. His last two seasons haven’t been good.

McGarry’s current stint in the AFL is important. Both for the future of the player and his current organization.

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