During the major league portion of MLB’s Rule 5 Draft, the Phillies added RHP reliever Zach McCambley from the Miami Marlins organization. However, they also lost the once promising (more on that) RHP Griff McGarry to the Washington Nationals.
Zach McCambley is a former 3rd Round Pick out of the 2020 draft, is currently 26 years old (and will turn 27 in May). Drafted with hopes of being a starter, McCambley has been strictly used as a reliever since 2023 with positive results. In 40.2 innings last
year with the AAA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (holds for laughter) he held down a 3.32 ERA with 52 strikeouts to 15 walks while allowing 15 ER on 32 hits. Baseball America (BA) last had him as the 27th best prospect in the Miami organization back in 2023. He was expected to be on the top players taken given that he was previewed by BA before this draft:
The 6-foot-2 righty, a 2020 third-round pick from Coastal Carolina, turned in a 2.90 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 22 walks over 62 innings, including a 3.32 ERA in 40.2 Triple-A frames. His mid-80s slider was the centerpiece, showing sweep and producing a 51% miss rate with a 34% chase rate, while a high-80s cutter added another bat-missing option with a 34% whiff rate. He also mixed in a four-seam fastball that reached 97 mph but typically sat 93-95 with limited carry. McCambley’s 33.1% strikeout rate was a career high while his 8.8% walk rate marked the lowest since the 26-year-old’s debut season in 2021.
In my professional opinion, if the Phillies are taking him that means he is in serious contention for a major league bullpen spot if he shows up well in Spring Training.
With gains, come losses. The Washington Nationals selected 3rd overall, the on-and-off again starting pitcher Griff McGarry from the Phillies. Once one of the prized pitching prospects of the organization with “stuff” rivaling even Andrew Painter just 3-4 years ago. What’s happened since then is unfortunate as his command never came around and couldn’t find the plate consistently. Even more disastrous was his time as a reliever which made McGarry’s future role even more indeterminate. However, McGarry (when healthy) found some success in 2025 with issuing less free passes and being able to go 5 innings in a game. For a team like the Nationals, this pick is a no-brainer and a low-risk, high-reward if he stays on the roster.
Last, the Phillies made a trade today shipping off reliever Tommy McCollum for Tampa Bay Rays RHP Yoniel Curet. He automatically goes on the 40-man roster and has noted control issues. Will be interesting to see what some time with Caleb Cotham could have on another Rays prospect (see: Cristopher Sanchez). McCollum was interesting, but ultimately expendable as a middle-relief prospect.
