Phils lose McGarry, select McCambley in Rule 5 Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
On the final day of the Winter Meetings, the Rule 5 Draft wrapped up in Orlando.
As expected, the Phillies lost Griff McGarry — who they chose not to add to the 40-man roster on Nov. 18 — to the Nationals. Washington took the 26-year-old right-hander with the third pick in the Major League phase.
McGarry, a fifth-round pick out of the University of Virginia in 2021, is coming off one of his best pro seasons. He posted a 3.44 ERA across 21 starts, primarily at Double-A, and struck out 124 batters in 83 2/3 innings. According to MLB.com, his 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings ranked fourth in the Minors.
The Phillies were also active. With the 12th pick in the Major League phase, they selected another 26-year-old righty, Adam McCambley.
The New Jersey native spent five seasons in the Marlins’ system, bouncing between the rotation and bullpen. In his first two years as a starter, the 2020 third-rounder logged a 4.99 ERA over 39 starts. Since shifting primarily to relief, he’s posted a 3.23 ERA over 94 appearances across the past three seasons.
Like McGarry, McCambley is coming off a career year. He recorded a 2.90 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, racking up 83 strikeouts over 62 innings. After walking 18 batters in 22 2/3 frames in 2024, he cut his walk rate by more than half to 3.2 walks per nine this past season.
His fastball sits 92–94 mph, and he generates heavy spin and movement on his slider, curveball and cutter, each eclipsing 3,000 rpm.
McCambley is now on the Phillies’ 40-man roster, as the 34th member.
In the Minor League phase, the Phillies added a pair of prospects. With the 24th selection, they took outfielder Austin Murr from the Tigers’ system. With the 42nd pick, they grabbed right-hander Evan Gates from the Giants.
Murr is coming off a strong year. In 72 games at High-A West Michigan, the 26-year-old slashed .280/.386/.451 with 26 extra-base hits and 43 RBIs. Power hasn’t been his calling card, but the former sixth-round pick has shown consistent plate discipline over five pro seasons, carrying a 192-to-275 walk-to-strikeout ratio.
Austin Murr – Credit: Jeff Lange (USA TODAY NETWORK)
Gates, 27, has worked exclusively out of the bullpen for San Francisco. Over 260 2/3 innings in five seasons, he owns a 3.52 ERA with 307 strikeouts and 113 walks.
The lone Phillie lost in the Minor League phase was catcher Carson Taylor, who went to Seattle. The Phillies originally selected Taylor two winters ago in the Rule 5 Draft from the Dodgers. He hit 16 homers in his first season with the organization in 2024 before a right labrum tear ended his 2025 campaign.
One notable name who will be staying put is 6-foot-4 outfielder Felix Reyes. The 24-year-old returns after winning the Eastern League batting title, hitting .335 in 95 games for Double-A Reading.
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