Noah Song is set to report to spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
The right-handed pitcher is working his way to Philadelphia’s opening day roster after his Navy status changed from active duty to select reserves.
The Phillies selected the 25-year-old in the December Rule 5 draft out of the Red Sox, but he hasn’t pitched since 2019.
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Noah Song of the Naval Academy reacts after taping the end of a game against Army West Point on April 20, 2018, at Fenway Park in Boston. (Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
The last time he took the mound, Song posted a 1.06 ERA in 17 Low-A innings after Boston selected him in the fourth round of the Naval Academy. He later signed a contract worth $100,000.
In 2019, the Department of Defense denied Song’s waiver to waive his military obligation. Now that he is in the selected reserves, he will likely be serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year.
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The Phillies made the playoffs and won the National League pennant before losing to the Astros in last season’s World Series. Song faces an uphill battle in his quest to earn a spot on the team’s 26-man active roster, but he has shown his ability to be a dominant pitcher.
During his four-year stint at the Naval Academy, Song started, recording 428 strikeouts in 334⅓ innings with a 2.37 ERA.
Pitcher Noah Song of the United States pitches the bottom of the seventh inning during the WBSC Premier 12 Bronze Medal Final game against Mexico at Tokyo Dome on November 17, 2019 in Tokyo. (Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
Song can throw a fastball in the mid-90s and has occasionally hit the 99 mph mark. He also routinely throws a slider and a curveball.
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If he makes the list, Song would likely be used as a multi-inning reliever. A minor league season could give Song a chance to start.
Rule 5 selections must remain on a Major League roster for a full season to remain with the team that drafted them.
Noah Song of Team USA throws during a WBSC Premier 12 Super Round game against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on November 15, 2019 in Tokyo. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)
If Song doesn’t make the Phillies’ 26-man roster by the end of camp, he could be traded. Another option would be to place it on waivers.
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If no other major league team decides to claim him off waivers, Song could finally return to the Red Sox for $50,000. The last option would be for Song to play in the minor leagues.