The Phillies announced the release of two minor league players yesterday: third baseman Nick Podkul and left-handed pitcher Taylor Lehman.
Podkul was drafted by Toronto in the 7th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Notre Dame and reached Triple-A Buffalo before being released in August 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the Phillies in December 2022 and spent the 2023 season with Reading before a mid-season promotion to Lehigh Valley. Although he performed well at both levels last year, he struggled this season.
Lehman, drafted by Miami in the 34th round of the 2014 Draft out of high school, chose to attend Penn State instead. After going undrafted in 2018, he signed with the Phillies as an undrafted free agent in June 2018. Over his 7-year career with the organization, he posted solid numbers but was set to become a free agent at the end of this season regardless.