Noah Song arrived Thursday morning to Phillies camp as a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.
The Phillies selected Song from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft in December, knowing he had an indefinite commitment with the United States Navy.
Song was supposed to be deployed to Japan this month. He changed his status to selective reserves. Song put in a request “nine or 10 months ago” to change his status to reserves and hadn’t heard much since.
The status change went through early last week and he arrived at Phillies camp on Thursday. The 25-year-old right-handed pitcher, was the Phillies selection in December’s Rule 5 draft.
The selection of Song was surprising, had he gone three years without playing pro ball or throwing off of a mound.
The Red Sox left him unprotected, not expecting another team to select a pitcher who had appeared only in rookie ball in 2019.
Song went 11-1 with a 1.44 ERA his final season at Navy. He was drafted by Boston in the fourth round but was valued as a first-rounder if not for the military commitment.
Rule 5 picks must stay on the major league roster for the entire season to remain with the team that drafts them.
Phillies pitcher Noah Song. Photo courtsey of Navy Sports
