Pitcher Noah Song Will Join Phillies At Spring Training Despite Commitment to the Navy

Philadelphia Phillies Rule-5 draft pick pitcher Noah Song will report to MLB Spring Training despite his Naval military commitment.

Pitcher Noah Song was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies during last year's MLB Rule-5 draft. Per the rules, players must remain on the Major League roster of the team who selected him or be offered back to his parent club for half price.

Song attended the Naval Academy prior attending Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. as a Student Naval Flight Officer. Upon winging, an NFO must serve six years in the Navy to complete their commitment, for a total of almost eight years.

That commitment is what prevented Song in pursuing a professional baseball career out the gate. However, Song has been able to transfer his active duty commitment to the selective reserves. This usually means serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year in reserve duty.

Song is coming from the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron, which is follow-on training from flight school in his specified aircraft. It's a rarity to earn the 'Wings of Gold' and then be able to transfer to the reserves in order to pursue a professional sport.

Now, after three years of not competitively pitching, Song will try and make the Phillies MLB roster. If he doesn't he could begin the year in the minor leagues whether with the Phillies or some other team if he is traded or fails to go through waivers.

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