Noah Song is assigned to report to Phyllis after the Naval Service change

Right-hander Noah Song plans to report to the Philadelphia Phillies spring training camp Thursday in hopes of making the opening-team roster after he transferred his status in the Navy from active duty to the select reserves.

Philadelphia Song, 25, was taken in the Rule 5 draft in December by the Boston Red Sox. His last pitch was in 2019, when he posted a 1.06 ERA in 17 Low-A innings after the Red Sox drafted him in the fourth round from the Naval Academy and signed him for $100,000.

The Ministry of Defense refused Song’s concession to abdicate his military duty and he has served active duty ever since. His transfer to the Select Reserves, which requires one weekend of service a month and two weeks a year, allows him to resume his baseball career.

To keep Song, the Phillies must put him on the 26-man active roster for the entire season — a tough road with Philadelphia appearing in the World Series and boasting deep blisters. The positive side for Song was evident from his dominance in college and his brief major league career.

During four seasons at the Naval Academy as a starter, Song struck out . 428 in 334⅓ innings with a 2.37 ERA. He was particularly stellar during his senior season, when he pitched 94 innings with 161 strikeouts and 31 walks while allowing only 55 hits and two home runs, resulting in a 1.44 ERA.

Song emerged as a pro later in college, being named a unanimous second-round talent in the 2019 draft despite not having a national scout profile at the start of spring. He was selected by the Red Sox with the last pick of the fourth round, 137th overall, and signed for a much lower bonus $406,000 slot for selection due to uncertainty about his future with the Navy. This winter, the Philadelphia Songs were selected in the Rule 5 draft and paid Boston $100,000 for his rights.

At his best, Song sat in the mid-90s with a fastball, touching 99 mph, while relying mostly on an overslider but also an above-average curveball. Scouts have said his athleticism gives him a strong three-court feel – and he has occasionally thrown change-up. Given his long dismissal from competition, aggressive manner in which he attacks hitters and lack of a notable change-up, he is likely to take on a multi-inning relief role in 2023, the evaluators said.

Song could start last if he ended up in the minor leagues. Rule 5 draft picks must remain on the major league roster for the entire season to remain with the team that drafts them.

If Song doesn’t get the Phillies out of camp, they can trade him to another team or put him on waivers, where any team can claim him and place him on the big league roster. If Song goes unclaimed, he can be returned to the Red Sox for $50,000, and they can send him to the minor leagues.

ESPN’s Kelly McDaniel contributed to this report.