As the 1954 season began, the Phillies noted that Micelotta had a good chance at winning a major league roster spot due to manager Steve O'Neill being impressed with his fielding and hitting power [REF].
Micelotta remained on the Phillies' 40-man roster to start the 1955 season, but near the end of spring training, the Phillies chose to send him and three others to Syracuse for the season [REF].