Kofi Inkoom
The White Sox have let go of outfielder Brett Phillips from minors deal, as reported by James Fegan from SoxMachine. Phillips had inked a minor league deal with the team back in January.
Phillips, who turns 30 at the end of the month, has been in the majors for seven seasons, starting with the Brewers in 2017. While he’s struggled at the plate, hitting .187/.272/.347, which is 29% worse than the league average by wRC+ standards, he’s earned spots on teams thanks to his speed and defensive prowess.
During his time with the Rays from 2020 to 2022, Phillips stole 24 bases in 27 attempts and showcased strong defensive skills However, since leaving the Rays, Phillips has seen a decline in his performance across the board. His brief stint with the Orioles in 2022 saw him hitting just .118/.118/.235, well below his usual standards.
He joined the Angels last year but only played 39 games with the team, spending most of his time in Triple-A. In the majors, Phillips’ defensive grades were average last year, and he struggled at the plate, striking out in over half of his plate appearances.
Despite signing with the White Sox with hopes of securing a roster spot as a backup outfielder, Phillips faced tough competition from Dominic Fletcher, Kevin Pillar, and Robbie Grossman, who all made the team instead. Although the White Sox made roster changes, Phillips was overlooked once more, leading to his departure from the team.
It’s uncertain where Phillips might land next, especially considering his struggles in Triple-A this year. Despite his poor performance, he could still be a valuable addition for a team in need of a defensive-minded center fielder who can pinch-run and serve as a late-game defensive replacement.