The Dodgers have acquired right-hander Connor Brogdon from the Phillies in exchange for minor league southpaw Benony Robles. Both teams have announced the trade.
Philadelphia designated Brogdon for assignment earlier this week, and he will now switch teams for the first time in his professional career. Brogdon was a 10th-round selection for the Phillies in the 2017 draft, and he had a 3.55 ERA, 24.1% strikeout rate, and 7.9% walk rate over 142 innings with the team from 2020-23.
Despite those generally solid numbers, the Phils shuffled Brogdon back and forth from the minors several times in his first three MLB seasons. His production also dipped last season when his strikeout rate tipped to 20.5% and his walk rate jumped up to 10.2%, and Brogdon was tagged for five homers in 29 innings of work. Between these red flags and a two-mile velocity drop on Brogdon’s fastball, the Phillies optioned the righty to Triple-A last June.
He didn’t make another big league appearance until this season, and Brogdon was hit hard for six earned runs in just two innings spread over three games. With an ugly 27.00 ERA on his resume, Brogdon found himself on the Phillies’ DFA wire due to being out of minor league options. He’ll now get a chance with another National League contender, and possibly might benefit from this specific change of scenery to a Dodgers team known for rehabilitating pitchers.
Robles was an international signing who began his pro career at age 18 with the Dodgers’ Dominican Summer League squad. The southpaw’s control is a work in progress but he has shown some ability to miss bats, as evidenced by his whopping 38.7% strikeout rate in 32 2/3 innings at high-A Great Lakes last season. Robles also had a 13.9% walk rate en route to a 3.86 ERA, so there’s some potential there for the 23-year-old as a relief weapon if he can limit the free passes.
DarkSide830
No way an actual player in return?
CarverAndrews
My thoughts exactly.
Good luck to Mr. Brogdon.
For Love of the Game
And one not named Cash!
ham77
He’ll be the Dodgers closer by June.
Brew88
After he is designated for assignment 3 times
VonPurpleHayes
2 months of brilliance followed by absolute disaster. Dodgers may unlock something, but the poor kid just lost it.
Kruk it
I figured the Rays or Mariners would try and fix him
highflyballintorightfield
Scrooge McDuck piles of money doesn’t just mean signing one guy for $700 million. It means affording 700 guys like Brogdon in case one of them finds something.
LFGMets (Metsin7) #ConsistentlyBannedBaseballExpert
Hes terrible. I don’t know how he made the majors. I don’t see anything in this guy. They need to reduce the amount of MLB teams there are. The competition has gotten horrendous. There are just too many teams and not enough good players available
DarkSide830
He as pretty darn good untkl he completely lost it last year.
VonPurpleHayes
He had a great stretch for a few months, but completely lost it the last 2 seasons. I think he’s a good gamble for LA. He can find it again.
Mike56
Speaking of the $700 million dollar man. What ever came of the gambling controversy involving the interpreter . Amazing as big a deal as it is now how quiet it’s been about it
holycow16
If only Pete Rose had had an interpreter…
luckyh
Saint Pete ever the victim…
User 2161944466
I’m sure ESPN was told to stand down. They (MLB and the Dodgers) can and have limited their access before. There was an all star game they were banned from for leaking the lineup etc. Same thing with the LA times. What we need is a real organization to investigate. Bring him and all his co conspirators to trial.
Brew88
The HR ball interpreter controversy temporarily stole the mic
RunDMC
Please pitch him during the playoffs. Guy was throwing BP.
steve fields
After seeing how the Dodgers transformed Ryan Brasier last year after he bombed with the Red Sox, it will be interesting to see if they can turn Brogdon into a useful pitcher.
James Midway
Will be used once or twice, throw 4 shoutout innings and then it’s DFA town for you.
BlueSkies_LA
Most likely scenario.
HiredGun23
Good luck to the skinny, goofy bastage!
cscd1111
I hope it don’t bite the Phillies in the ass deep in the playoffs.
VonPurpleHayes
He cost them 2 games this year already. He needs a change of scenery.
htbnm57
Robles seems like a good lottery ticket gamble by the Phillies. Good luck tonight Brogdon, he needed a change of scenery.
609Collectibles
He’s a California kid