The Phillies have signed infielder Christian Arroyo to a minor league deal, reports MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes. The O’Connell Sports Management client will head to major league camp as a non-roster invitee.
Arroyo, 29, once ranked among the game’s top-100 prospects but never found his footing as a regular with the Giants, Rays or Red Sox. He’s a career .252/.299/.394 hitter in 992 plate appearances in the big leagues. Those numbers generally mirror the former first-round pick’s results in parts of seven seasons in Triple-A, where he carries a .255/.319/.403 line in 661 turns at the plate. The right-handed-hitting Arroyo has even platoon splits throughout his career.
Defensively, Arroyo has spent the bulk of his time in the majors at second base, but has has experience at all four infield spots and in right field. Defensive Runs Saves pegs him as a strong defender at second base, while Statcast has him around average. In the minors, Arroyo has played more shortstop than second base and also has nearly 1500 innings at third base.
Arroyo played in the majors in each season from 2017-23 but didn’t reach the big leagues in 2024. He spent last season with the Brewers’ Triple-A club, hitting .237/.305/.360 in a disappointing year at the plate. With the Phillies, he’ll compete for a bench spot and likely head to Triple-A Lehigh Valley if he doesn’t win a job. Backup catcher Garrett Stubbs, out-of-options infielder Edmundo Sosa and standout defensive outfielder Johan Rojas seem like they’ll occupy three of the four spots. Weston Wilson, Buddy Kennedy (also out of options) and Kody Clemens are all on the 40-man roster and in the running for the final spot.
Dude just couldn’t stay healthy. Always had potential
But he really seemed to hate getting on base
DD loves his players like this. Just wish he’d reach out just a little bit and grab Verdugo. (good OF insurance)
Oh god no. Verdugo sucks. He can’t hit or field. No one wants him for good reason.
Yes, just what the Phillies need, another lefty hitting OF…
Stubbs is most likely headed to AAA as he has options (with a split contract) and Marchan is out of options. That extra bench spot is going to be tight.
I think it’ll end up being Marchan, Sosa, Rojas, and Clemens. Personally I hate that Wilson will have to go back down but I don’t see them wanting to lose Kody while Wilson has options remaining. I’m not sure Kennedy has a real good chance, barring injury.
Buddy Kennedy is a local guy and good middle infield insurance. They should try to re-sign him to a deal similar to Stubbs where he makes a decent salary while playing in the minors. Kody Clemens is a nice left handed bench bat, but unless an injury occurs you don’t see a path to regular AB’s for him. Seattle has the biggest need for a corner INF’er, I’d offer them Clemens for Gregory Santos straight up. Or maybe Clemens & Mick Abel for Santos & Dylan Moore. Moore is 2024 Gold Glover that could play 2B & LF vs. LHP. And we are still short one RH arm in the pen.
Maybe I’m misreading, but I’ll be stunned if they’re not planning to give Wilson a couple of starts per week in LF vs. left-handers. …. 120 games is probably Kepler’s max anyway, and it’s pointless to overexpose him against lefties. …. As to what that means for the overall bench — yes, they have some tough decisons if everyone’s healthy
WW will be in AAA to start the season. I agree he’s the best choice, but his option remaining makes me think they’ll use the roster spot on someone else like Clemens.
Good luck. Nothing not to root for a guy who plays hard. That said, he’s average at best in the field. He has to hit to stay in the majors.
It’s hard to believe that both Arroyo & Verdugo aren’t even 30 years old yet. It seems like they’ve been around for well over a decade!
Quality depth. Nice move.
I always liked his hustle and attitude. If he can just stay off the IL he’ll be a nice bench piece.
I still think the Phillies run 5 bench bats.
Feeling kinda old remembering Arroyo as a top Giants SS prospect.
Always enjoyed watching Christian play for the Redsox. He always gave 100% and looked like he had fun on the field. I wish him nothing but good luck going forward.