Organizational depth is crucial for teams navigating the grueling 162-game MLB schedule, and the Philadelphia Phillies have added a promising piece to their roster.
According to Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors, the Phillies have signed, a former 2018 first-round pick, to a minor league contract and assigned him to Double-A Reading.
Typically, players with Beer’s pedigree don’t find themselves at the Double-A level, especially considering his 43 MLB appearances. However, after failing to secure a Major League contract this offseason, he played for the Long Island Ducks in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. This signing provides Beer with a fresh opportunity to return to the MLB spotlight.
Beer had a standout college career at Clemson, becoming the first freshman to win the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy, awarded to the national college player of the year. He was drafted 28th overall by the Houston Astros and, after showing promise in the minors, was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the Zack Greinke deal.
He made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Diamondbacks, hitting a home run and driving in three runs in five games. Beer then made the Opening Day roster in 2022, where he hit a three-run walk-off homer on Opening Day. Unfortunately, he was later sent down to Triple-A and finished the season with 38 MLB games.
Beer’s time with the Diamondbacks ended when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 2023 Rule 5 draft, but he never got a call-up to the Majors and eventually elected free agency.
Now, as a Phillie, Beer brings intriguing potential. While his MLB sample size is limited, his minor league track record shows solid offensive production, including 10+ homers in every season and a career .278/.376/.474 slash line.
How Beer performs in Double-A Reading will be worth monitoring. If he impresses, a promotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley could be on the horizon, bringing him one step closer to a Major League return.
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