The Philadelphia Phillies appear ready to inject more youth into their major league roster next season.
The organization has suggested that top prospect Justin Crawford could open the year as a regular in the outfield. Young pitcher Andrew Painter is also expected to reach the big leagues at some point in the near future.
In another development that could set the stage for a major league promotion, the Phillies have added infield prospect Christian Cairo to their system as well.
“Free agent infielder Christian Cairo has signed a minor league contract with the Phillies for the 2026 season,” according to Phillies analyst Steve Potter. “The now 24 year old was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the 4th round of the 2019 draft from Calvary Christian HS in Clearwater, Florida. He is the son of former long time major leaguer Miguel Cairo who played in 18 major league seasons with nine different organizations and has also both coached and managed in the major leagues.”
Phillies Tailgate confirmed news of the signing on X, formerly Twitter.
Philadelphia Phillies’ New Infielder Was Let Go By Atlanta Braves
Cairo made a brief professional debut in 2019 then was sidelined when the 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 he reached Single-A and High-A, then he reached Double-A and Triple-A in the 2024 season.
Cairo was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft and spent big-league spring training with the organization. But he was later returned to the Guardians’ organization and slashed .237/.338/.331 in 354 Triple-A at-bats in this past season before joining the Phillies on a new contract.
“Perhaps Atlanta felt Cairo was ready to jump to the big leagues and serve as a utility guy, so they grabbed him in the Rule 5,” Darragh McDonald wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “In order to keep him, Atlanta would have had to carry Cairo on the active roster. They clearly weren’t willing to do so and let him go.”
Philadelphia Phillies Could Call Up New Infielder Soon
Cairo hasn’t proven to be much of a slugger in his young career, but he has an ability to draw walks and appears to be a strong baserunner.
The Phillies seem relatively set in the infield, with Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm all set to return next year and Edumondo Sosa offering some depth at multiple positions. But with Bohm and Sosa potentially becoming free agents next winter, perhaps Cairo will be on track to provide some utility depth for the Phillies’ big-league roster soon.
