Phillies Add Bryan De La Cruz on Minor League Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies just signed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a minor league contract. He gets a non-roster invitation to major league spring training.

This move isn’t grabbing headlines like some trades, but it’s interesting for both De La Cruz and the Phillies. With his mix of power and experience, maybe he helps the club’s depth heading into 2025.

Phillies Add Power Bat in Minor League Deal

Baseball America’s Matt Eddy reports that De La Cruz will join the Phillies at spring camp. Mike Rodriguez first broke the news and mentioned that Premier Talent Sports & Entertainment represents him.

Philadelphia hasn’t put out an official statement yet. That’s pretty typical—teams often wait to announce minor league signings until the offseason winds down.

De La Cruz’s MLB Journey So Far

De La Cruz started out with the Marlins in Miami and made a quick impact at the plate. In his first two seasons, he hit .269, posted a .318 OBP, and slugged .430, racking up 18 home runs and 27 doubles.

He really showed off his power in 2023 with 19 home runs. Still, his defense and a lower on-base percentage kept him from being a bigger contributor.

In 2024, things got complicated. He hit 18 homers before the Pirates traded for him, but his numbers dropped hard after the move.

During his 168 plate appearances with Pittsburgh, he managed just .200/.220/.294. That slump led to his release.

He bounced around after that, spending time with the Braves and Yankees organizations. In Triple-A Scranton, though, he put up solid numbers: .271/.340/.456 with 15 home runs.

Scouting Report – Strengths and Weaknesses

Scouts usually call De La Cruz a power-first hitter who likes to attack early in the count. His outfield defense rates below average, especially in the corners, so he doesn’t offer much versatility.

He used to handle lefties well, but lately, his splits against both sides look pretty underwhelming.

Key Attributes of Bryan De La Cruz

• Power Hitting: He’s had several seasons with 15 or more home runs, twice coming close to 20.
• Experience: Four years of major league time, and he’s bounced between a few teams.
• Aggressive Approach: He swings early and can hit big, but it costs him walks.
• Defensive Limitations: His range and arm in the corners just aren’t great.
• Variable Splits: Once handled lefties, but now he’s not really excelling against either hand.

Role with the Phillies Moving Forward

Philly’s front office sees De La Cruz mainly as organizational depth. He’ll probably start 2025 in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, ready to fill in if the big club deals with injuries or someone slumps.

He’ll get his shot in spring training. If he gets hot at the right time, maybe he sneaks onto the Opening Day roster, but it feels like a long shot.

Spring Training Chance

Spring training is his window to show off that pop and prove he’s more than roster filler. If he hits from the jump, maybe he lands a bench or platoon gig, especially if the Phillies run into trouble in the outfield.

Big Picture for Philadelphia

The Phillies’ signing of Bryan De La Cruz shows their focus on adding experienced hitters, especially those who don’t need much time to adjust. In a long MLB season, depth can make all the difference.

Guys who start in Triple-A sometimes end up making big plays in September. De La Cruz isn’t a guaranteed starter—his defense is shaky and he doesn’t always get on base—but the power is real, and that’s hard to ignore.

We’ll see in the coming months if De La Cruz is just insurance or if he surprises everyone and becomes a key piece in Philadelphia’s postseason run. When he reports to spring training, fans will definitely be watching, hoping he can get hot at the right time.

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Here is the source article for this story: Phillies, Bryan De La Cruz Agree To Minor League Deal