Phillies Sign Levi Stoudt to Minor League Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies are taking a low-risk gamble on a once-promising arm, signing right-hander Levi Stoudt to a minor league deal.

It’s the kind of under-the-radar move that doesn’t shake headlines today but could matter in August if the organization’s pitching depth gets tested.

Who Is Levi Stoudt? A Former Mariners Prospect Looking for a Reset

Stoudt, now 28, isn’t just another depth arm plucked off the transaction wire.

He was once a notable pitching prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, selected in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

With a strong amateur track record and a starter’s repertoire, he projected as a potential mid-rotation piece when he first entered pro ball.

His ascent, however, was stalled almost before it began.

The canceled 2020 minor league season wiped out crucial development time, and Stoudt was also working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

For a pitcher, that combination can be brutal: lost innings, delayed feel for secondary pitches, and a longer runway to adjust to professional hitters.

Early Results with Seattle: Solid but Interrupted Progress

When he finally got back on the mound in earnest, Stoudt’s numbers with Seattle were respectable.

Between the 2021 and mid-2022 seasons, he logged 168 2/3 innings in the Mariners’ system, posting a 4.32 ERA.

That line doesn’t scream “ace,” but in the context of missed time and post-surgery recovery, it was enough to keep him firmly on the prospect radar.

For the Mariners, Stoudt represented both a useful arm and a trade chip.

His combination of age, upside, and minor league options made him attractive to teams looking to add controllable pitching.

Included in the Luis Castillo Trade: From Asset to Afterthought

Stoudt’s profile peaked in mid-2022 when he became part of the blockbuster that sent All-Star right-hander Luis Castillo from the Reds to the Mariners.

Being included in a headline deal is usually a sign that an organization believes you have real value.

The Cincinnati Reds added Stoudt to their 40-man roster, signaling that they viewed him as a near-ready contributor.

But the transition to a new organization and higher competition levels proved rocky.

Struggles in 2023: Tough Debut in the Majors and Triple-A

Stoudt’s 2023 season showcased the harsh reality of the jump from “promising” to “productive.”

In the major leagues, he allowed 11 earned runs in just 10 1/3 innings, never finding firm footing amid small sample size and uneven opportunities.

Triple-A didn’t offer much relief.

Over 82 1/3 innings at that level, he was tagged for a 6.23 ERA, struggling with consistency, command, and damage limitation.

For a pitcher already trying to reestablish his trajectory, those numbers pushed him closer to the roster bubble.

Waiver Wire Journeyman: Mariners, Orioles, and Ongoing Struggles

After the Reds designated him for assignment, Stoudt’s career entered a more unsettled phase.

He bounced between the Mariners and Orioles organizations via waivers, a clear sign that teams still saw some underlying value but weren’t ready to commit a long-term roster spot.

On the field, the production lagged behind the interest.

Across the 2024 and 2025 minor league seasons, Stoudt posted a 5.83 ERA, with middling strikeout rates and elevated walk totals that undercut his chances of sticking as a starter at the upper levels.

The Profile Today: Depth Arm with a Flicker of Upside

At this stage, Stoudt isn’t being brought in to anchor a rotation.

His recent numbers frame him as a depth option who needs mechanical and confidence adjustments.

Still, his age and previous prospect status suggest there’s at least a chance he can rediscover some of the form that once made him a trade asset.

Why the Phillies’ Minor League Deal Makes Sense

From Philadelphia’s perspective, this is a no-risk, potential-reward move.

A minor league deal requires no 40-man roster spot, no guaranteed money at the big-league level, and no immediate pressure to force a fit.

The upside, though, is real enough to matter.

If Stoudt can clean up his command, sharpen his secondary pitches, or even transition into a more focused bullpen role, the Phillies have built-in flexibility.

Options, Control, and Long-Term Flexibility

One key advantage: Stoudt still retains an option year and carries minimal major league service time.

For a contending club constantly managing innings and injuries, that matters.

Pitching attrition never really slows down in this league.

Moves like this one—quiet, maybe even forgettable—sometimes end up helping a playoff push more than anyone expects.

 
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