Phillip Evans has secured a minor league agreement with the Atlanta Braves.
The Atlanta Braves and third baseman Phillip Evans have reached an agreement on a minor league deal, as reported by the transactions tracker on Evans’ MLB.com player profile. While specific details of the deal are undisclosed, it is probable that the agreement includes an invitation to the big league Spring Training.
Phillip Evans, originally a 15th-round pick by the Mets, entered the MLB scene in 2017. Over three brief stints with the Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2017, 2018, and 2020 seasons, Evans displayed a solid performance with a combined slash line of .290/.377/.366 in 106 plate appearances. This success earned him a more extended role in the majors during the 2021 season. However, the utility player faced challenges and struggled with a slash line of .206/.312/.299 in 76 games and 247 plate appearances, leading to his release by the Pirates at the end of the season.
Subsequently, Evans signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees but encountered difficulties during his 400 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. He did not make it to the majors in the 2022 campaign. Evans also did not secure a spot in the major leagues after joining the Arizona Diamondbacks on a minor league pact last offseason. Despite posting seemingly strong offensive numbers with a .312/.424/.439 slash line in 590 Triple-A plate appearances last season, the context of the Pacific Coast League’s inflated offensive environment, where Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate competes, resulted in a wRC+ of just 117 for Evans.
Nevertheless, Evans remains an intriguing depth option due to his commendable offensive performance and exceptional versatility. Throughout his professional career, he has played at every position on the field except for center field. While the Braves already boast one of the deepest positional groups in the majors, offering stiff competition for roster spots, Evans could carve a niche for himself. Even if he manages to outperform competitors like David Fletcher or Forrest Wall for a spot on the Opening Day roster, consistent playing time might be contingent on a significant injury to a starting lineup member. The upcoming spring training will provide a platform for Evans, along with other non-roster depth options such as Leury Garcia and Andrew Velazaquez, to showcase their skills and make a case for a spot on the Braves’ roster.
