Anthony Phillips (baseball)
Anthony Phillips | |
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![]() Phillips with the Lansing Lugnuts in 2021 | |
Shortstop / Second baseman | |
Born: Bellville, South Africa | 11 April 1990|
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Anthony Garet Phillips (born 11 April 1990) is a former South African baseball infielder. He has been a member of the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Colorado Rockies organizations. Phillips bats and throws right-handed. Phillips has been drawn comparisons to a "young Chuck Knoblauch" by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.[1] José Moreno, Phillips former manager, compared his style of play to that of David Eckstein.[2] While not officially retired, Phillips is now[when?] a minor league coach.
Professional career[]
Seattle Mariners[]
Born in Bellville, Western Cape, South Africa, Phillips was scouted by Pat Kelly and Phillip Biersteker to sign with the Seattle Mariners at age 16 after his participation in the 2006 World Baseball Junior Championship.[3][4] He began professional career with the rookie-level Arizona League Mariners. Phillips batted .279 with 24 runs, 34 hits, 1 double, 9 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases in 45 games. The next season, Phillips played with three levels of the Mariners' organization including the rookie-level Pulaski Mariners, the Class-A Short Season Everett AquaSox, and the Class-A Advanced High Desert Mavericks. With Pulaski, he batted .196 with 7 runs, 11 hits, 1 double, 4 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 14 games. Phillips played 51 games with the AquaSox and batted .187 with 23 runs, 28 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases. Finally, with the Mavericks, Phillips batted .111 with 1 hit, and 1 RBI in 3 games. He hit his first career home run on 10 July against the Tri-City Dust Devils.[3] Phillips spent the 2009 season with the Class-A Short Season Everett AquaSox and batted .247 with 29 runs, 59 hits, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases in 68 games. He was first on the AquaSox in caught stealing (8); and was second in at-bats (239), home runs, and strikeouts (65).[5] Phillips began the 2010 season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, however, after just one game, he was assigned to extended spring training.[6]
Philadelphia Phillies[]
Phillips signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2013. Over the course of the 2014 season, he played with three different teams in the Phillies minor league system.
St. Paul Saints[]
For the 2015 season, Phillips played for the St. Paul Saints in the independent American Association.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim[]
Phillips returned to Minor League Baseball in 2016, playing for the Arkansas Travelers, the AA affiliate of the Angels. He elected free agency on 7 November 2016.
Colorado Rockies[]
On 10 January 2017, Phillips signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. He was released on 15 June 2018.
Return to St. Paul[]
On 21 June 2018, Phillips signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. He was released on 6 August 2018.
Kansas City T-Bones[]
On 17 August 2018, Phillips signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association. He was released on 14 November 2018.
Coaching career[]
In December 2018, Phillips became the bench coach for the Beloit Snappers, a minor league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.
International career[]
He was selected to play in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for South Africa. With South Africa, Phillips played 2 games and batted .222 with 1 run, 2 hits, and 1 RBI.
He competed at the Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament in Italy in September 2019.
Personal life[]
His father, Alan Phillips, played in the 2000 Summer Olympics at age 44,[2] making him the oldest man ever on an Olympic baseball roster.[citation needed] His brother (born 16 April 1986) played in the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2003.[2] Growing up, Phillips was a fan of Ken Griffey, Jr., and played rugby and badminton.[7] He is not related to Tony Phillips.
References[]
- ^ Jason A. Churchill (25 April 2007). "M's Farm Report: Who's the next Ichiro?". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Hearst Seattle Media, LLC. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Nick Patterson (25 July 2008). "AquaSox infielder hopes to be first South African in the majors". Herald Net. The Daily Herald Co. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Anthony Phillips Stats, Bio, and Highlights — Minor League Baseball". MILB.com. Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ Corey Brock (21 July 2006). "Notes: Reed on rehab trail". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ "2009 Everett AquaSox". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ Ryan Divish (21 May 2010). "Rainiers blow past Zephyrs with 5-run 8th". The News Tribune. The McClatchy Company. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ^ Greg Bishop (14 March 2007). "M's out to raise 2 teenie poppers". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
External links[]
- Career statistics and player information from ESPN, or Fangraphs, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
- 1990 births
- Living people
- Albuquerque Isotopes players
- Arizona League Mariners players
- Arkansas Travelers players
- Baseball second basemen
- Baseball shortstops
- Baseball third basemen
- Clinton LumberKings players
- Clearwater Threshers players
- Everett AquaSox players
- Hartford Yard Goats players
- High Desert Mavericks players
- Jackson Generals (Southern League) players
- Kansas City T-Bones players
- Lakewood BlueClaws players
- People from Bellville, Western Cape
- Pulaski Mariners players
- Reading Fightin Phils players
- South African expatriate baseball players in the United States
- St. Paul Saints players
- Tacoma Rainiers players
- White South African people
- 2009 World Baseball Classic players