Anthony Phillips (baseball)

Anthony Phillips
Kansas City T-Bones – No. 14
Shortstop / Second baseman
Born: (1990-04-11) April 11, 1990
Bellville, South Africa
Bats: Right Throws: Right

Anthony Garet Phillips (born April 11, 1990) is a South African baseball infielder for the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He has also 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]

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 July 10 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 November 7, 2016.

Colorado Rockies

On January 10, 2017, Phillips signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. He was released on June 15, 2018.

Return to St. Paul

On June 21, 2018, Phillips signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. He was released on August 6, 2018.

Kansas City T-Bones

On August 17, 2018, Phillips signed with the Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association.

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 runs, 2 hits, and 1 RBI.

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. His brother Jonathan Phillips (born April 16, 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]

References

  1. ↑ Jason A. Churchill (April 25, 2007). "M's Farm Report: Who's the next Ichiro?". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Hearst Seattle Media, LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Nick Patterson (July 25, 2008). "AquaSox infielder hopes to be first South African in the majors". Herald Net. The Daily Herald Co. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Anthony Phillips Stats, Bio, and Highlights — Minor League Baseball". MILB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  4. ↑ Corey Brock (July 21, 2006). "Notes: Reed on rehab trail". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  5. ↑ "2009 Everett AquaSox". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference, LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  6. ↑ Ryan Divish (May 21, 2010). "Rainiers blow past Zephyrs with 5-run 8th". The News Tribune. The McClatchy Company. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  7. ↑ Greg Bishop (March 14, 2007). "M's out to raise 2 teenie poppers". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
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