Phillies Officially Announce Four Minor League Signings
While news of some minor league signings had come out through the media, the Phillies had yet to announce several. On the Friday before Christmas while rumors swirl around the National League East and Josh Donaldson, the Phillies made an announcement that four players had signed minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training.
They are:
Josh Harrison, IF
Harrison most notably spent eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "J-Hay" as he is known, had an injury-riddled 2019 with the Detroit Tigers. Harrison will compete for a spot on the Phillies bench. Though the signing had not been announced, Harrison publicly credited Andrew McCutchen for luring him to Philadelphia. Harrison can play some outfield, too.
Phil Gosselin, IF
The Malvern native batted .313 as a pinch hitter for the Phillies in 2019. Gosselin is the type who might start a season in the minor leagues but earn a promotion in the event of injury. Gosselin can play all infield positions for the Phillies, though the club used him in the outfield in 2019 as well.
Matt Szczur, OF
Szczur is well known in South Jersey and in Philadelphia. Szczur attended Lower Cape May Regional High School and Villanova University. On the field, Szczur won a World Series ring with the Chicago Cubs. Off the field, Szczur notably donated bone marrow, saving a young girl's life. Szczur told the Press of Atlantic City that he was excited for the chance to "fulfill a childhood dream" of playing for the Phillies.
Mikie Mahtook, OF
Mahtook is a right-handed outfielder who has played for the Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers. His best season came with the Detroit Tigers in 2017, when he batted .276 over 109 games. Mahtook can play all three outfield positions. Should he make the club, he would be a right-handed option. The Phillies currently have five left-handed outfielders on their 40-man roster.