As spring training gains momentum, the Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly added another arm to their pitching depth.
According to Steve Potter, who operates the “Phillies Baseball Fan” blog and has accurately reported several of the organization’s minor league signings this offseason, Philadelphia has agreed to a minor league deal with 28-year-old right-hander . As of Wednesday afternoon, the move had not yet been reflected on Gillispie’s official roster page.
Gillispie brings limited major league experience to the Phillies. The right-hander has appeared in just nine big league games so far in his career. Last season, he spent time in both the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins organizations, continuing a professional journey that has already included multiple stops since he was drafted.
Originally selected in the ninth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, Gillispie has since been part of five different organizations. He made his major league debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024, where he showed flashes of promise. Working out of the bullpen, he surrendered just two earned runs over eight innings, offering a glimpse of potential value as a depth reliever.
However, his path since then has been less stable. Gillispie signed briefly with the Atlanta Braves last offseason but was designated for assignment before ultimately being claimed by the Marlins. With Miami, he made six starts but struggled to find consistency. Across 26 innings, he posted an 8.65 ERA while allowing 32 hits and six home runs. Those difficulties led to another designation for assignment, after which he was claimed by Minnesota.
His stint in the Twins organization also proved challenging. Gillispie was eventually outrighted off the 40-man roster and assigned to Triple-A St. Paul. In limited action there, he continued to battle command and effectiveness issues, giving up 22 earned runs in just 13 2/3 innings.
Based on recent performance trends, Gillispie does not arrive in Philadelphia as a guaranteed impact contributor. Still, minor league signings at this stage of camp are often about competition and depth rather than certainty. The Phillies may view him as a low-risk addition who can provide innings in spring training and potentially benefit from adjustments within their pitching development system.
Baseball careers can shift quickly with the right coaching and environment. While Gillispie’s recent numbers leave room for improvement, a fresh opportunity with Philadelphia could offer him a chance to reset and carve out a role, whether at Triple-A or beyond.
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