The Philadelphia Phillies have added more depth to their outfield by signing 27-year-old outfielder Dylan Carlson to a minor league contract, addressing one of their most noticeable roster weaknesses this season. With limited proven options in both the majors and minors, Philadelphia has been actively searching for additional outfield help to strengthen its organizational depth.
According to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury, Carlson will begin his stint with the organization at Triple-A Lehigh Valley after agreeing to the deal. The move gives the Phillies a low-risk opportunity to evaluate a former top prospect while also reinforcing their minor league system with a player who still has major league experience.
Carlson, who is 27 years old, most recently spent time in the Chicago Cubs organization. He appeared in three major league games for Chicago this season before being released on May 4. Prior to his release, he also played 10 games with Triple-A Iowa, where he struggled at the plate, hitting just .175 with a .600 OPS. Despite the recent downturn in production, Carlson has shown flashes of offensive potential earlier in his career.
The outfielder was once considered one of the more promising young players in baseball. His strongest season came in 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he hit .266 with a .780 OPS and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting. That year highlighted his ability to contribute as a switch-hitting outfielder with a balanced offensive approach and solid defensive skills across all three outfield positions.
Philadelphia’s current outfield situation has been a mix of strong performances and limited depth. Players like Brandon Marsh have provided consistency in left field, while younger or less established options have filled other roles. Justin Crawford has taken on center field duties and shown promise, while Adolis García has handled right field with mixed offensive results, batting around .240 this season.
The Phillies have also relied on additional depth pieces such as Felix Reyes, who has appeared in multiple games across the outfield. However, Reyes is not a natural outfielder and has struggled significantly at the plate, hitting just .139 with a .389 OPS over 11 games. His offensive struggles have limited his ability to secure a consistent role.
On the organizational depth chart, the Phillies also have options like Otto Kemp and Steward Berroa. Kemp began the season with the major league roster but was later optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after receiving limited opportunities to play.
Carlson’s arrival adds another versatile option to the mix. One of his biggest strengths is his ability to play all three outfield positions, which gives the Phillies flexibility as they look to stabilize their defensive alignment and manage injuries or performance issues. In addition, Carlson is a switch hitter, which could provide lineup flexibility if he eventually earns a promotion to the major league roster.
While the signing does not guarantee immediate impact at the big league level, it gives Philadelphia another experienced depth piece to evaluate. If Carlson can rediscover some of the form he showed earlier in his career, he could become a useful addition as the Phillies continue their push through the season.
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