Phillies ink OF Mikie Mahtook to minor league deal

The Philadelphia Phillies have added some depth to their minor league outfield, signing 30-year-old big league veteran Mikie Mahtook to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the signing and indicates that Mahtook will make $850,000 if he earns a spot on the 25-man roster.

Drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft by Tampa Bay, Mahtook spent the first five years of his career with the Rays organization, appearing in 106 games at the major league level.

The Rays dealt Mahtook to Detroit in January 2017 and the former LSU-product played 109 games for the Tigers, slashing .276/.330/.457 in a strong showing. Unfortunately, he regressed significantly in 2019 and split time between Triple-A and the majors. He was outrighted off of the Tigers 40-man roster in April 2019 and only appeared in nine games for Detroit before electing free agency in November.

Mahtook has some power, launching 21 home runs in Triple-A last season to go along with a .357 on-base percentage. In 291 games at the major league level, he’s slashing .235/.292/.405. Once heralded as a top prospect, Mahtook is a typical case of a successful minor league player unable to retain that success in the majors.

Heading into spring training, the Phillies outfield will include Bryce Harper, Adam Haseley and Andrew McCutchen with Roman Quinn

and Jay Bruce being the likely bench guys. Mahtook will be fighting for a roster spot alongside Nick Williams and Odubel Herrera, neither of whom project to make the Opening Day roster barring injury.

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