Darick Hall reflects on time in Phillies organization, discusses options in free agency

Darick Hall is a free agent. (Don Otto)

Darick Hall prayed for the moment.

Like he does before every game, Hall stopped to pray before Triple-A Lehigh Valley’s season-ending matchup against Worcester on Sept. 22. Figuring it would be his final time suiting up for the IronPigs, he had one extra special intention in mind.

“One of my prayers was: If I had a chance to make an impact in this game, that was something that I just wanted to come through on,” Hall said, “being the last time I might do it.”

Hall developed a deep bond with the club and the Lehigh Valley faithful in his four seasons in Allentown, Pa. He enjoyed being an IronPig and was happy in his situation. A burly, 6-foot-4-inch slugger with light-tower power and a wide smile, he endeared himself to the Lehigh Valley fans — the many kids who called to him from the first row behind the dugout at Coca-Cola Park and the parents who brought them to the games.

Those people cheered him on as he hit his IronPigs-record 76 home runs and as he earned some big-league opportunities in Philadelphia. Performing in front of those fans meant something to Hall, and he wanted to deliver.

In his last chance in the Lehigh Valley, Hall finished off a ninth-inning IronPigs rally with the game’s biggest blow — a 418-foot walk-off grand slam that soared off his bat at 114.5 mph. He raised his arms and jumped on home plate to complete his trip around the bases and, most likely, his tenure in the Phillies organization. If there was ever a perfect way to close that chapter of his career, Hall found it in his final at-bat.

“Just to get up there and be able to do that, it felt like a storybook ending,” he said in a recent conversation with Phillies Nation. “And it was just a special moment for me and, I feel like, for Lehigh as well.”

Now, after eight years as a pro, 850 games in the minor leagues and 60 major-league games with the Phillies across two seasons, Hall is a free agent for the first time in his career.

Hall, 29, was drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round in 2016 out of Dallas Baptist University. A strong left-handed hitter, power has always been the first baseman’s calling card. Although he was never a top prospect, Hall rose through the system, reaching Triple-A in 2021 and beginning his IronPigs career. There, he blossomed into a fan favorite. He won the 2022 Paul Owens Award as the top position player in the Phillies minor-league system after hitting 28 home runs for Lehigh Valley. He found success in that area and ballpark.

“It was a place where I spent a lot of time, and I did feel a connection to the people,” Hall said. “Being there, even though it wasn’t in the big leagues — where that’s your goal — I felt like whenever I went to Lehigh or got sent down, it just felt like it was a place I could get comfortable and get rolling again.”

Hall earned his first promotion to the major leagues in June of his strong 2022 season. The Phillies needed some offensive reinforcement as Bryce Harper missed time due to injury, and Hall fit the description. He filled in at first base and designated hitter and batted in the cleanup spot against right-handed pitching until August, performing adequately in Harper’s absence.

He was sent back down to Triple-A before a brief return to the majors at the very end of the regular season. He traveled with the team during the postseason as the Phillies made their surprise run to the World Series. All in all, he hit .250/.282/.522 with nine home runs in 41 games as a rookie while celebrating a National League pennant on the field and in the clubhouse.

“That was, up to this point, probably one of the most special things I’ve ever had happen in my career,” Hall said. “Personally, to be able to have made an impact on a big-league club and to be a part of a World Series team, regardless of result, was something I couldn’t even have dreamed up as a kid.”

The next season, Hall opened the year as Philadelphia’s starting first baseman after Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL during the spring. He struggled in the first week of the season, however, then injured his thumb sliding into a base and needed surgery. He rejoined the Phillies for a short stint in the summer, but the results didn’t improve as he dealt with the aftermath of his procedure. Harper slotted into first base shortly after, leaving no clear path to playing time.

Hall hasn’t appeared in a major-league game since July 2023, and he elected free agency last month after Philadelphia outrighted him off the 40-man roster this past August. He knows the way it played out was a bit unfortunate; no player wants their last extended looks to be affected by injury. But he’s still appreciative of his entire time in Philadelphia.

“The Phillies have given me every opportunity to be successful,” Hall said, “that being opportunities and at-bats and chances. They gave me that chance in ’22, and I ran with it the best I could. I had a chance in ’23 and bad stuff happened and I got hurt. And next thing you know, that’s just kind of unfortunately how the game is.”

Hall is now preparing for his next opportunity. He’s training from his home in Gilbert, Ariz., and working with Chad Miller, a scientific-style hitting coach. He’s feeling strong and healthy, and there will be some options to choose from ahead of next season.

Hall is looking for an organization without a logjam at first base or DH in the majors, which could put him in position to potentially get back to the big leagues if he can produce. He said multiple teams have been in touch with his agent, Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group.

Additionally, Hall said a number of Japanese teams have expressed interest in signing him this offseason after some clubs had previously inquired about buying out his contract with the Phillies last spring. Tokyo’s Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball have scouted him in the past and have been in contact.

Playing in Japan would certainly be a different route, but Hall hasn’t ruled out any scenario that could benefit him in the long run.

“I’m open to both,” he said of playing in the United States versus overseas. “I think it’s just one of those things where you’ve got to be able to pick and choose which one you think is going to be best for your career at this moment and just trust in it.”

Hall will have some other factors to consider when signing as well, as he and his wife, Ashley, are expecting a baby in March. He’s hoping to have a decision made by the new year in order to have things in place for his family.

Wherever he ends up, he’ll carry the memories and the experience from his time with the Phillies. His journey within the system was not the flashiest, but he carved out a role for himself at each stop. He made himself a big leaguer and made an impression while he was up there.

Hall started to get emotional as he recalled the April 2023 ceremony at Citizens Bank Park held to honor the members of the 2022 team with their NL championship rings. Days after he hit the injured list, Hall’s name was announced, and the home crowd cheered loudly as he walked the red carpet and received his ring. He said the ovation from the Philadelphia fans was something he’ll always remember.

“That meant a lot to me as a person,” Hall said. “It was something I had never experienced and meant a lot to me. … I really enjoyed the time that I was there, and they made my time really enjoyable.”