Phillies acquire former top prospect Cristian Pache from A’s

Former highly touted outfield prospect Cristian Pache is joining the Phillies with Opening Day right around the corner.

Pache was acquired from the Oakland Athletics by Philadelphia ahead of Thursday’s season opener in Texas in exchange for minor-league pitcher Billy Sullivan, the team announced Wednesday. To make room for the center fielder on the 40-man roster, the Phillies moved Rhys Hoskins to the 60-day injured list.

Pache, a former top prospect in the Braves system who made his major-league debut in 2020, headlined the return to Oakland when the A’s sent All-Star first baseman Matt Olson to Atlanta ahead of the 2022 season. But after a disappointing first year with the Athletics in which he hit .166/.218/.241 in 91 games, Oakland opted not the roster the 24-year-old, who is out of minor-league options.

With a need for a right-handed-hitting center fielder to split some time with Brandon Marsh, Pache — at least theoretically — fills a hole for the Phillies. He’ll bring defensive value to Philadelphia, but will likely need to make strides at the plate to stick.

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