He is a name that hasn’t come up among Rays fans in quite some time.
The former top prospect recently signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, aiming to compete for a backup infield role on a roster stacked with star power but somewhat lacking in depth.
He the 2024 season in the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor league system, appearing in 30 Triple-A games and seven in the complex league. His career hasn’t unfolded as originally projected when he was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. He was later traded to his hometown Tampa Bay Rays as part of the deal for franchise cornerstone Evan Longoria.
Now considered a fringe depth piece, Arroyo’s status isn’t likely to change unless he significantly improves his production. His stint with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate resulted in a 73 wRC+ with underwhelming contact quality.
His best major league season came in 2021 with the Boston Red Sox, when he posted 0.7 WAR, a 105 wRC+, and a 1 OAA at second base—a position he transitioned to after struggles at third. However, his most recent big-league action in 2023 was a disappointing campaign with Boston, where he slashed .241/.268/.369 and recorded -0.3 WAR in 66 games, hampered by defensive struggles at second.
Arroyo hopes to regain his 2021-2022 form, when he showed above-replacement-level production and solid bat-to-ball skills. The Phillies, however, won’t need to lean heavily on him, as they already have a capable starter in Bryson Stott and reliable backups in Edmundo Sosa and Weston Wilson.
For Philadelphia, Arroyo represents a low-risk depth option who can provide minor league insurance in case of injuries or underperformance elsewhere on the roster.
Be the first to comment