Yet to play in majors, Phils’ Kingery gets 6-year deal
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies and prized prospect Scott Kingery reached a six-year contract, a major endorsement for a player who has yet to reach the major leagues.
The Phillies announced the deal, which goes through the 2023 season, Sunday. There also are three team options running through 2026.
Multiple media reports said Kingery was guaranteed more than $23 million.
Kingery, 23, is batting .392 in 20 spring training games and is tied for the Grapefruit League lead with 20 hits.
Kingery hit a combined .304 with 26 home runs and 29 steals as a second baseman for Class AAA Lehigh Valley and Class AA Reading last year. He was a second-round pick in the 2015 draft from the University of Arizona.
Kingery is regarded as the best second-base prospect in baseball. The Phillies currently have Cesar Hernandez as their starting second baseman, so Kingery has also seen time at third base this spring and worked in the outfield.
Coming off a 66-96 record and last-place finish in the NL East, the Phillies have been aggressive going into this season. They recently signed former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta after previously adding slugger Carlos Santana.
Hellickson, Revere among players cut
Nationals pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, Reds outfielder Ben Revere and Cardinals reliever Jason Motte were among the latest cuts as big league teams reached a deadline to make roster decisions.
Royals pitcher Ricky Nolasco, Twins infielder Erick Aybar and Cubs outfielder Peter Bourjos also were released Sunday, four days before all 30 clubs play their openers.
It was the last day for teams to choose what to do with players who chose to become free agents after the World Series and later signed minor league contracts. Clubs could either opt to add them to the 25-man roster for opening day, release them or pay a $100,000 retention bonus if they agreed to begin the season in the minors.
Blue Jays reliever Tyler Clippard, who pitched for the Astros last season and recently signed after working out at a camp for free agents in Florida, will begin the season with Toronto. Ex-Astros outfielder Colby Rasmus, who walked away from the game last summer, returns with the Orioles.
Odds and ends
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. With the longtime ace out, rookie Jack Flaherty will begin the year in the rotation as the fifth starter. Wainwright recently hurt his hamstring in a conditioning drill. Closer Luke Gregerson also injured a hamstring during a drill and will be on the DL. …
Still recovering from offseason surgery on his right ankle, Indians outfielder Michael Brantley will start the season on the DL as the team continues to take a cautious and deliberate approach with the two-time All-Star. … Padres righthander Dinelson Lamet left Sunday’s spring start with an elbow injury, possibly jeopardizing his chance to pitch this week in the regular season. San Diego manager Andy Green said he didn’t have a medical update on Lamet’s condition after an 11-7 loss to Seattle. …
A day after he exited his final spring training game because of a stiff left shoulder, Danny Duffy said he was ready to pitch the Royals’ opener against White Sox on Thursday. … Yankees manager Aaron Boone said it’s too early to know if first baseman Greg Bird will be sidelined opening day at Toronto because of inflammation in his right foot. … Mariners manager Scott Servais announced that ace Felix Hernandez will start on opening day for the 10th straight year and for the 11th time in his career when Seattle hosts Cleveland on Thursday.