By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Just like Will Middlebrooks — who fractured his left fibula after colliding with the since-retired Andrew Pullin this spring — minor league veteran infielder Trevor Plouffe signed with the Philadelphia Phillies with the hope to earn another chance to play at the big league level.
While Middlebrooks, a 2013 World Series champion, likely will remain sidelined the rest of the season, Plouffe remains active and vies to play his ninth big league season at some point in 2018. Last night with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the former 20th overall pick in the 2004 amateur draft with the Minnesota Twins showed he still has something left to prove.
Plouffe, 31, homered twice, his fifth and sixth, in the IronPigs' 9-4 defeat against Triple-A Buffalo.
Plouffe signed a minor league contract with the Phillies on April 23, 13 days after the Texas Rangers released the Wells Hills, California, native. If Plouffe reaches the majors, he will make $1.5 million, along with $150,000 in incentives, according to FRS Baseball's Jon Heyman.
Versatility and strong fielding certainly do not hurt Plouffe's chances to receive a call-up to the big league club, perhaps in September depending on whether the Phillies remain in postseason contention. With Lehigh Valley, Plouffe has fielded 110 1/3 innings at second base, 56 2/3 at third and 36 at first. Overall, Plouffe has committed no errors through 101 chances.
In 146 plate appearances this season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Plouffe is slashing .221/.329/.426 with seven doubles, six home runs, 14 RBI, 21 walks and 37 strikeouts.
