A number of minor league Phillies players elected free agency over the weekend. The biggest names on the list include Ethan Martin, the one-time prospect acquired in the Shane Victorino trade of 2012 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After showing promise, Martin battled non-stop injuries and finished 2015 with the AA Reading Fightin' Phils.
Also electing free agency was one-time prospect Kelly Dugan. The outfielder played at three minor league levels in 2015, batting a combined .274. Dugan peaked by hitting 20 home runs in 2013, but has shown little power since. The Phillies must feel they have better options in the minor leagues or available this offseason in free agency.
Also a notable minor league free agent: 2015 Fightin' Phils closer Stephen Shackleford. Shackleford got some attention in 2015 as he set the AA Reading single season saves record with 30 saves. However, down the stretch Shackleford was wild for the Fightin' Phils, who were runners up to the AA Eastern League championship.
Here are a number of Phillies organization transactions in terms of minor league free agents, courtesy of the various MILB.com transactions pages:
Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs:
- 3B Cord Phelps
- SS Edgar Duran
- RHP Jason Berken
- IF Tyler Pastornicky
- OF Kelly Dugan
Reading Fightin' Phils:
- RHP Ethan Martin
- RHP Colin Kleven
- C Koyie Hill
- SS KC Cerna
- RHP Stephen Shackleford
- C Rene Garcia
- 2B Brodie Green
- RHP Reinier Roibal
Clearwater Threshers:
- RHP Stephen Inch
- C Willians Astudillo
