The Phillies have added some infield depth to their team today, acquiring Taylor Featherston from the Angels in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Bobby LaFromboise has been designated for assignment to make room for him on the roster, reports Phillies.com's Todd Zolecki.
#Phillies have acquired INF Taylor Featherston from the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later or cash.
— Phillies (@Phillies) February 10, 2016
Featherston, 26, was selected by the Rockies in the fifth-round of the 2011 draft and put up some impressive numbers in the minors during the 2012 season with Class 'A' Asheville and Advanced 'A' Modesto, posting averages of .299 and .292 respectively. In Double-A Tulsa during the 2014 season, Featherston hit just .260, but smacked 16 homers and drove in 57 runs.
He was selected by the Angels in the Rule 5 draft last season and stayed with the team primarily because he could be used defensively at second base, shortstop and third base. He batted just .162 though, the lowest for any major-league player with at least 150 plate appearances.
The Phillies acquisition of Featherston likely won't have an effect on their big league roster, but if he can start producing like he did in the lower levels of the minor leagues, he might become a useful utility player down the line. He'll go on the 40-man roster, but has three minor league options available.
During Dominican Winter League play, Featherston hit .216 (8-for-37), but impressed in the Arizona Fall League with a .294 (20-for-79) average to go along with two doubles, three triples, a home run and 10 RBI's.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
