Another one bites the dust. Today, the Phillies announced the release of outfielder Tyson Gillies. This announcement comes two weeks after the Phils dropped him from the 40-man roster. He cleared waivers two weeks ago and had remained in the Phillies’ system until today’s release.
Gillies, 25, was playing for Leigh Valley this year where he was hitting a low .214 with a .270 OBP in 47 games. Over his minor league career, Gillies has .284 with 37 home runs in 500 minor league games.
Gillies came over in the Cliff Lee trade to Seattle in 2009. The other players acquired by the Phillies were J.C. Ramirez and Phillippe Aumont. Of the three, only Aumont now remains with the Phillies organization, but he has yet to stick in the major leagues.
Gillies played the game with a disadvantage, being partially deaf, but that wasn't his main issue. Many negatives surrounded his career with the Phillies, including cocaine possession and a few altercations including verbally abusing Lehigh’s bus driver and damaging team property. Also, he was part of a huge bench clearing brawl in the World Baseball Classic during the Canada-Mexico game along with Phillies teammates, Sebastian Valle and Phillippe Aumont.
The Phillies tried to show patience with Gillies due to his outstanding athletic ability and the lack of outfield depth, but unfortunately for Gillies, it had an expiration date.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Ashipotofsky
