Phillies to Promote No. 3-Ranked Prospect Haseley as McCutchen Awaits MRI

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Late Monday, the Philadelphia Phillies not only added a top hitting prospect in the first round of the amateur draft — shortstop Bryson Stott — but they also announced they will promote their first round pick from just two seasons ago to its big league club — outfielder Adam Haseley.

Update | Phillies' McCutchen Tears ACL, Ruled Out for Season

Haseley, 23, will join the Phillies on Tuesday; his promotion comes as a result of left fielder Andrew McCutchen's unfortunate left knee injury he suffered in the top of the first inning against Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres. McCutchen will undergo an MRI on Tuesday; the initial diagnosis, according to Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler, is a sprain.

After McCutchen walked to begin the game, Jean Segura hit an infield fly, but the ball was intentionally dropped by Padres second baseman Ian Kinsler when noticing Segura did not get out of the box fast. Kinsler recorded two outs on the play, the second being McCutchen in a rundown; the Phillies leadoff batter then fell to the ground, clutched his knee in pain, and was helped off the field.

The recently acquired Jay Bruce entered the game to replace McCutchen; he went 1-for-3 and made a leaping, run-saving catch for his Phillies debut. They Phillies went on to lose their season-high fifth straight game, 8-2. Phillies offseason free agent target Machado went 1-for-4 with a grand slam, walk and strikeout in his first game against the club since joining the Padres. Aaron Nola (6-1) suffered his first loss of 2019, while reliever J.D. Hammer allowed his first runs (2).

The Phillies opted to promote their No. 3-ranked prospect, Haseley, over the recently demoted Nick Williams, and with options limited beyond that due to the also injured Roman Quinn and Dylan Cozens.

RELATED | Phillies Prospect Adam Haseley Produces Multiple RBI Doubles in Triple-A Debut

Haseley had played just six games at the Triple-A level, from May 29 to June 3, as he was promoted to the IronPigs less than a week ago (May 29). Combined, he slashed .320/.370/.440 with one run scored, five singles, three doubles, four RBI, one walk and seven strikeouts spanning 27 plate appearances.

While Haseley has earned his call to "The Show," the Phillies surely would not have wanted to promote him as a result of an injury to their leadoff batter. They will anxiously await the results of McCutchen's Tuesday MRI.