The Phillies now have more outfield depth and a competitive spring training roster thanks to Jordan Luplow’s new minor league contract.
As the final two weeks of spring training come to an end, the Philadelphia Phillies keep strengthening their lineup. The Phillies and veteran utility player Jordan Luplow have negotiated a minor league agreement, according to MLB source Robert Murray of FanSided, which was finalized on Friday night.
The 30-year-old was having a good spring while in Braves training before being released by the team. Before being released, Luplow, a right-handed hitter, had 29 at-bats with a batting average of.276 with eight hits, three home runs, and seven RBI. Having played in seven major league seasons, Luplow has a career batting average of.212, 47 home runs, and 125 RBI.
Luplow’s batting average has never been very impressive. Only two seasons have seen the former Pittsburgh Pirates third-round selection (Luplow) have a batting average above.240. His greatest season was a strong 2019, during which he also set career highs in RBI (38) and home runs (15). Luplow exemplifies the quintessential MLB journeyman, having played for six different organizations over the course of seven years.
Free-agent outfielder Jordan Luplow in agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies on a minor-league deal, sources say. Luplow was recently released by the Braves to explore other opportunities and lands in Philly less than 24 hours later.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 16, 2024
Throughout his career, the adaptable Luplow has played all over the diamond. Although he has played primarily in the outfield, he has also filled in at several other infield positions and hasn’t had many opportunities to take the mound as a pitcher. Now, the Phillies will add Luplow to a crowded outfield mix during the last couple weeks of spring training.
Phillies are still adding depth to their outfield despite concerns regarding Johan Rojas’ hitting.
Johan Rojas has long been known to struggle with consistency in his hitting. Manager Rob Thomson has given Rojas a lot of leeway to establish his worth on the Opening Day roster heading into this spring. Concern should be expressed about Rojas’s spring training numbers thus far, as he is hitting just.152 with five hits, zero home runs, and four RBIs in 33 at-bats while also striking out seven times and failing to draw a walk.
Having played for the Phillies the previous season, Jake Cave and Cristian Pache were in the running for the fourth and fifth outfield spots as the team headed into spring training. In the summer, the group signed former MLB All-Star David Dahl to a minor league deal and added Cal Stevenson on a minor league pact. The Phillies notably signed All-Star utility man Whit Merrifield to a free agent deal at the beginning of camp, and he’s expected to see time in the outfield this season as well.
The Phillies’ approach seems to be that having too much outfield depth is a problem they would gladly accept after a rough stretch last season that exposed the team’s outfield defense as a critical weak point. Rojas’ defense might have saved them when they were fighting for a playoff spot in 2023, but it’s clear that the Phillies will give the youngster a quick hook if his troubles at the plate continue. All told, the signing of Jordan Luplow is a minor move that makes the Phillies stronger at the upper minor league levels this season.