Phillies Add Veteran Infielder for Triple-A Depth
The Phillies bolstered their Triple-A infield on Friday by signing 29-year-old utility infielder Sergio Alcantara to a minor-league contract and assigning him to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The move helps address a need created by injuries, including one to top prospect Aidan Miller.
A switch-hitter, Alcantara brings big-league experience with 506 plate appearances across four seasons, having played for the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Padres, Tigers, and Giants. Most of his time came with Chicago and Arizona. Known more for his defense than his bat, he owns a .207/.278/.340 slash line in the majors but has been more productive at Triple-A, posting a .382 on-base percentage in nearly 1,500 plate appearances.
Alcantara finished last season strong, hitting .315/.435/.470 with Triple-A Reno after being designated for assignment by the Giants. He later signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals and participated in spring training before being released earlier this week, opening the door for Philadelphia to add him.
With over 7,000 minor-league innings at shortstop and nearly 1,000 at second base, Alcantara is expected to primarily play second for Lehigh Valley. His addition gives the IronPigs more flexibility, allowing players like Liover Peguero to shift positions as needed. The current infield mix also includes Christian Cairo, Carter Kieboom, and Robert Moore.
Meanwhile, Aidan Miller remains sidelined with a lingering lower back issue that kept him out of spring training. He is not yet swinging a bat and is limited to fielding and throwing work, with the Phillies taking a cautious approach to his recovery. Though he wasn’t expected to make the major-league roster this year, his development at Triple-A is considered crucial, especially with a potential opportunity to take over at third base in the future.
Other injuries have also impacted the roster. Outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. is nearing a return after missing spring training with knee tendinitis, while Keaton Anthony is recovering from a foot fracture suffered during camp.
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