Philadelphia Phillies Add Intriguing 27-Year-Old Pitcher During Diamondbacks Series

While the Philadelphia Phillies are currently battling the Arizona Diamondbacks on their West Coast road trip, the organization has quietly made an interesting addition to its pitching depth.

Before getting into the signing, the Phillies opened their series against Arizona with a victory Monday night. The win moved Philadelphia to within 4.0 games of the Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the NL East.

Overall, the Phillies have enjoyed a productive trip out West and will head back home this weekend for a highly anticipated series against the Braves.

According to MLB.com’s transactions tracker, Philadelphia has signed 27-year-old right-hander Sam Carlson to a minor-league contract. Carlson has been assigned to Double-A Reading.

Carlson most recently spent time in the Houston Astros organization before being released shortly after the MLB trade deadline. The move was somewhat unexpected considering the right-hander had put together respectable numbers in the minor leagues.

With Triple-A Sugar Land in 2026, Carlson recorded a 3.47 ERA over 36.1 innings while striking out 43 batters. Those numbers helped make him an intriguing option for a Phillies organization looking to add pitching depth.

Carlson has also spent time within the organizations of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners selected Carlson in the 2017 MLB Draft, and he has now accumulated seven seasons of minor-league experience.

Over 352.1 career minor-league innings, Carlson owns a 4.50 ERA and has recorded 408 strikeouts.

His numbers have been particularly solid at the Triple-A level. In 96 career innings there, Carlson has posted a 3.94 ERA with 121 strikeouts across 76 appearances, all of which have come in relief.

Originally developed as a starting pitcher, Carlson transitioned to the bullpen in 2023. That season marked the end of his time in Seattle’s organization before he moved on to the Brewers system.

Now with Philadelphia, Carlson will have an opportunity to work his way through the Phillies’ minor-league system and potentially emerge as another bullpen option down the road.