Full Breakdown
Phillies Add Veteran Outfielder Dylan Carlson on Minor-League Deal
5/13/2026, 5:14:57 AM
Signing Overview
On Tuesday the Philadelphia Phillies signed 27-year-old switch-hitter Dylan Carlson to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The deal does not occupy a 40-man roster spot, letting the club add depth without a roster move. It follows the release of outfielder Oscar Mercado from Triple-A.
Career Background
Carlson was the 33rd overall pick in the 2016 draft, chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals. He debuted in 2020 and placed third in NL Rookie-of-the-Year voting in 2021 after a .266 average with 18 homers and 65 RBIs. He later bounced among the Cardinals, Rays, Orioles and Cubs, appearing in three games for Chicago before a Triple-A release in May.
Career Statistics
Across 570 major-league games Carlson has a .233/.312/.370 slash line, 43 homers, 195 RBIs and a .682 OPS. His 2021 season produced a .266/.343/.437 line with 18 homers. Versus left-handed pitching he has hit .272 with 12 homers, 58 RBIs and a .753 OPS.
Impact on Phillies Outfield
The Phillies’ 40-man roster lists only Steward Berroa, Gabrielle Rincones Jr. and Otto Kemp as outfielders, leaving limited depth. Carlson’s ability to play all three outfield spots and his switch-hitting give the club a versatile bench option that could be promoted if he performs well at Lehigh Valley, especially as Felix Reyes struggles for consistent playing time.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts view the move as modest. One commentary called the signing “not a shake-up” and noted Carlson has become “movable depth” after failing to meet the expectations of a former top prospect. The assessment suggests the Phillies added a low-risk veteran rather than a long-term solution.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Carlson’s career slash line and OPS. NBC Sports Philadelphia reports a .233/.312/.370 line with a .682 OPS, while ThatBallsOuttaHere cites a .233/.312/.371 line and a .683 OPS. Both agree on 43 home runs and 195 RBIs over 570 games.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Phillies have signed OF Dylan Carlson to a minor league contract. He will go to Lehigh Valley” — Jim Salisbury, NBC Sports Philadelphia
- “Not a bad little minors deal. Carlson is a switch hitter that has been much better against lefties. Hasn’t had much success since 2024 but is a least a profile that could make sense on the Phillies roster.” — @FuturePhils, Twitter
- “Former top prospect with Cardinals. .266/.343/.437 with 53 XBH in 2021. .640 big league OPS since then w/ STL, TB, BAL and CHC. Switch bat.” — Cole Weintraub, Twitter
- “The #Phillies add Dylan Carlson to the mix in Lehigh Valley. Like starting pitching, OF depth is also very thin. Carlson has spent parts of seven seasons in MLB hitting .233 with .682 OPS in 570 games.” — Cory Nidoh, Twitter
