The Phillies re-signed outfielder David Dahl to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic (X hyperlink). Dahl was designated for task by the Phils again on July 9 and rejected an outright task in favor of free company a pair days later.
Dahl, 30, performed simply 4 huge league video games in 2022-23 earlier than resurfacing with the Phils earlier this summer time. The previous No. 10 total draft decide and longtime Rockies high prospect signed a minor league deal over the winter and blitzed by means of Triple-A opposition with a .340/.416/.660 batting line and a dozen homers in 166 journeys to the plate previous to his promotion. He homered twice in his first three video games again within the huge leagues, setting the stage for a possible Cinderella comeback, however Dahl struggled to a .154/.196/.231 slash in 56 plate appearances thereafter.
Again in 2016, Dahl on the cusp of stardom. He reached the majors in his age-22 season after destroying minor league pitching and hit .315/.359/.500 with seven homers and 5 steals in his first 237 main league plate appearances. Dahl continued to hit effectively in subsequent seasons however missed substantial time as a result of harm as effectively. From 2016-19, he turned in a .297/.346/.521 batting line in 921 huge league plate appearances however did so whereas enduring prolonged IL stints owing to again, ankle, foot and ribcage accidents. Add that to a lacerated spleen suffered as a prospect (which resulted in surgical procedure to take away the organ totally), and Dahl’s harm historical past shortly turned prolonged and alarming.
That sequence of well being maladies took its toll on the proficient younger outfielder. In 390 plate appearances relationship again to 2020, Dahl has authored a tepid .200/.237/.318 slash within the majors. This yr’s scintillating output in Lehigh Valley and his quick begin following his promotion lend some hope that there’s nonetheless a few of that 2016-19 type buried away. For now, he’ll head again to the IronPigs and attempt to power his method again into the Phillies’ main league plans.
