In a boost to the minor league pitching depth, the Philadelphia Phillies are bringing back a former top prospect to the organization after several years away from the club.
Last week, the Phillies agreed to terms with Adonis Medina, as reported by Phillies Tailgate on X, on a minor league contract for what will be his second stint with the organization. He has reported to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he will look to work his way back to the majors for the first time since 2022 with the New York Mets.
Medina, 28, was originally signed by the Phillies as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic at the age of 17 back in 2014. He was highly touted during his time in the Phillies organization and was ranked as high as the No. 16 prospect in the system and No. 77 in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline. He spent six years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in the 2020 season, when he made one start. The following season, he returned to the major leagues with the Phillies, posting a 3.52 ERA in four games of action with the club.
Phillies' former prospect Adonis Medina returns after wide-ranging travels
At the end of the 2021 campaign, Medina was designated for assignment by the Phillies and resurfaced in the majors with the Mets in 2022 after a quick stint in the Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league system. With the Mets, he struggled to the tune of a 6.08 ERA in 23 2/3 innings of work before being designated for assignment and ultimately electing free agency.
Since then, Medina has bounced around baseball both on an international level with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League and in the minor leagues with the Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners. His last team prior to the new deal with the Phillies was the Mariners, where he signed in November 2024. He was released on June 23 after posting a 5.03 ERA in 34 innings with their Triple-A team, which led to the opportunity of a reunion with his former club.
With pitching at a premium across the league, Medina will look to make an impact in Lehigh Valley and ultimately prove that he belongs back in the big leagues. He got off to a rough start, however, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits and five walks while recording three strikeouts over two innings in his IronPigs debut on the weekend.
Medina gives the Phillies flexibility as he has extensive experience both as a starting pitcher and a reliever. While the Phillies have a surplus of starting pitching, the bullpen has been an area of concern, and if he pitches well, he has the opportunity for a full-circle moment with the club in 2025.