The Philadelphia Phillies' farm system isn't exactly overflowing with talented (and MLB-ready) run-producers. Francisco Renteria has been a revelation from the international scene, but he might be a half-decade away. Justin Crawford has been an enjoyable watch, but hasn't torched the depth chart in his wake and removed all doubt. Aidan Miller ... sigh, we wish. So it can be especially annoying to watch that depleted farm produce a talent who's currently doing his best work elsewhere.
Doubly so when that talented player - say, Avery Owusu-Asiedu - was dealt in a trade so small we can barely feel its impact - say, to Arizona in exchange for left-hander Kyle Backhus.
Backhus seemed somewhat important to the Phillies before they added Brooks Raley this summer and were stunningly devoid of lefty help. Now, he hasn't appeared with the big club since before the trade deadline, and carries a 1.55 WHIP and 4.95 ERA in 20 big-league innings that seems likely to stay unbothered by the sands of time (ok, he might be a September call-up, but not an exciting one).
Owusu-Asiedau? He hit .258 with a .751 OPS last year split between Low-A and High-A in the Phillies' system, clubbing just seven bombs. This year, in a season split between the Hillsboro Hops and Double-A Sod Poodles, he's clubbed 23 bombs in 107 games. He's a 6'4" righty-swinging center field prospect who has tapped into his own electricity. It's a tough job to predict breakouts, but it's ... Dave Dombrowski and his lieutenants' job nonetheless. Guess that's part of the reason there was a reshuffling among the farm system leadership this week.
The #Phillies traded Avery Owusu-Asiedu for Kyle Backhus this offseason. https://t.co/GL8OAeeLfL
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrPHL) August 27, 2026
Traded Phillies prospect Avery Owusu-Asiedu is making ridiculous home run history with Diamondbacks
Yeah, it's not just the season-long power show, by the way. It's come in slightly more condensed and impressive fits and spurts. Owusu-Asiedu has two different four-game homer streaks this season. In just 15 games after getting the Double-A bump, he already has 10 homers and 26 RBI. The man has visited a scorching hot all-new world since becoming a Sod Poodle, with nary an adjustment period.
Backhus? He's got a 2.89 ERA at Lehigh Valley, so he's got that going for him.
You don't have to win every small deal, but ... it would be nice for the optics of losing one to not be quite so in-your-face. Alas, the Phillies don't have that luxury. The Diamondbacks now possess it.
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