Even though the MLB trade deadline is long gone, the Philadelphia Phillies continue adding to their depth, at least their minor league depth. On Monday, the team signed outfielder Ryan McKenna to a minor league contract.
The Athletic's Matt Gelb first reported the signing, indicating that McKenna will head to Triple-A. The 27-year-old was recently designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants before clearing waivers and being released.
Phillies signed outfielder Ryan McKenna to a minor-league deal. He’ll go to Triple A as depth.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) August 6, 2024
Phillies sign former top Orioles prospect Ryan McKenna as outfield depth
McKenna, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2015, rose as high as No. 7 in Baltimore's Top 30 MLB Pipeline rankings in 2019. (Interesting side note: current Phillies outfielder Austin Hays was ranked No. 4 that year.)
He debuted in 2021, appearing in 90 games with 169 at-bats. The right-handed hitting McKenna struggled to gain traction in his rookie year, batting .183/.292/.266 with a 37.6 percent strikeout rate, while being sent back and forth between the Orioles and their Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides.
McKenna appeared in another 194 games for the Orioles between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He improved at the plate, slashing .245/.304/.349, but not enough to overcome a still high 30.5 percent strikeout rate.
Strong showing this season didn't save McKenna from being DFA'd by Orioles
He had a good showing in his limited action with Baltimore this season, slashing .375/.444/1.125 with a pair of home runs in eight at-bats. However, it wasn't enough to keep him on the young, talented Baltimore roster, and he was designated for assignment on May 13 before being claimed off waivers by the Giants.
His limited time in the Bay Area didn't go quite as well. He went hitless with four strikeouts in six plate appearances with the Giants before being released on Aug. 3.
If McKenna can produce with consistent at-bats with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, he could find himself in the mix for another crack at the majors if the Phillies find themselves looking for emergency injury replacement options down the stretch. He has been a solid defender for the balance of his big league time, posting eight defensive runs saved and six outs above average in 1287 2/3 innings across all three outfield positions.