Surprising Phillies prospect showing signs of power breakout in early AFL action

Last offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies made a puzzling move when they sent international bonus pool money to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for minor league prospect Dylan Campbell, who they highly regarded. That move may have backfired on the Phillies a bit, as the money helped the Dodgers land Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki.

Sasaki, of course, ended up playing a key closing role for the Dodgers in the playoffs, which ultimately ended the Phillies’ season in the NLDS. However, not all may be lost, as Campbell has begun to show signs of a power breakout in early Arizona Fall League action.

Phillies prospect Dylan Campbell off to a strong start in early AFL action

Selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Campbell split this season between the Phillies’ High-A affiliate Jersey Shore BlueClaws and the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.

With his strengths primarily his defense and speed, the 23-year-old prospect put together a decent 2025 campaign by registering 63 runs, 60 RBIs and 33 stolen bases in 122 games. At the same time, Campbell’s power and hitting still needed some work as he posted just a .215 batting average and a .666 OPS with just 14 home runs over 514 plate appearances.

However, Campbell has started to take a big step forward with his play in the AFL thus far. In nine games with the Surprise Saguaros, the Phillies No. 28 prospect has already compiled a .240 average and .989 OPS, with seven runs scored, two doubles, two home runs and four RBIs in 25 at-bats.

As Sam Dykstra of MLB.com points out, the more important growth and development of his game has been the fact that Campbell has been hitting for more power. His first three hits of the AFL season went for extra bases with four of his first eight batted balls exceeding the 95 mph exit velocity hard-hit standard.

All of that could perhaps be attributed to slight adjustments in his batting stance.

"I'm a little more closed off now," Campbell said, per Dykstra. "During the season, I was a lot more open. I’m kind of closing off, seeing if I can be a little more direct."

After appearing in two spring training games with the Phillies this year, picking up a hit in his lone Grapefruit League at-bat, there's a good chance fans will get to see more of Campbell next spring.

Philadelphia might have suffered the short-term consequences of losing at the hands of Sasaki and the Dodgers in the 2025 NLDS. But that could eventually even out in the long run if Campbell manages to develop into a future integral piece of the Phillies' lineup.