The Milwaukee Brewers and other organizations have seen position players transition to pitchers in the past. Former Brewers second round pick Lucas Erceg successfully saved his career in doing so and is currently a key member of the Oakland Athletics bullpen. David Fletcher, who was a position player with the Los Angeles Angels from 2018-2023, has started pitching this year as a member of the Atlanta Braves organization.
In a recent development a former Milwaukee Brewers fan favorite and World Series hero with the Tampa Bay Rays has made his first appearance as a pitcher in an attempt to return to Major League Baseball someday. That player is Brett Phillips.
Former Milwaukee Brewers fan favorite Brett Phillips is attempting to return to Major League Baseball as a reliever.
On Monday, July 29 a video went viral of Brett Phillips throwing 97 MPH heat during a National Baseball Congress World Series game. This league features primarily college aged players, but for Phillips this was his debut on the mound as a pitcher. As planned he threw one inning (struck out the side) and now has his sights set on pitching in a professional league outside of affiliated baseball.
Brett Phillips is throwing 97 MPH 😳
The 30-year-old former outfielder is attempting to return to MLB as a reliever pic.twitter.com/ZOgftZxhrp
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 30, 2024
Brett Phillips has been training with a pitching coach in Texas since his release earlier this year.
In May of this year Brett Phillips was released by the Chicago White Sox, but has since been working with a pitching coach in Texas. The Wichita Eagle reported the following quote from Brett Phillips: “This wasn’t something where I got ready in a week for this. I’ve put in a lot of good work. This has been a thought-out process and something I really want to pursue and I feel like I can still make a difference at the big-league level.”
In the years prior Brett Phillips had gone viral for lobbing 45 MPH pitches to batters during Major League Baseball games.
In 2021, 2022, and 2023 Brett Phillips had outings as a position player pitching in big league games that were blowouts. At that time he was must watch TV as he lobbed 45 MPH pitches to batters, but went viral with a nice defensive highlight with the Tampa Bay Rays. Things have drastically changed now because as mentioned he is serious about attempting a comeback as a pitcher.
Brett Phillips was truly must watch TV on the mound. pic.twitter.com/2poVMJYr47
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) July 23, 2024
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