Angels make trade, acquire former top prospect from NL Powerhouse

Los Angeles Angels traded for goalkeeper Scott Kingery, a former top-100 prospect Philadelphia Phillies on Friday in exchange for cash benefits.

Kingery spent almost a decade in Philadelphia before being traded.

The 30-year-old spent the 2024 season with the Phillies Triple-A team, where he hit 25 home runs and an .804 OPS while playing primarily shortstop.

Kingery unfortunately did not live up to expectations resulting from his potential status and contract. While he offers some speed on the bases and defensive versatility at multiple positions, his bat hasn’t developed enough to make him a consistent contributor at the Major League level.

When Kingery debuted in 2018, just three years after being drafted in the second round by Philadelphia, he seemed destined for a standout career. Entering his debut season, he was ranked 35th in the MLB Pipeline rankings and 2nd in the Phillies, and a few days before his debut he even signed a six-year contract worth $24 million.

However, he struggled in his first year, hitting .226/.267/.338 in 452 at-bats.

Kingery showed some improvement in 2019, hitting 19 home runs with a 101 OPS+ in 458 at-bats, but that was his last significant appearance in the major leagues with Philadelphia.

Injuries derailed Kingery’s performance in the shortened 2020 season, in which he posted just a .511 OPS in 124 at-bats. He struggled in 2021 with a 1-for-19 and 12-strikeout start before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in July. Since then, he has appeared in just one Major League game.

Kingery played in 65 games in center field in 2019, but has primarily played defensive back and second base throughout his career. While he provides the Angels with positioning flexibility and some power, he also boasts a high strikeout rate, with a 28.1% strikeout rate at the Triple-A level through 2023.

Given his versatility, Kingery can still develop into a useful player if he can provide even a moderately effective attack. He hasn’t accomplished that at the major league level yet, so it’s a low-risk move for the Angels, especially since he doesn’t currently hold a roster spot.

While the guaranteed portion of Kingery’s contract has expired, it includes team options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Kingery adds valuable minor league depth at multiple positions for the Angels. His goal will be to secure a roster spot and potentially have a breakout season.