The Philadelphia Phillies have decided to move on from outfielder Dylan Carlson, officially releasing the former first-round draft pick from their Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The decision comes as the organization continues to search for dependable outfield production while dealing with significant injuries at the major league level.
Philadelphia has faced a difficult stretch in the outfield this season. The club lost starting right fielder Adolis García after he suffered a season-ending lat injury that required surgery. The situation became even more challenging when Johan Rojas, who had been preparing to return following his suspension, sustained an elbow injury that ultimately required an internal brace procedure. Those setbacks forced the Phillies to explore alternative options to strengthen their roster.
To address the shortage, the organization acquired Derek Hill from the Chicago White Sox and also promoted Gabriel Rincones Jr., giving the young outfielder an opportunity to contribute at the major league level. Despite those moves, Carlson was never able to position himself as a realistic candidate for a call-up.
According to reports, the Phillies released Carlson after an underwhelming stint with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. While the move may appear disappointing considering his pedigree, it is not entirely unexpected given the numbers he produced throughout the season.
Carlson appeared in 40 games for the IronPigs, receiving 153 plate appearances. During that stretch, he posted a .181 batting average with a .307 on-base percentage and a .307 slugging percentage. He managed four home runs, four doubles and drove in 18 runs, but overall struggled to consistently make an impact at the plate. His .614 OPS reflected the offensive challenges that followed him throughout the year.
His difficulties actually began before joining the Phillies organization. Earlier in the season, Carlson played for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he also failed to establish any offensive rhythm. In 44 plate appearances, he collected only seven hits. Chicago briefly promoted him to the major league roster, but his stay was extremely short. Carlson went hitless in four at-bats while striking out twice before returning to the minors.
The lack of production across multiple organizations made it increasingly difficult for the Phillies to justify keeping him in the system, especially as they evaluated other players with greater upside or stronger recent performances.
Carlson entered professional baseball with enormous expectations after the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects during his rise through the Cardinals’ farm system, he was expected to become a cornerstone player in St. Louis for years to come.
Those expectations appeared justified during the 2021 season. Carlson enjoyed the best campaign of his major league career, producing a 3.2 bWAR while establishing himself as one of the Cardinals’ most promising young players. He also recorded a 115 OPS+, meaning he performed well above the league-average hitter. At just 22 years old at the time, it seemed he was on the verge of becoming an All-Star caliber outfielder.
Unfortunately, that breakout season proved to be the high point of his career.
Since then, Carlson has struggled to regain the offensive consistency that once made him one of baseball’s brightest young talents. Injuries, declining production and inconsistent playing time have all contributed to a difficult stretch that has now extended across several seasons.
His numbers over the past few years illustrate that decline. During the 2024 season, split between the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, Carlson posted a negative 1.2 bWAR, reflecting below-average overall performance. Last season with the Baltimore Orioles, he again struggled offensively, batting .203 with a .278 on-base percentage and a .336 slugging percentage. He hit six home runs, added nine doubles and finished with a -0.7 bWAR.
If Carlson does not return to the majors later this season, 2026 would mark his third consecutive year finishing with negative bWAR, highlighting the challenges he has faced in recapturing his earlier success.
Despite those disappointing results, Carlson’s age could still work in his favor. At only 27 years old, he remains younger than many veteran free agents and still possesses defensive versatility along with experience at the major league level. Teams looking for inexpensive outfield depth or hoping to unlock untapped potential may view him as a worthwhile project.
It is not uncommon for former top prospects to revive their careers after changing organizations. A different coaching staff, mechanical adjustments or a fresh opportunity can sometimes help talented players rediscover the form they once displayed. Carlson’s impressive 2021 campaign serves as evidence that he has previously shown the ability to perform at a high level against major league competition.
For the Phillies, however, the timing simply did not work. The organization needed players capable of providing immediate production as it continues navigating injuries and competing throughout the season. Carlson’s struggles in Triple-A left little reason to believe he could offer that help in the near future.
Philadelphia’s focus now remains on finding reliable contributors for the outfield while hoping injured players eventually return to full health. Hill and Rincones Jr. are expected to continue receiving opportunities as the club evaluates its depth and searches for the best combination moving forward.
Meanwhile, Carlson enters another pivotal stage of his professional career. Although his recent numbers have been disappointing, his former first-round status, defensive ability and age could attract interest from another organization willing to give him another opportunity.
Whether that opportunity leads to a major league comeback remains to be seen, but his next destination could prove to be one of the most important chapters of his baseball journey. For now, his time with the Phillies has officially come to an end, and both player and organization will move forward in different directions as the second half of the season unfolds.
