Phillies take a chance on former first-round pick Seth Beer in low-risk, high-upside move

The Philadelphia Phillies made a quiet move earlier this week, signing former first-round pick and Clemson standout Seth Beer to a minor league contract, assigning him to Double-A Reading.

Phillies Sign Seth Beer to a Minor League Contract

The Philadelphia Phillies have announced the following changes to the Reading Fightin Phils roster:

– Josh Hejka transferred from Jersey Shore
– John McMillon transferred from Lehigh Valley
– Seth Beer has been signed to a minor league contract and added to the roster
– Jack…

— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) May 13, 2025

It goes without saying a “BEER” jersey or t-shirt at Citizens Bank Park for Phillies fans will be an instant best-seller but here’s what we know about the player himself.

Seth Beer was once one of the most feared college hitters in the country, has had a rollercoaster ride since being taken 28th overall by the Astros in 2018. He tore up the minors early, looked like a lock to mash in the bigs, and even got the storybook moment in 2022 when he hit a walk-off, three-run bomb on Opening Day for the Diamondbacks.

The Phillies signed 1B/OF Seth Beer to a minor league contract. pic.twitter.com/FV7wdxjeQc

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) May 13, 2025

Since Then It’s Been a Struggle for Seth Beer

After falling out of favor in Arizona and getting scooped up by the Pirates in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft, Beer never sniffed the Majors again, ultimately landing in independent ball with the Long Island Ducks. That’s where the Phillies found him, still flashing the same big lefty power that made him a name in the first place.

The #Phillies signed Seth Beer to a minor league contract.

Beer was playing Indy ball with the Long Island Ducks and slashed .239/.426/.565 with four HR and 14 RBI in 14 games.

Beer has played in 43 MLB games hitting .208 with 2 HR and 12 RBI. pic.twitter.com/RpAIkr3Wqx

— Cory Nidoh (@Cory_Nidoh) May 13, 2025

Why This Makes Sense for the Phillies

This is a classic Dave Dombrowski zero-risk, lottery-ticket type of move.

Beer’s raw numbers in the minors still jump off the page with six straight minor league seasons with 10+ home runs and a career .278/.376/.474 slash line. At his best, Beer profiles as a slugging first baseman/DH type — the kind of guy who can lengthen a lineup and take aim at the short porch in right field at CBP.

Seth Beer will start at Double-A Reading, which is a step back for a guy who’s logged 43 MLB games, but after a year in indie ball, that’s understandable. If he rakes? He’ll get bumped to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, putting him one injury or hot streak away from the bigs.

At worst, the Phillies gave a former first-round pick with legit pop a shot to work his way back into relevance. At best? Maybe they catch lightning in a beer bottle (sorry, had to do it).

It’s a classic Dombrowski depth play — stash a bat with pedigree, see if there’s anything left in the tank, and if not? No harm, no foul.

Either way, Seth Beer is officially part of the Phillies family now. And hey, if he makes it back to the Show in red pinstripes, the Beer Gardens at Citizens Bank Park might get a little more crowded.

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