The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired a versatile infielder with a background in nearly every position on the infield (including catcher), is set to get another shot at making his MLB debut. After being drafted in the 37th round and later in the fifth round, the 28-year-old has spent years grinding in the minor leagues. Now, as he approaches 2025, he has signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization, per Steve Potter of Phillies Baseball Fan. While there’s no official confirmation yet, it’s unlikely that he’s received an invite to the Phillies’ big league spring training. This marks another opportunity for Bechtold as he continues to chase that elusive MLB debut.
Top star initially drafted twice as a position player due to his solid raw power, took a swing at being a two-way player in 2023. While he hit eight home runs in 73 games with an .800 OPS, his pitching didn’t fare well, posting an 11.00 ERA in 20 relief appearances for the Minnesota Twins’ Triple-A affiliate.
In 2024, Bechtold fully embraced the transition to the mound, leaving the two-way player label behind. Across 33 appearances split between two Blue Jays affiliates, he posted a 6.21 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 20 walks in 33 1/3 innings. This marks a continued evolution of his game as he focuses on pitching, and now, with the Phillies, he will look to further develop and potentially make an MLB debut as a pitcher.
Phillies sign local converted pitcher to minor league contract
Andrew Bechtold, a Pennsylvania native, is still working to tap into his potential as a pitcher. In 2025, it’s rumored that he will fully commit to being a full-time pitcher with the Philadelphia Phillies. On the mound, Bechtold has a three-pitch mix that’s still developing but shows promise. He throws a four-seam fastball, cutter, and slider, with his four-seam fastball reaching up to 98 mph last season. His control, however, remains a work in progress, as reflected in his walk numbers. Despite the struggles, the fact that teams are continuing to give him opportunities speaks to the potential they see in him as a pitcher.
It’s still uncertain where Andrew Bechtold will begin the 2025 season in the minors, but the expectation is that he’ll likely report to the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. If Bechtold struggles to find his footing as a pitcher, the Phillies could always consider shifting him back to the offensive side of the game. After all, he has proven offensive upside, with two 18+ home run seasons under his belt in 2021 and 2022. His versatility could offer the Phillies multiple options, depending on how his pitching development progresses.
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